The knight nodded rueful agreement.“Aye.The storeroom is full but I fear ’twill not last past the Yule.”
“Raimon de Toulouse has promised support before Yule,” Dagobert said, watching a hopeful light settle in the knight’s eyes.
“We might yet win the day,” he said with surprise.“’Twill be a tough winter for those camped in the valley.I suspect many will seek the comfort of their own hearth with the first snow.”
“Aye,” Eustache agreed, squinting off into the distance.“Should their numbers lessen, ’tis possible Raimon’s forces and ours could regain control of the road together.”
Dagobert nodded.“Tis our only chance.”He was unwilling to voice his own doubts about Raimon’s dependability.“We must hold on until Yule and stand ready to fight.”He drew a deep breath, welcoming that familiar tinge of salt into his lungs, and glanced at the knight.“I would see the extent of the stores.”
“Aye.”The knight turned his course, leading the way though Dagobert knew it well.
“No one has been over the wall since the east cliffs were taken?”Eustache asked as they strode back toward the keep.
The knight shook his head.“No one would risk it.The Basques are scattered over the hills, and ’twould be nigh impossible to avoid them all.”
Dagobert nodded, then caught sight of Alienor stepping into the bailey.She turned as if seeking someone, his heart leaping when she spotted him and he saw the flash of her smile.She carried something red and headed toward him, and he left the men to meet her halfway.
“I thought you resting,” he chided gently, pleased to see a light in her eyes once more.She smiled at him as if he were the only man in the world, making him marvel anew that she loved him and that she would indeed stay by his side.
“’Tis too dull abed without you,” Alienor jested, and he chuckled even as she flushed at her own bold words.Unable to resist, he bent and kissed her soundly.The calls rising from others in appreciation of his gesture made Alienor blush scarlet.
“You did that apurpose,” she accused, but the sparkle in her eyes undermined her indignation.
“Aye, I did, love,” he confirmed, emphasizing the last word deliberately.The way her lips softened almost made him forget her convalescence.
Alienor’s eyes lit and she shook one finger under his nose.“We must wait a month,” she reminded him.
Dagobert could not resist the opportunity to tease her.“Hasten back to bed, love, and make it a mere fortnight,” he jested, pleased when she laughed aloud.
“I shall do my best, sir,” she promised.She pressed the red cloth she carried into his hands.“Truly, I came only to bring you this.”
‘Twas red samite, though Dagobert could not understand why she brought it to him.“This was what you stitched in the solar,” he said, remembering.
Alienor nodded.“Unfurl it,” she instructed, and he did as bidden, catching his breath at the fine work before him.“’Tis your insignia,” Alienor added unnecessarily, but Dagobert did not tease her.He was too astounded that she had taken the time to create such a gift for him.
He held a banner of red samite, as long as his arm on its short side, three times that in the other direction.A white unicorn lay amidst the red field, looking back over his shoulder.The detail of his fur was lovingly embroidered in silk and his yellow eyes glinted with what might have been mischief.A garland of spring flowers encircled his neck, and a golden crown set with red rubies rested atop his head.The pearly spire of his horn rose nobly above the crown.Around the perimeter of the banner was a twisted garland of grapevines ripe with fruit, their dark green leaves fairly glistening against the crimson.
“Tis beautiful.”Dagobert knew that this was the moment to tell Alienor of his decision but was uncertain how to start.“Alienor, I ride out no more to battle,” he began, but she interrupted him.
“Giselle told me that you did not crusade.I know this already.”
“Aye, love, but you do not know that there will be no more crusades for any cause.”He watched to see if she understood his meaning.Her eyes widened as if she dared not believe, and Dagobert nodded quickly.“’Tis truly so, Alienor.I have already fulfilled my pledge to my sire, for I vowed to try to regain our legacy.I have kept my promise but I failed.’Tis your efforts alone that spared me from certain death.”He smiled.“I thought ’twould be fitting recompense to inflict my presence upon you for years in return.”
“Dagobert,” Alienor breathed with obvious delight.
He laughed as she launched herself into his arms with unmistakable joy and caught her close.
“I was so afraid,” she whispered against his chest.
“Be not afraid, love,” he said sternly.He gripped her chin and compelled her to meet his gaze.“I have no need for such worldly responsibilities when you are by my side.With the grace of God and the king, we will raise our children here at Montsalvat and tend to our own affairs, for together we each have all that we need.”
“Do not make this choice simply for me,” Alienor urged.
Dagobert saw that she would support his quest despite her own desires, should he wish to pursue it still.He felt blessed once more that she was his bride, and let his conviction show when he shook his head.“I do this for both of us, love.The task passes now to Thierry, for by all rights, I should have died in my attempt.”
Alienor smiled slowly and he saw with amusement that her tears were rising yet again.
“I should have you weep into the cisterns,” he teased, and she flushed, pressing a heartfelt kiss to his lips.
