~Selcouth~
(adj.) unfamiliar, rare, strange, and yet marvellous.
~PART ONE~
"I will not marry that man!" Abril shouted at her parents, King Aelle and Queen Ealhswith. "He is cruel and it would be a painful marriage."
"You will marry that man!" Her father shouted back. "And you will not raise your voice at your mother and I, do you understand me!" King Aelle shouted down to his daughter and made her back away until she was sitting back on her bed.
"Yes father. I apologise." Abril said as she bowed her head in respect for her parents. "Please do not make me marry this man, any man but him. Please," she pleaded.
"It has been decided and he is paying a fortune to have your hand." Her mother told her. "The future King Aethelwulf is a good man, you will never go without anything." She tried to console her youngest daughter as tears started to roll down her soft fair cheeks.
"He is not good or kind. He is worse than his father. He will not love me or care for me. I am just a bride to him. I will lose all my freedom. Why isn't Judith being married to him? I am second to her." Abril spoke quietly.
"Because Abril, the future King of Wessex has requested your hand in this marriage. He has requested that you carry his children over your sister. And we have decided that the marriage will proceed in four weeks." The King was firm in his reply, leaving no room for argument. "In three and a half weeks we will make the journey to Wessex and you will be married there."
After saying that he left, leaving Abril and her mother in her chambers. Abril sobbed on her bed for a few moments before her mother took her gold plated hair brush and started to brush through Abril's long dark blonde locks.
"Don't cry my beautiful daughter, you will make a beautiful bride and be a good wife to your husband. Remember everything you have been taught as you must serve him well."
"Mother, please do not allow father to do this. I am not an animal, you cannot sell me like goats and sheep." Abril argued.
"Abril, it has been decided and the decision will not be undone. I will do anything I can to make this easier on you." Her mother smiled.
"How can this marriage be made easier. I have not seen my future husband for almost two years." Abril argued, mocking her husband.
"Do not argue with me. And do not speak in such a deceitful manner. I will see your father about sending you earlier so you may get to know your husband," the Queen said as she stood up.
Abril's eyes widened. "No, you cannot. Please do not do this for I shan't go willingly."
"That will be your choice than, but your father and new husband will not be pleased if you embarrass them in the eyes of our people." The Queen took her leave hastily after that, leaving Abril to cry alone on her bed.
"Abril, you shouldn't be out here. Father and mother will be very displeased." Judith, her older sister said as she stood a few steps from where Abril was situated under a shady tree.
It was a beautiful day, impossible for Abril to stay in the walls of the villa and town. Summer had arrived a few weeks ago and the weather had been pleasant. Spring and summer always had been her favourite seasons. With each spring it bought new life in the fields and that thought always gave Abril such pleasant thoughts.
But Abril was out today because she needed to get out for a little bit and think about everything that has happened and what may become of her future. She had cried all of her tears two days ago when her parents told her the wedding was scheduled, and now she was enjoying the peace and the last few weeks of her freedom before she was the new future Queen of Wessex and married to a man that would treat her as nothing more than a business transaction.
Abril had heard many things about the man himself, he was a good Christian and tried to be an equally good man, but he had a short temper and with his father's influence he was a harsh and cruel man. There were rumours of him being with many women and being harsh with any that turned him down.
Being his wife meant that she would not be able to turn him away when he wanted to lay with her. She had a duty to him and give him his every want and need, especially inside the bedroom. She must always stand by his side and support him. She was his property, to do with as he pleased. And none of this was appealing, it frightened her a great deal and Abril wasn't a scared girl.
She was a young lady and always tried to be a good Christian though she has rarely had many doubts of their lord and saviour. She was having them now, but she could never tell that to anyone. Why would marrying a horrible man be God's plan? At this moment Abril was doubting her God and wished for things to be different.
She spent the last few days praying for change, and that has not happened. So now she was making a wish to be taken from this situation.
"I need space sister. And I have bought three guards with me." Abril answered not making eye contact.
She sat down, "please younger sister, do not be cross with me. If I could go in your place I would."
Abril nodded, "I know you would. Thank you sister." Abril replied sadly looking into her sister dark eyes.
"I should be able to tell you that this will be everything you have ever wanted and tell you how your marriage will be. But I am older and not yet married, I cannot offer you any comforting words." Judith lowered her head in sadness.
Abril grasped her hand and stroked it gently, "do not be sad for me. For this is cruel but it is God's way."
Judith looked shocked, "how dare you say our lords name with such mockery. You will be beaten." Judith whispered.
