Apprehension
Alric led Baan to Eadgyd's shelter where she and her daughter waited. Eafrida walked on his other side, keeping her head bowed and eyes averted from the Orc. After being reminded yet again of the inappropriateness of his scrutiny, Baan kept his eyes on the ground before him and didn't even meet Alric's gaze when spoken to.
Baan wasn't the only one Eafrida couldn't face. One glance at Eadgyd when they entered the hut told her their conversation of yestereve would be repeated, this time with Alric present. Flinching, she stared at the rug on the floor of the shelter, clasping her hands before her. It was Eadgyd's habit when Coenred was in the far fields with a herd, leaving her to manage things, that the woman called upon Alric to provide what she felt was the necessary 'authority' with Eafrida. The girl thought it ludicrous; simply tell her what was wanted, and she would do it if the request was reasonable. But evidently because she was not Eafrida's mother, Eadgyd was squeamish about exercising any such privilege granted by her marriage to Eafrida's father.
Eadgyd held Aelfled's shoulders, imposing a degree of propriety on the over-excited child. No one had told Aelfled the decision yet, and she feared the worst. Her eyes were still puffy from a morning cry over losing 'her Baan.'
Once all were assembled, Alric cleared his throat importantly and began. "The elders have met and decided. Baan may stay. His duties will be..."
"He is staying?" Aelfled squealed. Startled by her outburst, Alric could only nod.
Aelfled broke away from her mother and flung herself at Baan, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. He lifted his arms out of the way and stared down at the girl with his mouth hanging open, utterly shocked. Helpless, he looked up and met Eafrida's amused gaze. Her shy grin warmed him, and he smiled in return.
Eafrida had to tear her eyes from his after a lingering moment. Now that she knew of his affections for her, it was much easier to see, though his open and honest face could not deceive anyone. He had clearly not fooled her grandfather. Perhaps Alric was oblivious to the expressions on her face, but those of Baan's were as subtle as a half-brick thrown through a wall.
The longer he looked at her, the warmer she became, until the thought of diving into the river held greater appeal. And if he accompanied her...
What are you thinking? she scolded herself crossly. He is an Orc! Recall that your brother has gone to fight his kind!
Her brow pinched, and she stole another look at Baan. He was now kneeling, at eye-level with Aelfled, grinning as she told him how she preferred her 'retinue' to walk behind her and carry her train.
"If that is your wish, milady," he said wryly, his growling voice rumbling with amusement.
Baan felt Eafrida's eyes on him once more and dared a glance, even knowing it was wrong of him. He'd memorized her scent from the beginning, and could easily isolate it now. As before in Alric's shelter, she seemed to be giving off a slightly different scent that aroused him. It seemed to beg him to look at her, be closer to her, touch her...
Swallowing the forbidden urges, he made himself look at Aelfled again, which was fortunate because she had noticed his wandering eyes.
"Do pay attention, Baan!" she scolded. "Now, I understand I shall be fishing today. I shall not bait my own hooks, since it is nasty. That will be your duty."
"Aelfled, he is not your slave," Eafrida admonished. "You will bait your hooks as you have always done, and no cheating by having Osgar do it, either."
"He likes yucky things," the little girl protested, crossing her arms over her chest. "Have you seen the state of his clothing?"
"No, but I have seen the condition of yours," Eafrida retorted. "If I have to mend one more of your skirts because you tore it to pieces climbing trees..."
"Osgar climbs them," Aelfled replied sniffily.
"I give up," Eafrida cried, throwing her hands up resignedly. "Eadgyd, she's your daughter."
Eadgyd felt a pang of longing for a moment; those exact words were sometimes spoken by Coenred in exasperation. Shaking her head, she told herself once more that he would come back to her. He'd promised.
"Aelfled, you will bait your hooks and you will be kind to Baan," Eadgyd said firmly.
"I do not mind," Baan said.
"Oh, you will," Eafrida predicted. "Trust me, you will." Again, their eyes met, leaving both warm and full of provocative thoughts.
"Alric, are you here?" a voice from outside the shelter called politely.
"Yes, come in, Hengist," Alric replied. Hengist entered, followed by his grandson, Osgar.
