[Folwren]

"He does not want to stay betrothed. He wants to obey my father's will," she said, her voice breaking at the mention of her father. "I could not gainsay him, Saeryn."

Saeryn looked at Ginna tenderly and smiled a little. No. Ginna would not gainsay Harreld. She was too gentle and too in love. "Is it something that you can give time to? That if you wait, soon Harreld will see it as you do? Perhaps time will change his mind."

"No, not time I think." Ginna opened her mouth to continue, but she hesitated; she did not want Saeryn to be reminded of Eodwine's absence and cause her pain. It was enough that she empathised with hers. "But his mind can be changed. He said that if there was any other way, he would take it willingly." The way she said those hopeful words, however, told Saeryn that she could not hope to find one.

"Another way can be found," Saeryn said, stubbornly. She reached across and gripped Ginna's hand. "Your father gave you to Eodwine to turn you into a lady because apparently he wasn't doing such a good job himself. Harreld has had more hand in your tutelage here than Eodwine himself. Your father doesn't realize this. Also, your father is in no position to judge which man would be better for you. He has already misjudged things in his speculations.”

Ginna squeezed Saeryn's hand gratefully and managed a weak smile. If Saeryn felt any longing for her husband, she did not perceive it, and admired Saeryn's strength all the more for it. But while she had echoed her sentiments, Ginna did not understand how it led to another way. "What do you suggest can be done?"

"Write your father yourself and tell him that you cannot marry Thornden. Perhaps tell him you cannot marry any other than Harreld. Tell him that if he will not bless the marriage, you will marry him anyway. Tell him I and lord Eodwine support your decision. I think perhaps a strongly worded letter will perhaps show your father that you cannot easily be swayed."

Ginna mulled this over. She doubted that a letter would be able to change her father's mind, even one that mentioned the former eorl and his wife, but a faint hope stirred within her as Saeryn assured her of their support. What if she took this a step further and travelled half a day's ride back home to talk to her father face to face, maybe even take Harreld along if he was willing? But for one rare instance, she did not want to decide rashly. There was much to think about and she knew she was yet too emotional to make the right judgments. Her head began to throb. She found herself wishing again that Eodwine were around.
There was no need, however, to involve Saeryn in her confusion. She had been kind enough to take time to talk to her, and had more pressing concerns of her own. Ginna gave Saeryn a small, hopeful smile. "Perhaps," she repeated. Better for her to think that she could figure things out on her own.

Saeryn looked at her and nodded. That was all that could be said at the time. "Good," she said, nodding. "I don't know if there's anything else to be done about it. At least not just now. Let us think about what is at hand with Lord Athanar and his household settling in."

Ginna nodded. And then eyes slightly widening in recollection, she opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. Saeryn looked at her curiously. Ginna let out a brief, nervous laugh.

"I do not mean to pry, but you have been so kind to me and I cannot let this go, even though it seems you would rather I did. Were you all right, earlier in the kitchen? Is something wrong?"

Saeryn drew back, sitting upright and laying her hands in her lap. For a moment she said nothing, contemplating whether or not to tell Ginna the truth about what was bothering her, but then she burst forth with, "It is what makes me think that your father is so wrong in everything he has said! He thought that I would really marry Thornden if Eodwine were dead! Eodwine isn't even dead, and your father is presuming this sort of thing! What kind of lady does he think I am? What kind of lady does he think you are?" Her eyes flashed as she looked at Ginna.

Ginna bowed her head, unable as she was to look at Saeryn in her indignation. She could feel her cheeks heating up. It's strange, she couldn't help thinking, laughing mirthlessly inside, that for the first time in her life she was ashamed on account of him who had always been ashamed of her. "My father," she began hesitantly, as she tried to look for the right words to say, "he is...practical." She let out a heavy sigh and forced herself to look at Saeryn. "I do not know him as well as a daughter should know her father. But he had been through difficult times in his life; perhaps he had been made cynical by such experiences.

"One thing I do know is that in this situation he means no harm. He does not know either of us well enough not to write such things as he did, but this is his way of showing concern. I beg you not to think anymore of his words, or to judge him by them."

“He has caused harm, though,” Saeryn replied. “He has been rude and presumptuous, and his letter has damaged your relationship with Harreld. And what he has said presumes horrible things about both Thornden and myself, and if Thornden ever finds out . . .” She paused and then regretted her words. Ginna did not deserve this. Saeryn reached out and touched her arm. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “There’s no reason for me to upbraid you for what your father said. Forgive me, Ginna. Forget what I’ve said, and let’s work together to solve this problem.”

"You are forgiven," Ginna replied, "and I am sorry for what my father's words have made you feel." She covered the hand touching her arm. "I only hope that this would not make things awkward between the two of you. It is bad enough that the letter has driven a wedge between Harreld and me. I would not bear it if..." she let her voice trail, looking guiltily at Saeryn.

"We couldn't relate the same after this?" Saeryn finished tentatively, looking at Ginna. "I guess that will depend on Thornden's behavior now. I fear I cannot be a little suspicious of him. He thinks things through, and he goes by what he thinks is his duty. If Eodwine dies. . ." She shut her mouth and pressed her lips close together. If Eodwine died, Thornden may feel it his duty to take Saeryn as his wife, if only because he was Eodwine's right hand man, and Saeryn was carrying a child and would need somebody. But Eodwine was not dead, and if Thornden was entertaining any such thoughts, they had better be discouraged. Besides, she didn't need protection. She had Degas, and she also had the assurance of Athanar's promise of the land going to her child, if it were a son.

"It matters not," she said, turning her thoughts back to Ginna. "I will handle myself as I see necessary with Thornden."

Ginna gave her a brief smile. She wanted to tell her that Eodwine was not going to die, but it was not an assurance she could give with certainty. She said instead, "Come on, it's late. We have a meal waiting for us."