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So...here is the deal. When the Saxons speak, I usually put their words in italics...BUT, only when there are Vikings around and I have to distinguish which language is being spoken. So...here, in this first scene with ONLY Saxons talking, I didn't bother putting all their dialog in italics. It was just too distracting and time consuming. Understand? When there are Vikings and Saxons in the same scene though I WILL be differentiating between the two.
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Chapter 55
~X~
Back on Saxon soil, King Cedric dined alone, lost in his own thoughts. He had only been crowned king for a short period of time, and still it felt like forever. He had never anticipated taking on this role, and had been quite shocked when he was notified that he was now King Beorhtric's nearest living relative. Of course Cedric had always known they were related, even if rather distantly, but he had been certain there were many others in line before him. However, when the time came, he had been told that they had either died…or mysteriously disappeared. If he had been a man of great importance or ambition, Cedric might have suspected foul play…but he couldn't imagine why anyone would have wanted to maneuver him into power.
Still, this left him with no choice but to accept the crown, setting his life on a course he had never trained for. He often found himself wishing that the arranged marriage to Karoline Morgenstern had come to pass, for at least then he would have a woman to confide in and support him. Unfortunately, the lady in question had met with a disastrous end, leaving him feeling responsible.
He then allowed his mind to wander back to the marriage alliance his councilors were now pushing him to propose. King Beorhtric had been betrothed to Lady Athilda, daughter of Lord Walstan of Northumbria before his death, leaving the lady a widow without ever becoming a wife. He'd been informed it had not been a love match, instead secured for political purposes only, but that the maid would have served as a very wise and influential queen. There was of course the customary six month mourning period the lady would have to observe, but after that he would be free to offer his petition of marriage. Cedric had been hesitant at first, his previous betrothal having ended in disaster, but lately he had been giving it serious consideration. He needed a strong woman at his side, one who had been raised to lead, and who could advise him when he was troubled in thought. He had once imagined Lord Edmond's niece would fulfill that role…yet that now seemed highly unlikely.
He gave a bit of a scoff as he thought of Edmond, having not bothered to ask the man to join him for dinner. Cedric found he was growing tired of his constant nagging, the way he seemed to hover like a vulture, and appeared set on undermining his authority at every turn. Still, he felt he owed the man, for had his niece not been sailing to marry him, she might still be safe at home in Bernicia. However, Cedric could only take so much of Edmond, and tonight he simply wanted privacy.
Well…that wasn't completely true. For if he had his way, Cedric would now be dining with the Lady Ælfwyn, of Mercia. He found it strange that he couldn't seem to get the lovely woman off his mind. Still, she had claimed to be betrothed, so what was the point? He was king, however…shouldn't that count for something?
"My King!" a guard called, bursting in the room. "A coach has just arrived at the front gate, carrying two ladies and five guards."
"And this is so noteworthy that you felt you must interrupt my dinner to tell me about it?" Cedric questioned, laying his fork down and staring at the man questioningly.
"All of them were bound and gagged, having been set upon by Vikings!" he blurted out. "The lady is demanding an audience with you."
"VIKINGS?" the king shouted, rising to his feet and throwing his napkin into his unfinished plate. "Well send her in!"
"I…I would, My King…however, it would probably be best if you came outside to speak with her," the guard said hesitantly, looking somewhat embarrassed by his words.
"Outside?" Cedric was now confused. "Is the lady refusing to enter?"
"No…but she and the others were tied up inside the coach for…well, a lot longer than their bladders would allow," he explained, still stumbling over his words. "The smell is…rather offensive, so it would be best to greet them in the open air…if you take my meaning."
"Ahhhh, yes, I understand," he nodded, not at all pleased by this. He could only imagine how mortified the ladies must be, and his heart went out to them. "Lead the way, I will see them immediately, so they might go and clean themselves up."
Thus, he exited the building that had been set aside for him during his stay, walking down a few steps towards the group that were waiting for him, but halted the moment the stench touched his nose. The guard had not exaggerated…in fact he might have understated the problem, for the smell was truly foul. There were two women standing at the front of the group, both looking disheveled, yet relatively unharmed. One of them, however, was almost completely covered in mud, though someone had been kind enough to give her their cloak, perhaps to hide the lady's ghastly appearance. The five men with them were stripped down to their underclothes, having apparently been divested of their uniforms and mail.
