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    As we rode along the Clwyd it came to me that I had not visited the fort here for over two years.  The valley looked different. Since I had brought peace the settlers had flooded in and the hillsides and valley bottoms were littered with prosperous looking farms.  Sheep and cattle dotted the valley sides. I could have come here with just my wife and Myrddyn and been in no danger.
    As we passed the fort at the head of the valley I reined in.  Bors, father of Mungo, strode out to greet me. “An unexpected visit, Warlord.”
    “I am on my way to Wrecsam. How are things here?”
    “Dull.  The Mercians keep to their side of the border and Edwin’s men have learned to avoid us. My men crave action.”
    I laughed.  “Soon, perhaps, we will remind Edwin of our power.  I spoke with your son yesterday and Llewellyn’s son too.”
    His face clouded, “They have not given offence have they?”
    “No, no, they are fine warriors and crave frontier duty.”
    He looked relieved.  “They still have much to learn.  Garrison duty at the fort is never wasted.”
    We rode over the col at the head of the valley and dropped down to the fertile lands at the eastern extreme of Gwynedd. Many questioned Cadwallon’s decision to have his court so close to the Mercians.  Many of his nobles thought that he should live in the fort I occupied. It showed how little they knew of the young king.  He had been trained with my sons and he had a keen mind.  He had made peace with the Mercians but his presence ensured that no one would try to attack his people.  His army was almost as good as that commanded by my son and the Mercians were just grateful that the king of Gwynedd prevented cattle raids and incursions from King Edwin and his Northumbrians.
    As Warlord and the parent of the Queen we were quickly ushered into the royal presence. I saw the Steward’s panicked look as he took in the entourage. He would be wondering how to feed so many of us. I said quietly to him, “We will be here but one night.”
    He grinned with relief, “Thank you, Warlord.”
    He scurried off and Myfanwy linked my arm. “You can be quite thoughtful when you choose.”
    “I have my moments.”
    King Cadwallon looked genuinely pleased to see us and Nanna showed how much she had grown over the years as she fussed over her mother.  A few years ago they would have fought like cat and dog.
    “Let us stroll in my courtyard.  I am guessing that you have some news to impart to me.” We left the women and the grandchildren.
    “I do, your majesty.  Morcar go and see to the horses.  We will be leaving at first light.” Morcar looked disappointed but he nodded and obeyed. Myrddyn strode to the other side of the young king he had helped to train.
    “Now that we are alone we can dispense with this ‘ your majesty ’ nonsense. I would not be king, nor my father before me if you had not made us so.”
    “How is your father?”
    King Cadfan had been wounded in the same war as I had received my injury. “He is as well as can be expected.  He is pleased that he is no longer king. His life is much easier.” We reached a courtyard lined with trees and we sat at a bench under an apple tree which had the small fruits already growing. “Now please tell me why you are here.”
    “I dreamed again.”
    “Ah, that normally means something momentous is on the horizon.”
    Myrddyn sniffed, “Not always.”
    Cadwallon laughed, “Perhaps not to you, wizard, but to us mere mortals they are.”
    “I was told to seek an alliance with the Irish.”
    I could tell that had surprised him.  “I was not expecting that.”
    “Perhaps it is not that surprising.  In the old days of King Urien there was an alliance of Strathclyde, Elmet, Rheged and Bernicia.  In your father’s time we allied all of the kings of Wales.  It is the only way to defeat the sea of Saxons.”
    He looked up at the sky as he took in that information. Myrddyn and I had taught him to reflect when