Chapter 14 Summary

By the year 1002, Merewyn is officially a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elgifu, who by then requires constant nursing. The Queen delivers a still born baby, and afterward simply deteriorates. She simpers and moans, and at times even shrieks with pain as the end nears, and though Merewyn feels pity, she never really warms to the Queen. The intense attachment she found with Queen Alfrida never materializes, nor do the land grants, or the position of Thane that she wants so badly for Orm. Ethelred waffles daily. One day it is Yes, and the next it is Maybe. Time passes, and he would simply forget, at which point Merewyn is forced to begin her campaign anew. Ethelred is an ineffective ruler. He is most often drunk, and becomes either angry or desolate afterward. His constant companions are the son of Alfhere, Cild Aelfric who is...