Chapter 8
*Rowan*
They walked in silence through the corridors approaching Fergus's rooms. Rowan desperately tried to think of something to say, she had a million questions, a million things she wanted to say, but this was not the time and most certainly not the place. You don't have much more time, she reminded herself, he is leaving with Father and our men this evening.
I mean it wasn't like she was in love with the man or anything but she had not felt a desire this strong since her days with Gilmore. In truth, she longed for that kind of connection with someone for some time and now that she found herself with similar feelings for someone else, someone who would carry no strings. He would be leaving soon, there couldn't be anything more than fancy between them. But she had always gotten what she wanted, and she was determined to keep her track record perfect. Something deep down was drawing her to him so strongly that she felt she had to obey.
Jolted out of her thoughts by Duncan's firm hand on her shoulder, she realized they were standing in front of her brother's door. They had reached Fergus's door much sooner than she had hoped but she figured the distraction of her brother and his family would give her a chance to look on the situation with fresh eyes afterwards. For now, she had to bid her brother farewell. Oriana would no doubt be beside herself with concern and doing a horrible job of putting on a brave face for Oren. It would be up to Rowan to be the cheery, strong one where Fergus's fate was concerned, despite her own growing fear that the situation at Ostagar would be anything but a walk in the park.
"I will wait outside, if you do not mind, Rowan. This is a moment between family, I would not feel proper intruding." Duncan moved to the side of the doorway and leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms at his chest.
Rowan nodded absent-mindedly as she knocked on the thick oak door, already steeling herself for the coming goodbyes. She hated goodbyes.
"Enter!" came a muffled voice from the other side of the door. Rowan hesitated a moment before pushing on the metal handle and entering the room where her brother stood hugging his son close to him.
"Ah, there you are, sister! I was starting to wonder if you didn't mean to avoid me all night. I know you are disappointed to have to stay here, but would you let your dear brother leave without saying goodbye?" Fergus grinned as he put Oren down next to his mother and crossed the room to embrace his little sister in a warm hug.
"I would never hear the end of it, Fergus." Rowan mocked.
"Father! Will you bring me back a sward?", little Oren interrupted.
"That's sword, Oren. And I'll bring you back the biggest one I can find." Fergus laughed, ruffling his son's hair with his hand.
"I don't know how you can all be so calm about this. I have a very bad feeling, Fergus," Oriana walked forward to put her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Fergus.."
"My dear wife. I will be fine, I'll be back before you know it and the world will once again be safe, thanks to your amazingly handsome and brave husband!" Fergus wrapped his arms around Oriana's waist and pulled her in to a big hug.
"Shall I leave you two alone, then?", Rowan chimed in as she rolled her eyes, but before she could make to leave, the Teyrn and Teyrna walked in.
"Well, my dear boy." Bryce began "It seems you will be heading out on your own this evening. Arl Howe's men have been delayed and will not be arriving until the morrow. Best we start at least a small contingent of our men on the way than no one at all. You will leave this evening, as planned with our troops, and I will accompany the Arl and his men tomorrow. We shan't be but a half day or so behind you".
"So the rumors were true then! You would think the Arl's men were walking backwards. No matter, more glory for the Couslands!" Fergus laughed, thrusting his arm in front of him as if piercing an enemy with his sword.
Oriana stepped forward to stand by the Teyrna. "May the maker watch over our sons, fathers, and husbands and bring them all safely home," she recited, head bowed into her chest.
"They will be back safe and sound before we can even miss them, Oriana," Rowan wrapped her arm around her sister-in-law's shoulder. "And the fun we'll have while the men are away!." She tried to put on her happiest face, though she really did dislike girly girl time with the women at the castle. She sighed inwardly.
Oriana nodded, not able to form any words.
"Oren, why don't you come with me to the kitchens and we can find you an evening snack before bed," the Teyrna spoke up, taking hold of her grandson's hand. She kissed Fergus on the cheek and wrapped her free arm around her son. "Be safe, my boy. I love you". Fergus returned the hug and affection and nodded to his father.
"Yes, you have preparations to make and I must continue planning with the Arl. Fare well, my son." The Teyrn followed his wife out of the room.
"On that note! Off I go, lest I be forced to witness any more private moments that I won't be able to erase from my brain," Rowan grimaced, hugging her brother and wishing him well and giving Oriana another squeeze on the arm for support.
As she exited the room, Rowan heard a faint sob and knew that Oriana had fallen apart. She stood there a moment, her heart aching for her sister-in-law. It could not be easy to know the love of your life was going off to fight a war. There would surely be scarce news from the battlefront and she wold be wracked with worry until Fergus returned. It won't be long, she told herself, victory will be swift. The wardens will be there to make sure of it. The wardens! She had forgotten about Duncan!
As she quickly scanned the hall to see if he was still there, she found him seated on a bench just off her own chamber doors. He was studying her with an odd look on his face. But it was a handsome face. Seated there, with one arm draped over the back of the bench, he was quite beautiful to her.
"Are you alright?" he asked, leaning forward on the bench, placing his forearms on his knees, clasping his hands together. "You looked upset there for a moment."
"Yes, thank you. I was worried about Oriana, she is upset." Rowan took a seat on the bench beside Duncan, leaving as much space as she could between them. She did not trust herself any closer and this was not the place to lose control.
"Ah, I can understand that", Duncan replied staring at his hands. He leaned back against the bench but his gaze never moved.
Silence settled in between the two. Rowan looked up and down the hall, her hands tucked under her thighs. Duncan's sight was locked on his hands, his thumbs drumming against each other. Even in the silence, however, Rowan felt good. Just being in his presence made things seem not so bad.