"I am King Cedric…please, tell me what has transpired," he called out, not daring to come any closer. "I am told you were set upon by Vikings?"
"Yes! An entire hoard of them!" the muddy woman shouted out. However, when she took a step towards the king, he held up his hand to stop her.
"That is close enough, My Lady…I can hear you just fine from here," he insisted, doing his best not to turn away from the smell. "How many were there exactly, and where did they go? If they are heading our way we need to prepare for battle."
Here, one of the guards spoke up, giving the king a polite bow.
"There were a total of twenty that we saw, My King," he informed him. "Yet two of them were women. And from what we could tell, they did not intend on attacking this village…but instead looked to be leaving our shores."
"Leaving? Then what did they come for, if not to attack and raid?" Now Cedric was really confused.
"They came to accost and humiliate helpless women like me!" the filthy woman all but screamed, apparently upset that the king was more interested in the attackers, than the attacked. "I demand that you hunt those heathens down and exact revenge in my name!"
"And who exactly are you to place demands on your king?" Cedric asked, narrowing his eyes at the irritated woman.
"I am the Lady Ælfwyn, of Mercia!" she shouted, not even caring that she was currently raising her voice to her sovereign.
"Lady Ælfwyn…of Mercia?" he repeated, eyeing the woman suspiciously. "That cannot be…for I met the Lady Ælfwyn just this afternoon, and please be assured, you look nothing like her."
"BUT I AM HER!" she screamed, stomping her foot in rage. "Tell him! Tell him who I am!" She instructed her lady in waiting as well as the guards. And while the other woman looked too frightened to speak in front of the king, the guard begrudgingly did as he was ordered.
"It is true, My Lord," the guard confirmed. "That is indeed the lady's name."
"Then…then who was it I met in the market today?" Cedric questioned. "She gave me that name as her own." Yet, suddenly, like the pieces of a puzzle, everything seemed to fit together. "You say that the Vikings had two women with them? Describe them…now!"
"One was tall, and fair of features, with long dark hair pulled back in a braid. While the other was of a similar build, but with fire red hair," the guard told him. "They donned some of Lady Ælfwyn's clothing, then stole our coach, heading in the direction of this village. Five of the men shaved their beards and took our uniforms in order to accompany them, while the rest remained behind, holding us captive. They returned several hours later, however, this time they were accompanied by another Viking."
"Did this new Viking happen to have blond hair and appear to be wounded?" Cedric asked, shutting his eyes and shaking his head as he realized just how he had been taken for a fool.
"Yes…he did!" The guard sounded surprised by the fact that the king knew this.
"That sly little minx!" Cedric growled, though he honestly couldn't decide if he was angry…or impressed. "We had seven heathens walking around within our very walls and we didn't even know it! Yet…how did the dark-haired woman know our language? For she spoke it as fluently as you and I."
"WHO CARES ABOUT HER?" Lady Ælfwyn screamed, throwing her hands up in the air, almost causing the cloak she was wearing to slip off her shoulders. "I'm the one who was wronged here! What do you intend on doing about it?"
Cedric looked at the true Lady Ælfwyn for a few seconds, actually deciding that he preferred the fake one. At least she had impeccable manners and knew how to address a king.
"I intend to see you bathed, fed, given a place to rest…and then send you on your way," he stated. "If Vikings are truly sneaking onto our shores, then this is no place for you, My Lady."
"But…but I came all this way simply to meet you," she gasped, shocked that he would dismiss her so quickly. "I thought we might…get better acquainted." And here the woman actually had the nerve to bat her eyelashes at him, causing his stomach to turn slightly.
"I assure you, Lady Ælfwyn," the king stated, turning away as he headed back up the steps. "I know quite enough about you already, and that is more than I would like. Good night." And shutting the door behind him, he leaned his back against it, taking in a deep breath, filling his lungs with clean fresh air at last.
