Here Be Dragons - 1 Sharon Penman (paper ebook reader .TXT) 📖

speaking, both Rhys and Adda ere noddmg in vigorous agreement Ednyved, too, looked exceedingly Hubious "There's truth in that, Llewelyn It will not be easy ""I know," Llewelyn conceded "That is why it must be done in my1 fehme People will need time to come to terms with it, as with any new HeaBut I think they can be made to see that it is for Gwynedd's good Surely none amongst you can argue that it benefits a kingdom to have it split asunder by civil war ""The common sense of what you say cannot be denied," Adda said, and then smiled thinly "But men heed other voices than reason I see, however, that your mind is set upon this, upon naming Gruffydd as your sole heir, and so""No," Llewelyn said "Not Gruffydd Davydd ""Me7" Davydd gasped, sat suddenly upright, then flushed as he realized they were all staring at him Joanna reached over, squeezed his arm, but her eyes never left Llewelyn's, he had seen such a look upon her face once before, the very first time he'd kissed her Ednyved was smiling, but Rhys and Adda looked appalled, and Morgan, who understood, looked neither surprised nor judgmental, just unutterably sad"Do not speak of this yet, not even to your wives," Llewelyn said before either Adda or Rhys could recover, could burst out with impassioned arguments upon Gruffydd's behalf As he'd hoped, they were constrained by Davydd's presence Ednyved now cued the others by nsmg, they reluctantly followed suit'Papa " Davydd was still dazed "Papa, I'll make you proud, I will "' You'd better," Llewelyn said, and the boy gave him a radiant smile He looked slight, almost frail, when compared to Gruffydd at the same age AlthoughDavydd was still quite young, Llewelyn did not think it likely he'd ever approach Gruffydd's uncommon height, and he could never hope to matchGruffydd's strength But he'd once puncred his hand upon a nail, and when his playmates panicked, he Calmly walked a half-mile for help, with the nail protruding from his " m And Llewelyn had known for several years now that of his eight chl'dren, Davydd had by far the best brain u Uavydd was the last to depart Joanna stood for a moment with him n the porch, not speaking, just sharing Then she turned, went back ne chamber whereDavydd had been born, where Llewelyn Wa'ted herTk^'ddl 6V k°tl1 move^ toward each other at once, came together in the e °f the room "Beloved, what can I say7 I know that my joy is

526your painknow, too, how very difficult a decision it was. In truth, Llewelyn, you are a remarkable man."Llewelyn tightened his arms around her. "No," he said, his voice muffled in her hair. "No, I am a man who is going to lose his son."LLEWELYN had dreaded nothingnot even his surrender to John at Aberconwyas much as he dreaded telling his son. And it proved to be even more of an ordeal than he expected. Gruffydd listened in unnerving silence, never taking his eyes from Llewelyn's face, eyes filled with such stunned disbelief that Llewelyn found his throat tightening, his own eyes stinging."The cantref of Meirionydd has been mine since my cousin Hywel's death. I am giving it now to you, Gruffydd. Also the lordship of Ardudwy. And in time, mayhap even""Why?""As I told you, lad, Gwynedd has to be kept intact. It is the only way we can hope to resist English incursions, to""Why Davydd? Why Davydd and not me?""Davydd is the nephew of the English King. That will afford him some degree of influence at the English court, for Henry gives great weight to blood ties.And they are of an age, have taken a liking to one another. That, too, might one day work to our advantage.""I know you love her. But you loved my mother, too. I am your firstborn. And lest you forget, I was four years as an English prisoner for you, Papa, for you!" Some of Gruffydd's control cracked. "Does that now count for nothing?"Llewelyn flinched, but he did not relent. "I know you suffered on my account.But I cannot allow that to unbalance the scales, not when so much is at stake.""Do not do this to me, Papa. All my life I've sought to please you, to make you proud of me. And I... I thought you were!""I am proud of you. There is no man in Christendom I'd rather have by my side in a battle." Llewelyn drew a constricted breath. "But I cannot let you rule in my stead. I cannot let you destroy yourself in a war you could never win."His voice changed, steadied. "And I cannot le you destroy Gwynedd. I will not prove my love by the loss of Wels independence.""What independence? You've turned Wales into an English fief,an yourself into an English lackey!""I know what I've taken from you, do not begrudge you your a ger. But your bitterness will change nothing, Gruffydd, and that is you must try to understand, to accept."

r527"Must I indeed' I think not, my lord Prince, I think not1 You're not |Ugt denying me my birthright I have a son of my own now, or have you forgotten7What of Owain, what of his right7"Gruffydd was blinded by tears, but they were tears now of rage He turned away, and Llewelyn caught his arm"Gruffydd, wait'"Gruffydd wrenched free "Tell your woman and her half-breed son to savor their victory whilst they can1"Llewelyn made no further attempt to hold him "When your anger cools, I hope you will remember what I am about to say nowthat you will always have a place at my court, m my life, in my heart "Gruffydd was already at the door "Rot in Hell," he said, and sobbed "Rot inHell'"AS Joanna and Llewelyn left the abbey, crossed the stone bridge intoShrewsbury, Joanna felt uncomfortably conspicuous It seemed strange to her that they should be ndmg so peacefully along a route Llewelyn had