Scarburg Meadhall

[Groin Redbeard]

*ding* Erbrand plucked at his fiddle string in his hand as he walked towards the kitchen. He plucked at the string again and the then sawed his bow along the chords. It had been awhile since he had played it but it should be like swinging an axe--you never forget. Erbrand would never forget the way that he had learned to play. Listening to his grandpa saw the same fiddle he was holding was as good as it got. The great fire that had been lit in the hall contrasted the quaint fireplace that his parents had in Aldburg. Erbrand's mind swiftly brought him back to that room and he could picture his parents and grandparents sitting together around the fire, while he and his brothers lay on the floor listening... just listening.

Erbrand's thoughts, however, were cut short when he walked right into a soldier coming from the kitchen. Thankfully, his fiddle avoided injury but the impact knocked Erbrand back.

"Whoops, sorry!" Erbrand exclaimed once he saw that it was not someone he knew.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

It was for the second time in a few minutes when somebody ran directly into him. Hilderinc looked at the man as he apologized. He was dressed like a peasant, but he was holding a fiddle. Some local bard, perhaps? But then Hilderinc looked into the man's face and noticed an unmistakeable feature.

Ah, so this one was the brawler, he thought. Áforglæd probably showed him quite a lot, though. The bruise on this man's forehead looked really bad. Somehow, Hilderinc started to think about the fight that took place among the men from a different perspective. Áforglæd in the end escaped with very little consequences. No punishment from the authorities and also the marks of the battle afflicted upon him were not as bad as what he himself had caused to this man. He was luckier than he deserved. And especially taking into account that this man was probably bigger than him, and he looked strong enough too.

"No harm done," Hilderinc forced his gaze away from the man's forehead. For a moment, he looked into his eyes. Then he moved past him. There was still probably some time before the meal, but there were all sorts of minor things to do before it started, surely lord Athanar has prepared something big for tonight and Hilderinc did not want to miss anything.

[Nogrod]

SAVE

For any posts that deal with things happening before the banquet begins. See the discussion thread for details.

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Wynflaed, Aedre and Lilige


Ædre spent the sort walk to her mother’s room ignoring Lilige’s ramblings and trying to figure out what she was going to say to her mother. She knew that she couldn’t get away with as much with her mother as she could with her father. She needed to tread lightly.

"Ædre, what happened?" Wynflaed said. Then, more calmly, "Lilige, a basin of water and some soft rags, please. I shall, when you are finished, wish to know how you learned of this."

"Yes, my Lady, of course!" Lilige said, and backed out the door. "Right away, I won't be long," she added as she turned and hurried away.

As she left, she heard Ædre and Wynflaed start to speak:

“This local boy… he… he hit me…” Ædre began.

"That was a very dishonourable thing for him to do," said Wynflaed. "Did he give any reason for doing so? Did you give him any cause?"

“No!” Ædre yelled as she really didn’t think that she gave him any cause. “I asked this other boy to help me because I don’t really know my way around here. After he helped me this other boy came along and told me that I had no business being here and that Papa isn’t the real Eorl.

“Papa is the real Eorl isn’t he? I thought that is why we came to this terrible place because they need a strong leader. Like Papa.” Ædre said bringing the conversation from herself to her father.

"Ædre," said Wynflaed, "this place is not terrible. It may not be Edoras, but it is not terrible, and I suggest that you talk to your father or any of the soldiers who weathered the War if you want to know the true meaning of 'terrible.' You should be grateful that this is all you or any of us have to worry about.

Ædre bowed her head and nodded somberly, glad that she was only getting a mild scolding.

"Not," Wynflaed continued, "that there are no problems. The people in Scarburg may have trouble accepting Papa as the new eorl, but if they are to take that out on those who clearly had no choice in the matter..."

She sighed. "Thank you for letting me know of this matter, Ædre. You--all of us--will have to be patient and kind with these people until they accept us. I will speak with those who are more familiar with the hall to determine what is to be done with the lad who struck you--a good leader always listens to all sides of the story before passing judgment. Did you catch the name of the lad who struck you? Do you know who his mother and father are?"

Ædre realized her mother was done talking about boring matters and that she was asked a question and was expected to respond.

