Haedley hurried off through the streets of Harwick, not even noticing that he had forgotten his armour in his witlessness. His mind was a mess and he had not even time to think of it. His mind was now bent onto the worry of what may become of him, and on top of it all he was hungry. His blonde braid was bobbing upon his back and some folk turned to greet him, but he did not notice at all. Then soon he arrived at the path to the Mead Hall and skid into a stop, now calming down and gasping for breaths as he approached.
As he approached, the Door Warden gave him a grave look as though knowing that something bad was to happen concerning him. Then Haedley's fear and worry was so great that he nearly turned and went back to the Barracks. He hesitated and stooped, gathering his breaths before braving another task that may rob him of them. He approached the Door Warden and they exchanged a greeting in stout nods. Yet there was a lingering silence, the Door Warden himself was reluctant and casted a distracted glance up the stairs and towards the doors of the Mead hall. "Haedley," he said at length and those very words seemed to shake him.
"Aye, Captain?" He asked, and there seemed to be now a lingering silence between the two of them. At length the Door Warden sighed and made a gesture towards the dooble doors of the Mead hall and spoke, "The Reeve wishes to see you," he said regretfully and He could see in Haedley's eyes that Haedley was afraid, for Haedley seemed shaken by those words and he swallowed down. He was once more near crying as he stood before the stairs. It took great courage for him to begin to climb those stairs, each step coming down with reluctace; each step felling heavy, as though his feet wished to plant upon the ground and keep him there. Step, after step, after step he went. He climbed and stood upon the porch and the doors were opened before him.
There was always a fire burning in the hall, keeping it hot and the smell of food was burning. He remembered his hunger and his stomach gave a growl. The servants were going here and there in hall, tending to lunch, setting platters upon the tables and preparing bowls. But Haedley knew that he could none of it now, for he would not dare anger the Reeve more than he already had.
And though the hall was full he felt as though he was alone, and the figure of Reeve Aldor Harding seeming to grow greater upon his high seat at the end of the hall upon an altar; he watched Haedley's coming and in Haedley's eyes he seemed to grow bigger in stature as his shape grew when it did while he came near. His steps through the hall were mind-throttling, for once more they felt slow and heavy. He did not know what he would say, he did not know how to defend himself. Doubting that the truth would nearly be acceptable. Though he was still witless. Witless enough to walk right into one of the servant woman and she nearly dropped an empty platter, but instead of him apologizing she did, "Sorry, Haedley!" she said and gave him a kind smile, she could tell that he was nervous but would not ask. She doubted that he would be there for any other reason other than seeing the Reeve who sat upon his seat. She did not know what it was, but she bid him that it went well and then let him be on his way. She went to attend to other matters, but the thought of her nor what happened did not linger much on his mind, other than the thought that the Reeve had just seen it happening.
Haedley climbed the altar and stood before the Reeve. Then he felt like a twig before a great oaken power. Reeve Aldor Harding seemed to gaze upon Haedley with impatience, he was leaned back upon his seat, he seemed to be considering what he had in store for Haedley. Haedley found difficulty to speak words, yet he thought that the Aldor would not speak until he did. Thus he bowed nervously and greeting, "Westu Reeve Aldor hál," He said. then Aldor gave a nod, "Greetings, Haedley." He replied, and his very words seemed to shake Haedley. Haedley was truly terrified of what to come, and he could not hide this. Aldor could perceive this, yet he mercy did not put him where he sat now and what Haedley had done was no small charge in his eyes, "Where have you been, Haedley?" asked Aldor with no hesitation in his tone, "At the Barracks, Reeve!" said Haedley, swallowing, "And what were you doing?" Aldor pressed him swiftly with another question, "Speaking with someone, Reeve," Haedley answered and he seemed to grow nervous again. There was silence and Aldor seemed to have fallen to brooding thoughts.
Then Aldor spoke, "Then I am sorry, Haedley son of Haeden, you are no longer fit to guard my doors. Instead I will charge you with duty," the door was opened and some men were beginning to come in for lunch, "Go now, have lunch with the others and then speak with the Captain of the Guard of your new charge, he will assign you rightly, I am sure." He gave Haedley a nod in fare well, and Haedley nearly stood before Aldor and cried at that moment, he was hurt, devastated, yet it was his own fault for what had happened. He could not simply stand up and speak back to the Reeve, he was thankful for still being allowed within the walls of Harwick. "Thank you, Reeve Aldor," he said and bowed lower before making his way to descend the stairs, but Aldor's gaze lingered upon him and watched as Haedley went to sit in his lonesome and wait for his lunch.
