“No matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.”
After a time, a kindly man appeared carrying her boots. He cautioned her that it was not wise for a lass in her condition to sit barefoot on the cold floor, he urged her to come with him, but Neyaa refused to move. There was only one person who could make her feel safe, her eyes pleaded as much as her words as she stammered though sobs "Hardoleth".
Neyaa began to rock back and forth softly reciting the names of the Mearas, when her comforting ritual was interrupted by a familiar voice "You should not sit there". Relief washed over her as he helped her to her feet, she clung to him and told him the grave news. Hardoleth kissed her forehead and calmly told her that death comes to all. Neyaa ran her hand over her stomach "Deorgast is dead, soon there will be a new life, it is as if there is a balance that has to be made". Hardoleth looked lost in thought a moment and muttered something she didn't quite hear about the balance not always being equal.
Hardoleth took her hand and led her back to the common room. It transpired that he had received ill tidings of his own earlier which he shared with her as ever in his calm, considered, pragmatic way. Blince had sought him out earlier that day to deliver the news that Lourie a woman he described as having had relations with, at the time he had began to know Neyaa, had died. Neyaa felt a fleeting moment of envy at hearing of a former lover, a wicked thought that quickly vanished. And as if there had not been enough talk of death that day, it was revealed that Lourie's child Lissbeth was also dead, and that the child was Hardoleth's. It was the first he knew of the child.
They returned to the DawnHall shortly after he told her, they rode together in silence most of the way, yet Neyaa was convinced, possibly more wishful thinking, that her presence, even if silent was a comfort to him, as his was to her. As they lay down together not a word was spoken, Neyaa reflected on the days events. She did not know the woman Lourie or her child, yet was greatly saddened at the news of their death. She had no idea how this would have affected Hardoleth, and he would likely never tell her, and if he did it would not be at her prompting.
And what of Deorgast? the man known as Strawhead, a kinsman, a rider of Rohan! What had happened to him? Had the men from his company, who had thought him a deserter and beaten him within an inch of his life, found him again and finished the job? She had so many questions. Once again, the tears fell as she forced her thoughts to drift to happier memories, the camping trips, the talks in the orchard, the times she had teased him and made him blush. Deorgast, was like Fiontann, he had never had desires for her, his love for her was purely as a friend, as was hers for him. She would never forget him, she would tell all who would listen, Deorgast was no coward, no deserter, he was a man of honour and she would make sure that was the legacy he would leave.
Fond memories of when Deorgast would visit Neyaa at the farm and they would talk in the Orchard.
Deorgast, Fiontann, Neyaa and Dataak on a camping trip in the North Downs.
Neyaa, Fiontann, Deorgast and Dataak in the North Downs.
