Christmas with Athelstan

[equal_of_any_man]

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.

Comments

[equal_of_any_man]

Lawrence growls angrily. "Show me." He strides towards Olivier's room, a man of power and control.

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan falls naturally into pace behind him, not having to feign deference to this man.

[equal_of_any_man]

Lawrence catches a glimpse Philip coming in from an outer door as they reach the foot of the stair. "FitzRobert. With me."

Philip likewise falls in at his lord's side. The squires are just starting to pull themselves together as they arrive. The one with the broken arm still sobbing.

Lawrence stands over them for a long moment in glowering silence as they trip over their excuses - blaming Olivier, blaming each other. "FitzRobert, get them out of my house tonight And see they take nothing that isn't theirs. Break more bones if needed but do nothing to spoil the feast."

"Yes, my lord." Philip nods and starts dragging them out by their collars.

Lawrence waits till they are out of sight, his breathing even. This is not a man prone to flares of temper but it is clear he is angry, very angry indeed. "I fear my household have made a poor show of themselves tonight."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Not at all, my lord", Athelstan says quietly. "Those three have brought shame on themselves, but not on you."

[equal_of_any_man]

Lawrence nods tightly and heads for Olivier's room.

Olivier rises to meet his lord with a bow. "I'm sorry to have caused you this trouble."

Lawrence silences him with a hand and checks the bandages. "The blame for this has nothing to do with you, my boy. And I will see to it, it does not happen again." He rests a hand on Olivier's shoulder in benediction. "You should retire for the night." There is so much not said between them, much that doesn't need to be said.

Lawrence turns back to Athelstan. "Will you rejoin the feast?"

[athelstanthescribe]

He glances between the men.

"I'd be glad to, but - Olivier? Would you prefer I stay?"

[equal_of_any_man]

"Do not let me spoil your evening, my friend." Olivier assures. "I am well enough."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Then I shall rejoin the feast and gladly", he says to Lawrence. "And return later, when all is done."

[equal_of_any_man]

Olivier squeezes Athelstan's hand and makes himself another pot of tea.

Lawrence walks back with Athelstan, still fuming quietly.

[athelstanthescribe]

"You've done all you could", Athelstan says gently. "Phillip FitzRobert is a good man, he'll see it never happens again."

[equal_of_any_man]

"He and Olivier are my most trusted hands." He looks to Athelstan. "And what of you? Have you ever thought of taking service with a lord? Both my trusted squires are lettered but I would pay a good man handsomely to tutor Yves in languages. He has a quick mind but a lazy hand."

[athelstanthescribe]

He shakes his head, making the refusal light.

"Perhaps one day, but I've grown used to my travelling life. I'd be glad to teach young Yves when I'm nearby."

[equal_of_any_man]

"You're a good man, Athelstan. When the time comes that your travelling life no longer suits you, come see me." He gives Athelstan a nod and re-enters the hall.

The party is in full swing now and Yves comes over to stand by Athelstan, face warm with elicit sips of wine. "Is it true someone tried to hurt Olivier?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Now how do you know about that already?" he asks, shaking his head, then concedes, "They tried."

[equal_of_any_man]

"I heard the squires whispering. No-one's saying anything around Ermina, of course. She'd skin them alive if she found out tonight.

[athelstanthescribe]

"I doubt she'd find them. Your uncle has already ordered them removed from this house... so no doubt she'll notice their absence soon enough."

[equal_of_any_man]

Yves gives him a somewhat disbelieving look. "There's only squire she pays any attention to and now she's got him. Unless someone points it out, I don't think she'd notice if half the castle went missing."

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan laughs quietly.

"You may have a point. Still, no reason to spoil her happiness tonight just to tell her Olivier has a cut on his arm."

[equal_of_any_man]

"I am glad to see her happy. And with someone good. The first man she was betrothed to, he wasn't good for her." He gives Athelstan a sly smile. "She stabbed him, you know. When he tried to force her."

[athelstanthescribe]

"Well, good for her", he says with honest approval. "While no girl should take being forced without a fight, not every girl would have the spirit to actually stab their attacker."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Oh she has spirit." He says with the wariness of a little brother. "But I don't think she'll ever need to use it with Olivier."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I should think not. He'd stab himself before he'd purposely hurt her." Athelstan smiles. "You know, your sister would make a fine shieldmaiden - that's what they call the fighting women of the North."

He has no idea if women like Lagertha still exist in Olivier's time, but surely they'd be remembered at least.

[equal_of_any_man]

"Shieldmaiden?" His eyes like up at the idea. "Do women really fight like men in the North?"

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh, yes", Athelstan assures him. "I knew a lady there, the wife of an Earl, who was quite renowned for it."

[equal_of_any_man]

"Will you tell me about her?" Yves bounces a little on the balls of his feet, excited by stories from far away lands.