An oath is not something to be lightly made. Not if you have any honour, any integrity. Not if you have any doubt you can keep it. And oaths once made are held most highly among our people. Aye, oaths and promises alike can rule your life, can cost your life...can take your freedom from you.
I was never one for oath making.
It was time for us to leave Aldburg. We had been guests in the Mead Hall when Waelden had been called away by Lord Tiubar. We had been treated well, and much courtesy had been grated us, even to our own small rooms in yjr loft area.
But now he had returned, a little weary and bruised, but none the worse for his mission. Not physically. What it cost him mentally every time he lost any men, I could only guess. He was cheered to see Ethel and I again, and once clean, to take us in his arms. We were family again. Those two further nights refreshed us for the ride that lay ahead.
It was back to Floodwend for him, but this time Ethel and I would ride too. We were going to say ‘farewell’ to the home in which Ethel had been born, to the home he had loved for so long, the only home she had known until half a year ago. Ethel was likely going to remember her mama, and perhaps even seek her blessing, as I had, sitting on a small hillock between the dyke and the Barrowfield outside of Edoras’ walls. Waelden was likely to want to speak with his beloved Eda, his wife.
So it was with some apprehension I rode out. We were going to collect the last of his and Ethel’s belongings, to fetch Rags their cat (Who would likely contend with Kitta for the best place at our hearth) to say ‘Until we meet again’ to their friends in Floodwend. And we would see them again, for Waelden was still Lord Tiubar’s man, and had his own oath to the Thane of Floodwend to fulfill. Ethel, on the other hand, had a boar’s skull to deliver.
While Waelden and Ethel were preparing our horses, I spoke with the steward of the hall, giving our thanks to his provision. "How could we repay him?" I asked. But the usual reply of the honour and duty of offering hospitality was his reply.
Now I was to finally ride Wynn properly again, and lead the loaned horse from Edoras so he could pull the wagon we would hire for the return journey. I had spoken with Waelden that I was thinking of purchasing the horse upon our return to Edoras, as he had been a true and trusty mount.
“We can always use a good workhorse,” Waelden had replied. “He is strong, but tired of war and battle. He would enjoy some everyday work instead.”
The horse would need a suitable name though. I was not so keen on calling him ‘Old horse’ any more than I was keen on continuing to call Ethel’s dog ‘Dog’.
My mare, Wynn, was still not quite herself, but the rest and good company of Mea’s horse, and Roan, of now having Ealfin back, and a visit from Brynleigh had all seen her take a turn for the better. A good stretch of her legs would help even further I deemed.
So we met at the stables. Ethel was already mounted on Roan, her quiver and bow attached and her travel bags over the saddle. Her prized possession was carefully wrapped in a separate bag. Dog was running around close to her, watching with loyal and excited eyes. He would have no idea where we were heading, but he would follow Ethel anyway.
“Yllfa, are we ready to go?” she called to me eagerly as I approached.” It’s been ages since I had breakfast and soon I will be hungry again.”
“We can’t have you hungry out on the plains of the Mark now, dear.” Waelden was methodically checking Ealfin’s readiness. He smiled over at me.
“It’s alright, Ethel, I have packed travel food for four” I patted the saddle bags I carried over my shoulder, as I approached a welcoming Wynn. I was ready to go. I was ready to be heading home to the farm, but I knew this needed doing first.
“Ahhh, you think I eat a lot,”
“You do!,” Waelden retorted to Ethel, with a chuckle.
Ethel laughed and shrugged. ‘Sorry papa, I am just keen to show off the boar’s skull in Floodwend. I can’t wait to see his face.” She turned Roan’s head towards the gate.
I checked Wynn’s hooves over again, felt her fetlocks, checked the girth of the saddle. She turned her head to nudge me from behind. ‘Hurry up’ she was saying. I was listening to the conversation. I knew what that boar’s skull meant to Ethel, and who she intended to throw it at.
“You better make a good show of that. I have been looking forward to it,” Waelden replied to Ethel, as he swung up onto Ealfin. A final look round, and he seemed satisfied we met muster.
“Don’t you worry, papa. I am going to make a good show of it. All the other children will see, and I will show them the bow and quiver Uncle Elfmar gave me...” Ethel rode Roan closer to Ealfin, and gave Waelden a light punch on the arm, as she had often done until recently.
“Opps, younger moment there!” she excused herself.
Waelden reached out to take his daughter's hand and squeeze it. “Don’t ever change, girl. This will be the last time we see our old house as it was. What do you think of that?’
“Well, I will know better when we are there. I am a bit sad, but more excited. I am not a child anymore you know. I will say goodbye to mama,” Ethel looked to me a moment, and bobbed her head, “And to my friends.”
“We can say goodbye to mama together?”
“I would like that,” Ethel whispered.
And I felt...oh….I felt just a little excluded I suppose, but I understood. Both of them cared for me. Both of them had lost the one they loved most.
“But we have to get there first, “Waelden said, now turning Ealfin closer to Wynn. He reached across to take my hand for an instant, probably knowing this was not so easy for me. I smiled. I understood.
“Then let's go.“ said Ethel.
