Young Radwig Thane looked at us with friendly eyes. The welcome he and his mother had given us was warm and honest. Upon learning we were asking his permission to stay in his Mead Hall for several days, while waiting on further instructions from Lord Tuibar, he almost laughed.
“Of course you have my permission. My mother and I would have it no other way. But I can offer something possibly more to your liking, if you wish.”
We all looked confused. Better than his Mead Hall?
“It just so happens that my tenants of your old house left for Harwick almost two weeks ago. I have not considered new tenants yet. It is yours again for as long as you wish, be it days or months. If you are thinking of years, then we may have to come upon a more formal arrangement.”
I looked first to Ethel, wondering if the offer would please or sadden her. It had been her home from birth. Her memories of her mother, Eda, would be strongest there. And Waelden, though he had been away for some of Ethel’s childhood, because of his duty to Ehris Tuibar, he would also have a mixture of memories, both bitter and sweet. He had left this place almost three years past, to initially seek a better life for Ethel, nearer to Edoras. But then we had made our own home together in Kingstead.
“Well then, what do you say?” That was Etta, Radwig’s mother speaking up. She had helped with caring for Ethel after her mother had died, and when Waelden had to be away. I suspected a close bond between them.
Waelden was considering, but Ethel turned to him then, with her eye’s wide with excitement. “Can we stay, Papa? It would be so good to see the place again.”
“You will find some things changed,” Radwig added, “but they were good folk, and made much of the place. I was sorry to lose them. Just not quite as sorry as I was to lose you.”
Waelden turned back to Radwig with a smile. “Thank you my Thane. We accept your kind offer.”
With that settled, Etta spoke up. “Ethel is no longer so little.” She opened wide her arms. “My, how you have grown, girl.”
I saw the color rise to Ethel’s cheeks, as she blushed a little. But she stood up straight and lifted her chin. “Thank you, Lady Etta.”
“Then come and give me a hug! I want to make sure you are not all skin and bone.”
It took no more than that. With a smile and a happy sniffle, Ethel walked forward. As she gave Etta a hug she whispered. “I have missed you.”
I was right. There was much love between them, and that made me happy that Ethel had never really been alone.
Etta returned the warm hug. “And I have missed you too, child.”
“Now then, mama,” an amused Radwig broke the moment. ”We shall have Ethel here for at least a few days. You can spend time together catching up. Hopefully you will leave a little time for me to catch up with her as well.”
I tried to catch Waelden’s eye, but he was maintaining a neutral expression. We had spoken in the past of Radwig having a liking for his childhood friend. “Such will always be her choice, as and when she wishes. Of course I would want the best, but it is her life.” he had said rather unusually for a Rohir. But his parents had allowed him his choice, and mine had never interfered. We may have been in the minority, but we were happy.
“We have a good friend, and travelling companion. Duncadda is his name,” Waelden continued with the business of the meeting. “I doubt he will seek to rest here. More likely he will stay in the tavern, or camp outside the town. I vouch for him wholeheartedly. He will cause Floodwend no problems. He will more than likely add to those who keep guard.”
“Your word was always good enough for my father. It is certainly good enough for me, Waelden.” Radwig still seemed to have his eyes on Ethel, then of a sudden he snapped back to being the Thane. “You are free to do as you wish now. On one condition. If you are here for long enough… say four days time, I would have you all come to dinner with my mother and I.”
I saw Waelden draw a deep breath, and Ethel’s eye light with anticipation of the companionship and talk of her younger years.
“We would like to hear more on how you are doing, but at a time when I do not have meetings to attend.”
Waelden bowed. Ethel and I curtsied. “It will be so,” my Greybeard said.
We left the warmth of the hall, Waelden hailing a few known guards as we passed. It was fresher outside, though it did not feel cold enough for snow. We all wrapped our cloaks more tightly around ourselves.
“Radwig has also grown since I last saw him. He looks older… and I dare say wiser.” I observed.
“He is growing into his own man, though is a lot like his father,” Waelden added
“I think he is quite handsome,” Ethel said.
We both looked to her.
“Aye, but he has a way to go to beat your papa,” I countered with a grin.
Waelden blushed a little, and Ethel made a noise that sounded like ‘pffugggh”
Ethel ran ahead as we headed to the house. It lay just a short distance outside the walls of Floodwend. “Come on, keep up old folk” she called back.
She was happy.
