((Some characters are NPC characters created by me for these stories. Any resemblance to actual in-game characters or player characters is strictly coincidental))
The moon is nearly finishing its trek across the sky when a smiling, weary, and slightly drunk Aethelrien staggers up the steps toward the door of her new house. She looks down at the iron key in her hand, the cold metal sharp against her warm skin. She lets out a soft sound of delight as she slides the key into the lock. The metal scrapes and clicks as the lock relents. She opens the wooden door and steps inside the dimly lit room. The embers of the dying fire is casting very little light into the space. Aethelrien looks around and smiles as she makes note of the dark shapes formed by the stacked crates and jumbled furniture placed in haphazard piles around the room. She sighs happily and leans against the closed door and says to the room, “I’m home.”
Picking her way through the piles she heads to the sleeping chamber and crawls into her bed, grateful she hired someone to set up her bed ahead of time. She sinks deep into the softness of the feather mattress and blankets. She falls asleep almost immediately, a satisfied and happy smile on her face.
Waking early the next morning, Aethelrien stretches luxuriously and pulls the bedclothes up to her chin. She looks up at the ceiling for a few minutes enjoying the sounds of the Bree town folk beginning their day outside. Getting out of bed, she pads into the main room to survey the space. She gasps and places her hands on her hips when she sees the jumbled piles of her belongings, “Oh my, I have some work to do.” She chuckles and heads to her room to change into breeches and a tunic.
As soon as she finishes pulling on her boots a hearty knock sounds on her front door. She picks her way through the room and pulls the door open with a friendly smile. Standing on the stoop is a round woman, her black hair tied up into a green kerchief. She bows deeply, “Good mornin’ m’lady, I am Zoela.” Behind her a young boy, with the same dark hair, is standing as still and tall as possible while holding a brush and bucket. Aethel tilts her head, unsure of the pair’s reason for being at her door. Noticing Aethelrien’s concern the woman speaks quickly, “Ramona, the woman who setup yer bedchamber tells me tha’ ye be needin’ help puttin’ yer house to rights. I an’ me boy,” she gestures to the child, “we need work an’ money. We are willin’ ‘ta put yer house in o’der.” She flashes Aethel a friendly smile.
Aethelrien smiles and steps side, pushing the door open further. “Well, if Ramona recommends you come to my home, then I welcome the help, Zoela. She holds out her hand, I am Aethelrien.”
Zoela takes Aethelrien’s thin hand in her pudgy one, and shakes it, her grip firm, “M’lady.”
Aethelrien steps away from the doorway and sweeps across the space with one hand, “I truly hope you are up for the challenge.” She watches as Zoela and the boy step inside, eyes wide at the disorder facing them.
Zoela lets out a low whistle, “‘Tis a lot, but Liam here is strong.” She pats the boy on the shoulder, “Go fill tha’ bucket an’ come right back.” The boy nods and scurries out the door. “He’s a good lad, my Liam. E’en though he still can’na speak.”
Aethelrien watches the boy through the window as he runs down the lane to fetch the water and offers the woman a warm smile, her heart going out to her. Pushing up her sleeves Aethelrein turns to the room, “Well, shall we get started?”
All morning Zoela, Aethelrien, and the boy move crates and furniture to the correct rooms while Aethel directs their placement. Aethelrien smiles as Zoela’s singing and Liam’s footsteps fill her house with life.
By mid afternoon, her house is feeling less chaotic. Crates are stacked neatly, some are open and nearly empty. The furniture is positioned in the right place. Aethelrien turns to address the boy, “Liam? Run to the market and buy some bread, cheese, and fruit for our lunch.” She places three silver coins in his hand. Then she leans in to whisper to him while putting several additional copper coins in his hand, “and get yourself a sweet.” The boy nods energetically, his face fully alight.
“Hurry back, don’ you dawdle ‘nor go losing her lady‘s coin.” Zoela sternly chides him. Liam gives his mother a wide eyed look and shakes his head, motioning with his empty hand he will be good. Aethelrien holds the door for him and stands in the doorway and watches as he skips along the road holding the coins tightly in his fist.
While they wait for Liam, Aethelrien sits in one of the two empty chairs placed near the hearth. She looks at the woman, “How many children do you have, Zoela?”
Zoela offers Aethelrien a toothy grin, “I birthed seven whelps. ‘Tis only three ‘o them ‘round now. Liam, is me young’n, and me oldest gal, Sara, and me fourth child, Henry. Sara is married to a town guard. Henry is learnin’ from the smithy.” She beams with pride as she talks about her children, even those that have passed away. Aethelrien nods in sympathy for the woman’s loss of her children, but she remains silent.
“I ‘spect you ‘ad yer share of whelps in yer many ‘ears.” Zoela says to Aethelrien as she wipes dust from the top of the dining table and the legs of the stools.
