Forgiven

Chapter 15

Early the next morning, Éothain watched with much amusement as Tatae bullied her husband into saddling their two horses and headed to Woldenfeld. No sooner than they were away from the compound, he led Eadlyn back to bed, where he coaxed her to ride and set the pace and then afterwards, asked her to marry him.

She agreed.

The former steward and housekeeper arrived in Woldenfeld after lunch, demanding to see the Marshal. After getting the run-around, they finally cornered the tall red-head in the barn and made their grievances rather plainly known.

He deferred them to his wife, who he put in charge of the situation.

After listening to their complaints, Lady Aefre informed them that Lady Eadlyn was indeed in charge, indeed had the right to dismiss them, and no, she had never taken over the running of her father's household. Her only complaint with Eadlyn was the fact it had taken her too long to sack the housekeeper and steward. She would have done it almost immediately upon their arrival in the spring.

They argued over this decision. Surely that was not what Éomer King ordered! Sabert had been there. He heard!

Lady Aefre deferred them back to her husband.

Who deferred them back to Lady Aefre.

Who deferred them back to the Marshal

Who gave them directions to both Edoras and the garrison their nephew was appointed to and told them to pick one or the other. Neither he or his wife would continue to referee this argument.

They returned early in the evening, just at sunset, to Eadlyn's hall, to find their things packed on a wagon and they departed the next morning. No one knew where they were going nor cared if they ever heard from them again.

As promised, the garrison built the funeral pyre for Aldhelm. Per Rohirrim custom, nobles and high born were buried, all others were burned, their ashes nourishing the rich soil and their souls set free to ride the Halls of their Fathers. His daughter managed to sing her father to Béma's arms, surrounded by the women in her family, as well as Eadlyn and Eabæ. The man was well-loved and would be missed, but as Eadlyn told Éothain right after his death, it was a relief; he had been ill so long.

Eadlyn refused a double ceremony with Eabæ, stating it was only right that the young woman and her Rider should have their own day. Personally, she really didn't care for a ceremony, having gone through it and the headaches that go with weddings before. Besides, she had her hands full now helping Eabæ with hers and the running of the household. She would not hire a housekeeper for the hall for some years, relishing the running of it by herself for some time. Tondberct took over the steward's duties the day Cuichelm and Tatae left for Woldenfeld, handling not only the affairs of the demesne, but the new hall and garrison being built on Eadlyn's family homestead. In addition, he not only continued the education of 'Lord Skippy,' but his siblings that arrived after Eadlyn's and Éothain's marriage.

There was a beautiful pond close to Woldenfeld and Eabæ and Éaðmédan decided to marry there in mid - spring, after Gamling and Aefre returned from Edoras and the planting was complete. Their little cottage was finished and furnished and Eadlyn spent much time with Eabæ getting used to the layout, as well as helping furnish and decorate.

Two weeks after Éothain asked her to share his cloak, the two, along with family, including Gamling and Aefre and the members of both garrisons, joined them by the old oak tree as they exchanged vows. Unlike Gamling and Aefre's nuptials, no one pestered the couple when they snuck from the rowdy hall to their room and they waited patiently the next morning for the white cord to appear on the door latch. They borrowed Gamling and Aefre's white cord and Éothain was still kissing Eadlyn when Gamling, Ceorl, and Éaðmédan pronounced them good and caught.

Serei was peering over Ceorl's shoulder. "That's it?" she queried. "That is all? She is wrapped up?" For some reason, Serei was under the impression that the wedding night was witnessed - a barbaric custom in her dark eyes.

"That's it."

"Huh!" she snorted. "I can do that if you wear the marriage marks."

"Face painting, eh?"

"Sure. I paint for you."

Two weeks later, the process was repeated for the dark-haired Rider and his Harridrim lover.

No one dared make fun of the outlandish black symbols Serei

painstakingly painted on his face.

After much discussion with Aefre, Eadlyn decided to wait until the following summer before attempting to get pregnant. She was well versed in the proper herbs and lore to keep her from getting with child, although she wanted a baby badly. By the same token, she wanted time with Éothain and time for her son to get used to the idea that he now had a father.

