The Invasion of Normandy

[Barry Goldwater]

Hugh of Maine couldn't wait to surrender, apparently, considering the speed with which he yielded. There are rumors among the Mainais country-folk that even though all he personally suffered in the Battle of Laval was a small cut on his pudgy cheek, which did nothing to improve his already ugly countenance, he had burst into tears and practically had a nervous breakdown before even leaving the battlefield.

Fulk of Anjou accepts parley and has designated Château-Gontier, a castle on the Anjou-Maine border built and inhabited by the local family of comital stewards, as the meeting site.

[Trot]

Mar felt the now familiar thrill of battle as he began to organize his battle line for the coming conflict. He was riding high another battle and his heart was already racing the rush of adrenaline flowed into his veins. It was a high he always got when an battle was about to begin. Soon it would take off and the men here would clash with the forces of this self proclaimed count of Maine. Mar ordered the advance and the lines moved to clash. instantly volleys of arrows fell and the cries of the wounded rose. The rush hit Mar hard and he spurred his horse forward leading the charge onto the flank. He feels his lance shattered against the armor of an enemy and blood sprays up from the wound the weapon made. Mar drew his sword and continued to battle his way into the enemy lines.

--------------------------

Richard watched his brother charge forward his heart racing. This was his first time on the battle field and he was somewhat intimidated. The newly minted count of Mortain would be fighting for his duke for the first time. He had command of a small group of men and knew what he was supposed to do. When hi brother gave the signal he charged, but unlike his brother he found himself facing a counter charge from the knights of Maine. Fighting here was intense and it was all Richard could do to keep from getting himself skewered. His men were forced back and he felt his horse give out under him. He crashed under the beast as he panted for breath surrounded by men of Maine. Yet he still heard fighting and after a short time the men were pushed back and he felt himself being lifted and put on the back of a horse a little humiliated. His first battle had not been impressive. He had been scared the whole time and had nearly been captured. He was sure his brother had never ended up in such a situation.

[Pericles of Athens]

The battle had been a dull affair, nothing like the first or second Wye, or either battle outside York, even the battle against the fool Mortain had been marked by the terror of Black Alan’s charge. But this, this was merely an incompetent fool supported by an overreaching count. Certainly there was the splintering of shields, the crash of steel, and the ripping of flesh, the smell of iron assailed his nostrils as it had in all battles before.. but these Frankishmen, they lacked the numbers or the heart to face a Huscarl’s sheildwall. Godwin wondered how many of the reportedly fearsome Franks fought like this.. perhaps they shouldn’t merely stop with Normandy.. but such thoughts were put aside for the moment, a battle was at hand after all. Godwin had worried for the King’s safety, while he caommanded the center Edgar was left without his most trusted guards.. but it seemed the enemy was incapable of making an attempt on the King’s life, this day.

The shieldwall had repelled the charge of Maine’s “count” with ease, horsemen throwing themselves against wooden shields and steel axes, and once the horsemen pulled back they quit the field instead of making another charge. Someone’s axe had seemingly grazed Hugh of Maine’s cheek, and the rotund lordling had fled back toward his capital in fear. Some of Godwin’s men claimed he’d been the one to strike at the count, but Godwin Haroldson assured them that if it had been his axe the Frankishmen would need a grave not a bandage.

Naturally the whimpering incompetent threw himself at Edgar’s feet when they arrived at his keep, it seemed he could do one thing right after all. The last battle of the war was done, and Maine secured, all that remained was to meet the count of Anjou and come to terms. Edgar was a diplomat by nature, and Godwin trusted that his friend would see the matter settled quickly, and in England’s favor.

[Gandalfus]

"Lord Fulk."

Greeted the King, approaching the comital party with on horseback with a retinue of his own. He was still in his war mail, though the conical helmet he'd worn in battle had been replaced by a more ceremonial design, crested by a dragon's head. A cloak of fine ermine was swathed about his shoulders, and his armour had been so finely polished one might see their own reflection in it.

"Hugh has surrendered to me, and disregarded his claim to Maine."

It was a statement of fact, nothing more, without a hint of pride in it.

[Barry Goldwater]

"So he has. I expected no more from that mewling fool, once the day turned against us." Fulk grunted. His own mail was visibly battered in a few places, but otherwise he seemed to be unharmed, and the sun freely lit up his blood-red hair while his own helmet rested under one arm. "Maine is yours, I suppose." For now. "What else do you want from me, King Edgar?" For was his first statement not what the English king came here, seeking to hear? Anjou's stallion, of a similar color to his hair, idly pawed at the ground.

[Gandalfus]

"Peace would be nice. Do you not think so?"

The English King enquired, cocking his head slightly.

"You lost some lands to Philip. Perhaps I can help you recover them, if you can recognise the rightness of my claim to Maine as William's heir."

[Barry Goldwater]

"It would." Fulk harrumphed. After two defeats in Normandy, one at Mortain's hands and now one at Edgar's, it would be some time before Anjou was in any shape to strike at Maine or anywhere else again, for sure. And he was also sure that if he made another play for Maine some years down the line, he wouldn't count on the spineless, feeble Hugh to give him the pretext. The man's cousin, Elias de la Flèche, seemed a much more promising prospect.

"Rather eager to fight your daughter's uncle, aren't you?" He asked cynically when Edgar raised the prospect of battling the French King together. Not that Philip had been much more respectful of the bonds of family, frayed though they may be with Emma's death - Capet had, after all, handed him and Hugh several coffers full of gold with which to hire sellswords. Alas, not enough to give them a real chance at Laval. "Well, we'll see what the future brings for both of us. I will, however, certainly recognize your claim to Maine, as you ask." Not that he had much choice.

[Gandalfus]

"Words are sharper than any blade."

Edgar smiled thinly. Order had been restored in his continental domains, so now it was time to leave them in capable hands before returning to England.

"You will gain more from me as a friend than as a foe, I promise you. I hope you will remember that."

Now their business was over. As was the war.

"God be with you, Count Fulk."

And with that, the King turned away to begin his journey home.

[Mary The Quene]

There was a kind of cynicism in it all. He'd invaded England with William long time ago and now they'd successfully occupied Normandy from England, once home to this very same William. But it had been all worth it, the innocent victims of Mortain have been avenged and there was no more threat to England from Normandy. Now peace could be restored and happier times would arrive for England.

"Justice has been served well, Your Grace, at last England will be at peace." He'd crossed himself piously. They'd just returned from the negotiations and were returning back home.