Hofgaer
Braid-Man.His name was actually Hofgaer, but to me he will always be Braid-Man.I first saw him when I one day entered the Pony to seek out the company of Geirdrifa. He was one of his friends and introductions were made.
What a handsome man he was! Very tall and muscular with a rough, but handsome face. Golden hair that fell below his shoulders, part of it braided as were common in the lands he hailed from.I immediately took a liking to him, he was easy to like and even easier to be around with his carefree nature and contagious laughter.
I think we both took a liking to each other, but not in the way that you might think.We developed a relationship of our own, one I've never had with anyone. It was as if I had suddenly gotten a brother, a brother I could love and respect, not like the bastards born into my so called family.
Many were the women that probably thought that there were more between us than what was shown.But so it was not.Never did I think of him in that way, and I doubt he ever looked at me the same way he oogled other women.For him, I was just like a sister to tease and jest with.
We used to drink alot, me ale of course, he preferred mead.And we jested and laughed, mostly in the company of Geirdrifa and Frostbite, the dwarf with the iron foot.
I have many fond memories of him. How he braided my hair to make me look like the women of his homelands,giving me a new name " Nellye Braid-kin". How he used to stand by me in the Tavern, an arm easily slung around my shoulders, an arm that grew heavier as the mead quickly disappeared down his throat.How he used to ruffle my hair, only to bark out a loud laughter afterwards.He was a jester, I tell you.
He was a ladies man.Always looking at the women in the Tavern, measuring them up then leaning down to whisper in my ear " Now that one has a good arse on her!". How I used to laugh! My answer would always be the same, I used to reach up and pull one of his braids and tell him to go after her.
And the women they sure liked him.Eyeing him up as if he was meat at the butchers stall, but he didn't mind. He always took that in the best way, and I think he really enjoyed it to be honest. A few looks exchanged between him and a woman and suddenly his arm fell from my shoulders and off he went, chasing a new skirt.
It still makes me chuckle to think about. That man never awoke in the same bed twice, of that I'm sure! And sometimes I wonder how many angry husbands were after him.
Of course when they saw his stature, they would probably have a change of mind , swallow their pride and go the other way.
And one day he was gone.Just like everyone else.Probably got hired on somewhere or had simply left to go home. Who knows?
Wherever you are Braid-Man, may luck and fortune walk by your side.And pretty lasses!
Penned in at a later time.Blotchy ink stains telling of it being scribbled in perhaps a hurry.
He is back!
The joy when I saw him walk into the Pony made my heart pound faster! Not even a blink of an eye passed before I stepped up to him to once again pull one of those braids of his.The warmth that surrounded my heart when he turned around and lifted me off the floor into a great, warm hug and a kiss to the cheek, is not easily described. It was so was pleasant to see him again! To hear that booming laugther again!
Oh it was worth the wait, I tell you.
I know that a man like him will soon wander off again, but I do hope I will get to enjoy his company for a little while just yet.
