Epilogue

Brockenhurst, England

Summer, 1153

R ichard stretched out his legs whilst sitting on a blanket staring at the scene before him. If someone had asked him ten years ago what he would be doing this day, he most likely would have said that he would likely still be fighting for Empress Matilda’s cause to gain the throne. Times had certainly changed, and he could not help but smile at the contrast as he glanced at the Norwood brothers, their wives, his sister Beatrix and her husband, and all their children playing by the distant lake. Instead of Richard and his brothers in arms raising their blades, two young lads sparred with one another with small wooden swords. Their laughter rang out in childish delight as they made an attempt to save Wymar’s youngest daughter Violet from a pretend dragon.

Rolf pushed his younger cousin Dristan to the ground whilst Violet shrieked before jumping out of the way.

“I won,” Rolf declared raising his wooden sword in victory.

His moment of triumph was short lived when Dristan swept his legs out from under him. Rolf tumbled to the ground and Dristan leapt on top of him. “Yield the day, cousin,” Dristan laughed before Rolf joined in.

“I did not see that coming,” Rolf proclaimed whilst Dristan offered his hand to help him rise.

“Which is why one day you shall follow me as I become the champion knight for King Henry,” Dristan boasted as he folded his arms across his chest. His black hair blew in the breeze whilst the red cloak he wore billowed behind him.

“I cannot follow you, you dolt,” Rolf interjected. “People will know we are cousins and will think I get special treatment because I am kin.”

Dristan raised his hand to his chin as he contemplated his cousin’s words. “Then we shall pretend we met at a tourney. ’Twill be our own private jest, just the two of us.”

Rolf laughed. “That would be funny. You must have a name to lend fear into our enemies. What will you call yourself?”

“Ha! I already have a title picked out. I shall be called the Devil’s Dragon of Blackmore,” Dristan answered before the children ran toward the lake’s edge to splash in the cool water.

Richard turned his attention to Reynard and Theobald. “They seem to have their lives all planned out, do they not? So ambitious at such a tender age. Would that I had been so determined when I was young,” Richard said chuckling at the children’s antics.

Reynard raised a glass to his lips. “I believe Dristan thinks he must needs prove himself to his older cousins and his older sister Serena.”

Theobald gave a snort. “I remember another young lad just as determined in his youth.”

Wymar joined in with a laugh. “Always trying to prove his worth as though he feared he could not live up to the Norwood name. In the end, I believe we have all come out the better.” He swept his hand before them as their wives walked and played with their children. “Our name will live on with those before us. I am most content with Wren and Violet for daughters.”

Richard nodded before he smirked. “Are you hoping for a boy this time?”

Wymar’s brow rose. “Boy or girl, it does not matter—but ’twould be just like Ceridwen to give me another girl to worry over. She did say she would do so after we had wed and she has thus far lived up to her words.”

Theobald chuckled then took a long pull of his drink. “Aye, we are indeed blessed with our children and the women who came to love us. I for one am more than content with Rolf and Coira. I do not need to have further offspring than those two. They keep Ingrid and me busy as it is.”

Richard watched Annora as she began making her way back toward him. He excused himself from the others to meet his wife halfway. He placed his hand on her protruding belly.

“Does the babe pain you, my love?” he asked after he kissed her lips.

“He or she is active today. Here… feel this.”

Richard’s eyes widened when he felt the heel of a tiny foot pushing from the inside of Annora’s womb. “My guess is your time will be upon us before we know it.”

“Aye. I would not be surprised if Ceridwen and I give birth close together.” She turned her attention to her boys, one practically a grown man. “Do you think the twins will mind if the babe is a girl?”

“Ryder and Robert will learn to love the child if it is a girl and you know it. Leif, on the other hand, has already declared he plans to be overly protective of a sister,” Richard said with a smile.

Annora placed her head on his shoulder as they began to return back to the adults lounging on blankets and enjoying the day. “We have been very blessed, Richard. I could not ask for a better life than the one I have found at your side.”

He halted their progress and reached down to caress her cheek. “There is no other woman I would rather spend my life with than you, Annora. After all, I did fall in love with you first,” he teased and took delight when he heard her laughter.

“So, we are going to have that argument again, are we?”

He held up his hands as a truce. “Well… mayhap we fell in love at the same time. You were just too stubborn to admit it at the time, if I recall correctly.”

She pointed a finger at him. “You are lucky that I am so heavy with child that I cannot take you to task with my sword, my dear.”

Richard pulled her into his embrace. “Soon enough you will be sparring with me and Leif again to your hearts content. In the meantime, your job is to continue carrying my child. The rest must needs wait until later.”

“I will remember your words calling me stubborn,” she answered but had a hard time keeping the grin from her lips.

“I am counting on it, my love.”

Annora pulled on his tunic until he leaned down to kiss her lips. “I adore you… just in case I have not told you lately.”

He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead. “You are the light in my life, Annora. I am forever grateful to have you to love.”

As they returned to the group of adults, Richard once again took in the scene before him. Luckily, the friendship of the men he had fought beside for many a year had endured and thankfully they had all survived the darkness of war. Their lives during those times had been filled with chaos and even a bit of havoc as they maneuvered through each challenge that had come their way. But Richard was indeed thankful that they could now live out their lives in peace with their wives, children, and family at their side.

Aye, his time serving the Empress Matilda’s cause was at an end. He would let their children take up their duties for the Empress’s son Henry, who now ruled England. Richard had a glorious life of leisure to look forward to with Annora and their children. He was more than content with the life he now chose and the woman who held his heart.

Who would have known when he had glimpsed Annora on the battlefield at Winchester that he would one day recognize her as the other half of himself that had been missing. There was no further need for him to search for adventure or glory beyond his home. As far as he was concerned, his days of going to war were over.

He stole another glance at the men who had shaped each other’s past and the women who had changed their futures. Aye… The Knights of Darkness, Chaos, Havoc and Mayhem were no more…

THE END

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