Scarburg Meadhall

[Groin Redbeard]

Erbrand felt his face grow red with embarrassment and anger. Stigend’s joke seemed to strike a chord of familiarity with those who shared in it. Even if Stigend was in jest, his prying words cut deep; especially since Erbrand did not take the matter lightly. Thornden was now his enemy even more so than the vagabond Crabannan. Crabannan was Erbrand’s enemy for the fact of prying too much and Thornden was his enemy for interfering. The bruises on Erbrand’s body flared up in pain as he thought with black hatred of Thornden and the fight.

“Come now, Erbrand, do not look so glum.” Lithor said. His voice and face were happy, but he was no longer laughing. “What do say to Stigend’s story, does it help you any?”

Erbrand’s dry expression moved from Lithor to Stigend and then bowed his head for a second in thought. Stigend’s story had certainly been revealing about Modryth and certainly of Stigend’s character, but it helped Erbrand little in his case with Kara. In Stigend’s case, Modryth did not seem to like Stigend much; however, Erbrand knew that Kara liked him (at least she let on to like him). Then a light came into Erband’s eyes as he went over the story in his head. The point in the story where Stigend’s relationship changed was when he proved his worth to Modryth by saving her. A situation of such dire consequences might not arise in his-own case but there were certainly other ways to prove his worth to Kara. He smiled as the idea of how he would prove himself unfolded in his mind. A deep enduring fire was at that moment lit in Erbrand’s heart and he vowed that he would not let it die until Kara accepted or rejected him

“What are thinking?” Lithor asked, after seeing that Erbrand was lost in thought. Erbrand jumped slightly as if being suddenly roused from a pleasant sleep.

“Nothing,” Erbrand said unconvincingly, “The story has indeed been of great help, Stigend, and I thank you for telling it to me. I now understand what I must do.” Erbrand smiled and nodded his head to say a silent ‘thanks.’ Stigend returned the smile and gesture.

“Look yonder.” Lithor stepped down from the platform and was immediately joined by Balvir and Matrim. They could see Eodwine along with Saeryn, Thornden, and Rowenna slowly nearing the crowd. “Our Lord and Lady have finally come. To our posts men!”

Stigend and Erbrand melted into the crowd in search of wife and sweet-heart, while the soldiers slowly formed a walkway in crowd for the lord and lady to walk down. More soldiers came bearing torches and took their places along the walkway to form a majestical sight. The more important of the Eorl’s Household (meaning the chief guards and honored guest) stood on either end of the platform and waited with silent reverence for the ceremony to commence.

[Folwren]

Javan was at the wash bucket outside the tent for the men when Cnebba and Garmund came racing up. With hardly a glance at him, the two boys darted inside. Javan splashed some water over his hands and face. As soon as he was finished here, he would be ready to go down and see Eodwine married.

Garmund and Cnebba began a conversation inside the tent. Javan listened unintentionally for a while at first, but just as he was standing up to go, he heard some words of interest and his ears perked to listen. He turned and came back to the tent and stood with bent head to hear what was said within.

“I don’t think he was,” Cnebba said. “Didn’t you hear him say that it was fitting punishment for trespassing?”

“He was being easy on us, I tell you! A game, he called it. Well, I’m not so sure he’s going to prove quite as easy as you might think!”

“It won’t be difficult, anyway. Why are you so upset?"

“He called me little.”

“His hammer almost knocked you over.”

Javan finally gathered that they were speaking about Harreld. A smile spread slowly across his face. What had they been doing? What had Harreld done? Practically in the same breath, the two boys were speaking about having been dealt with easily, but also about the hammer almost knocking Garmund over. Trespassing? There were too many questions to just walk away from!

Javan stepped into the tent. The boys stopped talking and turned to look at him. Garmund had a new shirt pulled on his arms but not yet over his head, and Cnebba was buttoning his pants.

“What are you two talking about? I let you out of my sight for a few minutes after the games are up and you get into trouble?”

Garmund frowned at him. He did not like the way Javan spoke to them, trying to sound all grown-up and bossy and acting like they were so much younger. He pulled the shirt over his head. “It’s none of your business,” he said.

“Sure it is,” Javan answered, folding his arms. “I’m in charge of you, aren’t I?”

“Only when we’re doing archery.”

Javan looked at Cnebba. He usually put up less resistance than Garmund. “What were you talking about?”