Next, he called his captain to him, ordering him to send out a scouting party, to see if any of these Vikings still remained along their shores. Yet, before the man could leave to carry out his commands, the king quickly added an addendum.
"Yet…if you encounter any women among these heathens, bring them to me alive," he insisted. "I do not want them harmed, do you understand?"
"Yes, My King," he bowed, though appearing puzzled by this. And off he went to fulfill his assignment.
"King Cedric!" came the grating voice of Edmond, hurrying down the corridor at a fast pace. "I heard there was an attack by Vikings? Is this so? Are we in any danger?"
"No…no danger, or so it would seem," he told the frantic man with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I have sent our scouts to confirm this, however."
"Perhaps I should take a regiment and head back to Wessex immediately," he suggested, sounding almost too anxious over the idea. "I mean, it wouldn't be prudent to have both of us in danger, would it? I would happily stand in for you at your capitol city until your return…My King."
Cedric stared at Edmond, his brow furrowing as he did his best to quell the unease the man's offer, and tone, had given him. It also occurred to him that the only one who might have gained access to the prisoner had been Edmond, and while Cedric hardly cared what he might have done to the Viking, it irked him greatly that he would go behind his back that way. Yet, before he could analyze this any further, another more pressing thought came to his mind.
"Edmond…describe to me again the Lady Karoline's appearance," he demanded. He had heard much about her over the past few months, but had never actually set eyes on his one-time betrothed. "What did she look like?"
"My niece?" Edmond questioned, a bit taken aback by his request. "Why would you wish to know such things now? After all, from what we have been told, she is not coming back."
"Humor me," Cedric hissed through clenched teeth.
"Very well," Edmond complied. "She was lovely, fair in complexion, long, dark raven hair, and blue eyes. And though she was a bit tall, it did not by any means detract from her beauty. Not that such things matter now, since she was used as a Viking's whore."
"Dark hair and blue eyes…" Cedric mused, having already zoned the man out once his words confirmed what he had already suspected. Karoline Morgenstern was alive! Still, he had no intentions of sharing this piece of news with Edmond. For little by little, Cedric was starting to doubt the man's loyalty, and he would not reveal something that might endanger the man's niece further. She might have been a captive, forced to act against her will when speaking to him…or, she could have truly joined forces with those heathens. Either way, Cedric intended to find out…just not with Edmond's help. Turning to look at the man in question, he cleared his throat. "No, I think it best you remain with me for the time being. It is far too dangerous for you to be traveling without a heavy contingent of guards. We have already planned to journey on in only a few days' time, thus I believe you will be safe enough here until we depart. Now, get some sleep, and cease your fretting."
"If you say so, My King," Edmond nodded, though he did not appear happy about it. Still he gave a bow and left, leaving Cedric to watch him depart with narrowed eyes.
His own father had once said, keep your friends close…and your enemies closer. And Cedric was certain that very soon, Edmond would show himself to be one or the other. He only had to wait to find out which.
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Kara avoided commenting on Thorin's professed plans for the rest of the evening, instead concentrating on getting Fili settled and comfortable. She managed to get a bit more food and water in him, before exhaustion took over and he fell into a deep sleep. Curling up beside him, the two shared their body heat while they slept, but Kara had to forgo her usual position of sleeping with her head on his shoulder and her arm draped over his chest. Still, just having him there to touch and feel gave her the best night's rest she had in weeks.
When morning came, and with it cloudy skies and a possible rainstorm, they strung a large piece of oil cloth over the majority of the boat, providing shelter for all who wanted to stay dry. Kara once again checked on Fili's wounds, and noting that a few of the cuts were becoming inflamed, she quickly pulled out the bag of herbs and healing supplies Olane had made for her. The last thing she wanted was for any of them to become infected, and called upon Tauriel's assistance to aid her in re-dressing his wounds. Unfortunately, by then the boat was being tossed here and there, the sea becoming choppy in the storm. Yet the Vikings were not afraid of a little nasty weather, and continued to sail on.
"Here, hold this," Kara said, handing Tauriel the small jar of cream as she unwound the bandages she had put on the previous day. "I want to put more of this on each cut at least twice a day. At least that's what I saw Olane do for Ilin when she cut her hand while cleaning fish not too long ago." She then smiled at Fili encouragingly. "She healed nicely and so will you."
