Footsteps in Time (The After Cilmeri Series Book 1)

Footsteps in Time (Chapter Seven)

Anna

Prince Llywelyn, David, and a host of men rode out of Castell y Bere, in the third week of January, 1283. What's more, David rode at the head of the company, at Prince Llywelyn's side, acknowledged as his son. Somehow, after that afternoon in Papa's study, without any overt acclaim, word had spread. By dinner, everyone in the castle had known David's true identity. Instead of anger, there was general contentment, if not a palpable sense of relief. Prince Llywelyn had been wise to give his people time to become acquainted with David's character, so that now their response was a genuine, "Of course he is! We knew it all along!"

Before he left, Anna found David near the stables, adjusting his stirrups (because he'd probably grown two inches over night). Putting her arms around his waist, she squeezed him tightly and pressed her face into his wool cloak.

"Be safe," she said.

He turned and hugged her to him. "I will."

Anna let go to look up at him and he smiled, with eyes that were bright with excitement. Anna's were bright with tears because what she really wanted to say was don't go and leave me here by myself! But she didn't say it. She fought her tears, swallowed hard, and stepped away. She even managed to smile.

"This isn't a computer game, remember. That sword is real!"

"I know it!" He mounted his horse. Once seated, he turned serious and reached down to take Anna's hand. Sliding his fingers through hers, he leaned close.

"Don't worry, Anna." He spoke in English in case others were near enough to overhear. "Father isn't going to put me in the front lines the first day on the job. This week we've talked more about the future of Wales. He says that Wales exists now under a sentence of death. Each day he lives is a reprieve of sorts, and he's determined to live until he sees me grown. Unlike his father or grandfather, he has no other son. I won't fight unless I have to."

He squeezed her hand and let go. Back straight and eyes forward to where Prince Llywelyn waited near the castle gate, David brought his horse through the ranks of cavalry, which parted respectfully. When he reached the head of the lines of troops, he approached his father and bowed his head. Prince Llywelyn smiled, more with his eyes than with his mouth, but his face looked as bright and excited as David's. He reached out to David and they clasped forearms as they'd done that first morning when he and Anna had arrived. With that, a huge cheer went up from the men and women in the courtyard.

Anna's lips trembled and she put a hand to her mouth as the tears began to fall. She pulled up her hood to hide her face.

Gwladys tugged it back down. "He'll want to see your face as he leaves. You must smile and wave at him. From this distance, he cannot see your tears and you must pretend they're not there."

Without replying, Anna held up a hand as Gwladys had suggested and was glad of her advice, because just then David turned for one last look. Anna smiled and waved and he raised his own hand in salute.

Then he was gone.

Anna watched until the entire company had ridden away. Then she turned to Gwladys, put her head on her shoulder, and wept. Gwladys held her and patted her back until she quieted.

Anna took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Gwladys. I don't know why I'm so upset."

"Are you afraid for his life?" she said. "Surely you know he'll be well protected."

"It's not that." Anna realized she wasn't crying out of fear for David or even for herself. She was crying because what she'd witnessed was one of the most magical things she'd ever seen, or thought to see. David had found his father, and Prince Llywelyn his son, to the acknowledgment of all, and with this the world was a completely different place.