Flowers of the Spring
The Blooming
Chapter I
Spring had come and Haedley's favourite flowers had begun to bloom once more. There were flowers of all colours in his mother Alodie's garden, and her garden had looked the most beautiful in all of Harwick. It brought great contrast to the bland features of The Wold and Harwick, like a faint glimmer of life where there is little of it. For everything about them was mostly brown in colour and dry in texture. Many folk marveled upon Alodie's garden as they walked by, for there also seemed to be flowers of rare kinds that are not often seen in The Wolds; flowers itself being rare in the dry landscape.
But flowers were not so easy to sustain in those places. Every morning Alodie was seen making her way to the pond or well with a bucket and she would return with the bucket full of water; she was frail and old, but insisted on this task every day. There were times when a kind-hearted lad who passed by offered some time of his day in order to assist her, and thus the flower were watered through several trips to the water sources and back. There were very few evenings in which folk did not see Haedley watering the flowers once he was given leave of his guardsman duties. Usually the folk knew that he was up to some shenanigans, or perhaps too busy; it was at times like these that Haedley did not like. For he was true at heart, and wished to aid his mother where he could, for he loved her greatly, and tending to the garden was among his favourite things to do when he had the chance.
These were the things that Haedley was always most excited for in the Spring, which without a doubt was his favourite time of the year. He was often seen with a smile upon his face in those days, as though the sun's touch caused him bloom brightly along with the flowers.
Haedley was liked by many and hated by none merely because he did not give any one any reason to hate him. Yet this does not include the folk who teased or mocked him, they never meant much harm of it and ever kept their devices good natured and hearty, even when it would leave Haedley embarassed. Yet as none hated him, he seemed to hate nobody.
During this spring there came a day that seemed only as every other day would be. There was little excitement to be seen, but Haedley was smiling as he stood at his post beside the doors of the Reeve's Meadhall; he was armour clad from head to toe, and he wore a helm that he did not like so much, it appeared to be too large for his head and sometimes he would be seen fixing it back into place so that he may see proper.
He began to gaze towards the Southern walls of Harwick that was down hill. The banners blew and danced with the wind's sway and it seemed to please him; the sun was beating down hard upon those who stood without the shade of the Hall's terrace, and there was sweat upon all of their brows. It was a boring day that was almost ended, the setting of the sun had begun to paint the sky a beautiful orange colour, making shadows stretch long and then Haedley knew that it was almost nightfall; and was excited. For he knew that once the sun had fallen he would receive leave from his duties.
But it was in those last moments of daylight when the sound of feet and the rattle of mail armour was heard coming up the sloping pathway. There was an armour clad man and woman bearing markings of Snowbourn making their way to Reeve's doors. They bore wooden shields and the long spears of Riders; wrapped near the butt of the man's spear was a white cloth that blew gently in the breeze, and he bore a sword at his side. He was a tall man, standing taller than Haedley and was broad at his shoulders with strong arms. The other seemed perculiar to Haedley's eyes, she also bore a sword with her, but hers was longer and wider. She kept it on her back, though Haedley did not like the sight it much. That led him to gaze upon the face of the woman and then there was wonder in his eyes. She seemed rough to him, but beautiful and she some how reminded him of a flower that he liked very much.
The two were halted by the Door Warden, and then they spoke with him for a while. Haedley wished to know what they were speaking of, yet he did not move from his post; instead he stood there, hoping that there would be an order for their weapons to be yield. His innocent and young eyes seemed to absently gaze upon the woman who did not notice him all the while. Then the sun fell behind the plains to the West and the sky had begun to grow dark; stars began to greet through the thin layers of clouds and clear skies, yet Haedley paid no heed to it, nor the quietening of the Harwick as folk began to close their doors for supper. For supper time it was.
Then the order was given and the Guardsmen were to relieve the two Riders of their weapons. Haedley made sure that he was the first to approach the woman, and one by one her weapons were reluctantly laid into his care; her spear first and then that great sword that he did not like, but she would not yield her shield to him. Meanwhile the man seemed to freely offer his weapons over to the other Guardsman, seeming to give no trouble in the matter.
"Your shield." Haedley requested to the woman, but she was only unpleased, "Why should my shield be taken," she rebelled, "it's for defense!" Meanwhile in his mind Haedley wished to know her name, but he could not ask. Instead he insisted on her shield that she eventually surrendered to him. He smiled at her and then went off to store the weapons while the door warden granted them entry to the Mead Hall. Haedley was now disappointed, he thought that he may never speak with the woman again, and that she would leave as quickly as she came.
"Haedley!" Called the Door Warden as he approached him near the piled weapons. Haedley quickly looked to him and saluted, "Yes, sir?" He inquired.
"I will need you to stay on your post but a little while longer," said the Door Warden, "I will go speak with Thane and see what he will happen with the Reeve and see what is to happen with those two. My apologies to keep you; were it not for their weapons then you would have had leave now." Haedley for a moment seemed to reluctant, because he wished to see Alodie and her garden as soon as he may, "Very well sir," He said, mustering a brave smile, "I will wait." With a salute the two parted their ways and Haedley went to stand beside the Thane's doors, and the Door Warden went into the Mead Hall.
