CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

William the Marshal placed a firm hand on the shoulder of Hubert de Burgh. The two able statesmen walked together silently for some distance. It had been a very busy time for them recently but there were still important issues to be settled affecting the well-being of the Nation. As they glanced around they could not but be aware of the lush greenery surrounding them, it was still too early for Autumn to have done its worst and transformed the gay scenery into a dull brown. It was almost like a reflection of the mood in England at the time. This was a new beginning, a period of reflection, a chance to forget the disasters and errors of the past and embark collectively on a renaissance of hope. Even the old felt invigorated and none more so than the Regent, the good and stalwart Marshal.

“My dear Hubert” commenced the Earl. “We must decide what needs to be done with the Pearl.”

“Indeed my lord” nodded de Burgh smiling faintly.

“Oh come, old fellow, do not be so non-committal surely you have some sound advice for me.”

“My Lord has already designated that good lady for Bristol, I believe. Corfe Castle is no longer considered adequate or appropriate for such a charge.”

“Well I have suggested such a possibility but what do you deem sensible? You admire the young woman I do not doubt.”

“That lady is dear to my soul. I was concerned for her brother Arthur when he lived and the Princess Eleanor is the epitome of all that womanhood should be, and a damn sight more besides. She has assisted us greatly in our recent tussles with the barons and Louis.”

“Yes, I agree” mused William the Marshal. “Besides seeking to wear the crown for herself.”

“A mere interlude, good Regent” quickly interjected Hubert. “She has been a hell of a more loyal subject than Fitz-Walter and his other cronies. If you forgive them then it is an outrage not to embrace the Pearl in our National bosom, she has done positive good for us.”

“I am all for embracing the Pearl, a fine young woman indeed.” This
statement came close by and as the two companions looked-up they beheld the athletic figure of Savary de Mauléon standing before them.

“Pardon me for interrupting your discourse, gentlemen” continued the routier. “But I have admired the Princess, to be honest at close quarters, she is the sort of woman that men are willing to die for. Anything less than full justice for the lady would be met by fierce anger from many quarters.”

“I appreciate your sentiments” responded the Marshal. “But not everyone is so enthusiastic, Fawkes de Breauté for instance.”

“He is ever a realist” smirked de Mauléon. “That self-seeker will be easily placated now.”

“Even so the Princess because she is so highly regarded may well be a danger at some later date to the peace and weal of this realm.”

“Even so to keep her under close confinement at Bristol, my Lord” commented de Mauléon. “That is not kind. A free-flying spirit should not be so encompassed, the whole world is not large enough for Eleanor, a Castle’s quarters is harsh for such a soul.”

“She survived well enough at Corfe” frowned the Marshal.

“Indeed my Lord” interjected de Burgh. “That could be the answer, theoretical confinement but scope to exploit her know talents at appropriate times. There are people who would be willing to give Eleanor only a slight flexible leash and let her go as she would. She is a woman of principle we can come to some arrangement with her no doubt.”

“We can discuss this with her in some depth now. I perceive her talking to another of the chief protagonists in these striking times” added Savary de Mauléon grinning broadly.

“Ah yes” remarked the Marshal. “Sir Guy de Buissant, her former squire - a valiant gentleman inspite of his misdemeanours. He has more than compensated of late, however, a very useful ally to have at our command.”

The little group joined Eleanor and Guy and engaged in a detailed, if at times spirited conversation. At least some agreement seemed to have been reached and the Princess and the former squire were left alone once more.

“So you have been detailed for some new escapade, eh my bonny lad?” smiled Eleanor.

“In the service of the King, dear madam” replied de Buissant. “But I shall not be gone for long. I will have the opportunity to see you from time to time.”

“And I closeted in Bristol facing those cold West winds as best I may” mused the Pearl.

“I am sure that you will make the best of your opportunities as you always have done. There is little that can quench the spirit of such as you, a resolute, determined Plantaganet, indeed a woman fit to be Queen.”

“God above Guy don’t start on that again. We got into enough trouble before.”

“I know, I know” confessed de Buissant throwing his arms up in quick apology. “I must merely acknowledge you as the Queen of my Life and my being if not my Liege Lord to follow until death at the head of this Kingdom of ours.”

“If I were Queen, how could it be called a Kingdom?” enquired the Pearl.

“Logic always was your strong trait, dear Princess” laughed Guy. “You defy all the laws and rules of this society of ours.”

“That’s as may be my lad” nodded the Pearl. “But one last embrace would be in order until our paths meet again.”

Guy pulled Eleanor close to his breast feeling his heart beating alongside hers. It was as if nothing else existed in the whole world, they had achieved some mystic union only they could identify. It was hard to believe that so much had happened since those days in Corfe Castle. Guy had been a young squire so very recently, or was it so short a time ago, he seemed to have lived a life and a half since then. De Buissant grasped the Princess by her shoulders and stretching his arms to their full extent looked intently into her deep brown eyes.

“I can never thank-you enough dear lady” he exclaimed. “But enough, I must be on my way, fate or destiny, or both, await me.”

De Buissant summoned a couple of retainers who quickly helped him to mount his destrier. Eleanor gazed half-smiling at him, what a warrior he had become, although she could always have forecast a great future for Guy, he had that steely determination about him only thinly disguised by his courtly manners.

“Think of me on my journey, my sweet” announced Guy “I will be back, and certainly you will be forever in my prayers, my Queen that never was.”

Eleanor placed her hand on Guy’s leg and smiled wistfully up at him, the sun was shining quite brightly now and formed almost a halo round de Buissant’s head. A golden knight indeed. The youthful warrior looked down and bending gracefully swept the Pearl’s hand to his lips. Lovingly, longingly he kissed the precious flesh with all his might. He then withdrew from her and saluting briefly spurred his horse rapidly into action. Turning for a moment he winked shyly before pulling down his visor and riding swiftly away.

The Pearl seemed transfixed for quite a time, deep in her own thoughts. She might have stayed in such a condition for even longer but for the advent of Melissa and Jadabal. Eleanor smiled gently at her friends and brushed away a tear.

“My Lady” commented Melissa. “You are weeping.”

“Oh not really” the Pearl announced through a watery smile. “Its just the sun in my eyes, the effect of the glorious shimmering sky.”

THE END

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