We last
beheld him a boy of twelve, at the date of Elfric's arrival at the court
of Edred. By his side rode Siward, Ealdorman of Northumbria.
"Who is this?" cried the latter, as he saw Alfred and his attendant
waiting to receive him.
"Alfred of Aescendune, with a petition for aid against Redwald, who has
seized his father's castle."
"Alfred of Aescendune!" cried Edgar. "Halt, my friends, one moment.
Alfred of Aescendune, tell me your story; to me, Edgar, your king."
Alfred hastened to pour his tale of sorrows into an ear evidently not
unsympathising, and when he had concluded Edgar asked--"And tell me
what is your request. It shall be granted even to the uttermost."
"Only that you, my lord, would hasten to our aid and deliver my brother
for his poor widowed mother's sake."
"We should send a troop against Redwald in any case, but even had our
plans been otherwise, know this, Alfred of Aescendune, that he who by
his devoted service saved the life, or at least the liberty, of Dunstan,
the light of our realm of England, and the favourite of heaven, has a
claim to ask any favour Edgar can grant.
"Siward, my father, bid the advanced guard bend its course towards
Aescendune at once."
"My lord, the men are too weary to travel all night. We had purposed
halting when we reached the battlefield on our march southward. There is
a cross-country road thence to Aescendune, almost impassable in the night.
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