equal_of_any_man | Christmas with Athelstan

Olivier waits in the bar in his finest clothes – cote and gown all warm and well made, his black hair brushed back and shining, his face clean-shaven. His hawk yellow eyes dance as he smiles.

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From:

athelstanthescribe

Athelstan takes the cup, leaning solidly against his brother's side in a gesture of silent support.

Whatever the other squires have to say if Olivier tells them, he'll be there.

From:

equal_of_any_man

It's Sir Lawrence who breaks the silence, raising to hold the attention of the whole hall. "Friends, family, honoured guests. I called you here to celebrate Christmas with me and mine." His voice resounds, confident and clear.

"It has been a hard fought year. Cousin fights cousin and their war burns the land in its fury. There are people missing from our table who we all mourn. It's true I have been gone many years, fighting a war far away but I and mine are here now, and we will fight to protect our own and uphold the law of the rightful queen."

There are a few scattered cries of support for the Empress Maud.

"But I have just learnt we have another reason to celebrate tonight. News I have waited some time to hear. Olivier de Bretagne, rise."

Olivier struggles to his feet, a hand on Athelstan's shoulder for support.

"This young man," Lawrence goes on, "has served me above and beyond his parentage, his birth and his station. In the Holy Lands I knighted him. And tonight I am pleased to announce he has asked my niece's hand in marriage, and she has consented Come, son." He beckons Olivier to the high table. "Come sit where you belong, as part of my family."

Olivier, stunned at this most public of announcements, moves gracelessly to the high table, kneeling at Lawrence's feet and receiving a kiss of benediction from his lord. Ermina beams as he takes a seat at her side.

From:

athelstanthescribe

Athelstan stays where he is until such time as the invitation is extended to him, not wanting to be seen to overstep his bounds even if Sir Lawrence wouldn't object.

His face is all smiles, but his eyes are sharp, watching the other faces at the squires' table.

From:

equal_of_any_man

There is cheering and toasts from most of the hall but Athelstan is right to keep an ear out. There are mutterings of descent and disgust from around them. Phillip on the other hand, recharges both their cups with wine and sips it meditatively. "That dusky bastard." He mutters with some affection. "I never thought he'd get the nerve up."

When one of the younger squires starts to fume and get rude about it, Phillip turns on him. "Get out, Tobius. Now. That sort of talk isn't welcome here. Leave now before your master hears of your insubordination. After I box your ears in." The words are delivered coolly with no doubt they'll be followed acted on.

From:

athelstanthescribe

Phillip, clearly, is an ally to be cultivated.

"The rest of you", Athelstan speaks up calmly. "You would do well to remember that Olivier de Bretagne will be your master, when Lord Lawrence is gone. And everything he has won, tonight and before now, he has deserved."

From:

equal_of_any_man

One of them spits an insult and lunges at Athelstan but Phillip has him by the throat, still very calm. "He's right, you know. Apologise to our lord's guest, Guy. Apologise quickly before I'm forced to take you outside and teach you a lesson."

A couple of Guy's friends rush forward to drag him away from Phillip, trying to keep him quiet before he causes more of a scene. Thankfully the high table is too busy with their own affairs to notice, although Sir Lawrence misses little.

"Idiot children." Phillip apologise, refilling their upset cups. "Most of them belonged to Lord Hugonin's company and never fought in the Holy Lands. They will need to be taught respect." He raises a cup. "To Olivier, and the happiness he richly deserves."

From:

athelstanthescribe

Athelstan never so much as flinched at Guy's attack, even before Phillip intervened. It was so clumsy and impulsive even he could have fought it off, though he's glad he didn't have to.

"They will learn it, I have no doubt, at Lord Lawrence's hand and at yours. To Olivier, and may he have a long life with his bride to be. Did these boys know Alain le Gaucher, by any chance?"

From:

equal_of_any_man

Phillip is impressed by Athelstan's steadiness and sits down with him again.

"They knew him, briefly. Before he and the others were sent to seek the young lord and lady. Alain made himself very popular with the young ones, the ones who wanted a taste of adventure and loved his stories of the evil Saracens. Starting with our young Paladin." He mutters bitterly.

From:

athelstanthescribe

"Evil Saracens." He shakes his head. "When Olivier is a better man than le Gaucher ever was."

From:

equal_of_any_man

"Too many believe what they here, from the pope, from the clergy. The Evil Saracens despoil our holy places. It's not so back and white when you get there and discover that we did it first, and that they're people - just as kind and foolhardy and prone to fail as we are. Their god isn't even that different, once you learn the language of their prayers." He sips his wine meditatively. "Ignorance is easier."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"People are people whichever land you go to", Athelstan agrees softly. "Though all too often, that's only something learned when you meet them."

From:

equal_of_any_man

"You sound like a well travelled man." Phillip observes. "Have you been to the Holy Lands yourself?"

From:

athelstanthescribe

"I have, though not to Antioch. I've seen Jerusalem, and I've also spent some considerable time in the lands to the North."

From:

equal_of_any_man

"A very well travelled man then." Phillip nods thoughtfully. "You must fund these lowland towns very dull?"

From:

athelstanthescribe

"Oh, not at all!" he says sincerely. "All people are of interest to me, and every one has something of their own special interest."

From:

equal_of_any_man

Phillip raises an eyebrow. "Really? On the whole I would have thought that people turn out to be the same in many ways. The same simple dull hopes and dreams everywhere - safe family, good harvest and a place to call their own."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"Of course those things matter to everyone. But if they have them, if they can count themselves secure for another year... oh, then the greater dreams can come."

From:

equal_of_any_man

Phillip shakes his head at Athelstan. "I see why you and our Paladin are such good friends. Foolish optimists together." He nods to the high table. "They're looking for you."

Olivier, with Ermina at his side, wave to him, trying to get Athelstan's attention.

From:

athelstanthescribe

He looks up with a smile, catching Olivier's eye.

"I think I'm being summoned."

From:

equal_of_any_man

"It was good to meet you, Athelstan." Philip rises with him. "Give my best wishes to the lady and her husband to be. I should go check in those squires, see no-one's drinking more than they ought."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"Likewise, and I hope we'll meet again." He smiles and takes his leave, heading for the top table.

From:

equal_of_any_man

Olivier rises to meet him, hands outstretched to pull him into an embrace. "Forgive me, brother of my heart. I have neglected you. Everything had happened all at once tonight."

From:

athelstanthescribe

"Phillip was taking care I wasn't entirely neglected", he says affectionately, returning the embrace. "And you can very easily be forgiven, in the circumstances."

From:

equal_of_any_man

"Philip is a good man, and noble of blood if not of birth. His father is Robert of Gloucester, half brother to the Empress and illegitimate son of King Henry." Olivier has taken pains to learn the noble lines of England.