The Summer of the Danes (Chronicles of Brother Cadfael, Number 18), Ellis Peters. Mysterious Press/Open Road Media (ASIN: B00LUZNZ60) 2014 (First published in 1991).

Summary: A peaceful embassy with Brother Mark to two bishops results in both becoming hostages to Danes at war with Wales.

It all began as a welcome break from monastic routines for the adventurous Brother Cadfael. His former assistant, Brother Mark is now a Deacon with Roger de Clinton, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. His return to Shrewsbury means more than a delightful reunion with Cadfael. Indeed, with the approval of Abbot Radulfus, he is to join Brother Mark as Welsh interpreter. In fact, Brother Mark is the bishop’s emissary to show support to both the new Bishop at St. Asaph and the Bishop of Bangor, both covering Welsh territory. It should be a ten day trip with a good friend in the country of his youth. What could be more pleasant?

At St. Asaph, Mark’s gift to Bishop Gilbert comes at an opportune time. Owain, prince of Gwynedd has also arrived in might. The gift signals Roman support when Gilbert most needs it. But another visitor signifies trouble. Bledri has come to plead the cause of Owain’s estranged brother, Cadwaladr. Owain agrees to hear him in Aber, his royal seat. Mark and Cadfael join the royal train to Aber.

But they are not the only ones on the journey. Father Meirion, a Welsh priest associated with Gilbert accompanies his daughter, Heledd, who he has arranged to marry a Welshman in Bangor. But not by her choice. Rather, with the coming of the Roman rite, married priests are not in vogue. Meirion is a widower, but his daughter is a reminder of his anomalous status. Until, that is, she is removed by marriage. She has great fun flirting with Bledri on the journey. Not exactly a submissive bride…or daughter.

Things go sideways at Aber. Bledri warns that Cadwaladr will come in force if Owain doesn’t settle the dispute and restore Cadwaladr’s land rights. A man brutally murdered by Cadwaladr’s men stands in the way. That night, warning comes that the Danes are coming ashore at Abermenai, hired to fight by Cadwaladr. Then a horse is found missing and it is thought that Bledri has fled with crucial intelligence. It is not so. Bledri is found by Cadfael, murdered in his bed. It is Heledd who has fled. But where?

The solution of the murder must wait. Owain rides in force to meet the Danes. Meanwhile Cadfael and Mark complete their mission in Bangor, taking time as they return to look for the girl. While they split up to search, Cadfael find Heledd only for the two to fall into the clutches of foraging Danes. Mark spies them captive and reports back to Owain.

Owain’s forces and the Danes are lined up a mile apart. Owain is unwilling to fight them–the fee the Danes agreed to with Cadwaladr is his to discharge. It seems this is what the Danes wish as well, and the hostages are well-treated, which eventually include Brother Mark, when Cadwaladr betrays his trust. Owain and the Danish leader are struggling for a peaceful resolution but there are others who could jeopardize it as well as the lives of the hostages. Meanwhile, Heledd, who has had no choices in the matter before fleeing, seems to flourish, even as she waits for who knows what.

The Owain of history appears to be a shrewd character, maintaining rule against the perfidy of Cadwaladr and the presence of the English. And so Peters portrays him here. He receives the grudging respect of the Danes and the mutual respect of Hugh Beringar, whose shire borders Welsh lands. Heledd is a fascinating character, a woman who refuses to accede to the marriage made for her. Cadfael alone suspects another future for her.

After this adventure, Cadfael welcomes the return to monastic routine. But for how long?