I had been dreaming. It was one of those dreams where I felt warm and safe, where I had been smiling rather a lot. It was a dream about a blanket and laying as close to the edge as I could, looking outwards. It ended with me being wrapped up in the middle and unable..unwilling to escape because I was laughing so much.
I knew what it was about even while asleep, and that’s a rare thing.
Then there was another sensation, part of the dream world and part not. He was stroking my hair.
“Time to wake up, my love” he whispered in my ear. “I have to be on my way. But I will see you and Ethel soon.”
He kissed me tenderly, more passionately as I became fully awake.
“I love you.”
And he was gone.
I remained in the bed awhile, still feeling the warmth from where he had lain. It was of no great significance this, he had told me the night before. It was duty, and he would obey. In truth I would have him do no less, even though it took him from me for the first time.
Cwendur had arrived at Aldburg, bearing a message from Lord Tiubar, in the early evening. He was well known to Waelden, a friend perhaps, though I had not heard his name before. We had been walking the streets of the old capitol, while Ethel had been engaged in archery practice. We had taken in the views and the beauty of the place, both thinking it fairer than Edoras. And then the rider from Floodwend arrived and overturned our immediate plans.
"Hail, Waelden, son of Eldewine! I heard I'd find you here, after first riding to Edoras, and then your farm. You're not an easy man to find. I have orders for you from Lord Tiubar. You are to return at once to Floodwend, for the lord has need of your skills."
“Cwendur! It’s been some time.”
Waelden took the letter handed to him and made to break the seal. 'What? Now? We are on our way to Floodwend, but not until a few days more. Can it wait?'
"Nay, the orders are for you to return immediately.”Cwendur replied, already turning his horse towards the stables. “And do not tarry overlong, nor bring your family with you. They are better here. You'll get all the details once you return.”
I saw the merest flicker of disappointment in Waelden’s eyes as he read. but he was Tiubar’s man, and would do as instructed.
"You have your orders, Waelden. I will escort you back, once you are ready. It would be preferable if we return tomorrow, so we'll need to ride with haste tonight, or at the very latest early morn."
Waelden nodded as he put the letter in his pocket. He did not seem thrilled by the content, but neither was he overly disturbed.
“'Very well. Early in the morn it is. Let me spend this night with my daughter and my woman, at least, before we go.”
"That is acceptable.” Cwendur called back. “ I'll stay in the tavern, but we ride at dawn, no later. You know the Lord is forgiving, but he also demands your services, as per your oath."
“'Aye, I know, and I will never disappoint him.”
I had been silent during the exchange, giving only a nod of acknowledgement to the rider.
Now I needed to know. Waelden turned to me, reaching out to take my hand, to lock our fingers as he often did.
He shook his head. “'Don't worry dear... it's nothing serious, by the sound of it. The letter says he has a valuable shipment that needs to go from Floodwend to Grimslade. No details above that, but if he requires me, it is likely something more than just pelts and wood.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “A shipment, aye..not a conflict?”
“If it was war he wanted me for, Cwendur wouldn't have let me stay the night.”
It would be the first time we were apart since we had shared that blanket on the floor of the Mead Hall in Entwade, I thought, each lying at the outer edge throughout the night, though he had offered me the whole blanket.
But this lying in bed would not do. I knew he was in no great danger. It would only be weeks before he returned, and I had an urgent request to make. Ethel and I could seek to stay in the tavern, but the one in Aldburg, unlike that at the gates of Edoras, was unknown to me. I did not want to presume upon any hospitality, but for Ethel’s sake at least I needed to ask the steward of the Halls if we could remain until Waelden returned.