It took her son all of one second to get used to the idea.

In looking back, she was glad she waited.

~~~...~~~

"EADLYN!" Éothain was pacing at the foot of the steps. "Come on! If we do not leave for Woldenfeld in the next few minutes, we will arrive after dark!"

"All right, already!" Eadlyn yelled from their chambers.

"SKIPPY! That goes for you too!"

"You be patient!" the child yelled, repeating what his new Da said to him often on the training field.

"DON'T MAKE ME COME UP THERE!" The threat was empty and both wife and wife-son knew it. Regardless, they both made much show of making noises of trying to get things together.

"You know," Eadlyn called loudly, "this would go much faster if I had some help!"

"Bah!" Éothain stormed up the stairs, much to the amusement of the help. "Must I do everything?"

"I heard that and you can sleep in the barn tonight!" Éothain entered the Master's bedchambers, to see clothing still slung haphazardly around the room, along with two sets of partially - filled saddlebags. "I can handle this, but if you would go across the hall and help him, I would be most appreciative!"

Éothain nodded before grabbing her and kissing her full on the mouth. "Have I told you I love this new sassiness?"

This caused Eadlyn to blush. "It feels strange."

Éothain caressed her cheek. "Don't let it." He kissed her again.

"Ew!" Glædscipe stood at the doorway, disgust on his face. "Do you do anything but kiss?" He squealed when Éothain chased him through the door.

It took the better part of an hour before the group was ready to leave, saddlebags packed and attached to the saddles of the horses. Before Eadlyn mounted her mare, Éothain tapped her on the shoulder. He flipped back the saddle blanket, to expose the hilt of a sword, sheathed in the leather of the saddle. "You have earned this, my lady," he whispered. "You shouldn't need it, but in case, you know it's there."

Eadlyn opened her mouth to speak, but no sound issued forth. It was one thing to practice with wooden swords, but quite another to actually... have one...

Eabæ was mounted, looking more serene than a bride should. In many ways, Eadlyn was envious of the young woman, who despite the obstacles placed upon her at birth, still managed to remain rambunctious and full of life.

The trip to Woldenfeld was joyous, loud, silly pre-wedding banter aimed mostly to embarrass the bride and groom. The group rode near the edge of the Fangorn, the scent of trees and clean air permeating the Wold. A bridal bath would definitely be awaiting the bride and her family and friends; the groom either being forced to wait or bathe in the pond with the rest of the men. So it was with shock, yelling was heard from the back of the small éorad. Éothain and Éaðmédan both fell back to see what was causing the commotion. "Eadlyn!" Éothain called back before moving to the rear of the party. "Keep moving forward! Keep Eabæ with you!" Eadlyn opened her mouth to question, to...

"JUST DO IT!" Éothain yelled over the noise of whatever was behind them. "MOVE! GO!"

"This doesn't sound good," Eabæ quipped, certainly not sounding stressed at all. "Béte will follow."

""Where do you think you're going?" Eadlyn asked her son, who was in the process of turning his pony around.

"I'm going to help," his voice was shaking slightly. "I can help."

"Do you have a sword?"

"No, but I can yell!"

"You turn right back around and stay in front of me where I can see you!" Eadlyn was picking up the pace, looking to make sure that yes, Béte was following and keeping up. They kept at a trot for some minutes, Eadlyn's son occasionally turning to look back and gripe at his mother.

Suddenly, there was a great yelling behind them. Eadlyn spun around to see Serei dashing at breakneck speed towards them. "Divlje ljudi! SVINJE! Pokrenuti! Pomicanje! RUN!" As soon as she got her message across, the Harridrim turned back to the dust behind them.

Serei had been teaching Eadlyn a little Harridrim, and she spent a second trying to place 'divlje'...

Wild.

Wild men!

"Skippy!" Strange, how quickly the nickname slid from her tongue. "Ride hard to Woldenfeld. Get the Marshal!"

"But-"

"But nothing! You wanted to help!" She nodded to the women riding with them. "Follow him. Make sure he gets there."

Woldenfeld was probably thirty to forty-five minutes from their location. If they could get help...

"Lady Eadlyn-"

"I've got Eabæ! Go! I'm right behind you!" She watched in terrified satisfaction as the group took off. As the worst of the thunder died, Eadlyn turned to Eabæ. "We need to move fast. Can you handle it?"

For the first time since Eadlyn met her, Éothain's sister had a grim line instead of a mouth. "Eadlyn?"

Eadlyn pulled close next to her. "We are going to ride as hard as you can ride." She looked over her shoulder, horrified at the amount of dust behind them. "So hang on tight. If you fall or think you're falling, you yell."

"Okay."

"Ready?" Without waiting for an answer, she clicked her tongue. "C'mon, Béte." She started at a trot and making sure the docile mare was following, began to pick up speed.

They had been going at a slow gallop, Eadlyn checking several times to make sure Béte and Eabæ were close behind. For a time, she thought they would make it to Woldenfeld without incident and she worried about Éothain. She honestly did not think she could bear to lose him in an ambush, like she lost Beadorouf. It flitted through her mind - what if her brother survived, what if he was back...

That was absurd! Gamling assured her Gifre was dead, dead and burned and... he was the executioner. Gamling had been the brother she never had; surely he wouldn't lie...

Béte was passing her... riderless...