“No… he never said his name… I… I think he mentioned that his father isn’t around though. He seemed about my age with darker hair than mine. Maybe Lilige knows…”

"I do wish she would get back here soon..." She sighed, and found a linen cloth--much finer than should be used for the tending of scrapes, but it was better that than letting the wound fester unwashed any longer--and the ewer of water provided for general refreshment. Dipping the cloth in the water, she began to dab at Ædre's cut.

"I dislike the idea of your going to the banquet with your face marred so. And depending on how the rest of the Hall perceived this fray, it may not go well to have you there. It is not your fault, mind, but I should still feel better..." She sighed. "Never mind. If you do not feel up to attending the banquet, you shall not. But if you do, I shall expect you to be on your best behaviour. We must set a good example for everyone else. Your father and I shall see to it that no one else lays a hand on you, but I would feel better if you only spoke at the banquet when spoken to. If you hear anyone speak out against your papa's rule, you will to tell us, before things get beyond control and you get hurt."

“Yes, Mother” Ædre replied wincing both from her words and her touch.

She was now trying to decide if she should go to the banquet or skip out and maybe get a chance to see her horse. If she went to the banquet she would be able to see her father’s reaction to his baby girl being assaulted on their first day here but she would also be under the watchful eye of her mother and under strict instructions not to have any fun. If she went to the stable she wouldn’t have to deal with her mother any longer but she also wouldn’t get an immediate reaction out of her father. She decided that she has had enough meeting new people for today and would rather just go calm down with Leta. She could see her father later.

“I… I think I’m not feeling well enough to go to the banquet. Give Papa my love.”

Lilige hurried back into the room, nearly tripping over the doorsil in her haste. "My Lady, here you are," she said, breathless. "How is she?" She set the basin and damp rags on the floor beside her Lady. "I brought a new gown for Aedre to change into for the banquet. Oh, what will they say? What will Lord Athanar say?" Lilige put her hand to her mouth to stop herself from rambling.

Wynflaed squeezed the bloodied linen into the basin, then rinsed it out a few times.

"Lord Athanar and I will determine what is to be done with the lad who struck our Aedre. But Aedre herself has said that she does not feel up to attending the banquet--and I honestly cannot blame her. Would you mind watching over her and making sure she does not come to any more harm in this new place?" She smiled. "I would do so myself, but unfortunately the Hall requires me to be elsewhere."

She rose from where she was kneeling. "The banquet is soon, and I must find Athanar and speak to him of what has happened before it begins." She bent down and kissed her daughter's brow. "Be a good girl for me, Aedre."

“Yes, mother.” Ædre responded.

Now I just have to get rid of Lilige and figure out how to make it back to the stable without trouble. Everyone should be at the banquet so I shouldn’t run into anyone. Mother would be really mad if she found out I disobeyed her.

"Of course, My Lady," Lilige said. "I would not dream of letting anything more happen to your daughter." Lilige closed her mouth again as she realized that Wynflaed could not hear her, as she had already left.

[Nogrod]

The Hall was filled to the last seat. The first jugs of wine were served to the tables and Erbrand and Crabannan performed a few songs with a fiddle and a harp.

After the two settled down to their table lord Athanar rose up.

”Ladies, gentlemen, soldiers, workers, household… well, all you people of the Scarburg Hall!” Lord Athanar’s words echoed loud in the Hall like the words of a man who was used to address large crowds. The discussions in the tables died down and everyone turned their attention towards him.

“Any man in Rohan should mourn the fate of a man of lord Eodwine’s calibre. Sadly we can only bring you ill tidings. The king’s messengers came to Edoras from Minas Tirith the day before we left… They told us that the physicians in Minas Tirith’s Houses of Healing seem to think his condition is what they call “the dead man’s life”… it means a condition where the body barely keeps the light of life alive but the spirit has ceased to exist. It was even rumoured that after king Eomer’s request king Elessar himself had visited him… but to no avail. He has been unconscious for over a month.”

Lord Athanar fell silent and laid his head down to honour lord Eodwine and the feelings of those who loved him. There was a total silence in the Hall.

