Fire and Ice

Chapter 9



Lincoln was a bustling town and never more so than when the new King came to visit the people. There was a carnival atmosphere and people lined the streets buying and selling all manner of goods. When Ulfric and Juliana rode into the town just after noon they were jostled by the crowds but not with menace, as Juliana might have expected, she noted most of the people seemed to have accepted their new ruler and appeared happy to have some stability once more.

“We need to find lodgings, Ulfric,” she said, hoping that all the best houses were not taken by now.

“Don’t fear, my lady, we will have the best house we can find.”

Juliana smiled, “I wish I could share your confidence, sire, but there are so many people here for the King’s visit. I’ve never seen so many merchants doing such a brisk trade. You must invite the King to Bertone, the traders in our town would love you for such business you would bring them.”

Just then a pie-seller reached up and waved a tasty pie in front of her, “My lady, come and try my pies, they are the finest in Lincoln,” he said.

Juliana’s stomach rumbled and she looked at Ulfric. “I am hungry, sire.”

Ulfric grunted, “We will take three,” and gave the man a small coin for each one which he pocketed swiftly and passed up three of the meat pies he was carrying.

Juliana nibbled daintily on hers as she rode but Ulfric took three large bites and his was gone. “That was a good pie, Juliana. You’d better eat quicker or I might steal some of yours,” he grinned. He turned around and Thorvald had also finished eating his so he would get no help there.

Juliana smiled knowing he was joking and wondered at herself being so comfortable in this man’s company. She tried so hard to resist him but she always gave in and she could not deny the pleasure she felt during their lovemaking. She wondered what the King would think of her being Ulfric’s whore, because that’s all she was, she knew. She cried after each passionate encounter because she wanted his commitment and love but he always fobbed her off, leaving her feeling so alone and desperate. Why couldn’t he see this? Were all men so insensitive to a woman’s need to be married? The thought made her hunger disappear and she handed what remained of her pie to Ulfric who took and devoured it in one bite, laughing at her astonishment.

They rode away from the bustle of the town centre and stopped in front of a large, two-storey building which looked clean from the outside. Ulfric dismounted but told Juliana to stay where she was while he haggled with the owner of the house for a room for them. He knocked on the door and was met by a servant. Ulfric asked politely to speak to the owner but was informed that he was not at present in residence and was only expected back in a couple of weeks.

“Good,” Ulfric said. “You will ready a room for me and my lady and I will leave coin enough to cover our stay. We are here on the King’s business so I will brook no argument.”

The servant looked wide-eyed at Ulfric’s stature and felt that this man would take what he wanted whether he put up an argument or not. “Come in, sire. Bring your lady inside and we’ll prepare food for you. I’m sure my master will not mind, especially if you are willing to pay for your lodgings.”

Ulfric lifted two large silver coins between his thumb and second fingers and rubbed them together, “You will get these when we leave, if your service has been good.”

The servant fixed his eyes greedily on the shining silver and bowed.

Thorvald helped bring in the trunks and boxes which Juliana had packed for the occasion and the few men they had brought with them took the horses into the stables at the back to make sure they were fed and watered before they entered the kitchen to eat.

The room which Juliana would share with Ulfric was furnished with a large bed and tables were set to each side which held a candle on each. It was a pleasant room and the last of the summer sun’s rays came through the window, lighting her hair to flame gold. She changed into a green woollen gown and kid slippers before going downstairs to the main room where Ulfric and Thorvald were waiting for her to begin the meal which had been hastily prepared for them.

“I’ll never understand why women always have to change their clothes at every touch and turn. No wonder you’ve brought so many boxes, Juliana – but I must say the result is very becoming,” Ulfric said holding out his arms to her. “I thought you said you needed new gowns, but these are definitely fit for an audience with the King.”

“These gowns were my mothers, Ulfric and a little more care of your own appearance wouldn’t go amiss. You need to shave and change your clothes before you see the King,” she answered.

“I will do better than that. I will find a bath and you can join me in it. How’s that?”

“By all means, my lord, find a bath if you will, but I will not join you in it. Don’t you care that everyone here thinks I’m your mistress. I’ve no wedding ring on my finger so what else would they think?” she snapped.

“Here we go again, marriage, marriage, marriage – is that all you can talk about?”

Thorvald needed to take the heat out of the situation so rose to propose a toast, “To Juliana, the most beautiful woman in the shire of Lincoln.”

Juliana bowed her head gracefully at the compliment and Ulfric looked shamefaced but irritated.

Their food was eaten in near silence, the joviality of the previous few hours dissipating quickly. Juliana excused herself and went to her chamber and Ulfric sat with Thorvald until they were well in their cups. He later climbed the stairs with a heavy heart and rolled into bed where Juliana had turned her back to him and was as far on the edge as she could be without rolling out. Ulfric turned his back too and fell asleep instantly, snoring so loudly that Juliana had a sleepless night.



***



The next day Ulfric left Juliana, who had managed to drop off to sleep around dawn, whilst he roused his men and sent two of them to advise the King that Ulfric and his party had arrived and were asking for an audience. He and Thorvald then sat down to a hearty breakfast wondering when the King would see them.

“The servants tell me there’s a carnival in the town with jesters and acrobats. Shall we go and see them?” Thorvald asked.

Ulfric smiled, “Yes, we’ll take Juliana - that should bring a smile to her face and hopefully take her mind off marriage.”

Juliana appeared at that very minute and gave a cautious eye to Ulfric, “Marriage my lord? Did I hear you mention marriage?”

Ulfric groaned, “No you did not, Juliana and I don’t want to hear about it again. I’ve told you that I’m not marrying you and that’s final. Instead, we are going to the fair today. The weather looks set fine and we should have a good day, if you’ll only let yourself.”

