Chapter 1 – Bridge Over Troubled Water
-BaBG-
Edmund slinked through the halls of Tamworth Castle. 'The Heart of Mercia' as the King called it upon his arrival. He found an alcove leading to a small balcony overlooking the grounds of the castle, shrouded in heavy fog. It rolled in thick swathes across the hills and forests – it was amazing the castle could be found at all. But that wasn't really on Edmund's mind, at the moment. He'd come out for some fresh air because he couldn't sleep recently. The court had arrived, and Edmund's agitations had only grown stronger.
Why am I condemned from court, when I have just as much capability as those other fools the King surrounds himself with nowadays?
He respected the Duke of Kent, of course. In fact, Edmund was even slightly excited to meet him when the King's retinue convened. That man had been commanding the King's forces for decades, now. But that was just the point, Edmund knew who to trust and who he could not. Who were the pieces and who were the players. The King, more and more as the years passed by, was becoming a pawn more than anything else. His presence still commanded attention and power, but it was clear – certainly to Edmund – that he was feeling the strain of his eighty years. He wanted to live off the land and leave the hard stuff to his followers and remaining family - his three daughters. Edmund couldn't blame him; it certainly couldn't be easy to run a kingdom. But he was sceptical whether splitting it between three potential heirs was a wise decision.
"What brings you out this late, good sir?"
Edmund swung around and speedily drew his dagger on the new arrival
"Impressive," she said. Edmund swiftly took a knee.
"Lady Cordelia, I sincerely apologise. I was not in my right wits." She laughed a musical laugh and softly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Please, good sir, don't worry. The hour is late, and I too enjoy a good night's stroll of the halls unaccompanied. I regret at having disturbed your thoughts." She helped Edmund to his feet. He looked at her and smiled.
"It's of no matter, Lady Cordelia. I was merely thinking about the arrival of the court, nothing serious. Would you like to join me, milady? I would appreciate the company." She gave him a brief, reticent look before sharply nodding, the soft smile still on her face.
"I think that would be nice," she took a seat on a small wooden bench beside him, "So, what about the court's arrival tomorrow is causing you so much contemplation..." She looked at him expectantly.
"Oh, er, Edmund, milady."
"Edmund, of course. You are Gloucester;s son, are you not?" Edmund noticeably cringed, he turned to her with a wry look.
"Natural birth, though it pains me to say. If you wish to leave me now, I would understand." She patted his forearm, consolingly.
"Oh, of course not, Sir Edmund. I didn't mean offense by it." Edmund nodded tersely.
"Aye. Neither does my father, though that doesn't stop him from regaling each member of the court with the tale of my conception," Edmund chuckled as Cordelia giggled. "'Oh yes, my boy Edmund, bred at my own charge. The very living result of moonlight passions. The young lady could hardly contain her excitement at my drunken attentions.'" They laughed at Edmund's impression and continued to joke at the court's expense for what felt like hours. They
"He couldn't be any less subtle, really, could he?" She tried and failed to restrain her tired giggles.
"Not if he tried, milady. It seems it is his mission to ruin any chance I could have out there." Their smiles slowly slipped from their faces; Edmund in slight exasperation and Cordelia in concern.
"Is that what you were contemplating earlier?" she asked.
Edmund took this opportunity to look at her properly as she leaned slightly against him. Her chestnut. hair was slightly out of sorts, wavy as it hung loose about her shoulders and framing her heart-shaped face. The way her hair and face caught the dim moonlight was quite pretty, he thought; and, subsequently, tried to force the thoughts from his mind. She was looking out across the moors with an unreadable expression on her face. When she turned her chocolate eyes to him, they exchanged a look of reassurance.
"I just feel that I'm being held back by him at every front," Edmund tried to hold back some of the anger he felt, "Do they not know how much I can offer them? Edgar's off with the knights each day and, while he is an impressive warrior, he isn't nearly the right person to take over after father passes his position on." Cordelia nodded in understanding.
