It was hard trying to fall asleep in Faldham’s Mead Hall.
I had found a quieter corner, away from the guards and the few folk still at the table. It was long since dark outside, and their talking was past the earlier merriment and banter of the place, falling into more mundane concerns, and the odd joke.
We appeared to be the only guests there. Not that Faldham was a favoured rest spot for any travelling Rohirrim, but that this was a place my beloved Waelden had spent much of his early life in. He knew Elfmar, the acting Thane, rather well and so we were always shown great courtesy when we visited. Elfmar was fond of Ethel, as it seemed were his wife and own children. On this occasion we also had a darkly brooding Duncadda with us.
None of the above was the reason I could not sleep. More, it was my mind trying to piece together our sudden change of plans.
Waelden, Ethel and I had intended leaving Bancross to search for the woman who may, or may not have cursed Waelden’s family line, some generations past. It was my…our only lead on why I was becoming weaker in body. No general poison this, but something more supernatural? All I knew, all Northgyth would say is I needed to find the cause soon if I were to live.
Well I knew the cause. That was a severing from the wolf spirit I called Isa, who had long been a silent guardian. No, I did not understand why I had a spirit with me. I knew of a few folk who had animal ‘friends or guides’, but this was something else, and seemingly connected with Waelden’s sword.
In my present state it was almost too much to think on.
When Cwendur had arrived in Bancross, but hours before we were to depart for the Entwash Vale, and gave Waelden instructions from Lord Tiubar to escort another wagon of weapons from Aldburg to Floodwend, my heart and hopes sank.
Waelden could not, would not naysay Ehris Tuibar. But Aldburg was in the opposite direction to that when we had planned. Had not the family curse originated in the area around Eaworth?
“I am coming with you,” I stated, as soon as the messenger had departed.
Waleden had looked at me keenly, likely thinking on the best path to follow.
“I cannot sit here and fade away.” I was not annoyed with Waelden of course. Just frustrated that it seemed my hopes were dashed. “Or I can travel to Fangorn alone.”
At that suggestion my Grey Beard shook his head determinedly. “Nay, She-Wolf, that is too dangerous by far. And we cannot know for certain where to look to help you. It could be in Aldburg, or Snowbourn or Stanguard. We are searching for a thread.”
“I would come with you to protect you, mama“ Ethel had been sitting quietly, for her. She missed nothing. ”But I think we should all travel together. That way you have Papa and I to look out for you.”
Scratching his beard, Waelden said, “That sounds like a plan. But know this, while I am duty and honour bound to Lord Tuibar, I will search all of the Mark to find a cure for you. May it be we can do both at the same time.”
It was not what I hoped for, but his words made sense. At least as much sense as mine asking him to help me track the source of my separation from a ghost.
And Ethel gave me a hug. “I mean it mama. I will look after you.”
Aye, that was enough to keep me awake on the journey, and here, though resting among friends. I had not even offered my own greeting to Elfmar, speaking only to an already known guard, and trusting Waelden to explain further,
“I need rest,” was all I could say upon our arrival. The journey had been a little concerning, with the discovery of an orc, but I had ridden through far worse. The road from Bancross to Aldburg had been trouble free. Then at Aldburg we encountered Duncadda, the first since he left the village after the attack by Easterlings and orcs.
He said he had been led to the city by a flock of crows.
And that, at least, made Ethel and I laugh.
For though the flock of crebain that visited us in Bancross had seemingly departed, the overly confident one…who we named Herrost after the ‘Hrost’ sound of his call, the most common sound after “Caw”, had followed us. Often at a distance it is to be said, but even as I curled in my cloak in the Mead Hall of Elfmar, I could hear a couple of men saying ‘Someone shoo that crow out the rafter!”
But to Duncadda again, he has become very dark of mood this past day. The ride from Snowbourn has not been easy on him, as I feel him withdrawing into himself. I wonder…possibly…is it our closeness to the East Wall. I know for certain that place holds dark thoughts for him. Was it not Waelden and I who found him near death, and brought him to safety? Yet he is deep in thought, and does not seem willing to be aided. I shall wait and watch, and if a moment comes, and I have still have strength, I will do all I can.
Sleep evaded me. But at least I was cosy and safe, and in good company, for the time being.
