Yllfa speaks :
“Westu Goldmod hal!”
After a moment's consideration I gave my greeting to the ruddy faced guard, standing to the right of the main gate.
The only folk seeking entry to Edoras that late afternoon were the other tired travellers I had ridden with from Snowbourn. They were mostly an assorted group of merchants, transporting their wares in wagons. Two guards rode with us, men who seemed used to herding the less-alert along the safest paths. There was one other man upon a fine radhors, a well crafted sword, hilt at least, poking from the scabbard tied to his saddle. He had kept to himself on the journey, but looked as if he would be a useful sort should anything threaten. And there was me, riding Wynn.
“I seek entry to the city. My purpose is to stay for a few weeks, in one of the Taverns most likely. My business is to seek information on the present standing of my grandfather’s croft,” I stated clearly the usual information a gateward of Edoras required.
The guard turned from a now passing wagon to regard me.
“Aye, Goldmod, it is Yllfa, daughter of Beormund and Yrsa, finally returned from the north. How is the knee?”
His icy blue eyes narrowed. Taking a firmer hold of the spear he held, he looked up to face me directly. Then there was a hint of a twitch at a corner of his mouth. He remembered!
“It’s been fine since the day you kissed it,” he replied with a growing grin.
There was a brief guffaw from his companion on the left side of the gate, who had been struggling a little with the demands of the radhors rider.
“What? What, Hablod?” Goldmod swung round hands held wide, suggesting frequent banter between both men. “ I fell in the market when I was but seven winters of age. Yllfa kissed my knee better!”
“I was but five winters,” I added in support. “And it was the only medicine I knew.”
Hablod snorted ‘If that’s what you say’. But the shorter, brown haired man, had a duty to fulfil, and an impatient rider before him. It was my suspicion he kept any further comments till later.
Goldmod was still grinning as he turned back to me. ‘Little Yllfa, eh! It has been years since I last saw you...you have grown!”
I was far too old to blush at his comment, but grinned nonetheless. “I was fourteen winters when last you saw me, and that at the market again, making preparation for my family to travel to Forlaw.”
“Forlaw, yes, I remember now. Something about your Uncle, yes?” Goldmod frowned as he relaxed his stance.
I nodded.
“And you return now for information on Cenulf’s croft? Humm...I can only tell you that your uncle was not the man Cenulf was.”
I leaned forwards across Wynn’s withers, aware I was holding up the line but wanting to learn anything I could. “I know the croft was barely sustainable. My grandmother, Lofa, sent word to my father and I before she died. We were told my uncle was a shame to her, that she wished my grandfather had held to his instincts instead of tradition.”
“Humm, that’s about right. He gambled away most that remained, livestock, furniture...wagon...and, he did not care for the horses, rather left them without feed or shelter.”
The expression on Goldmod’s face said it all. There was not much lower any man could fall than to mistreat his horses.
“Thank you old friend,” I smiled grimly at the confirmation “We heard rumours even in Harwick. But I am here because I also learned my uncle has fled the Westfold, possibly even the Mark? If the farm is a ruin, with bills unpaid...well, as the only other blood-kin I seek to reclaim my heritage. It depends on whether I can settle the bills.”
The wagon driver behind me in the line called out “Come on now, Mistress Yllfa, we all want to get settled in.”
Turning to wave, I replied “Just one more moment, friend.”
“I hope you have some savings, or something to trade then, Yllfa.” Goldmod said with earnest concern. “And I wish you well. I also wish you had returned some years sooner.”
“Bah, wanting more kissing? Wait till I tell Olfete.” Hablod rumbled on as he gave leave to the rider to pass, and approached the next wagon.
Goldmod shrugged off the threat. “Ah well, I am married now to a fine enough woman. If you stay long enough Yllfa, I will ask her about having you at our home for a meal. We can talk about falling on ice, and snowball fights, and high-tower building, eh?”
He winked, a friendly wink. At least there was one person here who remembered me. I hoped I would encounter others.
Standing again to attention, Goldmod waved me on saying “You may enter. Cause no trouble.”
I winked back as I rode past. I intended to find a few friends - a new life for myself, not cause trouble. But I made no promise.
