[littlemanpoet]

"I came to this place," said Gudryn to the Lady Giedd, "under tragic circumstances I will admit, but the kindness of strangers showed me that not all hope was lost. That is how Eodwine became my father for I know not what happened to my birth parents, and yet I feel the worst has come to them."

While Gudryn continued to relate the things that had happened over the last few days, Eodwine narrowed his eyes and gave thought. Gudryn had said far less than she might have about her past. Could it be that she chose to forget it, choosing instead to think only on that which was happening now? He could not blame her if it was so. Still, his curiosity was now awakened. What had happened to her parents? Had Rand killed them? Likely enough. Or had they sold her to him out of the duress of penury? That seemed less likely, but not impossible. Had she been born in the same village as Rand, or had she been born elsewhere and taken to his village?

Eodwine sighed. What did it matter? Did such questions need answers? He was not sure. She seemed to be recovering well from her wounds; at least, the outward wounds to her body, and she seemed to be eating well, though she was still not much more than skin and bone, a starvling waif. And she was so sweet natured! That was what had melted his heart. Somehow, despite all she had endured, their was a wholesomeness to her. It was as if she was a diamond, and not all the mud and abuse Rand could put to it, could touch it.

Eodwine shook his head slightly. No. Surely she was made of softer stuff than the hardest stone short of mithril. It might not be seen now, but days would come when the wounds on the inside, those of thought and heart, revealed themselves. Let them come, he thought. I will care for her when she is in such throes as surely as I would defend her with sword against rogues.

Gudryn looked up at him, smiling, her big eyes searching for sign of his care. He returned her smile and laid his free hand upon her head, brushing back a stray strand of hair.

Garreth and Harreld had been carrying on, exaggerrating their own part in the fight against Rand while Falco demonstrated his excellent marksmanship with a bun sailing right into the hearthfire, at which Bêthberry gave out a vehement protest against the waste of good food.

Eodwine cast a single glance at the Lady Giedd during all this commotion, at which time she happened to be looking directly at him. He smiled and raised his cup, and she smiled back, then looked away, occupied seemingly with the antics of Garreth, who seemed incapable of speaking in a normal tone of voice, let alone whispering. Eodwine sipped from his mug.