On the afternoon of our fourth day under Northgyth’s roof, she called me to speak with her in her own rooms at the back of the shop. Waelden had gone out for a walk along the track he had found that led to the lake, likely taking time to think on his own. Ethel had been playing with Herne and her papa’s goat. Both were safe, in my mind. No harm would befall them while they were out of my sight...I hoped.
The previous night I had woken in the early hours in something of a restless fever, disturbing Waelden who drew me closer to him whispering “It’s alright, dear.” Herne was snoring from the other side of the room. Both man and dog were reassuringly relaxed. But in my dream I had seen the glass of the large window of our new room shatter, and a hail of arrows fly through. There was a now familiar voice, “Did I hit anything, you old gafr?! Perhaps that dihiryn, that little rascal of yours?!” it said again. Ethel! He has slain Ethel, I thought, fighting the rising distress, and fire in my blood. But it was a dream of course. With waking vision I knew not to worry. I hoped not to worry.
Northgyth continued to do all she could to help me and my family. Her rooms, for she had three, were plainly but well furnished. They had enough tables, chairs and cupboards, though all had seen better days. She had not given us her cast offs and retained better things for herself. Tapestries hung on her walls, adding faded colour and reminding any who saw them of past glories of our men. One had a group of twelve women standing in a circle, and each passing food or mead to their neighbour. My eyes alighted on that a moment more than on those of battles.
“Ah, I see you like my tapestry of our sisterhood” the older woman said with a small smile.
“I have never seen one quite like it,” I replied earnestly. “Most tapestries record our men or horses.”
She actually chuckled, a rich and enlivening sound. “And rightly so, for many give their all to keep us safe. But, without us, what would their lives be, eh? Without us making family and home and community for them to return to, their lives would be shallow things. At least, that’s what my husband used to say.”
Though the tapestry was new to me, that thought was not. We each had our part to play in safeguarding our land and culture. “We take care of ourselves, but we also take care of each other.” I said. “It is still a new thing for me to live out, as apart from my father, I have been alone for a long time. But I always knew to care about others, to try and be moderate in my behaviour and to work to the good of the community was the best path. It is only in this last year I have had a chance to truly live that out.”
She listened, she nodded slowly like some wise one among our people as she took a seat in a high backed chair between the large, half empty table and a spinning wheel. “I know,” she said enigmatically.
“Your husband died some time ago, may I ask?” I inquired after her own well being.
“I asked you here to talk about you and your family, not talk about myself, Yllfa.” Northgyth’s tone was direct, but not unkindly. She reached down into a basket of carded wool near her chair, picking up a handful and beginning to spin it into thread.
“Fate is a strange thing, eh? Were you fated to find me and Ymma here I wonder? “ She drew a deep breath before continuing. “I tend to think so, as I shall only remain here until midwinter. In the meantime I will aid you as best I can.”
“You are leaving Bancross?”
She held up a hand for a moment. I knew, I was not there to talk about her. But for a moment the future felt a little less certain. How long would it take for Waelden and I to find a place of our own?
“Now I do not make a habit of offering advice, your path is your own to tread. But it seems to me you have been dealt a poor hand at this time. You have an enemy. And you have a family. So this is what I propose.” She turned to me with serious, knowing eyes. “I have little use for the room under the one I have already given you. Your family may use that too. I will send a little more furnishings later today, when I have time to aid Ymma moving it from the barn. You may arrange it as you wish. You may stay as long as I am here, at the charge of two coins a month.”
I must have looked shocked at her offer. I was shocked. It was almost as if one of the ancestors was looking out for me.
She smiled again, took up more wool, and continued working.”But I ask something in return.”
Perhaps I should have been concerned by that, but there was something trustworthy about her that I could not deny.
“Something of me?”
“Aye, she-wolf. Something of you.”
I left her rooms with much to consider. I was not afraid, only a little more aware of what likely lay ahead. My word had been given. It was not an oath as such, nor a bribe. It seemed to me it was more an exchange. A ‘gift’ for a ‘gift’. But would I still think that when it was time to play my part?
My musings were put aside as I heard the voices of Waelden and Ethel, the other side of the door. She seemed to have lost Herne for the moment, as was telling her papa she would be off looking for her wayward hound. I heard her feet making for the main door, and it swing shut.
So it was time to let Waelden know of our good fortune, and of as much of my and Northgyth’s words as I was free to mention.
“Was Ethel alright, Greybeard?”
He turned at my voice, a little more at ease as each day progressed, though certainly not off guard.
“Aye, dear. She has been wandering a little and lost Herne. He wont be far.”
“He will come to her if he sees her, and he will come for bacon. Either way, I am sure we shall be graced with his presence soon.” I walked over to give Waelden a hug, my ‘home’ whatever may come. He wrapped his arms around me, drawing me close.
“You had a good walk? Would you care for another before the evening meal?” I thought he looked just a little disappointed, so I added swiftly “Ymma has spoken much of the garrison down near the gate. She places much confidence in the guards there.. I can only see images of them, watching us then waving us on from a distance when we arrived. Perhaps we should go and introduce ourselves?”
Now I knew that would interest him, in fact it was likely something he would have suggested very soon himself.
He nodded, kissed me on the cheek and replied, “That does sound good to me. I will just see if I can find something else you have washed to put on. This jacket has already proved too warm.”
“One moment, dear. There is something I have to tell you that I think will please you.”
“Oh? Do tell. Any good news is welcome these days?” he said with curiosity.
So I told him what had happened. Most of it. “Northgyth likes our company. She said we have brought life to the place again, even in our present state. We may stay until midwinter if we need to, and … she wants us to have all this side of the house!”
Waelden took a deep breath, and nodded to me. It was one less matter to think about. He smiled.
“Two coins a month is all she will take. She is all but paying us to be here. Though I have said I will help her out in the shop or fields when she needs me.”
And at that Waelden chuckled openly. It was good to hear him laugh. “I can’t believe it,” he said, shaking his head. “But I am not one to turn away from such a generous offer either. Two coins a month, are you sure?”
It was my turn to chuckle. “Aye, I am sure. And she is sending us more furniture.”
He released his hold, and moved towards the stairs, “And Ethel, she seems fine. She has been riding Roan and playing with Herne. But I can see she is keeping things close inside still. We need to keep a watch on her.”
“We need to make sure we are here for her when she needs us.”
“Yes. Don’t push her. I know my daughter. She will come around when she needs it.”
“I will help her all I can...but on her terms,” I called up the staircase, as I heard Waelden moving around upstairs. Then he was on the landing. “I found this old jacket. Not the best of pieces, but it will do.”
I looked down at the dress I wore. The beige and tan garment came under the same description as Waeldens lightly padded brown jacket. “Well, we are not about to take a parade around Meduseld.” I missed my favourite and often worn dress. That had been lost in the fire.
Waelden was still a little lighter of spirit. “Nay, were we at that level of standing, I would be surprised myself. I don’t need a parade.”
“I think, at this moment, we suit a calmer way of life.” I said, as we headed for the door. “Now…the garrison is to the right, further down the road.”
“Yes.” he replied, “ I wandered near the edge of the field. It’s on the other side of the road. It is well guarded. There are watchtowers, and archers along the fence to the main road into the village."
It wasn’t far. We walked side by side, though in silence as we took in the surrounding fields and meadows. The sky was still bright, though there was a very faint tinge of pink to the west. It made me feel increasingly alive. Northgyth’s words about fate and destiny were still ringing in my ears. We were meant to be here?