Saeryn, too, turned her head away from Athanar. She clenched her jaw tight, trying to keep from crying, and her eyelids pressed hard together. Then she felt Degas' hand reaching for hers. She opened her clenched fist and grasped his hand. She gained control of her emotions and then drew a deep sigh and turned back again to Athanar.

Finally lord Athanar raised his head and eyed the people around the Hall. And he continued.

“Let me assure you, the king himself took his illness heavily. But he had also heard of your plight with the local lords here – them being the first reason he decided to set up a Mead Hall into Mid Emnet…” He glanced at the people, especially those on the tables of workers and household staff as he was not sure they understood all the politics involved.

“I’ll make this short, but I do think you need to understand this, everyone, so that we can start building a working relationship between all of us… to fulfill the king’s will and not need to witness the kind of incidents I’ve heard have already taken place earlier today.” He laid his eye to the table where Javan sat and then to the soldier’s tables.

“The king wishes to establish his rule and the rule of common law to all corners of his kingdom. And there still are areas around Rohan where this is not the case… and Mid Emnet is one of them. Establishing the rule of the king means that the local lords will have their law-given deal of the taxes from the peasants, but not more. They will then pay the rest to the eorl as the king’s representative in the region who deals the law… and the eorl will pay to the king his share in turn. And establishing the rule of law puts to an end any high-handed methods of local lords dealing their own justice by giving the right of fulfilling the law to the king’s representative, the eorl, who is then responsible for his decisions to the king himself. This way the same laws are used all around the country and people are given a right to live under the prosperity of their king instead of the arbitrary rule of whoever lord they happen to live under.” He let the words hammer in.

“And this, all this, king Eomer has seen as an urgent task enough to nominate a new eorl to the Mead Hall at Scarburg when hearing of lord Eodwine’s condition.”

Suddenly he produced a parchment from his sleeve and rolled it out, showing it to everyone.

“This is the decree signed by king Eomer appointing me to take over the Scarburg Mead Hall as the new eorl. It is a similar decree like the one handed to lord Eodwine back in spring.” He paused to check if the people had gotten what he had just said.

Saeryn felt the blood leave her face and she jerked unintentionally from the shock. She felt Degas move in his chair, too. She laid her hand quickly on his knee and held him back, despite her own violently beating heart.

“Now that you all understand the situation… I will not tolerate a single incident questioning this decree and my authority following from it in this place. Any such disobedience will be handled as a high treason against the king himself. Do I make myself clear?” Lord Athanar had decided already beforehand to make that point as firm and clear he could. The acceptance of that point by the original Scarburg-dwellers was the founding of everything. But now he was a bit embarrassed of the fire in his words - while realising seeing his bruised daughter with his mind’s eye like she was, sobbing, just an hour ago. But he realised he had to calm down… and he did.

“I will be both straight and fair with you. Those of you who have lived under my rule I think know that already.” There were several nods and “ayes!” from the tables of Athanar’s soldiers and his household.

“And that means… I will reward those who do their duties and work for the common good… and will have no toleration for those doing the opposite. Be honourable and I will honour you, be dishonourable and I will punish you with a strong hand. That is the base of all good government. I have been brought to believe in it, I have followed it all my life and I have seen it work all my life... all the way from the Pelennor Fields to my recruitment into this Mead Hall. So I’m not going to change my ways.”

Lord Athanar paused, grabbed the goblet in front of him and took a sip of the wine. It was clear he was trying to remember what other things he had to state his position on as he had gotten a bit carried away once again. The air in the Hall was heavy with expectancy as so many things dear to the original Scarburgers were still not spoken of, and the newcomers were not too clear about their status in comparison to this other staff.

“You should all meet Coenred, he’s the commander of my guards – and will be the commander of all the soldiers at Scarburg Mead Hall as the highest ranking officer… Coenred, please rise up!

Coen rose up and nodded to the crowd.

“I have complete trust in him and wish to see you all follow my example there as soon as possible… He’s a fine soldier, an experienced commander and of true Rohanian blood… And let it be announced right away: all the soldiers will have a light training session tomorrow after breakfast… just to get to know each other... you know.”

There was a reaction to the announcement of rehearsals in the soldiers’ tables but after the explanation - and the accompanying smile from lord Athanar - it died off fast.

