“I remember, Alfred, and nobly has thou borne thyself both as foe and friend. Easy is it to forgive the deceptions upon me for out of that grew the pity for the misfortune of another. Though she were the daughter of thy foe, thou didst generously give her cure for misease.” “Thou wouldst have done the same, Athelstan,” returned the king. “At once did I feel that there was that in thee which spake a kindred to me.” “And this is thy son?” Athelstan turned to Edward who stood near. “To him, King Alfred, as much as to thy prowess I truly believe the victory belongs. What a noble charge he made as unhelmed he rushed into the fray! Young though is he for battle.” Alfred smiled proudly. “Without permission did he join us,” he said. “Young the boy is. ’Twill not be until next year that he will be old enow for buckler. But for his bravery, he shall not need to wait his year. Edward hath taught me that a king’s son matureth sooner than others. Which remindeth me, my son, that thou hast not yet received thy guerdon. This night repair thee to the priest and make confession of thy sins, watching the night through with prayer. On the morrow thou shalt then be declared a legitimate miles.” Overcome with joy at this news, Edward hastened to tell it to Ethelfleda and Egwina. “Never again will I tease thee, Edward, about thy age,” said Ethelfleda. “Thou art truly a man in heart if not in years.” Egwina joined in the commendation of his valor. The night having been passed in accordance with the custom, in prayer and watching, the next morning in the presence of a great concourse of people, Edward heard mass. Then, having put on a purple robe girded by a belt set with gems to which was attached a golden sheath for his sword, the gift of his father, the youth repaired again to the church and offered his sword upon the altar. The priest read from the Gospel, and, taking the sword, blessed it and placed it on the youth’s neck with his benediction. The sacrament was administered to him, and then Edward arose, a full-fledged Saxon warrior. “To my country do I consecrate this weapon,” said he solemnly. “May God judge me if it be lifted other than in her service.” “May He help you to keep that vow, my son,” said Alfred. And the years have proven how nobly the boy fulfilled his oath. CHAPTER XVIII—PEACE By the treaty of peace between Alfred and Athelstan drawn up by the witanagemot or the Saxon parliament which convened at Wedmore after the baptism of the Danes, the boundaries of the two kingdoms were defined. A line beginning at the mouth of the Thames, and running along the river Lea to its source, and turning at Bedford to the right along the Ouse as far as Watling street was to make the division. The part which was north of the line being the Danish kingdom and called Danelagh, while all south of the line was the kingdom of the Saxons. According to this arrangement a large portion of Mercia fell to Alfred’s share.