Perhaps Aaron wouldn't have been quite so taken aback by this confession if it hadn't followed the words 'if you want me to be there'.

"... why are you telling me this now?"

Conflicting thoughts went through his head. Did Alcuin still not want him there? Was there no hope for them? (And how selfish of him to think about Alcuin in that way while he was mourning love lost.) But also... what a mental image that gave. How he would have loved being there to see it, or be part of it.