Ancient Kingdom Time Forgot

Chapter 8

“Ealdormen, I have gathered this council for the heir apparent.” Ealdorman Leif slowly stands from his chair addressing the five older gentlemen gathered around the large wooden table.

“We should discuss young Raiden Zanzibar’s reign, and this new woman he is fond of.” Pipes up a man sitting on the side of Leif. He had long, thinning gray hair that fell to his sunken cheeks with a large gray mustache buried under an elongated crooked nose. He was going blind guiding him loyally as his large brown Newfoundland dog, Rexus. All of the Ealdormen wore long white robes to signify their long-standing loyalty to the kingdom; they were the oldest of men there. They were put on the council to help govern the kingdom, some would say more powerful than the monarchs themselves. They could deny any heir out of fear for the wellness of the realm, and sentence any man they deem fit to death for the same reason.

“Quite right, Ealdorman Silas, quite right!” A balding gray-haired man stands up quickly grabbing his back as the others help him back down. He had white mutton chops that made his slender face look fuller, Ealdorman Eagan was the shortest of the Ealdormen and the most outspoken. His short wide nose was always red, his big black eyes hid behind large square glasses that never seemed to fit his face.

“Yes, Ealdorman Eagan, Ealdorman Silas is right, that is why I formed the council.” Leif sits down in the chair as he looks around at the other three men.

“The American girl that has barged into our home is now going to lead us because she saved the heir from Magdala’s spell, do I have this right, Ealdorman Leif?” Interrupted Ealdorman Amos. He opposed almost all the other Ealdormen, never seeming to agree with anyone. His short graying hair was surprisingly thick, He had no beard nor mustache like the others. He did not need glasses, his black eyes could see uncommonly well, and he had a sharp, narrow nose. His long thin face made his cheekbones protrude out more than normal.

“We will educate her of our history and our ways before she ascends, but she is the soulmate of our rightful heir, Ealdorman Amos. You know this, they will marry before either shall ascend.” Ealdorman Leif puts his hand in the air as a gesture that he has the final say.

“I will educate the girl on our history, Ealdorman Leif.” Ealdorman Saxon broke the silence as he smiled awkwardly. He was the second eldest to Leif at 190 years old, his long white hair similar to his superior Leif complimented his short salt-and-pepper beard. He had a small wide nose that shadowed the scar running down his right cheek from battle. He spoke softer than the others and wore round glasses that always seemed to fall onto the brim of his nose.

“Thank you, Ealdorman Saxon, you are a good man.” Leif nodded his head in approval. “Will anyone show Ms. Bridgette Hawthorne our customs?”

A large liver-spotted arthritis-riddled hand sticks up in the air. “I shall like to, Ealdorman Leif, if she is to be our Queen I will do my best to help her.” Ealdorman Callum leans his head forward peeking over Ealdorman Saxon’s shoulder. Ealdorman Callum was usually quiet, and unnoticeable to many. He had short balding white hair and a long white beard that fell onto his chest.

“Ahh, Ealdorman Callum, yes then it’s settled, Ealdorman Saxon will teach our presumptive queen about our history and Ealdorman Callum will teach her our customs and beliefs.” Ealdorman Leif nodded at both men, gathered his robes up in his hand, and reached for his staff to leave the table.

“We know nothing of this girl that is to be our Queen,” Ealdorman Amos bellowed loudly, his deep voice shaking like a thunderous mountain, as he spoke. “We show her our customs, our beliefs, and our history but we still know nothing of her to call her our queen.”

The other Ealdormen started to agree, shaking their heads while softly voicing their approval after Amos’s logic rang the entire room.

“I will have the girl speak to me about her past, family, and upbringing.” Leif snapped as he stood up staring Amos down across the table.

“She will speak to all of us Ealdormen, call another council and have her appear in front of us so we shall question the girl.” Amos stood as he stared down at Leif, his hands rating upon the table.

Leif turns and walks out of the council room while yelling out “Yes, yes” as the guards open the big white and gold-trimmed double doors.

“Ealdorman Leif!” Agneta was waiting outside the door and she startled him by stepping up and speaking loudly.

“Agneta Zanzibar, why are you waiting outside a door and screaming at an old man? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” He side-eyes her as he slowly walks forward gripping his staff tight with every step.

“What did the council say?” She steps back in front of him, just ahead of every step.

“You know I don’t like repeating myself, I’m on my way to Prince Raiden.” Leif stops and stares at Agneta waiting for her to move out of his way. “Walk with me.” He says politely smiling.

As they approach the king’s chamber Leif extends his arm to knock but Agneta impatiently rushes ahead of him by knocking quite rapidly hard. A tall, lean guard waiting outside the door doesn’t look in their direction but waits for the faint stomp from the heir to open the door. The guard opens the door to Raiden anxiously anticipating his old friend Leif to give him some form of good news.

“Ealdorman Leif, has the council come to a direct decision?” Raiden asked as he walked up to Leif to help him to a chair.

“We have your Grace,’’ He sits down on the soft animal print chair and lets out a deep breath of relief as he fixes his robes. “You will ascend the throne as is your birthright, but as is the custom you must marry first.”

“I’ll marry her tomorrow!” A smile crosses his lips as he sits down across from the Ealdorman.

“No, your Grace”

“No, what do you mean no? You said I had to marry first.”

“The council has stated that we must groom her, our history and our customs so forth.” Leif leans forward on his staff.

“Yes, yes. She must know our culture, thank you, Ealdorman Leif.” Raiden stands running his hands through his auburn beard.

“She must stand in front of the council and answer any question that is asked of her. When the council approves her then you shall marry. Ealdorman Leif holds up his hand as a guard rushes over to help him up. “The council has spoken, your Grace, we will speak to her in a week.” He leans closer to Raiden. “I love Ms. Bridgette, I think she is a good woman and will make a fine Queen.” He bows his head and slowly makes his way out the door.