Scarburg Meadhall

[Mnemosyne]

He had left her to sleep in. Again. "New hall; new habits," Wynflaed had warned him, but Athanar did not seem to want to change this one. Judging from the sun in the sky, a third of the morning had wasted away, and if today was to be the day that the men rode out, they had left the Meadhall long since.

Sighing, she called for Lilige, dressed, and considered what would be the best use of the day with the menfolk gone.

It would be good to get a better feel for the workings of the hall, but there was much else to be done. She decided for the moment to continue the inventory that had been interrupted the previous day, and walked into the main hall. The lady Saeryn came towards her and said, “Lady Wynflaed, I thought that today we might go about the house and I show you everything that is done here, as you suggested a couple days ago. With the men gone, things should be quieter than yesterday.”

"Thank you, Lady Saeryn," said Wynflaed. "I was considering asking your help in that very thing. I should very much like to see the way the Hall has operated on a normal day, and, barring a fire, I doubt to-day will reach yesterday's level of... unrest." She smiled. "And, if you do not mind, I should like to hear a little of yourself, since we shall be working so closely, and since my husband and I are to be adopting you."

[Firefoot]

Come if you like. Léof worked that over in his mind for a couple moments as Thornden left the stables, trying to figure out if that really was all there was to it. Finally Léof decided that Thornden usually said pretty much what he meant, but that if Thornden had made the assumption that he was coming along in the first place, maybe he ought to go.

Then he needed to hurry. Several soldiers had already led their horses out of the stables. He knew better than to run in the stables but he strode as quickly as he could down to the tack room where he fetched his saddle and bridle. He returned to the stall, nearly colliding with one of the soldiers as he rounded the corner, and in almost no time at all had Æthel tacked up. He looked her over with a critical eye and decided that she, at least, looked more than presentable.

“Come on, then,” he said to her, and led her out into the courtyard where the soldiers were gathering, half-wondering what he was getting into.

[littlemanpoet]

“Here is the letter. It is for Ginna, and I trust you shall get it to her.” And Thornden was gone. Harreld stared at the small paper in his hand. He had never seen a letter before, much less handled one. He had come across scrolls and such, but not this new fangled Holbytlan thing. It had candle wax sealing it shut. He wondered what that was for. Was it supposed to be unseen by some folk?

Harreld new his letters. To be good in the business of smithying, he had to be. He read the outside of the paper. It was from Randvér, Ginna's father. Harreld caught his breath. This could be his word giving his yes to their betrothal. He started walking, aimless of his direction, and not thinking a sealed envelope indicated privacy, he opened it eagerly, and read.

My daughter, greetings. I hope you are well. You are missed here at home, but I am well.

I hope you do not take my silence over the past moons to mean that I have forgotten you. In truth, all this time I have been giving careful thought to your wellbeing, but with Eodwine's illness I felt I could delay this letter no longer.

I had little doubt you would find a good man in Eodwine's household for it would be unlike my friend to have ruffianly men in his charge. Take his right-hand man, Thornden, for example. He is hardworking, loyal to his lord, and good to his lord's folk. From the first I took a liking to him in the former mead hall. Had it crossed his mind to win your hand I would have granted him his wish. I think it likely he will not stay unwed for long, and seek the hand of Lady Saeryn. They are both young, both love their lord, and nothing could be better for the folk of Scarburg - though I'm unsure I could say the same for you.

Do not mistake me, I know what you see in the smith Harreld. He is a man of gentle manners and careful speech, and he treats you with the honor meet to a woman of your lineage. You are of the right age to choose for yourself, but know, my daughter, that in all of this I seek only the best for you, and should you entrust to me your future this is how I would have it.

Harreld stopped in his tracks and looked ahead vacantly, crestfallen. Ginna's father wanted Thornden for son-in-law, not himself. This was something he never should have read! Maybe that was why it had been sealed. His hands shook. He would reseal it and give to Ginna. No, there was no way he could be the one to give this to her. She might think he had read it! He would give it to one of the women and act as if he had never seen the contents.

[Nogrod]

Lord Athanar had slept well despite the not so happy conditions at the Mead Hall. That was one of his advantages: while some totally lost control of their rhythm and sleep when under pressure, lord Athanar had always had a gift for sleeping soundly. He woke up early and got himself prepared both mentally and physically - finally getting into full gear before coming to the hall.

So he came downstairs a bit later than most others. He enjoyed a slow and full breakfast watching the slowly dying hussle and buzzle in the hall as the men went out to prepare their gear for the ride. He was ready.

Seeing that the last of the riders had left the hall he slowly rose up after wiping his mouth and beard clean with a cloth. Off we go then...

He went outside and looked for a while the gathering of men and the last minute preparations being underway. And he smiled. This was something he truly enjoyed; the concentration and the busyness of the men preparing to go, the feeling of tension before an errand... He draw a deep breath of the fresh and cool autumn air and felt it filling his lungs with its' scent. It was clearly different from Edoras; crispier, but damper at the same time, a bit sweet... He closed his eyes just to preserve the moment.