"I have no doubt," Fili nodded, a smile of gratitude on his face. "How could I not be with two lovely healers tending to my every ache and pain?"
Yet, just as Kara finished uncovering his chest, Tauriel's face went ashen, and she suddenly covered her mouth with her hand. Handing the clay jar back to Kara, the red-headed woman scrambled to her feet and hurried as quickly as she could to the side of the boat, leaning over as she emptied her stomach amid loud wrenching sounds.
"I don't look that bad…do I?" Fili asked, shocked by his sister-in-law's uncharacteristic reaction.
"No, of course not," Kara assured him, rather surprised by Tauriel's sudden illness as well. "It's just the rocking of the boat and all the worry, I'm sure of it. I mean all the way over to find you, my stomach was in knots and I could hardly eat a bite for fear it wouldn't stay down long. I'm certain it had nothing to do with your wounds."
"I hope not," he said, looking less than convinced. "If Tauriel can't stand to look at me like this…then what hope is there that you can?"
"I'm looking now, aren't I?" she pointed out. "And I see nothing worth fussing over…except this one cut here, and maybe this one. I don't like how red they look, so let's clean them up and get a healthy dose of medicine on them. I need you as healthy as possible when we get home, or Olane will think I've been shirking my healer's duties."
"Oh, and we don't want that," Fili laughed. "I've long said that my aunt is nearly as scary as my mother…and that's saying a lot."
"Agreed!" Kara laughed, setting to work.
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Once Fili was adequately taken care of, and was resting comfortably, Kara left the protection of the oil cloth cover and went to sit at Tauriel's side. Thankfully, the rain had stopped and the waves had calmed slightly, however her friend still did not appear well.
"Try nibbling on this," Kara suggested, handing her a small piece of ginger root. "I would offer to boil it into a tea for you, but I don't believe fires are allowed while out at sea." Her observation earned her a slight chuckle from Tauriel, but that was the most she could muster. "I always loved it when the ocean was stormy when I lived in Bernicia…but I suppose it's not fun to be sea sick while out on it."
"I'm not sea sick," Tauriel confessed, her voice still a bit hoarse from having recently vomited. "I'm pregnant."
"I kind of suspected that might be the case, but I wasn't sure if you had figured it out yet," Kara smiled, very excited over the news. "I'm so happy for you and Kili! Does he know yet?"
"No, I only suspected a few days ago myself," she said, taking a small bite of the ginger and letting the piece sit in her mouth for a bit. "I began feeling tired and sick to my stomach during the raid, but managed to hide it from Kili. Then, with him being wounded and Fili getting captured, I pushed the idea out of my mind, not wanting to stay behind if I could aid in the rescue in any way. Yet, now, I fear there is no way to ignore it any longer. I'm going to have a child."
"But…you're happy about it, right?" Kara asked, now looking a bit worried by her friend's tone.
"Well…not at this very moment I'm not," Tauriel said with a heavy sigh, leaning her head back against the side of the boat, yet even she couldn't hide the little smile that touched her pale lips. "However, once we make it back to land, and I don't feel like emptying my stomach every time I eat, I do believe I will be thrilled. And so will Kili, when I tell him." She then got a thoughtful look on her face. "However, it would probably be best if I have Olane confirm it before I go breaking the news to him. Just in case I am wrong and this is only a bad case of sea sickness."
"Well, I never saw you act this way on the crossing over," Kara reasoned. "But I think you are right…best to find out for sure before you get Kili's hopes up. Just please, tell Fili later that it was the waves and the sea that made you run off like that. He worries that it was the sight of his wounds that caused you to be sick."
"NO! That had nothing to do with it," Tauriel was quick to deny.
"I know that, and you know that…but now he needs to know that," she laughed. "Don't tell him about the baby though, for he wouldn't be able to keep his mouth shut and would blab to Kili for sure. Just stick with the sea sick story."
"If you think it best," she nodded. "But I believe I will just sit here for a bit longer and nibble on more of this ginger. I think it's helping some."
