I debated about what to do for AndithFest 2017. Should I add a chapter to Fascination or begin posting this story that has been brewing for well over a year? I'm digging a hole for myself by going ahead with this, as I do need to finish Fascination and have another story in another fandom that is waiting impatiently to be concluded. But I could not resist, so here's a little teaser.

The names are all different but I'm reasonably certain you'll be able to recognize who the characters are in relation to canon. If not, I'll just have to explain. This story is set sometime in the distant past, long before anyone wrote things down. So let's travel back through the mists of time to a place with which we are familiar but in a time with which we are not...

It was a beautiful summer day and Ead was happy to be in the wood, free to wander and enjoy the day. Her father was away and her mother seemed determined to make Ead help with every small chore in his absence. When her father was around, Ead usually could be found near him, following him in his every move. He'd taught her to be a warrior, not as strong as he was but just as skilled. It wasn't unusual for the girls in her tribe to be raised as warriors but neither of her sisters had been interested. Therefore her father had been pleased when she took interest. Her parents had sons, of course. For several years her mother had been heavy with child every summer. But none of the boys had survived the first few weeks of life, much to everyone's sorrow. Her father, Haerviu, was the leader of their small village and a son might have provided leadership when her father was too old or if he died in battle. But with no son, there would be uncertainty for the village and for her family when her father's time was done.

But none of that worried Ead on this day. She'd slipped away from her mother and was now free to roam. Her mother, captured by her father from another tribe to the east, had not been taught to be a warrior and thought it wrong for her daughter to be trained to fight beside her father. So every time he left to hunt or go to battle, her mother took the opportunity to immerse Ead in the work of the women. Her sister, Maela didn't like the work either, but more because she was lazy and wanted others to do for her than she had any other ambition. Her younger sister Feidlimid wanted very much to learn from her mother and also from their father's cousin, who taught her how to tend to the sick and wounded. Ead hoped for the day when her father would take her with him into battle, but she knew he didn't think she was ready yet. He had allowed her to fight beside him in a few raids on their village from a neighboring tribe, however. When he had boasted around the fire of her skill, Ead had felt great pride. She hoped to be a great warrior one day, like her father. But she knew her mother did not approve.

A thundering sound came from the distance and Ead looked up to the sky. There didn't appear to be a storm coming. It could only mean one thing. Running as fast as she could, Ead hurried back to the village. Most of the men were gone with her father. Only a few had remained to defend the village. They would need her. Scurrying into their thatch house, Ead retrieved her sword and shield and threw on her light armour. Father had not commissioned a heavier one for her yet. Speaking quickly to her mother and sisters, she told them to hide. And then she ran out to face the raiders.

Cathasach was old warrior who was not able to travel long distances any longer but still possessed great skill. He gathered the men and the few warrior women to prepare for the invaders. Within minutes they were awed by the sight of several men on horses thundering towards them, with men on foot following behind. Only a few men in the village owned horses for battle. Ead had never seen so many at once and so large and muscular. At the front rode a tall man who moved with his animal as if the two were one. Behind him, the others were fierce looking but not nearly as imposing as their leader.

Ead steadied herself in preparation. But then something unexpected happened. The giant man reined in his horse and the raiders came to a complete stop at the edge of the village. The giant man turned and barked something at a man in the group behind him and the other man ran forward.

Cathasach, as the leader in her father's absence, stepped forward. Watching the giant warily. Ead eased near to Cathasach, curious. The man from the group walked towards them, his hands in front of him, open and almost friendly. "I speak for Arnporr," the man said. His language was different but enough like Ead's people that they understood what he said. "Who is your leader?"

Nervously Cathasach stepped forward. "I am the leader of these people."

The man turned and spoke in a different language to the giant. Ead could make no sense of what was said between the two men but the man on foot turned back to them. "My leader, Arnporr, does not wish to do battle. He does not intend to raid your village. We did not know you were here. We will go around and camp in the wood behind your village and leave you in peace."

Cathasach was flustered. Never had this happened before, especially with people from so far away. "That will be acceptable. How long do you plan to stay?"

The man turned back to the giant and the two spoke again. "A few days," the man said when he turned back to Cathasach. "But I was told to say that you will not be disturbed by our men."

"Yes, right…" Cathasach replied dubiously.

Ead was watching the giant on his tall horse. He might not have understood the words being spoken, but he understood Cathasach's response anyway. His head tilted slightly and his eyes narrowed. Watching the two men on the ground, the giant waited until Cathasach looked up at him. With a subtle nod, the giant sealed the promise. Then turning his horse, he led his group around the outskirts of the village and into the wood behind them. Ead noticed a small contingent of women at the rear, passing quietly without a glance in her direction. She was left wondering who these people were and from where did they come.

Cathasach conferred with a few of the men and arranged to have guards about all night, just in case. After finishing with the men, he turned to Ead. "You will guard your family tonight?"

"Yes, of course," she replied.

Ead returned to her family's house and explained everything to her mother and sisters. The village settled into their evening routine even though everyone was on edge.