“Yes, sire. I assure you I will not beg you to marry me. I am not that desperate.” Juliana ate the porridge in front of her in silence until they were interrupted by Ulfric’s men returning with orders from the King.

Ulfric opened the parchment, “It looks like we have to present ourselves tomorrow, Thorvald. The King wants his knights to hear his plans for this town along with the bishop and various other locals.”

“I wonder what his plans are.” Thorvald mused.

“We won’t know until tomorrow so let’s get going to the fair and enjoy the time we have, because I have a feeling we’ll be busy from tomorrow onwards.”

Despite herself, Juliana enjoyed the walk into the town and was entertained by the acrobats and jesters as Ulfric had hoped she would be. Both men were feeling carefree and watched a procession of dwarves parading around and doing somersaults and back flips, clapping loudly when they bowed to the audience. There were side stalls with coloured flags draped across them tempting people to buy pies and sweetmeats, while others were set out with combs and brooches. Juliana pointed to one she liked and immediately one of the men would buy it for her, which delighted her initially, but then she was wary not to point out too much, as Ulfric had already made his position clear about his hard-earned money.

It was evening time when they arrived back at their lodgings where a messenger from the King was waiting to invite them to dine with him that evening, which threw Juliana into a frenzy of trying on different gowns and asking which would be suitable. Ulfric thought they were all very good, but she threw them on the bed and wept.

“Juliana, why are you crying? You look perfect in all of these gowns. Please put on the lilac one, it suits your colouring.”

“No! I will wear the green – it will bring out the colour of my eyes. Do you think the King will like it?” she asked, unsure of herself yet again.

“The King will love everything about you, now come on or we’ll be late. The sun is already low in the sky.”

Ulfric waited downstairs for another half an hour until, pacing the floor and uttering oaths under his breath while Thorvald laughed at him. “You should have left her at Bertone, Ulfric.”

“If I thought de Gant would not try and get back to her before I could, I would gladly have left her behind. I’d forgotten how trying women could be!”

He heard a gasp from Thorvald and turned round to see Juliana, a vision in dark green velvet, gold braiding running down the sides and under her breasts. Her fiery red hair had been combed into submission and was shining with gold and green ribbons trailing from her head rail. Her feet were clad in gold coloured kid slippers with green trim and Ulfric felt his heart quicken and held his breath while he surveyed his lady.

“My dear Juliana, you are beautiful and well worth the wait, but we must hurry now.” He dropped a kiss onto her lips and she smiled winsomely, pleased with his reaction.



***



The royal court was assembled at the Bishop of Lincoln’s Hall, which was the biggest and grandest house available to them. Tapestries festooned the walls, and tables were set around the room. The King himself had claimed the central seat of the long table and posed a formidable figure on the large carved seat. His knights were positioned at intervals along the tables with local dignitaries and their ladies or daughters sitting between them. The meal was about to begin when Ulfric and Thorvald arrived with Juliana. Their names were given to a page who announced their arrival in a loud voice but nobody took any notice until the King rose to his feet and beckoned for Ulfric and Thorvald to come to him.

Juliana stayed and waited in the background and a lump came to her throat as she watched Ulfric kneel before his King and kiss his ring. She was very proud of him at that moment and her heart softened towards him once more. Her mind began to wander as she thought of how wonderful their lives could be together if only he would change his mind and marry her. Her musings were such that she was caught off-guard when Ulfric approached and took her arm, leading her towards the King to be presented. She felt her colour rise as she curtsied before William and blood rushed to her face and neck making her ears ring. What would he think of her, she wondered. How could Ulfric present her like this, with no wedding ring on her finger, the King would know she was a whore and think her shameful to have accompanied one of her knights to this gathering of Norman nobility. Her head began to spin and her face paled at the thought of her shame, but the King was speaking to her and she had not heard a word he had said.

“Pardon, your majesty. I am overcome by your welcome and I think I took too much sun today.”

William raised her from her curtsey and lifted her hand onto his arm, leading her to the central table where, he told her, she would take a seat beside him with Ulfric and Thorvald on the other side. She calmed her nerves at his kind manner but noticed Ulfric’s frown deepen as the servants led them over to their chairs.

The King rose and proclaimed, “My people, I am deeply honoured to be with you and I have great plans for this town which I have discussed at length with your Bishop and Reeve. I will reveal these plans eventually but for now let the feasting begin.”

Servants rushed around bringing course after course of finely cooked food for their pleasure and Juliana was delighted by the King’s chivalrous demeanour, and he was delighted with her knowledge of his own language. When he was not speaking with her he was complimenting Ulfric on choosing such a beautiful and talented lady but Ulfric himself did not seem to appreciate his King’s words. After one such conversation he scowled and frowned to such an extent that Thorvald clapped him on the back and laughed, “Enjoy yourself, Ulfric. The King is happy with you and will no doubt give you more land around Bertone if you ask him nicely.”

“I care not for more land,” Ulfric muttered, “he’s just told me he’s keeping Juliana at court for a while and will send for her trunk tomorrow. He is too delighted with her and wants to know her better.”

“You have nothing to fear from William. He is totally committed to Matilda and will not dream of a dalliance with the fair Juliana.”

“I know that!” Ulfric snapped. “But de Gant is here and I don’t trust him an inch.”

Thorvald looked around the room and spied de Gant eating quietly and drinking his wine sparingly, but all the time looking at Juliana from under his brows. “I see what you mean,” Thorvald said worriedly.

“I’ve a good mind to slap his face with my gauntlets and wipe that smirk off it.”

“No, you must not let William see your anger with de Gant. You know he likes to think his knights all get on well.”

“I have a bad feeling about this, Thorvald.” Ulfric threw down the meat he had been eating, his appetite completely gone.