[Thinlómien]

Cnebba looked from Javan to Garmund and from Garmund to Javan. He was not quite sure what to do. Javan was almost a grown-up, so he did have a sort of authority. But Garmund was his best friend.

"Not your business," he said.

There was a flare of anger in Javan's eyes.

"But it was not much trouble. Harreld and Ginna were quite kind in the end," he elaborated.

Now Garmund too flashed him an angry stare.

Cnebba looked from Garmund to Javan and from Javan to Garmund. Suddenly he missed his first days in the Mead Hall and how little Lèothern had been his best friend. It had been much simpler back then.

[Folwren]

“Harreld and Ginna?” This was getting more and more interesting! “What, did you come across them. . .kissing or something?” The idea amused Javan and he grinned. Garmund and Cnebba looked horrified.

“No!” they both exclaimed together.

“Well, then, what happened?” Javan queried for a third time.

Before either of the boys could answer, the tent flap was flung back and Garstan entered. “Ah, there you are! I’ve been looking all over for you three. Come on, Eodwine and Saeryn are coming down and the ceremony is about to begin! Hurry up!”

He stood aside and allowed the three boys to dart past him. Their near quarrel forgotten, they all ran down towards the gathering place as quickly as they could and quietly joined the gathered people, prepared to watch their eorl be married.

[Nerindel]

Iomhair


The journey had been long but not at all dull. As was usual thousands of idea’s for adventures old and new flooded through her mind, so much so that she thought her brain might explode from the torrent before she could put ink to parchment. However fortune favoured her with very amenable fellow companions, a wealthy trade merchant and his family. The Lady and her two daughters delighted in tales of love and fortune while the gentlemen (Father and son) preferred historical recounts of the great cities of men. However the journey had now come to its inevitable end.


“Scarburg” the driver called.


“Ah alas, it seems sadly that we must now part company, it has been a most enjoyable journey and a great pleasure to meet you all.” Iomhair lamented as she dismounted.


“Oh but father, Mistress Iomhair must visit if ever she finds herself in Stonewain, mustn’t she?” the two daughters insisted.


“Indeed we would consider it an insult if you did not.” Their father replied to the obvious delight of both daughters and the young man that was their older brother.


“Then if my wandering ever takes me that way I shall indeed call on the house of Davhas.” she inclined graciously, Smiling warmly as the young man took and kissed her hand delicately. Looking into those bright blue eyes she thought it a shame they were not also stopping, oh what fun it would have been to discover what deep secrets that lay behind that warm smile, what sonnets and verses... Ah well she thought closing the wagon door and watching it trundle off to meet the rest of the caravan.


I am sure there will be others to inspire.... even here she thought as she turned, raising a quizzical brow at a well organised encampment and not the great hall she had expected. Looking at her trunk she chuckled at her own mistaken expectations. On reaching Edoras she had been excited about the news of the Kings new appointment an Eorl of mid-emet something new for the history books. A Knight made eorl what was not to be excited about. A new life, with new adventures ahead, many changes..... And all from bare timbers, she laughed again before grabbing her trunk and dragging it towards the little fabric village.


Drawing closer she could see a gathering of men, women and children all garbed in their finest. An air of excitement and joyous expectation filled the air. A flickering ring of lights hovered on carefully placed ropes above their heads and the sight and smell of fresh cut flowers filled her with a warm glow. Oh joy of joys...she thought excitedly. Abandoning her trunk and pulling both a quill and small leather bound book from her belt she lengthened her stride and was soon among the gathered throng, sketching the scene before her and adding small notes and snippets of conversation over heard. Her excitement growing as it soon became apparent that it was the new Eorl himself that was to be wedd this day. “What advantageous luck!” she chuckled to herself. “Fine food, good ale, much merriment and perhaps even some good company she mused as her eyes fell on the younger of the guardsmen.

[littlemanpoet]

Rowenna's eyes widened in momentary surprise, then smiled in spite of herself at Thornden's compliment. "Thank you. I think the mood of the event has gotten in your veins, Thornden."

He chose not to take that to mean what it could conceivably mean and he only laughed. "I am very happy for lord Eodwine and lady Saeryn," he replied, and then they became quiet as they drew near the gathered people.

Randvér frowned, standing in the circle. Ginna pulled Harreld into the circle and stood beside her father. So the young woman stood between her father and the man she seemed to have chosen, giving Randvér much opportunity to glance sidewise at his prospective son in law. He was a big man! And seemingly gentle. But the rite was about to begin.