Those moments seemed to drag and Haedley was growing anxious. As much as he wished to see the woman again he wished to see his mother's garden, knowing now that he will only behold it the fire-light of nearby torches already disappointed him. The night seemed to grow cold, but there was a peace in it. There were little sounds to be heard throughout Harwick, and the folk were calm. Save for those who were merry making in the tavern down at the gate, but to this Haedley put no thoughts. He managed a smile as the time went on, and so his thoughts began to wonder upon the woman who had seen earlier. He wondered what her name was, and he thought that she would have an interesting story to tell. He could not think of why she reminded him of a specific, but she did; then he was thinking that beneath her rough edges that she may be gentle and fragile. This he thought absurd, and foolish. He completely dismissed the thought of it only moments before the Door Warden returned from the hall with news.
"You are relieved with a task:" He said to the nearby guards, "Those who yielded weapons of the two Riders of Snowbourn are to take them to the barracks and place them by open beds where they shall spend the night." These words fell graciously upon Haedley's ears. He bowed his head to the Door Warden and went to collect the woman's gear once more. He carried them from the hall to the barracks with some haste in his step, nearly dropping her sword as he went. Yet he carefully put it back in place with a sigh. The other Guard watched Haedley's strange behaviour from far behind, he was walking slowly and wondered what Haedley's rush was. He did not think to inquire.
Then Haedley came onto the barracks and went straight to the sleeping chambers. Then he thought of something: He knew that the bunk beneath his own was unnocuppied, and an idea came to mind. He set woman's gear down carefully before the bed where she would notice it, and the sudden thought of the flower came into mind again. Not only did it remind him of the woman this time, but it also reminded him that he wanted to see Alodie's garden and so off he went as quick as he can. Hurrying from the barracks without thinking to remove his armour, he grew weary quickly and needed breath. All that guided him through the night were the torched lit upon the path. Once his breath was regained he went on again, slowly this time.
When he came to Alodie's home, he quickly grabbed the bucket and was off to the well. With haste he filled it and returned, then watered the flowers almost hurriedly. Then he paused and stared as he beheld the flower that the woman reminded him off, he gazed upon it with some wonder and he felt strange inside, yet he was able to smile. He kneeled and reached for one. It was a pink flower with many petals and a fresh smell came from it; it was a rare flower, and was very difficult to find anywhere else in The Wold. Then Haedley plucked the flower and kept it with him, he felt an odd happiness stirring within him ever time he gazed upon it.
Before he left Alodie's home he went in to see her, and glad she was to see him as happy as he looked. She wished to know the reason as to why he was smiling so, but he would not say. Instead he bid her a hearty good night kissed her cheek. Then he left and went back to the barracks, quickly making for the sleeping quarters. Slowly he came up the stairs, looking carefully to see of the two Riders were there yet; he was wary of being caught, for he had strange intentions that day, and he did not know what drove them.
He was pleased to see that they were not yet at their bunks, thus he went to the woman's shield and gently laid the flower down upon it where he was certain she could see it. He knew that he did not have any time to waste, and so he turned and hurried down stairs, ere he was seen by other soldiers or was found by the two Riders.
Only then did he remember that he was hungry, for he had begun to gather his wits, it was lunch since he had had his last meal, so he quickly went to the main hall in the barracks where the Soldiers were eating their supper. He made sure that he received his fill and went to sit on his own, glancing towards the door as he ate. He thought that the woman would come in at any moment, worsly he thought that she would know that it was he who placed the flower there for her. Then he was fearful of what she would think of this, he thought that perhaps he should go back upstairs and remove the flower. Thus he he grew anxious once more, unsure of what to do. He seemed to eat in a bit of a hurry, and some folk who noticed his strange behaviour seemed to murmur among one another. Few them knew Haedley well, but he was still brother among them. They wondered why he was being so strange.
Then something unfortunate happened. As soon as Haedley got up from his table he saw the two Riders come in. He panicked and quicker than he stood he sat himself down, hiding his face. Would they notice him? He wondered, and feared, keeping his face hidden. Now he suddenly had the desire to hide, like a turtle when in peril would hide itself in its shell. He wished that he was the turtle, but had no shell to hide himself in. He waited, and waited before he dared opening his eyes. Lo and behold they were no longer there, he sighed with relieved, but did not dare to go to the sleeping quarters. He sat there, quietly brooding. However, his behaviour did not go unnoticed, but those who saw left him be, and he was content with that. He needed no more embarrassment, his cheeks were already flushed.
More than half an hour had passed before he got up. Many of the other soldiers had already gone off to bed, there were few now in the hall, discussing matters amongst themselves. Haedley hoped deeply that the two Riders had gone to sleep. Yet he did not dare to go to the sleeping quarters, instead he paced around the main hall trying to gather his thoughts, and think of the right tact. He thought of sleeping somewhere else that night, but shunned the thought. He would not find any open beds at this time of night. So! Eventually Haedley managed to muster his courage and made for the sleeping quarters.
There were stairs that climbed to where there beds were, and railings across either side of the planks upon which the sleeping quarters were help. He took slow steps, and with ever step there was a creaking sound upon the wood. He paused to clench his eyes shut and cursed. He continued, slower, but the sound was still there. a thump, thump, thump came with each of his steps, that seemed to take forever. He grew nervous, shy, afraid, any many other things in his mind of mixed feelings. Eventually after a long moment of ascending the stairs his head protruded above the level of planks and he looked to where the woman's shield was. The flower was gone, but he did not see on the lower bunk where he thought she would be. The man was sleeping upon the bed which he was assigned to, but he could not see the woman. He thought that she was gone, and then he was gladdened and relieved.
Then suddenly a familiar voice called out from above,
"You!"