“What comes to master Thornden…” Lord Athanar waved his hand showing that he should stand up as well. The air in the hall turned tense. Stigend, Garstan and Harreld leaned closer to hear the next words closely – with so many others.

“Thornden will be second in command with the soldiers after Coenred… but also my special advisor, my seneschal… if he accepts the offer. I do appreciate his openness and straight-talking ways... and his guts. And he knows many of you and this Mead Hall better than I do. I would appreciate his counsel.”

There was cheering with the people of the Mead Hall even if the feelings were clearly mixed – and Athanar’s praise also caused cheers among his own soldiers; they knew Athanar would not praise anyone that much without a reason.

Athanar waited for the applauses to die down before going on.

“You should also meet my family… Will you please?” he nodded to his family to rise up.

“Meet my lady Wynflaed, my sons Wulfric and Wilheard! My sons I do hope will earn their places in the ranks of the military, which I think them perfectly capable of doing in here as they have done in my earlier households… Then there is also my youngest daughter, Aedre, who unfortunately does not attend this banquet..." Everyone saw the storm cloud gathering over Athanar’s forehead but he held it at bay, with some noticeable suffering.

“Aedre is young and she is your eorl’s daughter… I expect you to behave accordingly…” His words were poignant and it was clear lord Athanar forced himself to stay calm of the events that had happened earlier which most of the people had already heard of.

“My wife, lady Winflaed, will naturally be the lady of the Scarburg Mead Hall…” A murmur rippled through the old Scarburgians. Angry glances were exchanged and quite a few looked towards Saeryn to see what she thought of this. Lord Athanar quickly waved his hand to indicate he was continuing.

“I can see your feelings… But whatever you think, it is downright impossible that the honourable wife of the eorl would not be the lady of the Hall. Could you name a lord who would accept that? Lord Eodwine would not have accepted that! The king would not accept that!” Athanar paused to let the people think.

“You know people are sometimes thrown into situations they have not picked themselves… You didn’t choose lord Eodwine’s illness, we didn’t choose to replace him in a Hall where everyone mourns him, making this hard for us as well…” He waited for a moment.

“Lady Saeryn will have an honoured and special role in the Mead Hall – like master Thornden… I don’t know if there is a traditional role we could give her… but if there isn’t, we’ll have to come up with one as this is an unordinary situation. It’s just that things are happening too fast and I have not had time to come up with a good title for her. But rest assured, her voice will be heard and honoured – and you can channel your grievances to me by her – like by master Thornden. And I’ll take care the arrangement is approved by the king as well in the end…”

There was a marked unrest in the Hall as people were puzzled as to how to cope with the news…

“I will form a council of the Mead Hall which includes my lady Winflaed, Coenred, lady Saeryn and Thornden. I will make no major decision concerning this Hall without listening to this council. But the last decisions will be mine. As the eorl I carry the consequences of the decisions, in front of the king and Rohan… therefore I make the final decisions…”

Lord Athanar bent forwards to take one more sip of the wine and to concentrate to his last effort.

“Now some of you may wonder why I have such a host of soldiers with me… am I going to cease power with force, am I going to suppress you under my rule? Well, first of all I hope the king’s decree is enough – and that I am enough.” He paused once again just to see the faces of the audience… especially of those who belonged to the “original Mead Hall”.

“But fear not. Scarburg Mead Hall will not be a military camp but hopefully a leisurely Hall with an easy-going life… King Eomer suggested I’d have a dozen of his Rohirrim from Edoras to cover us on the way with our precious belongings – and to use them as possible negotiating tools against the local lords. And that is why they are here. We will settle this thing with the local lords soon enough… the next week if it’s up to me. And after the most urgent things have been settled, they will go back to serve at king Eomer’s court.” It was clear that the way lord Athanar produced the last words was meant effectively to convey the message that he had men from the king’s personal guard under his command and therefore the original residents should be even more careful with how they act.

What he said was actually true, but it was pretty shrewd of him to stress it that way. But then again, looking at the situation, he thought it a necessary move. He couldn’t afford an uprising. He had promised king Eomer to settle the situation with the local lords and with a rebellious Hall he would never manage it. Looking at the tensions that had burst out into minor rows already during the first hours he needed to take the authority and put all those hard feelings at bay with authority. Knowing people only a few hours one doesn’t make them co-operative with just being the prince charming, especially if the people think you’re stepping on their toes…The mission first…

Lord Athanar coughed to mark the end of his speech.