Eodwine and Thornden came into the circle, dressed in their finest, and took their places at the center of the circle. The people quieted and craned their necks to see if they could catch a glimpse of the bride and bride's maid who waited outside the circle.

Then the old man visitor, the one called Eodwemer, stepped out of the crowd and stood before the bride and groom.

"Folk of Scarburg," he said, "your lord Eodwine has asked me to guide the rite. He thinks that my length of years have given me wisdom." The old man chuckled at the notion. "In any case, I am honored and will do my best to honor his choice. So let the bride's maid and bride enter the circle!"

Saeryn took a final breath and felt her face blush one last time. Degas stepped up to her side and she looked at him. He smiled and offered her his arm and she gave him a thankful smile in return as she took it. Then she turned to Rowenna and nodded her head. Rowenna stepped forward and led the way down through the people to where Eodwine stood waiting.

There were oohs and aahs from the gathered crowd, for the beaming Saeryn was a sight to behold. She stopped at Eodwine's side and looked up at him, smiling. His mouth and eyes could not contain his happiness. Those with the best ears overheard him say, "What a lucky man I am."

Rowenna and Thornden took their places beside the bride and groom, each holding a sword and ring.

Eodwemer spoke. "We have gathered to witness the joining together of Lady Saeryn of the Folde and Lord Eodwine, Eorl of Middle Emnet. We honor our forebears by following their ways, to be joined man and woman by oath, to bear and raise young, to thrive, love, and increase the strength of our folk.

"Who releases the bride to this man?"

"I Lord Degas of the Folde release her from her bond to my house."

"Do you have rings?" asked Eodwemer. Thornden handed a ring to Eodwine and Rowenna handed one to Saeryn. "Eodwine, place the ring on Saeryn's finger and speak your oath."

Eodwine slipped the ring half way onto the third finger of Saeryn's left hand. "Saeryn, this ring is a token of my love. Like this circle it has no end. As I place it around the vein that goes to your heart, let my love go straight to your heart."

Saeryn deftly pulled the ring the rest of the way onto her finger, then slipped a much bigger ring on the third finger of Eodwine's left hand. "Eodwine, this ring is a token of my love. LIke this circle it has no end. As I place it around the vein that goes to your heart, let me love go straight to your heart."

"Now speak handgeld and bridegift," Eodwemer intoned.

"For handgeld, Saeryn," said Eodwine, "my oath is to come to the aid of your brother Degas, Lord of the Folde, when called for any need, as long as the three of us live."

"For bride gift, Eodwine, "said Saeryn, "my oath is that my brother Degas will come to your aid when called upon for any need, as long as the three of us live."

"Have you swords to exchange?" asked Eodwemer.

Thornden handed Eodwine's sword to him. Eodwine offered the hilt to Saeryn. "Saeryn, I give you this my sword as protection against all evils. With it my son will protect you when I am dead."

Saeryn took the sword and traded it with Rowenna for the sword from Harreld. "Eodwine, I give you this sword in exchange for the heirloom of your house, to protect our house while you live."

"It is then time to bind the hands of bride and groom," said Eodwemer. "Who has the binding?"

A low whisper ran through the circle as people wondered who if anyone had remembered. However their fears were soon alleviated and an expectant hush once more filled the air as Æðel stepped forward.

While others had laboured she had spent the day delicately embroidering a simple linen binding with Lord Eodwine’s Sigils intertwined with what Degas had assured her was Saeryn’s favourite flowers, as he seemed to think that their own Sigils would bring no joy to his sister at present, down each side was also embroidered the words Unity and Love which she thought encapsulated the depth of the oaths her friends where entering into.

“I Æðel, Have that which is to bind hand and heart of Lord Eodwine and Lady Saeryn before those who Respect, love and serve them.” She announced, raising the binding in the air for all to see.

A Cheer rose up around them as Æðel smiled warmly at the happy couple, her dark eye’s gleaming with a merriment she had not felt in a long time. Resisting the urge to run up and hug Searyn tightly she placed the white binding into Eodwemer’s waiting hand and stepped back to her place in the circle.

"Please join hands with your betrothed and listen while you are bound by groom's man and brides lady."

Eodwemer held the binding up. Thornden and Rowenna came forward and both took an end, and slowly wrapped it around the clasped hands of the bride and groom.

"Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. Like a stone may your love be firm, like a star may your love be constant. May your thought guide you, let your wills bind you, let your love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your oaths make you inseparable.