So wrapped up in her thoughts she hadn't been paying attention. Eadlyn turned to look, to see Eabæ picking herself off the ground, confusion on her face.

And a wild man running towards her, his roughly hewn sword raised.

Eadlyn turned her horse, kicking her into action. Her sweet mare was not a warhorse, certainly not anything like the fierce stallions Éothain or Gamling rode, nor did she have armor or mail, but that didn't stop her. Fury replaced fear and remembering the sword Éothain had showed her, she pulled it from its scabbard on her saddle and put it in her right hand.

The wild man didn't see her coming, intent on the helpless woman on the ground. Eadlyn saw her friend turning, mouth moving, voice raised...

Eadlyn?

Eadlyn started to answer her, but realized the wild man did not know she was bearing down on him. It dawned on her if he saw her, he could easily turn his weapon on her unprotected horse, but as long as he was distracted...

There was no time to think, to formulate a plan. She simply ran over him. As her horse knocked the man to the ground, she slashed downwards with her sword. It was short and she ended up hitting him in the head with the flat side of the blade, but the effect was desirable. He fell to the ground with a pained grunt, dropping his weapon. Eadlyn charged around Eabæ, yelling for her to stand still and ran at the fallen man again. He was on his hands and knees, looking for his sword, when the horse hit him again. There was an audible crunch of bone and the man screamed. As she turned back to run him over again, she saw Rohirrim charging through the dust, swords and bows drawn...

"EADLYN!" Éothain's voice carried over the din. "To Eabæ! Wide!"

Eadlyn immediately moved to the right out of the way of the charging horselords, giving them a clear path to the single man on the ground. As she moved out of the way, she galloped back to Eabæ, who stood, turning in a confused circle. As she reached her, she slid from her horse, dropping her sword and grabbed her. "Don't look. Don't look."

"I can't look, Eadlyn, remember?" Despite the fear in her voice, Eabæ was giggling nervously. There was suddenly the sound of several bows being loosed and arrows hitting a yielding target. "You don't look."

The two stood there for what seemed forever, before they were surrounded by familiar war stallions. Hands went around both Eadlyn and Eabæ, the two of them pulled into familiar and welcome embraces.

"You did good, my beautiful girl." Éothain was squeezing her tight. "I'm so proud. You did good, using your horse as a weapon."

"I whacked him too!"

"Yes, you did," Éothain snickered.

"Not very good."

"Good enough." Éothain hugged her tighter. He whistled, calling over several Riders. "Dispose of the bodies. Burn them all." He shook his head. "I can't imagine why they were so far from Fangorn's cover and attacked us." He looked over Eadlyn's head. "Eabæ, are you all right?"

Éothain's normally stalwart sister was buried in the clinch of her intended. She was shaking and obviously, now that the danger was passed, was clearly upset. "Can we just skip the wedding and have our wedding night tonight? Please?"

Éaðmédan chuckled. "Considering what you've been through, I don't think anyone will check on us if I decide to stay the night and keep you safe." He eyed Éothain, who nodded in agreement. "You've earned your wedding and Eadlyn and Aefre have worked hard so you could have it. No matter, I will wear the wreath tomorrow and we'll be caught properly the morning after tomorrow." He shrugged good-naturedly. "What's one day?"

Gamling and a contingent of Riders, along with his wife (armed with a sword and her morningstar) rode up as both women were being lifted onto their respective Riders saddles, their own mares tied to the back.

"You two are already married," Gamling pointed out. "Where did they come from?"

Éothain nodded over his shoulder. "Don't know where. They came up behind us, attacking the rearguard and stragglers." He then tried to whisper under his breath, so only Gamling would hear. "They had horses, all of them, old nags and had no idea how to ride them. That worries me."

"Me, as well." He nodded over to his wife. "We'll take a look around, make sure there are no stragglers and if there are, we'll make sure they know they aren't welcome." Both Gamling and Aefre watched as Eadlyn settled herself at the front of Éothain's saddle, making sure there was room for him. "Is she okay?"

"You'd be proud, Lady Aefre." Éothain was grinning and Eadlyn simply turned red with embarrassment. "Eadlyn rode over top of a wild man." He held up two fingers. "Twice." He climbed up behind her and pulled her close. "She was a proper Shield Madam!"

"Stop it, Éothain," she whispered. "I fought poorly."

"You kept Eabæ safe." Éaðmédan spoke up. He too was now mounted. "I think we should take these two to Woldenfeld. They need a bridal bath and I need a dip in a cold pond!" With that he clicked his teeth and trotted off, Eabæ ensconced firmly on his lap.

With a nod to his Riders, Gamling trotted off, in search of wild stragglers and upset at the information Éothain had just given to him.

Aefre, however, decided to return with the rest of the bridal party. "It was quite alarming to see your son tearing into the bailey, followed a bunch of women, none of them you." She pulled up next to Éothain, so she could see Eadlyn's face. "He will make a fine Rider, Eadlyn. Bead would be proud." She nodded once. "You should be too."

"I am." She looked up at Éothain. "We are."

"I'm proud of you," the Marshal's wife continued quietly. "I'm proud and pleased you are my sister."

And that was the greatest praise Eadlyn ever desired.

