Forgiven

Chapter 13

The wheat in the field swayed in the wind.

The corn grew tall.

Rows of beans and peas and carrots and potatoes ripened in the sun.

The worst of summer ruled, those last days of wretched heat, not willing to give way to autumn or harvest, not just yet.

Éothain went stiff to his bed most nights. His only satisfaction was Eadlyn did as well. He made sure of that.

And all the while, Ceorl and Serei giggled in their little cottage wondering when the two couples would just give up and give in.

While Sabert stewed.

~~~…~~~

"Tatae!" Eadlyn's voice was raised in ire.

The woman turned, her features schooled to boredom. "Yes, 'Lady' Eadlyn?" As usual the stress on 'Lady' was sarcasm personified. Tatae made Eadlyn push and pull for each inch she gained and it exhausted her.

"The fireplaces."

Tatae's facial expression did not change. "What about them?"

"They are filthy! Still! I've asked several times-"

"Lady Eadlyn!" Tatae's voice was condescending. "We still have some moons before winter sets in and the fireplaces will be needed. We have more important things-"

"True, however, the chimney sweep makes a mess and it takes you moons to decide when something is important enough to clean! Not to mention the villagers and merchants will want theirs done as well!"

Tatae's eyes narrowed in anger, before cooling again to boredom. "Very well. It will be taken care of tomorrow."

Eadlyn stood tall, pretending she wasn't over-shadowed by this woman. "I know it will be. I've made arrangements already. He will be here first thing in the morning."

Tatae was taken aback. "Then why ask me?"

Finally, Eadlyn began to feel more of the iron in her backbone. "I wasn't. I was simply informing you that he would be here tomorrow." She took a deep breath. "Next time I tell you something needs to be done, do not force me to make the arrangements myself."

And with that, she turned and tried to walk serenely out of the main hall and into the garden.

Where Serei waited.

~~~...~~~

Two moons after Æþryt's disappearance, several Riders and a Rohirrim who was most definitely not a Rider rode onto the homestead, causing most of those in the bailey to stop what they were doing to gawk at the newcomers. The location was so remote, anyone new was a subject for curiosity, as everyone else was known, especially those from Woldenfeld. Eadlyn was in the practice yard, along with other women and several pre-teen boys, practicing with wooden swords. They weren't paying attention to the sudden bustle in the courtyard past the barn. In fact, it wasn't until Annya backed up and stood her sword point down on the ground before Eadlyn realized they had company. She turned to find Sabert frowning at her.

Since Æþryt's vanishing and Éothain's open courting, Sabert had given her a wide, wide berth, much to Eadlyn's relief. When he spoke to her, it was with a modicum of respect, but Eadlyn knew, could tell that he was seething underneath. She didn't trust him and he still raised the hackles on the back of her neck. "Yes, Sabert?"

"You are needed in the bailey." His bow was minimal, as usual. "As is your son."

"I see." She turned her practice sword down, holding it by the hilt and held it out, waiting for someone to take it. "Annya, will you bring my son to the manse?"

"Yes, my lady." The slight weight of the sword was taken from her and she felt more than heard the woman retreat.

Exhibiting a calm she did not feel, she acknowledged the Rider before her. "Sabert." She then strode off, nodding that he was to stay by her side until they reached the bailey. "Who is it and why do they wish to see my son?"

It was an attitude, a tone, Sabert was not used to hearing from her and it set him aback. "I do not know, m'lady. 'Tis Riders from Edoras."

Edoras? Eadlyn's heart leapt to her throat. Was it possible Éomer King was here for a surprise inspection?

No, that was ridiculous. He wouldn't ride this far out to see how she was faring. That had been completely left up to Gamling and Aefre. In recent weeks, Eadlyn had come to the conclusion that the reason why Éomer had insisted this on decree was an effort to force mended fences between her and Aefre; a plan that, quite frankly, had worked and worked well.

Soon, the manse was within sight, the bailey busy with extra riders. Seeing Éothain in the middle, she thanked Sabert and rushed into the melee of bodies.

Éothain had his foot on a sack, more than likely the Riders' pay and he was reading an unscrolled missive, Ceorl peering over his shoulder. A second scroll dangled from Eothain's fingers, unread. There was a third man, short, rotund and balding standing in front with his head bowed. "Éothain?" She was out of breath. "Is something amiss? Why do you need Glædscipe?"

