The Good Knight (A Gareth and Gwen Medieval Mystery)

the hall and laid him in state upon the table, tears pouring down his cheeks at what the Normans had done, how could I stand then and gainsay him?”
    “But in private…”
    “It was done,” Hywel said. “More of my ancestors than I can count took the throne by patricide. Some say that my own father killed his brother, the elding , in battle in much the same way.”
    “I don’t believe that!”
    “Don’t you,” Hywel said. “Why don’t you? You’ve seen my father’s temper.”
    “Do you believe it?” Gwen said.
    Hywel shook his head, more in resignation than because he was saying no. “I don’t believe it, but the rumors were rife ten years ago when my uncle died in battle; I couldn’t stir them up again.” He paused. “And then there was my sister. I couldn’t stand by and see her hurt. It was my last chance to protect her.”
    Gwen met Hywel’s eyes and neither looked away.
    “I saw an opportunity and I took it. It was impulse, but still, I cannot regret my decision.”
    They sat together, silent, Hywel genuinely relaxed in Gwen’s company, for perhaps the first time since he was ten. He had no false front to keep her from seeing him as he really was, no mask to wear. Instead, his face revealed resignation, and perhaps acceptance of who he was and the role he played in his father’s world. For it was Owain Gwynedd’s world, and Hywel was, and perhaps would always be, the son who did his father’s bidding.
    Hywel cleared his throat and when he spoke next, his voice came so softly, she almost couldn’t hear him. “When Cadwaladr claimed you bore my child, I told Gareth that I had never taken you to my bed.”
    Gwen gazed at him, waiting. These words meant something to him. She could hear it in his voice.
    “Do you know why?” he said.
    “I’ve wondered why,” she said. “I loved you when we were children, and there were times I would have come willingly since my father left your father’s service. But you never asked.”
    Hywel looked up from fingering the documents on his desk and met her eyes. “It is not in my nature to be faithful, Gwen. I loved you too much to hurt you.”
    Gwen swallowed. As she’d suspected. The truth.
    “I leave tomorrow for Ceredigion. Do I have your blessing? Are you still with me?”
    Gwen met his gaze. “I’m still with you, Hywel.” She stood. “I wish you the best.” She was at the door a heartbeat later, for the first time ever without asking permission or looking back.
    But before she’d gone two more steps, Hywel’s parting words reached her. “As I do you, Gwen. As I do you.”

    The End

Historical Background

    The events related in The Good Knight are, amazingly enough, based on historical fact. The premise of the book, the murder of King Anarawd of Deheubarth, did take place at the behest of Owain Gwynedd’s brother, Cadwaladr. Prince Hywel was tasked with rousting his uncle out of Ceredigion, and did burn his uncle’s castle to the ground. Cadwaladr had retreated to Ireland and returned to Wales at the head of an army of Danish mercenaries to the extreme displeasure of his brother. This was only one of the first of many betrayals by Cadwaladr. Owain Gwynedd did accept his brother back into his favor, after he paid the Danes what he owed them.
    Many of the other characters in The Good Knight are historical figures as well, including Cristina, Rhun, Gwalchmai, and Meilyr. The fiction comes from all that we don’t know about the events that transpired, whether because nobody wrote them down, or because any such documents were destroyed in the intervening years. There is a story that one of the more recent owners of Castle Aber found a collection of papers stashed in a wall cavity in the old part of the castle—and burned them because they were in Latin and she couldn’t read them.
    Owain Gwynedd was born sometime before 1100 AD, the second son of Gruffydd ap Cynan. Owain ruled from 1137 to 1170 AD. His rule was marked by peace initially, at least with England, as Owain took advantage of the strife between King Stephen and Empress Maud for the English throne to consolidate his power in Wales. That conflict lasted for nineteen years, finally resolving in rule by Stephen but with the inheritance of the throne upon his death by Maud’s son, Henry.
    Owain had many wives and lovers. His first wife, Gwladys, was the daughter of Llywarch ap Trahaearn; his second was Cristina, his cousin, to whom he remained constant despite the active