~~~...~~~

Epilogue

7 Years later

"Come on, Eadlyn! PUSH!"

The woman stared at her sister-in-law between sweaty locks. "I am pushing, you shrew!" Bracing herself against her husband, she began to bear down. "No need to be cranky! I'm the one being torn asunder!"

"Shrew," Aefre smiled grimly. "That's a good one!"

For the fourth time, in seven years, the master's chambers at the rebuilt garrison and hall of Eadlyn's family home, was being used as a birthing chamber. Eadlyn was adamant Éothain's children would be born in what would become their ancestral domicile.

"Thank you," Eadlyn ground out between clenched teeth. "Boyboyboyboyboybboyboyboy..."

"If it is another girl," her husband responded joyfully, propping her up, "we will love her too. And we are taking a break after this one. At least five years."

"You need a son. And five years will be too long! Boyboyboyboyboyboyboyboyboyboy."

Aefre shook her head, motioning to her midwife, Eadignes. "Head is almost down. If you want a boy so badly Eadlyn, I'll send you both of mine for a few days." She grinned up at her. "That should cure you. Bear down. I feel the head."

"Boyboyboyboyboyboyboyboy..."

Five minutes later, the babe slipped from her body, screaming. Eadignes cleared the mucus from the child's nose and mouth, only causing the crying to intensify in newborn fury.

"Well?" Eadlyn was reaching, anxious to see this new child. Éothain was peering over her shoulder. "Well, what is it? Boyboyboyboyboyboy."

Aefre smiled and handed the bundled child to her. "Congratulations."

~~~...~~~

Fini

~~~...~~~

Divlje ljudi! SVINJE! Pokrenuti Pomicanje - Wild men! Move! Run! NOW!

Many thanks to my beta, Alex-Cat and to those who read this pile of pink fluff.

Started 04/13/2012

completed 10/13/2013