"Good," Kara smiled. "I will go fetch you some dry bread as well. And then I want to hear if you have chosen any names yet!" Leaning over, she gave her friend a gentle hug before heading towards where the supplies were kept.
Tauriel looked down and rubbed her hand over her belly, smiling as she did.
"I can't wait to tell your father, little one," she whispered. "I just pray that he is well on his way to good health when we return."
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They sailed the rest of the dreary day, yet the following morning the sun was back, lighting the way towards Erebor. They rowed hard, not only wishing to get home to see their loved ones, but for fear that Fili might take a turn for the worst and need more attention than an apprentice healer could offer. However, Kara was taking no chances, and had been nursing Fili's wounds better than most would have, him being her husband and her love after all. Thus, when they reached the shores of Erebor at last, Fili felt strong enough to walk off the boat under his own power, and not being carried like an invalid.
"FILI!" Dis cried, racing forward, but skidding to a halt when Kara stepping in front of him, holding up her hand.
"Wait…he's wounded," she explained, causing Dis to eye her son in fear. "Not badly, but it would be best to limit your greeting to a hearty handshake or a kiss on the cheek."
"Then get over here, my son, and give me a big kiss!" Dis instructed, needing to feel her firstborn just to reassure herself that he was still alive and truly back where he belonged. Once Fili had done as instructed, she gave him the once over, taking note of all the scars and cuts she could see, and questioning Kara about the ones she couldn't.
"I will fill you in along with Olane, since I want her to check him out immediately," Kara informed her.
And just as if she had heard her name and come running, Olane appeared just then, weaving her way through the crowd, her eyes desperately searching for Thorin. When she saw him at last, his back turned to her as he gave instructions to those still on the boat, she gave a cross between a sob and a yell. Launching herself at him, the poor man turning around just in time to catch his wife in his arms. Yet the moment she saw his face, she froze, looking up at him in shock.
"Thorin? Is that you?" she gasped, reaching up to let her hand run across his bare chin, feeling only a day's worth of stubble where once a fine, thick beard had been. "What happened?"
"We rescued Fili," he stated in lieu of an explanation. "We saved him at the cost of our beards."
"And our whiskers too!" Dwalin grumped, coming forward and rubbing where his mustache had once hung from his lip.
"All…five of you gave up your beards to save my son?" Dis asked, having spotted Gloin, Nori, and Bofur, also missing their badges of manly pride. Suddenly her eyes welled up with tears, becoming more than a bit choked up by their sacrifices. "I have no idea how shaving your faces could have convinced the Saxons to free my Fili, but I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for doing it!" And throwing her arms around Dwalin's neck she kissed every inch of his naked cheeks and chin.
"Do you think me ugly now, wife?" Thorin questioned, unsure how Olane would handle his new look.
"Ugly?" Olane chuckled. "As if I could ever find you anything but majestically perfect, Thorin Oakenshield. Beard or no beard…I love you."
"So, you think I should continue to shave regularly?" he asked in a playful tone.
"ODIN FORBID!" Olane shrieked, slapping at his arm playfully. "I said I would love you no matter what you looked like, but now you're just talking crazy. Grow it back as quickly as you can, for I don't know if I would like kissing you without it."
"Then I hope you have some herbs that makes it grow quickly, woman," Thorin growled, pulling his wife to him, plastering her body to his. "For I will not be denied your kisses, even for a moment."
"We shall see," she giggled, but her mirth died when she caught sight of Kara standing at Fili's side, helping him remain upright. "KARA…FILI!" she squealed in happiness. "Thank Thór you're both safe!" And hurrying to them, she cupped their cheeks with her hands and did her best not to cry. "I've prayed every night that Odin would bring you both back to us."
"And he has, Aunt Olane," Fili assured her. "Though I think my lovely wife had a large hand in matters as well. She not only orchestrated my rescue, but tended to my wounds as well."
"Yet, I would rather you take a look at him as well," Kara insisted, still feeling rather inadequate with her healing skills. "He has one or two cuts I worry might become infected if not handled properly. But so far he isn't running a fever."