“People of the Scarburg Hall! I look towards a bright future for us all and I have all the confidence that we will get those landlords behaving as the king’s vassals they need to behave. They may be able to gather a host of spears but with the force we have… and the authority we have… they should see their own good sooner than later. And we will get into business with them immediately. The next week I hope.”

There were cheers from around the Hall, although some were markedly less enthusiastic than others.

“Now I suggest the meal should be brought forwards. And when you feel right, when you have thought of it in peace, please lady Saeryn, master Thornden, share your thoughts with us.” He looked at the two sitting against each other on a table right to him. He looked at them both confident and easy but a bit reserved at the same time. But nevertheless, he had called them forwards to speak their minds to everyone. So it was fair and square to him.

“Let us raise a toast to the happy future of the Scarburg Mead Hall!” he said and raised his goblet.

[Nogrod]

The craftsmen and their families had their own table at the corner of the hall. After Erbrand’s and Crabannan’s performance was over the air in the hall electrified. The air of nervous anticipation was felt in the craftsmen’s table as well, but Náin’s stony presence made the feeling even weirder. The children were especially confused and even a bit afraid as their parents and other adults felt so oddly tense.


“The dead man’s life”? Cnebba was confused but it sounded like something really bad had happened to lord Eodwine. He saw a small tear in the corner of his father’s eye and felt like crying himself. When everyone laid their heads low it felt better not needing to look at all the adults in their anguish. It was kind of scary even to see the adults crying... if they couldn't handle something how then could he?

After the silence lord Athanar spoke at length of things Cnebba didn’t quite understand but after he produced a parchement from his sleeve Cnebba could feel the tension and toughness, even anger in lord Athanar’s voice. Cnebba was afraid and grasped his mom’s hand. Modtryth tied her arm around her son to comfort him. Cnebba felt she was shaken as well.


Lord Athanar’s decision to make Thornden a seneschal and his praise of him gave the people a chance to vent off some pressure and Stigend noticed himself cheering much more eagerly than he should from sheer relief. From the corner of his eye he noticed Náin clapping his hands dignified but somehow looking concerned at the same time. Stigend toned down his cheers and felt confused again.


“Aedre is young and she is your eorl’s daughter… I expect you to behave accordingly…” lord Athanar said poignantly. Cnebba was startled and hissed out aloud “That girl is a bully…”

Modtryth tried to hush him but he would not stay silent. “She got what she deserved. I hope someone beats her again…”

“Cnebba! Just shut up!” Stigend ordered with a commanding tone but not raising his voice.

Cnebba looked at his father and realised he was right. He exhanged looks with Garmund and then nodded to his father turning to listen to the speech again.

Lord Athanar started to speak about the lady of the house being his wife and that Saeryn would be something he wouldn’t say. The inconvenience of the original Mead Hal people was more than tangible. Stigend looked at Harreld, Garstan and Modtryth – they all tried to find some comfort from each others’ eyes but confusion and disbelief was all they were able to come up with. Glancing at Náin Stigend found himself even more puzzled as the dwarf seemed just stern and calm, almost like he would have thought the decision a natural or right one… or was he?

[Folwren]

Many things the new eorl said should have been said earlier to Saeryn. This, at least, was Thornden’s judgement. A sharp, observing glance in Saeryn’s direction when Athanar spoke of Eodwine’s condition showed him quite clearly that Saeryn had not heard this news about her husband. It was cruel to break it to her so, at the same time that he broke it to the entire Mead Hall. So impersonally, so formally, when Saeryn had no chance to withdraw and allow her feelings at least some freedom.

And then the signed parchment from the king. Why had he not shown this to them earlier? Another look at Saeryn showed Thornden that this, too, was news to her. It was a shock to all of them, but he imaged to her most of all. By all appearances at this moment, it seemed that King Eomer had taken Eodwine’s titles away from him and replaced him completely, not just temporarily.