The reddish hair from his mother's side had reared its head in a fury when Osgar was born. The boy had flaming locks that flowed like gentle waves of lava about his shoulders. His face, on the other hand, was anything but soft. He was three years Aelfled's elder, just old enough to begin hunting, and his face bore a scar inflicted by a furious wolf. He'd nearly lost an eye in the attack. His father was not so lucky. Aelfled thought the boy terribly brave, and oft admired his disfigurement, much to his embarrassment.
"Alric says you fish, Baan," Hengist said good-naturedly. The Orc rose and nodded. "Do you have your own pole?"
Baan's brow furrowed. "Pole?"
"Yes," Hengist said. "A fishing pole. Have you one of your own?"
"I... do not know. What is it for?"
"Fishing, of course," Osgar said with exasperation. Aelfled shot him an angry look.
"He doesn't use a pole," Aelfled supplied, then straightened primly, affecting pride on the Orc's behalf. "He uses his hands to fish. I've seen him do it."
Hengist's eyes widened and he stared at Baan. "Your bare hands? You catch fish?"
"Not very well," the Orc replied awkwardly, ducking his head under the man's intense gaze.
"But you have caught a few, correct?" Hengist pressed. Baan shrugged and nodded. "Amazing. Well, perhaps you can teach this old man your technique."
Embarrassed by this man's praise, Baan said even more quietly, "Don't take much. Just watch the smoo-... the otters. And the tall birds. The birds use their beaks, but it is not much different."
Alric shook his head in wonder. "You learned how to fish... from watching the otters and... the heron? That is uncanny, Baan."
"I am not that good," the Orc repeated. He hadn't thought it was anything special. Just... necessary.
"Well, then," Hengist said, clapping his hands together. "Shall we be off? My goodly wife has instructed me that if I am able to secure some eels, she might just allow me shelter for the night."
"You should never have let her taste one," Eadgyd said with a smile.
"Aye, it was my undoing," the elder agreed with a good-natured sigh.
"Will you come?" Baan asked of Eafrida's feet, barely seen peeking from beneath her skirt hem.
"I... should like to, but...," she replied awkwardly to the rug.
"But she must fetch the herd from the north reach that was neglected yesterday," Eadgyd interjected.
"Yes," Eafrida agreed quietly, her cheeks coloring. "Ebba partners me, so I have heard. I expect we'll be at it all day." She barely hid her disappointment. Of all the girls her age in the encampment who might be assigned herding duties with her, it would have to be Ebba.
Hengist patted her shoulder sympathetically. "I am certain you will make the best of it. Ebba needs looking after. Only a month wed, and her man already off to war... She will likely need a friend."
Eafrida's exasperation with the tiresome girl dissolved. Perhaps she was insufferable at times, but Hengist was right; they must all look out for one another.
"Come along, now," Hengist said, and led his troops out of the shelter. Baan cast one look back at Eafrida, managing to somehow catch her eye, then let the rug fall as he left.
"Alric, speak with your granddaughter," Eadgyd snapped impatiently, urging a flinch from Eafrida and a look of startled surprise from Alric.
"Certainly," he replied automatically, then frowned. "What about?"
Glancing at Eafrida's contrite face, Eadgyd folded her arms over her chest. "I do not like the looks she gives that Orc," she hissed. "And I cannot get an honest answer from her about what goes through her mind when she does look at him."
Alric blinked at his daughter-in-law in bafflement. "What..."
"I have not lied," Eafrida flared defensively. "What I think is none of your concern!"
"It is my concern if you put yourself in danger!" Eadgyd cried. "I know you are young and believe yourself inviolate, but he is an Orc! No matter that he appears... docile. I do not want you making a tragic mistake."
"Perhaps he is, but he is also a man," Eafrida retorted. "He thinks he is a man, he looks... somewhat like a man..."
"A man with the wickedness of an Orc, or are you blind to all?" Eadgyd interrupted.
"He has done nothing 'wicked' or otherwise impolite! You accuse him unjustly."
"Do I? I have seen how he looks at you! Your coy glances and shy smiles do nothing but encourage such attention..."
"Wait one moment!" Alric roared, silencing both women. He looked furiously from one woman to the other. Pointing to Eadgyd, he said carefully, "Are you accusing Eafrida of... harboring affection for Baan?"