When Haedley stood up after lunch he looked miserable, many people saw him but never bothered to ask what was wrong. He made for the door and left, passing the door warden without a single word to say, even though the Door Warden looked upon his distancing back in pity. He disappeared about the wall and was no longer in the Warden's sight.
Haedley then went to the Guard Captain and received his new duty. He was assigned to the South tower of Harwick and he disliked the thought of it. Sadly he went to his tower, taking no note of folk who gazed upon him as he passed by. Up, up, up the stairs he went and found himself in a high place with nothing beautiful to gaze upon. Naught but the dry plains of the wolds as far as his gaze could see. He could not see any flowers from so high, nor were they on his mind. He wondered what Melowen would think of him now; having been shamefully demoted to a position that nobody can truly enjoy.
Once the sun had set it was time for him to return to the barracks, his mood was so foul that he had not eaten. He immediately went to find his bed and lied himself down upon it, closed his eyes and dreamt his problems away. And before he knew it it was morning again and he was awakening, he pushes himself up and rubbed his eyes, knowing now that he needed breakfast. Melowen was the last thing on his mind now, and his mind was a true mess. The beds which the two travellers used were empty, but their weapons were still by their beds. He thought that they may have been busy elsewhere and just went down the noisy stairs to the feasting hall of the barracks.
Then lo and behold, he found Melowen sitting alone and eating breakfast. The sight of her lightened his heart somewhat, but not enough to wholly fend away his foul mood. He went to get his own breakfast from the servants and then went to sit by her, drawing her attention.
"Good Morning."
They greeted one another.
Though Melowen could tell that something was wrong with him, thus she asked.
"What's wrong?"
Haedley seemed nervous, he was embarassed and truly was ashamed of what had happened. He did not know how to explain it to her, though he knew that he wished to do so.
"I got into trouble yesterday - for being late."
He said sadly.
"I am sorry,"
Said Melowen, feeling that she was to blame for it.
Though neither wished to argue on who was to blame, so Haedley thought that it was best to move on and continue explaining to her.
"I am a tower guard now,"
He said.
"That's not so bad,"
Said Melowen.
"Perhaps not, but guarding the Reeve's doors was a true honour to me, for if Harwick were beseiged then all that would stand between the Reeve and his foes are the door guards."
Said Haedley.
"You were good at what you did,"
said she smiling sadly.
"Thank you Shield-maiden."
He responded.
He felt that she would see the praise in his words, he dearly hoped so. And even though she may have she still protested:
"I'm earning that honour."
She said.
"You have much honour,"
Said Haedley in response,
"I think you already to be a shield-maiden. Why else would have been so upset when I asked to take your shield?"
Then they laughed together as they continued to eat, continuing their conversation between. it seemed that Haedley's mood was bettering as he conversed with her, and it was as though all of his troubles were wandering away as thoughts of Melowen came to mind.
"It was... yes, like... it's not meant to be harmful, so why are you folks asking for it? Felt like I was threatened!"
She responded, but her mind changed as she went on,
"But then again... I shouldn't have, I lack discipline, still."
She finished.
"It is still out of place in the Thane's hall."
Said Haedley, but his minded seemed to change and he asked a different question,
"When are you leaving?"
"I don't know for sure,"
she started,
"Ceorlgar was always somewhere else in these days, and I need to confer with him, for that. I imagine it will be soon, though, unless there's something specific we need to do here."
Then Haedley thought of another question, but grew wary lest the questions begin to annoy her. Though it was in his concern and in his heart he wished for her to answer with a yes.
"Will I see you again before you leave?"
He asked, smiling at her.
"Yes, I promise."
She said.
Then Haedley was content with his breakfast, happy. He could not go to his long duty in the tower and know that he would see her again ere she left, this was a true relief to him, but there was still many things on his mind that concerned her. Now she was all that he could think of, but before he leaved he thought that he needed to give her words that were sweeter than sugar and so he spoke.
"When you leave... And I pick flowers for each day. I will try to keep them and then give them to you when come back,"
He said,
"I promise."
"And for-..."
She stopped, reaching for the flower that Haedley gave her, she still had it with her and she began to count the petals,
"For each petal on this flower I will kill another orc for you."
And then Haedley's heart was gladdened, for she still kept the flower that he had given her and he could smile as he had not smiled for many hours, but it was time for him to depart and he wished to be in no more trouble with the Reeve.
"I must go now, you may come see me in the South tower if you wish."
He said, with great hopes.
And there they bid one another to have a pleasant day and parted ways, with lighter hearts, perhaps knowing that they would meet one another again at some point, and Haedley wondered if she truly would come see him in his tower. Perhaps she would, and he would love to see her do so, yet only time could answer him this question, but the day went on and his duties held him long.