Éothain didn't look up. "I have news for him and for you, as well." Now, he gazed at her, smiling. "Good news. You'll like it. Hold this." He handed the scroll to Ceorl and unrolled the other, scanning it quickly before grinning. "Yes! Yes! Just the news I've been hoping for!" Quickly, he rolled it up and after holding his hand out for Ceorl to replace the other, he spun both up and tucked them in his belt. Looking over the men gathered around, he spotted the person he was most looking for. "Skippy!" He motioned the young boy to his side. "Come quickly! There is someone I would like you to meet!"

Eadlyn's son had a gap-toothed smile these days. He'd lost his first baby tooth the week before and was ready to knock them all out, if it made him grow up faster. It also gave him a rather adorable lisp. "Wha ith it?"

Éothain nodded to the shorter man in front of him. "This is Tondberct. He was Éomer King's steward in Aldburg, but he's been transferred here."

"Why?" Sabert spoke up, rather rudely. "Lady Eadlyn has a steward."

"Aye, this is true," Éothain rocked backwards on his heels, "however, Lady Eadlyn's family homestead is being rebuilt and a garrison added to it and there will be need of a steward there."

This set Sabert back. Cuichelm assumed he would be taking on those duties as well. It was becoming obvious that his aunt and uncle no longer enjoyed the exalted positions they used to. Their situation had changed drastically and not for the better.

"As it's being rebuilt from the ground up and expanded," Éothain continued, unaware – or uncaring – of the inner turmoil going on in the other man's head, "Éomer King decided someone needed to oversee the project from the beginning, someone who would look at it from a financial point of view, rather than a military point of view."

"And as Marshal Elfhelm's wife is quite capable of running a garrison and large demesne by herself," Tondberct's voice was commanding and surprisingly deep and authoritive, "it was decided my services would be better suited elsewhere." He showed no remorse or irritation for being transferred so far away from civilization. He looked down at the small boy at Éothain's knee. "And you must be young Lord Glædscipe."

The boy smiled, showing off the empty space in his grin. "Éothain callths thme 'Skippy'!"

"Lord Skippy, it is."

Éothain smirked and patted him on the head. As time went, he was becoming more and more fond of the boy, to the point of fatherly pride. "Skippy is becoming an amazing horseman, but we need to develop his other talents."

"Dee-vel-wop?"

"Develop. Tondberct is also here to teach you to read, write, and speak Westron."

"But-"

"But nothing." Éothain tried to look stern, very serious indeed. "You are Lord of this territory and will take charge of it as well as your mother's lands if she does not remarry." For some reason, this made Eadlyn's heart clench. Éothain had not tried anything past kissing and she wondered why he didn't press further. That is, unless he was worried about her reputation or worse… waiting for her to make the first move. "As a lord of Rohan, you must know how to communicate in Westron, as the Rohirrim have no written language. Not to mention," he added with a conspiratorial whisper, as if imparting a great secret, "we will be having an increase in relations with Gondor and her principalities."

Skippy wasn't the only one confused with that announcement.

"Huh?" Sabert grunted.

"With renewed treaties with Gondor," Tondberct spoke up, "and the fact that Éomer King is negotiating for members of Dol Amroth's Swan Guard to come to Rohan for a year to train with the larger garrisons, Marshal Gamling has been told to expect long-term visitors to Woldenfeld and most likely here."

"You need to be able to talk to them, when you teach them how to ride," Éothain whispered with a wink.

"Oooooh!"

With this, Éothain guided the boy towards his mother. "I need to speak to Tondberct about several things, as well as settle Uilfred and Oswy into the garrison for the night."

"We will only stay for the night," Uilfrid spoke up. He was stocky-built, of middle years and weathered well. Despite his rough demeanor, Eadlyn thought he had the kindest eyes. "We have missives and other things to deliver to Woldenfeld."

"Things to discuss with Marshal Gamling," Oswy finished.

Eadlyn took her son in hand. "I'll inform the cook we have guests for dinner. Lord Tondberct-"

"Just Tondberct."

"Ah. Would you prefer a room in the manse, or a cottage of your own?"

He smiled at her offer. "A room will be fine, but if you have an empty cottage, that would be splendid." He winked at her. "I do love to putter in a small garden."