"That is exactly what I am saying," Eadgyd confirmed. "She denies it, but I am not so old that I cannot still recognize it when I see it."
Alric stared at his granddaughter in shock. "You... said nothing of this... when I..."
"There was nothing to say!" Eafrida cried angrily. "It is no one's bus-... I cannot believe what you are imagining! I but treat him with kindness, and you assume this?" She forced a derisive laugh. "I will not even grace such an accusation with an answer."
"Deny it, then," Eadgyd challenged. "Look me... look your grandfather in the eyes and tell him you feel nothing for Baan. Tell him that."
Once more, Eafrida felt ensnared, only this time it was worse. There would be no flippant confessions of stolen kisses with a young man all knew held her in high esteem. She had never in her life told a lie, yet how could she tell the truth?
But to lie about where her heart was heading would be an insult to its journey. She could not cheapen her feelings for Baan by lying about them.
Sagging with defeat, Eafrida bowed her head. "He has... moved me. His... loneliness, his... injury... He is so... different from any man I have ever met. So... dark and... mysterious..." Catching herself too late, she looked up guiltily. Her elders were staring at her open-mouthed. "I did not choose to feel this way," she said imploringly.
Alric was too shocked to respond for some moments. Eadgyd took a steadying breath. "I do not want you to be alone with him," she said firmly. "In such a small encampment, I know forbidding you from seeing him at all is unreasonable. You will go about your duties as ever you have, and you will not speak with him. Do you understand?"
Eafrida hung her head in shame, nodding agreement.
Eadgyd shot a look at Alric, and he shook himself. "Indeed. I concur. I will speak with Baan as well. He obeys like a soldier. I should have no trouble acquiring his cooperation in this."
Eafrida sat stiffly in the saddle as she and Ebba rode out to the northern pasturelands. Ebba seemed to understand that some great argument had occurred, rendering Eafrida silent and immovable, so she kept her peace for the moment, though her curiosity chafed.
By the time the herd had come into view, Ebba could stand it no longer.
"Was it to do with the Orc?" she blurted.
Startled from her dark musings, Eafrida stared at the other girl. "What?"
Rolling her eyes, Ebba said, "Whatever has got you in such a mood. Did he offer to show you how he differs from a man?" She burst out laughing.
Sighing with annoyance, Eafrida snapped, "No. And he is no different from a man." Frowning, she added uncertainly, "I expect."
Ebba's humor dissolved, and her grin fell away. "You have seen him?"
Always her talebearer, Eafrida's face burned crimson. "I had that... opportunity, yes."
Though well-taught revulsion at the mere thought of seeing such a thing raised Ebba's gorge, her natural – and some would say invasive – curiosity got the better of her. "What did he look like?"
Eafrida gave her a withering look. "I will not describe for you what you know well yourself. He is made – quite likely – as any man is. You have but to imagine your Aldwulf in all his glory, and I am certain you will have it."
"You are no fun," Ebba pouted. "At least tell me how you came to see an Orc... naked," she said with a wicked twinkle and a giggle.
"Honestly, Ebba, marriage has not matured you in the slightest," Eafrida replied loftily.
"Was he bathing?" Ebba probed, then snickered. "Of course he wasn't. He's an Orc. Likely knows nothing of washing himself."
"He is... only partly an Orc," Eafrida pointed out defensively. "He spent a good deal of his time in the water, if you must know, so I imagine he was quite clean when we found him. I caught none of the stench of Orc about him."
"Well then, perhaps there is hope for him yet," Ebba conceded. "Granddad Sighard told the eldest girls he is a lustful thing that will likely come after us in the night. Did he visit you last even?"
Eafrida scowled at her. "Of course he did not. He is nothing like the Orcs we fight. And your granddad is a worrier. Baan has a kind soul and a good heart."
Arching her brow, Ebba examined Eafrida's expression closely for a moment. Then she smirked. "Oh, Eafrida. You have fallen hard, haven't you?" Shaking her head, she gave the other girl a mockingly pitying look. "I suspect you see him in your thoughts quite often, do you not? Likely in all his glory?"
"Stop it, of course I don't," Eafrida snapped. But her swift denial only seemed to vindicate Ebba's assumptions.
