Chapter 30 King Erik's First Reeve

King Erik was just settling down to dinner when he received word that the man he had sent for had arrived. Once he learned Queen Matilda would be sleeping through dinner, Erik made it known he was expecting someone, and that he should be told the moment he arrived. Why make the man wait while he dined alone? Besides, Erik had been looking forward to this.
Not long ago Erik had written a scroll to announce that a new reeve would be chosen.

Each man was given the opportunity to vote for the man he thought best suited for the job. He let the job be open to the upper classes, but let it be known this may not be an option in the future. He also let it be known that he would have final say over who would be reeve.
Matilda had confessed to him not long after they had arrived at the castle she had mistaken a noble lady for a lower class. Surely the home was not overly fine if she made such a mistake. Besides, a reeve's job was not forever....unless he is very popular.

As he walked through the castle Erik felt eager to greet the reeve. The man didn't know what he was called for, nor did the castle servants. Erik wanted to be the first to tell the man the news, and the reeve the first to hear it.

Erik walked all the way to the castle gates himself.

Lord Robert Locksley awaited King Lovejoy. If he be nervous, it did not show.

Erik addressed Locksley formerly. Then in a serious manner requested, "Follow me."

King Erik led Lord Robert inside the castle. Then turned to Lord Robert.
"Lord Robert Locksley, I command you to take your wife and leave your home."
A small gasp escaped Lord Robert.
"Your Majesty, have I offended you in some way?"
King Erik smiled then.
"Quite the contrary."

Erik walked across the room and picked up a scroll.

"Lord Robert Locksley you are my first reeve. A reeve's cottage has been built for you in the lowlands, that you may be among the people. This scroll says as much. You have my blessing, may you have God's as well."
Locksley seemed in awe. He simply bowed and said, "Your Majesty."
"If this is not what you desire you may decline. It would be between you and I. I will take no offense."
"I would be honored Your Majesty."
"Then go home to your wife and tell her the good news."
"Thank you Your Majesty."

Erik's thoughts went to his own wife, sleeping upstairs. His second thought was dinner. Erik headed back to his dinner which he followed by a trip upstairs. Finding his wife asleep, Erik slipped in beside her and drifted off to sleep.
Late that night Matilda awoke. She was hungry, again.
Matilda didn't want to get up. Hungry as she was she couldn't lay abed longer.
She dreaded putting on her dress which had only grown tighter.
Slowly she rose, careful not to wake her sleeping husband.
In the dark she approached her dresser. A kind maid had laid a gown atop it.
Matilda slipped the gown on. It fit different. It didn't hurt. Matilda let out a happy sigh.

Erik stirred but did not wake up. Matilda quietly slipped downstairs so as not to wake him.
When she reached the dining hall, still well lit, Matilda looked down at her gown.

Oh.... A new dress. It's pretty. Her hand slid over the purple bodice toward the pink skirt. Then it stopped. She felt a definite swell. She looked down at her little belly. When did that happen?
I guess I've been to busy eating to notice. Oh look, salad!

Oh I've been wanting salad. Matilda sat down with her salad, her growing belly forgotten for the moment. After polishing the salad off, Matilda returned to the table for a plate of meat.

Hmm...I do hope Erik likes a plump wife.
The rich food reached Matilda's nose. She breathed it in deeply, then sighed with contentment.