Right then and there, Eadlyn decided she adored the man.

~~~...~~~

Dinner was a noisy, happy affair, especially now that Tatae was no longer in the charge of the kitchen. The food was edible and most times, a delight to the palate. With Riders from Aldburg in the residence and a new face that planned to be permanent, there were more members from the garrison up than normal and the cook and her staff had outdone themselves. So caught up in the din and spirit of the hall, Eadlyn barely noticed the tap on her arm.

"Eabæ?" She noticed the young woman was flushed.

"Where is Éaðmédan?"

Eadlyn looked around the room, finally seeing Eabæ's sweetheart bending Éothain's ear by the doorway. Eabæ's brother looked up with a start, a small smile on his face and pointing at his sister. "He is talking to Éothain. Why?"

Eabæ's face broke out in a smile that lit up her features. "He asked me to marry him."

Eadlyn started to bounce. "You said yes, didn't you?"

Eabæ attempted to look affronted. "Of course I said yes!" She leaned closer towards Eadlyn, in hopes to not be overheard. "I'm ready to pounce all over him, but he's been so…" her voice trailed off, looking for the right words.

"He wants to do the right thing," Eadlyn finished for her.

"Aye."

Éothain and Éaðmédan made their way through the crowd, Éothain leaning over his sister to keep the conversation between the two. "This man has asked me for your hand. Are you sure you want to give it to him?"

"It's the only way he can have my body!" Eabæ retorted.

This set Éothain chuckling and Éaðmédan to turn red as the tunic he was wearing. "If he's not good to you or makes you unhappy-"

"You'll kill me or send me to the Brown Lands," Éaðmédan snapped back jovially. He slid into the empty seat next to his intended. "Which ever one is worse."

And so dinner began with the celebrating of the upcoming nuptials of Eabæ and Éaðmédan. It ended with a different type of celebration.

~~~...~~~

It was decided among the women that Eabæ could not live in the garrison with her new husband and Éaðmédan made it clear he did not wish to reside in the hall in a single room, so a cottage would need to be found or built for the two of them; one that Eabæ would be in and out of to get used to where everything was at, as well as set up the way she wished. Through - out the meal, many came up to congratulate, offer services, help. If Éothain wasn't aware of it, it was made very clear how much his sister was beloved and her intended was respected.

She has chosen well. Thank you, Béma

But it was with some surprise when Sabert presented himself at the table to congratulate the young couple. He ignored Eadlyn, to which she was quite relieved. Needless to say, she was shocked at what came from Éothain's mouth.

"Sabert! Just the Rider I wanted to talk to!" He pulled the two rolled missives from his belt.

"Oh?" It was almost snarled.

"Yes!" If Éothain could become more buoyant, he did. "I received word today!" He lowered his voice slightly, as if the information would be between the two men, however the hall became silent in order to listen in. The Captain unrolled the smallest scroll. "I was going to wait until tomorrow, when the men received their pay, but since we are celebrating, I thought… well, why not!" He threw his hands up, the semi-rolled tube of parchment in his hand. "You've gotten a promotion!"

Sabert's jaw dropped. "A promotion?" His eyes flitted back and forth. One could almost see his brain working. A promotion. But Éothain was captain here and Ceorl was his second, and slated to take over the garrison at Eadlyn's old family homestead when it was built. "To what? Where?"

"Second in command!" Éothain's smile was so wide Eadlyn feared his face would split.

Sabert had a sinking suspicion that this didn't bode well. "To where?"

Éothain made a great show re-reading the parchment. "Where… where… oh yes. Amon Nul. Æstwarenburg. That's where." Damn if the man's smile was lighting up the room. "You are to report by the next moon. It's a new garrison, just built. You'll be among the first to be stationed there so you can help get it set up and settled." Finally, he turned to Eadlyn. "Being part of the first éorad of a new garrison is the best, really exciting. Nothing is set in stone and there are no boots or legends to fill!"

"Aye," Sabert responded quietly. "I will be the boots or legend." He nodded to Éothain, realizing that in order for the promotion to come, his commanding officer had to recommend it. "Thank you for the commendation, sir." With that, he wandered back to his aunt and uncle to give them the news.

"Éothain! Are you insane?" Eadlyn hissed. "I realize he's a bane to everyone's existence, but a promotion?"

Éothain's smile never fell. He continued to grin while he whispered in Eadlyn's ear. "Smile. Be happy. Our friend Sabert will be going east. Far east!"

"How far east?"

With this, Eadlyn realized that Éothain had extremely white teeth. "South of the Falls of Rauros! He's over-seeing Wetwang."

"The Dead Marshes." Ceorl had stationed himself behind Eadlyn and was whispering in her other ear.

"Our boy is going to be watching for orcs!" Éothain nodded once. "Boring."

"Very boring."

Eadlyn inhaled. "Ah. Oh my."

Tbc