A/N: A shorter chapter this time, mostly because it's meant to act as a transition. Thank you to everyone who's made it this far - please keep up the reviews! I love hearing from you. :)

The journey back to Caer Leon is uneventful, as are the next three months of overseeing repairs. Edward keeps his promise and avoids touching me at all costs, even innocently. We barely talk except on business. Needless to say, I hate it. That night in Bath features in my most intimate daydreams and I crave Edward like I need air to breathe.

The winter solstice celebration passes in usual fashion – with lots of friends, good food, and a warm hearth. Esme and Carlisle, who have become frequent fixtures at my supper table, are delighted by my father and Angela & Ben. I feel loved and cherished, and very lucky to be surrounded by excellent people.

Although a little slow, my life is peaceful and quiet. I occasionally wonder about my husband in Northumbria and the state of affairs in that region. I have heard nothing from him except one letter to say he arrived in safety, and that was months ago. But I do not dwell on it and that fact alone disturbs me. Shouldn't I be more concerned about him?

XoXoX

It is late January, a month after the winter solstice, when a messenger arrives at the front gate hours after I've gone to bed. Edward bursts into my bedchamber looking frenzied, and for a moment I think he might kiss me again. That is, until he speaks.

"Bella, there's a man at the gate who says he has an important message for you. He wouldn't tell me what it was, saying he could only relay it to you. It's from the king," he says in one quick breath.

Immediately I jump out of bed and grab my thick wool robe. I can feel Edward's eyes on me and my thin nightgown but I don't have time to give him pause. If there's a messenger at this hour, it must be very important.

He follows me closely as I run down the circular staircase of the tower, pausing at the doorway only to pull on my seal skin boots. We rush out in the cold and ice toward the front gate.

"Yes? What is this message?" I ask the young boy on horseback.

"My lady Isabella?" He asks. I nod for him to continue. "I bring word from King William at Gloucester. He is gravely ill, my lady, and begs you to come to his side," he says sadly.

I can feel the dread building in my stomach. "Return as quickly as you can, and tell the king I will arrive shortly," I reply, indicating to Edward to spare the boy some coins in payment for his journey. Edward obliges and drops two shillings in the boy's outstretched hand.

Returning to the tower, my heart heavy and my brain sleep deprived, I meet Jessica in my bedchamber.

"Jessica, I need you to prepare the horses for a trip to Gloucester. Have Carlisle fetched to accompany us. We will take five guards plus Edward, and some light provisions only," I say as I collapse into the chair by the hearth.

"My lady, I believe the carriage is under repair at the moment," she says.

I wave my hand dismissively. "We will not need it in any case. The carriage is too slow. We must travel to the king as swiftly as possible. That means all of us will be on horseback," I reply sternly as Jessica's face becomes ashen. "Jess, I know you're not fond of the idea, but believe me when I say this is necessary. Now go, and make preparations. We leave at first light."

XoXoX

By the time we arrive at Gloucester in the early afternoon, I'm emotionally and physically exhausted. Thankfully we are greeted with hot bowls of stew and mugs of tea. Each of us ravishes the small meal, grateful for a chance to relax. Well, everyone else can spend the day relaxing while I'm the one who has to deal with harsh reality.

When at last I'm taken to King William's bedchamber, where Edward respectfully waits outside, I'm horrified by the physical transformation of my father-in-law.

"Do I look that bad?" He asks, chuckling weakly.

I rush to his side, taking a seat on the bed and holding one of his frail hands. "You look handsome as always," I reply.

"So nice of you to lie. Could everyone please give me a minute alone with my son's wife?"

I hadn't realized how many people were in the room until I watch them shuffle out the door. There were monks, priests, and servants scattered around the large room before I arrived.

"What's going on, William?" I ask the king gently.

He sighs. "I'm dying. There's no way to sugar coat it, really. There's a sickness in my chest that makes it difficult to breathe," he says before stopping to gasp for air.

"Is there nothing that can be done?" I ask.

He lightly shakes his head. "I'm afraid not. It's okay though, I'm an old man and it's my time. I don't have any regrets."

Suddenly a spark of remembrance pops into my head. "I brought someone with me. He's a doctor, the best one I've ever met. Let me fetch him for you," I say as I stand up.

William eyes me carefully and at length nods. "If it'll make you feel better."

I go to the hallway and ask Edward to bring his father to the king. Within moments, Carlisle is examining William while I wait in the hall with Edward. I pace nervously, my hands behind my back, as I wait to be called into the room. When I hear Carlisle's beckoning voice, I rush in without hesitation.

"I'm afraid the diagnosis stands. The king's lungs are filling with fluid at a phenomenal rate. I'm sorry Bella, there's nothing I can do," he says sadly.

Tears prick my eyes as I nod. "Thank you for trying, Carlisle. Please give us a few minutes."

Carlisle bows his head slightly and walks out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"Before you ask, I've already given directions for my funeral and title. Yesterday I sent Seth to the northern kingdom to relieve Jacob," he wheezes for a minute before continuing, "but it may be several weeks before Jacob arrives. When I am gone, you will need to stand as monarch until my oldest son returns from battle." A long, wet coughing fit follows his declaration.

Me? In charge of the largest kingdom in Britain? With Seth and Jacob, William's only sons, not around, I suppose that task would logically fall to me. But I was raised as the daughter of a wealthy lord – in another country. I know nothing about running a kingdom.

Even in his dying state, King William is a perceptive old man. "I can see the hesitance on your face, my dear Bella. It's not such a daunting task. Following the death of a king, you will declare one week of mourning. During this time the people in the surrounding villages and towns will make pilgrimage to Gloucester with gifts," he has to pause for another coughing fit, "and will expect to watch the funeral procession. I don't need to tell you how to handle the common people – you are already beloved by them and will know what to do. Trust your instincts," he says as he closes his eyes.

Within seconds I hear him snoring lightly, which is my cue to leave.

XoXoX

King William does not live through the night. As he instructed, I declare seven days of mourning and as expected people travel from nearby settlements to mourn the passing of the king. I make arrangements for the funeral procession, as per his final instructions to the monks; he will be interred under the altar of Gloucester Abbey at the conclusion of the mourning period.

The week speeds by and all too soon it's time to bury the king. The ceremony is short and straightforward. The king's body is laid out on a wooden gurney in front of the church for mourners to pay their final respects. Then he is carried by pall bearers – all monks – to his final resting place. Prayers are said by the bishop and priests before his stone lined grave is covered over with a huge stone slab. Once situated, the wooden altar is moved back into place above King William. It is a great honour for him to be buried there – his bones will act as holy relics for hundreds of years.

The mourners disperse after I emerge from the grand church and pronounce the end of the mourning period. I must make preparations for the feast to honour the king, which will take place at the spring equinox in six weeks' time, the same night as a full moon. Some call it an omen.

All the lords, barons, and kings from all over Britain will be invited which requires a great deal of skillful planning. I may not know how to run a kingdom, but I've had my fair share of experience organizing events.

This will keep me busy so I don't think about Edward's mouth or Jacob's imminent return.

Thinking about my situation is a quick way to get my heart racing and my palms sweaty. I've always understood the need to play different roles; often putting on a different mask from the one I want to wear. So I get the concept of being divided. But this is something else entirely. I love my husband, I really do, but Edward has always had my heart first and foremost. Even before I knew he was real, he had me.

What will happen when Jacob returns? Will he know something happened?