"They're so going to be the end of me," Farkas complained as he slumped down into the chair next to Aela. Some of his stew spilled over the bowl.
"Who?"
"Don't play stupid, Aela," Farkas grumbled. "They." With his spoon he pointed at his brother and the newest member of their Circle.
Aela took a deep gulp of her ale. "Ah. They."
"They're… cuddling! I can take smooching, but… this!" Lost for words, Farkas took a huge spoonful of his food.
Aela tried to suppress a smile. Her shield-brother was genuinely bothered by the display of… affection going on there. "He's had women before," she offered.
"Women, aye. But…" Farkas shook his head. "Wenches… adventures… one-night-only… things. That," he again stabbed his spoon in the direction of his brother and the woman in his arms, "is something else. He never brought them… home before. She's…" He searched for the right word. "…staying."
"Farkas." Aela placed a hand on his arm. "Falka's one of us, she's our Harbinger – of course she's meant to stay. Besides – we knew something like that was going to happen eventually. Or did you think it was going to be the three of us for the rest of our lives?"
From the seat next to Farkas, Torvar's head jerked up, a look of disbelief on his face.
Aela narrowed her eyes at him. "Beat it, pisshead!"
Torvar fled the room.
"Just take a look at them," Farkas whined.
"I'd rather not," Aela responded, dryly. "And stop moping, it doesn't become you."
Farkas obediently returned his attention to the stew. From across the hall, Vilkas' and Falka's laughter reached them.
"He calls her Red."
"He calls you Icebrains," Aela replied.
"Exactly! Who else he does that to?"
"Farkas…" Aela sighed. "She makes him smile. Hasn't he earned that? Ysmir knows none of us has had much to laugh recently."
Farkas nodded reluctantly. "Aye."
"Come on, shield-brother. I saw a new giant's camp some days back. Maybe they will cheer you up."