But everything else Athanar said seemed in order, though perhaps presented rather strongly. Thornden could not really blame him. The man was coming into a new environment, and as one of his men and his daughter had already gotten into fights with those who already lived there, it seemed likely to be a hostile environment. Having been a soldier before, Thornden understood how a military mind worked, and Athanar’s was one such mind. He would crack down hard on them all if only a few of them rose up. It would be his, Thornden’s, duty to keep peace among the people. After Eodwine’s departure, he had led the men of Scarburg, and if they still followed his lead, they would keep the peace to the best of the ability. Those that would tend to rise in anger, his brother, for one, must be held back – gently, if possible, but they must be held, lest they go to far and bring Athanar’s wrath down on them. It seemed that wrath would fall swiftly and hard on anyone who stepped across the line.

This brought his mind to the fight he had seen in the courtyard. Javan had already crossed the line. That had been before Athanar’s official announcement, so perhaps the man would be inclined to be lenient. Perhaps.

He turned his thoughts away from his brother and as the noise of conversation rose about the hall, he began to think of a few proper words that he should speak when it came time.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Hilderinc listened carefully to Athanar's words. He already knew the lord's manner of speech, having heard him before and last time during a short speech before the soldiers left Edoras, but this was the first "big" one he heard from him. Athanar was a soldier, not a diplomat by heart, it was clear - yet his speech seemed smooth and balanced. He could not reach the qualities of the masters of rhetorics whom Hilderinc had encountered during his long service, but he was good enough, clear and to the point.

Hilderinc also noticed, or thought that he noticed that Athanar seemed perhaps a bit upset this time, but he soon came to conclusion that it was because of what happened to his daughter. And it seemed that he had heard already about the soldiers' brawl, too. Hilderinc's eyes briefly wandered to the man with the fiddle. He played well, indeed, Hilderinc quite liked the sound of the instrument. Crabannan, the strange man from the kitchen, also performed with him. So were these two the fellow musicians in the Hall? It was interesting, though, the man with the fiddle did not make the impression of a brawler. But perhaps first impression was confusing. Maybe he needed only little to be roused.

Athanar continued on introducing Coenred as the new commander of Scarburg and announcing the soldiers' training tomorrow. As expected, several men didn't seem too pleased with the prospect of having an exercice in front of themselves, they would have preferred long sleep after the long ride and celebrating night. Scyrr, sitting opposite to Hilderinc, made a half-voiced "boo" upon hearing the news. Hilderinc didn't mind, though. It was good to have something to occupy yourself with, and he was sure many of the soldiers were of like mind.

Athanar then also announced the appointment of Thornden as his seneschal. Hilderinc didn't have much chance to get to know Thornden yet, he has encountered him only briefly when he was taking the soldiers to their quarters, but the man seemed fair enough. And Athanar probably knew what he was doing when appointing him.

Hilderinc noticed some whispering and quick glances among the people when Athanar was announcing that lady Wynflaed will become the lady of the Hall. He shook his head. What was the point? The eorl has changed, what did the people expect? They looked as if they were surprised. What was there to be surprised about? Wasn't it logical? In Hilderinc's mind, it was the same as if they were surprised that Athanar was the eorl. They knew that a new lord will come and now that it happened they acted as if they haven't thought about it at all. It made no sense.

Then the part came where Athanar once again mentioned his intentions with the local lords. Hilderinc listened carefully. He had heard some rumours before and some semi-official proclamations, but nothing specific - here it was at last. He could imagine that many of the soldiers would be looking forward to this, riding to the other lords' holds and looking intimidating. Especially Athanar's own sons - the two of them would maybe like it more than the rest of the men put together. Hilderinc liked the prospect for different reasons - it would be something interesting to do again. And maybe, if the local lords were unwilling to surrender to their terms, maybe there will be even more to it. A real battle? Hilderinc had no idea about the opposition they were facing, but in these remote lands, anything was possible, including roguish lords who would not give in.

The random thoughts flashed through the soldier's mind, but it was not the time to start pondering them yet, or thinking about them deeply. And now as Athanar finished his speech, everybody raised their glasses. And the meal... Hilderinc felt incredibly hungry all of a sudden. So hungry that he could not think of anything else. He raised his pot and drank. The taste was delicious, so delicious after such a long day, but it would be even better as soon as he could bite into the food which was just being served.