Aethelrien shakes her head, “Sadly, my life did not lead me to being blessed with a child. Moments of peace were rare during those years and…” she sighs, “It was not meant to be. Although, I would have loved to have the chance.”
Zoela frowns, sympathetic. Unsure of what to say in response she turns and glowers at the door and huffs, “Where is tha’ child?!”Aethelrien chuckles, grateful for the change of subject.
Only a few moments later Liam bursts in, the door slamming loudly against the wall. A proud smile on his face, he holds up his purchases. Aethelrien laughs out loud when she sees the overflowing basket of several types of bread, cheeses, and fruit. Zoela, not amused, gasps, “Goodness, boy! Did ya’ spend all o’ her lady’s coin?” Liam looks at his purchases and his face falls, shaking his head. Downcast, he approaches Aethel and places a single silver coin in her hand.
Smiling, Aethelrien takes the coin and places it back into his hand. “You did well, Master Liam. You deserve to be paid well for your service.” He beams and holds up the coin for his mother to see. Zoela nods, a half smile on her face. “Now, Liam what sweet did you get yourself?” Aethelrien stands and bends to look at the food Zoela is unloading and placing on the table. Liam, grabs her hand and shakes his head. She turns her attention to him, he teaches into his pocket and pulls out two small round parcels wrapped in brown paper. He hands one to her and sits on the floor, placing the other in front of him. Eyes wide he watches her as she opens the package, “You got one for me too?” Aethelrien smiles. Inside the paper is a shiny baked apple filled with honey and spices. The red flesh is soft and has changed to reddish-golden brown. Aethelrien’s stomach lurches, forcing down her revulsion she offers Liam a smile, “Thank you.” He motions for her to taste it, eager to see her pleasure. Not wanting to disappoint the child, Aethelrien swallows and takes a large bite. Instantly, her body wants to gag and spit the offending food out. She quickly turns her back to Liam, placing the apple on the table. She struggles to chews quickly, wanting to get the offending food down. She keeps her back turned so that the boy could not see her blink rapidly and wrinkle her nose. Forcing the bite down she turns around, forcing a smile, “It is kind of you to get me this sweet. Is yours just as good?” She watches as Liam eats his apple, letting the juice and honey dribble down his chin. As she watches him devour his treat her heart aches for something she never had to lose, the grief surprising her.
Zoela and Aethelrien leave the boy to his apple and sit down to their own meal at the table. As she is cutting a slice of cheese, Aethelrien notices that Zoela discretely put Aethelrien’s apple into the rubbish bin. When she looks at the woman, Zoela offers her a wink and a soft smile. Aethelrien smiles bows her head slightly in silent appreciation.
By evening, Aethelrien’s home is nearly put to order. All that remains are a few crates of books that need to be sorted and a stack of crates in the kitchen. Zoela stretches her back and sighs, “You ha’ a nice place now, m’lady. Thank ye fer allowin’ us ta help set it to rights.” She offers Aethelrien a slight bow.
“I am grateful for your assistance. It would have taken me ages to put everything away on my own.” She smiles at the woman, an idea forming, “Zoela? What would you say to becoming my full time housekeeper? I would appreciate the help.” She looks into Zoela’s face waiting for her response.
Zoela’s round face reddens and she places a round hand on her bosom, “M’lady?! Aye. I shall keep yer house tidy an’ cook good food fer ye.” Just as quickly, her brow creases in concern. “What ‘bout my boy?”
Aethelrien turns to him, “Liam, come to me for a moment.” He stands in front of her, straining to be as tall as possible. She places a hand on the boy’s shoulder and crouches down to look Liam in the eyes, “And you, Master Liam? Would you be agreeable to serve in my house?” She smiles warmly at him, her green eyes meeting his deep brown ones.
Timidly, he looks at his mother who is beaming. She gives him an encouraging nod. Then, returning his gaze to Aethelrien he throws his arms around her neck in a sticky, sweet hug. She returns the hug by placing one arm around his little waist and squeezing gently.
Returning to her full height she extends her hand to Zoela, “Welcome to my service, Zoela. I reward handsomely for loyal service and I trust we shall make a great partnership.”
Zoela takes her hand and bows, touching her forehead to the back of Aethelrien’s hand. “I ‘nere cause ye any regrets ‘or higherin’ me…er, us.”
Aethelrien smiles brightly at both of them, and places two silver coins into Zoela’s palm “Please, go home now and rest. I shall see you in the morning. Thank you for all you did for me today.” She watches the pair leave and closes the door.
Standing with her back against the door, her smile fades as she feels the heavy silence of her now empty home. A loneliness and longing she had not felt in ages nearly suffocating her. She wraps are long arms around her abdomen and stares at the now silent room. Too tired and heart weary to do anything more, Aethelrien climbs into bed and falls into a fitful sleep.
