“My father, although he has disowned me, would never disown his lawful king; the duty and love he bore to your murdered father would forbid.”
“Well, Redwald, have you known this many hours?”
“I heard it at the frontier town of Mercia, Reading, last night, and took all my measures immediately.”
“Then, can we really depend upon Wessex?”
“I treat so indeed, my lord, else we should be in a very bad way indeed.”
“Well, we must rest now. Elgiva, darling, this is a cold termination to our first anniversary, but your husband’s love shall ever protect you until he be cold in death.
“Goodnight, Elfric, be ready for the morrow.
“Goodnight, Redwald, trustiest warrior who ever served grateful lord.
“Goodnight, gentlemen all.”
And thus the royal party broke up, and thus ended the first anniversary of the ill-starred union.