[littlemanpoet]

They let the horses have their heads. The trip could be made at a gallop in six hours, or at a walk in maybe fourteen. They had covered most of the journey from Edoras to Scarburg the previous day, and had sought refuge with one of the landholders overnight, an old man by the name of Friduhelm, whose son seemed not at all pleased with his father's hospitality to the three visitors, but Eodwine didn't let that bother him.

Winter birds were singing in the cold morning air. "Let it be a walk," Eodwine thought. He was eager to see Saeryn and the others, but it was not a meeting that had to be hurried to. Falco and Rowenna were with him, wrapped in cloaks and furs against the cold. He had allowed them to do most of the talking. Which meant Falco, for the most part. It allowed Eodwine to reflect back on his words with King Eomer.

"I will have you know, Eodwine,” the king had said, “that since every word from our healers and from those at Mundburg were that you were not likely to live, it was needful to have a new eorl in Scarburg who would be there to the end of his days. Do you remember Athanar?"

Eodwine had been taken aback, but saw the king's point. "Yes, I do. He is a good man; headstrong, but good."
The king smiled. "He is the new eorl. Will you return to Scarburg to stay, as a freeman holding Athanar as your eorl, or would you go elsewhere with your new wife?"
"I do have lands in Westfold I could rebuild on, but I think I need time, and I would not make Saeryn travel while she is with child. If Athanar is the eorl, and I am to be at Scarburg, I will pledge my sword and duty to him as long as I am there. Does that satisfy the king's curiosity?"

"Aye, it does," the king had replied. "Help him, Eodwine. He will need it. The Middle Emnet has fallen to lawlessness and wilfullness among its Eorling landholders. Your counsel is wise, and he will be glad of it, and I will be glad of your presence there. And care for your wife."

"I will do as you ask, my lord." It wasn't really much to ask, he supposed.

Eodwine had also paid a visit to Garreth the Smith, only to find that he had sold the place off to another, and had left for Scarburg only two weeks before. So Harreld had prevailed upon him to join them at Scarburg. Interesting. Was there enough for two smiths there now? Maybe Athanar had brought that many men with him. It was more food for thought.

Eventually, they turned one last corner and Scarburg came in sight. It was hard to tell from a distance how much it had changed. “We shall have a look see,” Eodwine murmured.