By Yuletide, most of the horror of the massacre has subsided. A few hundred Danes have been slaughtered, but many justify it by countering that the Viking raids have done their share of killing as well and killing the Danish royal hostages is considered acceptable also. Even Wulfric echoes the sentiments of the general population on this, and Merewyn wisely keeps her thoughts to herself. While she is not summoned to the Castle again, Merewyn thinks often of the petite Queen, and listens to the gossip eagerly. The King and Queen are seldom at the castle, and it appears the Queen has taken charge. In March there is news that the Queen has had a son they name Edward. Unfortunately, Merewyn has still been unable to bear a child and it nags at.....
