Chapter 4 Summary

For the next two years, Rumon stays at Glastonbury Abbey. Rumon has been sent to Glastonbury after Dunstan caught him locked in an embrace with Queen Alfrida. Two years later, Dunstan now suggests Rumon find someone to marry and have children with, and further suggests Rumon consider Merewyn as a candidate, but Rumon isn't interested. They are both summoned suddenly by the King, and after two days travel arrive to find the King gravely ill. Despite his youthful thirty-one years of age, he is at death's door. In a moment of pain-free lucidity near the end, King Edgar gives his kingdom to his first born son, Edward. Alfrida is more disturbed by this than she is by the King's death, but Edgar takes it as grief at their parting and with his last breath gives his blessing to Ethelred. Queen Alfrida is in...