"I saw him this morning," Ebba mused thoughtfully. "Not quite as ugly as those other Orcs, is he? Well formed body, I noticed. Not hunched or stooped as Orcs are. Quite... manlike, in fact. Why, I imagine that in a dimly-lit hut, he might even look like a man."
"Whatever are you talking about?" Eafrida sighed.
"Nothing," Ebba replied innocently. Grinning, she cast a provocative, knowing look at Eafrida. "Was he... large?"
Eafrida frowned. "I do not know what you mean."
"Dear, sweet, innocent Eafrida," Ebba said gently, but with more than a hint of superiority. "When you are wedded and bedded, you will understand such things, I am sure. My Aldwulf is a good size I find quite satisfactory, but I have guessed at a few of the other men, now that I have a sense of what I am looking at when they are clothed. In my opinion, you would have done yourself a disservice with Deorwine. He might have pleased you in other ways, but not that one." Taking a deep breath and smiling, she added, "I would have to get a better look at Baan to be sure, but at first blush, I would say he should be pleasing enough."
Mouth hanging open in shock, Eafrida could only blink for several seconds. Eventually, she found her voice. "Ebba!" she cried, thoroughly scandalized. "Are you speaking of a man's... Shame on you!"
Ebba's brows arched and she sneered. "You know, if you did not harbor such fantasies, you might have admonished me for suggesting such an abhorrent and vile thing as union with an Orc. I daresay that is far more worrisome than what I may think of a man's... endowments."
"It is like a game, I think," Hengist said as he examined the bowl of worms Osgar dug up from the riverbank. "All hunting is a game. There are rules. Some are winners, others... not so lucky. We, as hunters, can only go so far in claiming advantage. Our prey are gifted with their own skills and wiles, none of which we may take away from them, nor can we hope to emulate." Passing a sideways glance at Baan, he smiled. "Believe it or not, fish are no different."
Baan nodded. "That is so. But it is more than just the fish knowing what I am up to," he continued thoughtfully. "I think... I cannot see what is truly there, when I look into the water. I think the fish is here," he said, miming an undulating fish motion with one hand, "but my eyes tell me it is here." He held his fist up a foot away from the 'fish.' Sighing, he concluded, "So my strike misses."
"I am impressed, Baan," Hengist smiled. "Very astute observation. There is, indeed, a distortion to our sight when looking into water. I suspect you were learning to compensate for the difference, though."
"Yes," Baan replied. "Beginning to."
"You have the makings of a good hunter, for a hunter learns not only his prey, but their world. Now, you see this?" he asked, holding up a mud-encrusted, wriggling worm. "This little one gives us advantage over the fish. He will not strike a hook, for it does him a degree of harm. But, when an enticing meal is presented, he ignores the thing that will hurt him and takes the food. But again, we are sometimes thwarted, for the fish may nibble ever so gently so that we do not know he steals the bait. So he gets his meal, and we go hungry."
"That is the game," Baan said, smiling with comprehension.
"Aye, that is the game," Hengist said, casting his baited hook into the river. "Winners and losers. Which shall we be today, do you think?"
"We will win," Baan said confidently as he baited his own hook the way he'd seen the elder do. Mimicking the same sweeping motion, he cast his line. He would win, and present his catch to Eafrida, he decided. And he would look at her when doing it, regardless of anything Alric had to say about it. Her scent, her smiles, her manner all spoke of her receptivity to his suit. His instincts were clear on the matter: this was between him and her alone.
"Don't know why it matters," Osgar grumbled as he scrubbed the wormy dirt from his hands in the shallows. "Puttin' on airs."
"Oh, do speak up," Aelfled said witheringly as she continued to swipe at the dirt stain on her shirt sleeve. "What did you grab me for?"
"There was a deer up river," he explained with a shrug. "Had a fawn with it. Thought you might wanna see'em. But your belly-achin' done scared'em away."
"Why didn't you say so?" she wailed. "Oh, Osgar, you are impossible. I shan't marry you if you continue to be so rough."
"Praise Béma," he muttered. Standing and shaking the water from his hands, he saw something strange to the southeast.
"Looky there," he said, pointing.
Huffing impatiently, Aelfled looked where he was pointing and frowned. "What is it?"
"Them's watchfires," he whispered, alarm in his voice. "And they ain't ours."
The two children's eyes met, then they turned and ran back to Hengist and Baan in a panic.