"You know he loves you the same as your brother." That gave Edmund pause. He knew his father didn't hate him, but his constant humiliation hadn't even allowed him to consider the possibility. He looked at Cordelia once expressed as much to her and she sat up more straightly and looked straight at him,
"You are capable Edmund, and he sees that in you. When he goes off on those, admittedly over-detailed, tangents he always makes a point of saying he doesn't love you any less than 'legitimate warrior Edgar.'" She could see Edmund considering her words, carefully.
"I suppose you don't have such a problem. The King is quite fond of you, word has it, as well as being sought after by the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France." Cordelia rolled her eyes.
"Yes. I have the opposite problem, though a problem nonetheless." At his inquisitive look, Cordelia elaborated, "My father no doubt wishes to look for his heir sometime in the next few years. I'm seen as his favourite and so the most desirable for the various slimy courtiers to obsess over. And I know my father certainly thinks of me as the one to place his care with."
"You are not as politically unlettered as you seem or present, Lady Cordelia. It seems you've downplayed your talents." Edmund smirked. She chuckled, briefly.
"Yes well, it just doesn't sit well with me. Obviously, I know Albion's safety and alliance with Europe must be maintained..."
"...but you don't want to leave behind the country to the hands of your sisters and courtiers." She nodded affirmation.
"Nor do I wish to become some simple trophy wife for my father's misguided attempts at alliance."
Hmm. It seems one of the pawns has stepped up to play.
"You have an ambition and a guile that you don't see in many of those older lords. In my opinion, you'd be wasted in France. The court would certainly benefit from a splash of youthful energy amongst all those greyed heads." She frowned.
"Well, compared to my sisters-"
"-Lady Cordelia, may I speak frankly?" Edmund interrupted tersely. She gestured for him to speak. "Lady Goneril and Lady Regan certainly have the political savvy but their ambitions aren't difficult to see; to all but your father, I'm afraid," Cordelia giggled quietly but told him to continue, "If you could learn how to work with your favour... I know you don't want this forced on you, but this could be a considerable opportunity. Keep your sisters close and under control while building something better than your father could have dreamed. Think about it."
They sat in silence for a while more, until the first streaks of light reached over the horizon and cut through the mist that shrouded the throne.
"Oh my! It seems we have talked the night away, Edmund. I shall have to bid you good morrow." Cordelia picked up her skirts, ready to leave, before Edmund's hand met hers. She blushed slightly at the scene of him knelt with her hand in his, though she banished it as he stood and looked into her eyes.
"Remember what I have said tonight, take the opportunities you have been given. You could be a great queen someday." She smiled a small smile before placing a hand upon his cheek.
"And remember what I have said to you. Talk to your father and brother, help them to see your worth. You could be a great lord, someday." They both laughed quietly before Edmund took Cordelia's hand in his and gave it a brief kiss.
"'Til morrow, fair Lady Cordelia."
She blushed and bowed and soon they were heading back to their respective rooms. Though they left with smiles on their faces, they both had much to think on.
-BaBG-
Edmund looked over the letter he'd written, examining each malicious word and the fine hand conveying each treasonous thought. He looked at "Edgar's" signature smoothly drawn at the bottom of the paper. His father was well-intentioned, and his brother had a big heart, no matter how annoying and riotous he could be. Maybe there was hope for Edmund. Not a small part inspired by some of those looks and feelings he had shared with Cordelia that last night.
Yes, Edmund thought as he watched the candle flame slowly disintegrate the despised parchment in his hand, there is a chance for bastards, yet.
Hello, all. This was very much a small fever dream of mine after reading King Lear, as well as a very cool King Lear fanfiction where Edmund actually debates with Shakespeare about why he always follows the same path into deception and death, etc. I won't spoil it for you because I absolutely recommend you read it for yourself: 'Dramatis personae' by Hermes Liar. It becomes a debate on the idea of Shakespeare's work and even fanfiction itself. It drew an interesting link between Edmund and Cordelia that sparked my imagination and the rest is history. At any rate, this is certainly the story of mine that reads the most like fanfiction, so I hope you enjoy.