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Gomen leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, breathing rather heavily. His father noticed him and smiled in a kindly manner, saying nothing. Gomen had worked hard the past few days, and if he felt the need to pause for a few moments for a rest, it was well and good... and let him do more than that, too.
"Sit down, lad," said Leofan. "There is not much work to be done at this time, and so you ought to save your strength for when it is needed."
The boy hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should deny his weariness and continue his work, but he saw a look of firmness begin creeping into his father's face, so he sat down. Leofan put his back to one of the stall door and gazed in an absent manner at the ground.
Gomen was quite aware of how hard he had been working, and he thought of what he had gained from it. It gave him a feeling of satisfaction to work hard beside his father for the day, and go to bed knowing that all his duties had been fulfilled, that his parents and Mistress Bethberry would not have as much to worry themselves about. Yet there was still an echo of music in his heart, and he wondered sorrowfully if it would be his lot in life to toil in the stable, when he would rather join his uncle Liornung on the road to sing the days away, or to sit and listen to the songs of the winds and waters.
The stable door opened, and both looked up, expecting to see Maercwen, or one of the other children. A smile broke out on Leofan's face when he saw that it was Frodides, and he went to her and kissed her cheek, faded and rather wrinkled, but to him as fair and smooth as it had been when he had first dared to kiss it. "Fair lady, you honour us with your presence," he said, but his teasing smile quickly faded when he saw the look on her face. "How grave you look, Frodides!" he said. "What is wrong?"
"I couldn't say for certain," she replied, "for I've been in the kitchen most of the day and have not heard much of outside news. But it is enough to know that Bethberry wishes all the shutters closed and bolted. And though she did not mention it, perhaps you might want to make the stable safe, as well. Maercwen and I will be on the second floor bolting the shutters."
"We'll do so right away," said Leofan, his face as serious as his wife's. "Gomen, I'll attend to the stables, and you run to the Inn and find all your brothers and sisters. Hustle them to our room and tell them not to leave. I will join you shortly to close the shutters." He began to move away, but then turned back, and kissed Frodides once again. "And don't be frightened," he said.
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