"Then you best not tell anyone, sister." Abril smiled. "I have been out here for the past hour wishing for something to happen, anything to happen to take me from this marriage."
"We should pray, Abril. Pray to our Lord and saviour." Judith was joyous. "Pray for your happiness, pray for a husband that will love and care for you, pray before you have to leave tomorrow." Judith said smiling brilliantly like the summer sun shining down upon them through the trees.
Leave tomorrow?
"I am sorry sister, I am unsure if I heard you correctly. Leave tomorrow?" Abril asked for clarification.
"You have not been told younger sister?"
Abril shook her head, "no, I don't believe I have."
"Our uncle has returned a short time ago, it must have been right after you left the village. He has said that the future King Aethelwulf would be pleased to have you come stay in the home to become acquainted until the marriage in a few weeks. I am travelling with you as a companion, and our uncle shall be escorting us with a party of soldiers."
Abril shook her head, "we can't leave now. What about the sightings of the North ships?" This news was alarming for the reason being she didn't want to meet her soon-to-be husband, and she didn't want to be captured and killed by Northmen.
"Abril, it is true the ships were sighted a few days ago. But nothing has been seen since. The party of soldier's father and uncle have arranged is quite large. And we will only be traveling during the day, so we will be quite safe. Father and uncle do not fear any trouble." Judith reassured her.
"I do not want to go. There has to be a way out of this. I am not old enough for children." Abril wept again.
Judith hugged her tight, "sister, I know you haven't bled for quite some time, but after you consummate your marriage, you will bleed again." Judith squeezed her hand tight and helped Abril to her feet. "Stop crying now. We will pray that he loves you, cares for you, and makes you happy. We will pray and God will answer your prayers."
They made their way back to their town and home to where the king, Queen and her uncle addressed her and told her of the plans of travel. Abril's bright and sunny warm day turned grey and gloomy very fast with rain starting to fall in light drops.
The plan was to leave tomorrow mid-morning, they would travel for a few hours before making camp in the early afternoon. The King stressed the importance of protecting the ladies at all time and never leaving them from the sights of at least four soldiers. They were to have their own tent close to their uncles and it was to be guarded at all times. No man was to enter the tent without the permission of the ladies, or be alone with the ladies in the tent if the door was not open. Soldiers were not to touch the ladies under any circumstances unless first granted permission. These rules were very strict and were to be followed accordingly for if anything happen to either lady they would not be decent for any Christian marriage.
Abril cried herself to sleep that night, staring at her packed trunk by her door with her many gowns and personal belongings inside it. This was it, her freedom would be gone when they arrived in two days at her new home where her husband awaits. Would he be kind to her, cherish and love her? Or would this marriage be everything she heard and thought it would be?
When Abril woke the next morning, she was preparing herself for the journey to Wessex with her sister Judith. She was no more pleased about the situation than she was yesterday and when her parents first told her about the union. But she knew there was nothing that could be done about it. Her father ruled her till she married, and then her new husband would rule her after that. She was displeased and very angry with the situation as it should be Judith who marries first as she is the eldest.
Judith who was 18 had yet to be arranged into a marriage, and Abril who was nearing 16 next winter was going to be married in a few weeks. It was disgusting and she loathed her parents for this arrangement. And Abril tried hard to figure out whose family would benefit more from the arrangement.
There was a hard knock on her bedroom door and quickly after her mother and sister entered. "Abril, the trip has been cancelled as your father has received notice of the Northmen's return and their camp a day's travel from here. It unfortunately is no longer safe for you to travel to Wessex." Her mother told her.
Abril tried to hide her smile, "yes, very unfortunate. What time is breakfast?" Abril asked.
Judith giggled slightly and her mother looked furious, "do you think this is a game young lady?" Her mother scolded.
"A game? No, I do not think this is a game. If it was, then I may stand a chance in not marrying this man. It will be a cruel and unkind marriage." Abril raised her voice slightly.
The Queen struck her daughter across the face, the force being so strong that it sent Abril to the cold stone floor. "Do not ever speak to me that way again. Do you understand?"
Abril was in shock from being struck and rubbed her stinging cheek. She nodded, "yes mother, I understand." She replied in a whisper as tears stung the corner of her eyes.
"Do not wander until these Pagans have left our land," was the last thing her mother said before taking her leave.
"Abril," Judith said as she helped her sister to her feet. "I am so sorry. If I could take your place I would." Judith whispered.
"I am fine sister, will you take a walk with me?" Abril asked as she righted herself and looked over her face in the mirror. There was a red and angry mark where she had been struck, and she knew that she could not leave her room in this state.