"Well, that's good to hear," Olane nodded, getting on the opposite side of Fili and taking his arm as she and Kara lead him towards the longhouse. "But we'll double check, just to be sure you heal up nicely." She turned and gave Thorin a wide grin. "You kept your promise. Thank you." Then she was back in healer mode, asking Fili about every ache, pain, cut, and bruise as they headed off.
"Dis…how is Kili?" was Tauriel's first question, eager to learn of her husband's condition.
"He is…well," was her somewhat hesitant answer. "His wound is better, but he is still beating himself up over the whole incident, blaming himself for Fili's capture and for leaving him behind. I've argued till I'm blue in the face, but he's determined to wallow in guilt, even to the point of not even attempting to get up and walk on his leg. Olane says if he doesn't start exercising it soon, it might never heal correctly. I only hope the fact that you and Fili are home safe will snap him out of it."
"I will go see him right away," Tauriel nodded, now greatly concerned over her husband's mental health. And taking off at a run, she was quickly out of sight.
This left the rest of the returning men to greet their loved ones, with Melind and Hertha anxious to get their hands on their husbands. They both said it would take some getting used to, seeing Bofur and Nori without beards, but they were just so happy they were home safe, that they honestly didn't care.
Dena too was a bit taken aback by Gloin's clean shaven face, and even little Gimli stood there, his eyes wide in shock as he stared at his father. Still, after a moment, they got over it and eagerly welcomed him home. Yet, when Gloin opened his arms to Gyta, urging his daughter to come forward, she flatly refused, actually screaming in fright and hiding behind her mother's skirts. It took a good long while before the little girl would even look at her father without eyeing him suspiciously.
Once everyone had disembarked and either headed off for their homes or the tavern to celebrate, Thorin, Dwalin, and Dis stood alone on the docks.
"Tell me the truth, Brother," Dis demanded, her voice hard and cold. "Will my son be well?"
"Fili is strong, and though he was grievously wounded, he seems to be holding up well," Thorin assured her. "Kara did a fine job of tending to him on the way back. He will live."
"And how is his mind?" she pressed. "I have one son who has not smiled since his return, I don't think I can handle seeing another of my lads stripped of his joy."
"Only time will tell," Thorin said with a sigh. "Though I'm willing to bet that seeing Fili alive and having Tauriel back at his side will cheer the boy."
"I hope so, for if not, I don't know what we will do," Dis said with a sniffle, letting Dwalin pull her into his embrace to comfort her. "I'm their mother…I can't help but worry about them."
"Of course you're worried, my dear," Dwalin acknowledged. "Yet, things will get better now. Everyone's home safe."
"Not everyone," Thorin growled, recalling that they had lost both Tolbar and Siegfried during the raid. "We owe the Saxons dearly for what they cost us, both in lives and for what they did to Fili…and Kili. I have sworn vengeance on them, and I aim to see it carried out!"
"How do you plan on doing that?" Dis questioned, not opposed to the idea, but uncertain about his plan of execution.
"I will send word to Thranduil, Bard, and Dain, asking for warriors to aid us in our battle," Thorin explained. "If it's war the Saxons want…it is war they will get!"
Well, we had good news and bad news. The good being Tauriel was not sea sick...she is pregnant!
The bad news being that Kili is moping around and refuses to heal, Cedric kind of figured out who Kara really was, and now Thorin wants to go to war. These people can't seem to catch a break!
But we will focus on the good stuff, like Fili being home, Tauriel and Kili going to be parents, and everyone is safely back in Erebor...for the time being. Oh, and while Cedric now knows who Kara is, he was very impressed by her scheming ways. ha ha. AND he doesn't plan on telling Edmond about her either!
We will see what Friday brings...
Guest Reviews:
(T.O.W.G. scratches her head) I wonder where the rest of my guest reviewers went?
abc: Of course it worked, it was Kara's plan! ha ha. Fili is quite schooled now on Edmond's evil plan - since villains can't help but brag about it when they THINK they have the enemy right where they want them. ha ha. Vikings do love their weapons and lots of blood...that's for sure. Kara just needs to bat her eyes at Fili, and be level headed and smart with Thorin, and she can get her point across. What's next you ask? Well, we have to get our boy home, that's what! Thanks.