"Eodwine, will you have this woman to wife?"

"I will."

"Saeryn, will you have this man as husband?"

"I will."

"Who bears the cup of gladness?" Eodwemer asked.

"I do." Kara spoke clearly.

Despite some small nervousness at suddenly being the centre of attention of so many people Kara walked toward Eodwemer with determined steps. She had not expected to participate in the ceremony and hadn't minded, but when Eodwemer had caught her for two moments and asked her to be a bearer she had smiled with delight and agreed on the spot. Kara had seen the two people in front of her now go through such pain during their long, subtle courtship that to be part of their happiness in some small way gave her incredible joy.

"I, Kara, have the cup filled with mead to wish Lord Eodwine and Lady Saeryn a gift from their union and everlasting bliss and gladness."

She handed the cup to Eodwemer and stepped back into the crowd. Seeking Erbrand's hand she took it in hers to watch the remainder of the ceremony. Erbrand looked at her, a little startled at the sudden contact, but Kara was too wrapped up in what was before her to notice.

Eodwemer passed the cup to Eodwine, who in turn held it to Saeryn's lips and spoke.

"Drink deeply, and may you never thirst."

Saeryn drank, took the cup and held it to Eodwine's lips.

"Drink deeply, and may you never thirst." She said in return, and returned the cup to Eodwemer.

From within the folds of his cloak Eodwemer produced a length of rope and laid it in a line in front of the bride and groom.

"This rope stands for an end and a beginning. Your lives as two people unrelated ends, and your life as one couple begins. On the count of three, jump. One! Two! Three!"

Eodwine and Saeryn, grinning, jumped over the rope. The crowd applauded.

"Folk of Scarburg," Eodwemer exclaimed, "I give you Lord Eodwine and Lady Saeryn of Scarburg, husband and wife! Seal it with a kiss!"

Eodwine took Saeryn in her arms and their lips met. The wedding kiss of Eodwine and Saeryn was long remembered in Scarburg, and the tale of it spread through out the lands of the Eorlingas. It was both long and lusty, and all who witnessed it first applauded then laughed then murmured in their amazement until Lithor uttered words to break the spell.

"Hey now! That's meant for your own tent! We have a chase!"

Eodwine wiped his lips with a twinkle in his eyes. "Then give chase, but only after we've found our horses! Let's ride, my wife!" They grabbed hands, grinning, and broke through the crowd at a run.

[Nerindel]

Iohmair

“Chase...Horses...” Iohmair grinned looking up from the flowing lettering etched on her page, the ceremony had been a joy to write and watch. To the young scribe it was more than apparent that this lord and his new wife were well loved by those gathered as witness, it was also refreshing to see commoner and nobility a like share in this Joyous event with no apparent segregation of class or rank.


But now with the chase, excitement again welled in her soul and as the ink dried she looked about wondering if she could get a horse somewhere or perhaps even persuade some young gentleman to let her ride with him. The thought made her grin widen, but as she sought out the burg’s guards it faded to a soft but nervous; innocent smile. It appeared that one of the guard’s had already taken note of her, but not in the way she would have hoped. No, this one, a middle aged man who’s faded brown... or was it dirty blonde hair sat strangely against his dark beard, was watching her intently, his deep blue eyes not filled with light and intrigue, but with cautious suspicion.


“Hmm” Iohmair sighed, as the two guards nearest her watcher suddenly took an interest. Snapping the book in her hands shut, she watched as the bearded man, still his eyes on her gave orders to the younger man on his right, who promptly ran off toward a young dark haired woman who flinched seemingly unconsciously at his touch.


“Interesting” she thought distractedly as the pair looked back, the young woman she remembered naming herself Æðel during the marriage rite shrugged her shoulders and shook her head, before both ran to catch up with the chase. But that would have to be a story for another time she mused turning back to note that the remaining two guards had now crossed more than half the distance between them.


Casually tucking her quill into her belt causing a fresh ink stain on her bluebell coat and wishing she too was joining the chase, she waited for the two guards to reach her. She hoped that their queries would not keep her from the festivities over long. After all they were Undoubtedly just doing their job and she herself had nothing at all to hide, in fact making her presence known to the guard might just stand her in better stead for gaining employment as the new Eorl's scribe/storyteller.... so long as they didn’t cart her off as a spy or an assassin or something even more ridiculous! she mused, her grin returning at the incredulous thought, mirth again lit her eyes as the two men finally approached her.