"I have lessons now, but I will see you after." Judith said as she left.
Abril watched her uncle and soldiers leave towards the enemy camp the next morning from the wall above the main gates. She had yet to speak to either of her parents since yesterday evening when they told her that once the enemy was taken care of she and her sister would travel to Wessex. This was over dinner and Abril's reaction was to drop her fork, she didn't even hear it hit the floor as she was again in shock. She wanted to say something in protest, but they were seated at the dining table in front of many nobles, the bishop and other Lords and men of the church, she could not make any sort of scene in front of them. Her parents chose a good time to announce it so they could avoid more protests from their younger daughter. Her younger brother giggled and crawled under the table to fetch her fork and handed it back to her before a servant bought her a new one. She no longer felt like eating after that and cried herself to sleep again that night.
The next day, the king sent a small party of soldiers to where his brother and troops had set up camp and they quickly returned to inform King Aelle that the enemy had struck through the night killing most but have taken a few soldiers and his brother hostage.
The King was furious, calling a meeting straight away to discuss what to do from here. And although Abril was disappointed about her uncle being taken hostage, she was glad the journey to Wessex had been cancelled until further notice. She hoped that these Northmen would never leave so she would never have to make the journey, but that was a fool's wish.
In the meantime, lock down on the village had been lifted and people were able to come and go at their own risk and that included Abril. Although she was not allowed to go far, she was able to go to a nearby field that always had the sweetest smelling flowers and shady trees. She of cause was escorted by a few armed guards and her servant Mary, but she was pleased to be able to get out for a little while.
"How do you feel Princess Abril?" Mary asked as the two ladies practised there stitching.
"Please do not call me Princess when it is just us," Abril replied.
"As you wish. Are you well though? I have noticed that you have been rather quiet the past few days." Mary asked again.
"Can I speak in confidence that you will not share what I tell you?" Abril asked quietly.
"Of cause, we have shared many secrets over the years," Mary smiled at the princess.
Mary had been Abril's servant since she was ten and Mary was 15. Mary came from a poor farming family who all died of a fever. Mary was lucky to survive, and was bought to her father's Kingdom to serve. Abril saw her, admired her actually and wanted her for herself. She was lucky too that the King and Queen noticed that Abril had taken a liking to the servant and granted her permission to work mostly for Abril. She was always good and kind, and her honesty too was something that Abril admired greatly.
"I do not want to marry this man. I will do anything to not marry this man."
Mary nodded, "I had assumed this to be what is causing distress on your mind. It is unfortunate that you do not have a say in your arrangement."
"I am too young, I cannot marry a man that is so old. He is at least ten years my elder." Abril said putting her stitch work in her lap.
Mary nodded, "you are not too young to marry. I remember when you first bled, your father and mother had been looking for suitable marriages since. They have also turned down many offers. I think they want what is best for you, but they do not realise how unhappy you are."
"I do not understand what you are telling me." Abril huffed, getting stressed again over something that would not and will never change.
"I am saying that your parents do want what is best for you, they want you to be in a marriage that is well suited to ensure your safety and that can give you everything. Unfortunately for you, you want to marry for love. Your parents do not care for love as their marriage was also arranged, they have learnt to be with each other and they feel that in time, you will come to like your marriage." Mary sighed. "You will marry this man, I will do my best to ensure I can stay with you and serve you, but you may never find the happiness that you desire."
Abril nodded, letting a few tears escape her eyes, "even though what you told me is not what I wished to hear, I cherish your honesty. Thank you Mary."
"You are welcome, Abril," Mary replied giving her princesses hand a soft but still firm squeeze.
"Why do you think he will not take Judith's hand? She is older, and in right should be married first." Abril asked.
"Yes, but your beauty is greater than hers, and I believe that to be one of the main interests that your future husband had in you." Mary said.
"Oh, isn't that just grand. I am marrying a man that only cares how good I will look beside him." Abril was annoyed at what she was hearing, in disbelief that Lord Aethelwulf was picking a bride because of how she looked and what land or money he could get.
"I know you don't want to hear this, but you will make a beautiful queen. And I do not say that just because of your beauty, but also because you are smart, and have many talents. You like to know things and want to learn and see new places. You are the kind of flower that is rare and blooms all year around." Mary said with a warm smile.
Abril smiled, a few tears of happiness slipping from her eyes and was about to reply when the guards that escorted them came rushing over.
"My lady, you must return home immediately. There have been sightings of Northmen in the area and it is no longer safe out here." One of the guards said.