Scarburg Meadhall

[Kath]

The delight in Erbrand's face when she agreed to dance with him filled Kara with joy. She had never deliberately hurt him but he was a man quick to misunderstand a conversation on occasion, and she was glad that at this particular time he had understood her entirely. Despite that she had not been expecting to be picked up and twirled around!

"Aah!" She had squealed when his arms suddenly wove themselves around her and squeezed tightly, even then not realising that he was going to lift her. When he did with such ease she simply threw her head back and laughed. It had been a long time since anyone had acted so freely with her, indeed the only person she could recall spinning her like this was her father, and she didn't mind the comparison.

When he had spun his joy out Erbrand finally put Kara gently back on her feet and gave her the biggest beam she had ever seen from him and she had to laugh again when he executed a flourishing bow in front of her.

"Then, most gracious lady Kara," he said, and his voice was for once fully confident, "I most humbly offer my arm, and if you so wish, please accept it and stroll with me back to the camp?"

"Well of course I will." Kara replied, linking her arm through his. "Lead on!"

[littlemanpoet]

"What can I do for you sir?" asked Harreld.

Randvér paused. Eodwine coughed uncomfortably into the breach.

"Well, it appears that you have something about which to talk," he said, glancing at Rand, Harreld, and Ginna in turn. "Saeryn and I will leave you to it, for we have much to prepare very quickly. Harreld, see me when you are done here and we will talk of the sword."

He and Saeryn left arm and arm.

"You and I need to go find Modtryth and have her take charge of the things we cannot. And then we should talk to Frodides to tell her we need no cake on such short notice, but she may do whatever she wishes and no more. Does that please you?"

"Well enough. I hope your friend Rand deals not too harshly with Harreld and Ginna." She looked over her shoulder with a worry in her eyes.

"I have watched Harreld change lately. I think he can handle himself. He is no mere lad, but a man full ready to fend for himself and another should he choose."

They came upon Modtryth who had apparently just dismissed Balvir, Matrim, and Lithor to some duty or other, Léoðern in tow.

"And where have you sent them off to, Modtryth?" asked Eodwine.

"To pick slender branches and flowers for your wedding bower."

"Ah, yes. Speaking of which-" Eodwine said, but stopped, deferring to Saeryn with a gesture.

[Folwren]

Saeryn took her cue and left Eodwine’s arm to capture Modtryth’s. She drew her aside and Eodwine followed them into a corner where they clustered together to discuss plans.

“It will be dark before we have started,” Saeryn began, “so Eodwine and I have agreed to have lanterns and torches. We were wondering if you would help set things up and direct everything as they should go?”

Modtryth agreed with enthusiasm and Saeryn smiled gratefully. She and Modtryth sat down at the table. Eodwine stood beside Saeryn.

“Let us have the wedding on this side of the scar, but beyond the building, so that the area is clear and away from the camp. Do you think we should hang the lanterns in a circle, or put them in long rows?”

This began a swift discussion where Eodwine and Saeryn’s ideas flowed freely, intertwining with each other. Modtryth took the ideas and modified them as necessary to fit what they could actually do, offering some ideas as they came to her. They talked for only about ten minutes, being aware of the very little time they had, and then they parted ways to deal with the tasks that they were all appointed.

[littlemanpoet]

Modtryth hurried off to take care of the things Eodwine and Saeryn had placed in her capable hands.

"Shall we go talk to Frodides?"

Saeryn nodded and he took her arm in his.

As they walked toward the baker, Eodwine glanced at Harreld who was talking with Randvér; Ginna looked very nervous. Harreld's expression was unusually dour. Could it be that Rand did not approve of Harreld for his daughter? Maybe he was reflecting the likely mien of Rand. Eodwine looked away and glanced at the face of his bride.

She wore a contageous smile. It was very, very good that he could walk arm and arm with her now without embarrassment over what folk might say. It was still amazing to him that he, now over forty, had on his arm a young lady half his age who was his bride to be. What chance had brought this wonderous oddity about? How had he become so lucky?

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

He was about to reply, but then became curious about how she saw him.

"Why, what look do you see on my face that you ask?"

[Groin Redbeard]

His arm was accepted as Kara grasped his arm and gave a warm smile. They stepped slowly, reluctant to go anywhere fast-Erbrand was quite content with having Kara to himself. Eodwine was off with his soon to be wife, strange how things worked out. Erbrand never would have guessed that his lord was after a wife; he wondered how things would change-he hated change-nevertheless, everything would change.

As Erbrand pondered in content silence what the wedding would mean to his future, Kara leaned closer and whispered, “Who is that man over there?” The man was getting on him his years: white haired, with a peaceful expression, the kind of complexion that mirrored the wisdom of many years.

“I can’t say that I know,” responded Erbrand, “some lone wanderer I reckon.” Kara squeezed Erbrand’s arm and gave him a pleading smile. She did not need to say anything Erbrand was curious as well; this time he let it overcome his formal character. He smiled back at Kara and steered in the direction of the stranger.

“Hello there,” Erbrand raised his left hand in friendship (his other arm was still being held by Kara). “You’re a stranger here,” he stated the obvious, letting the man know he was noticeable. “My name is Erbrand and this is Kara. Do you plan to stay here long, or do you have any news of any important events happening in the world?”

[littlemanpoet]

"Greetings to you, Erbrand and Kara, and well met," Eodwemer nodded. He gave them the name he used among the Eorlings. "I will stay for a little while as long as I am deemed useful. As for events, the King in Gondor gains strength and peace year by year as one may expect, and there is news from Edoras that an heir to the King of Rohan is on the way."

Kara expressed her delight and Erbrand smiled, watching her. It was clear that the man was completely smitten with the maiden, and she seemed willing enough to be wooed.

"It pleases me to have come just in time for the handfasting of your eorl. I wonder," he allowed a small smile, "if there are soon to be others?" He nodded toward the two of them meaningfully.

[Folwren]

"Why, what look do you see on my face that you ask?" Eodwine asked.

“Well,” Saeryn said, tilting her head a little as she thought. “It might be hard for me to pin-point and actually put into words.”

“Try,” he said, smiling. She looked up at him and caught the humor glittering in his eye.

“That’s it!” she said to herself, and out loud she formed her thoughts into words. “You get a certain look on your face, at least when you’re thinking about something good: a half smile, or something, and your eyes start to sparkle, kind of.” It was harder to form into words than she thought it would be. “It sometimes looks as though you wanted to say something, but at the same time, didn’t want to, so you...kind of half purse your lips, but not really...”

She saw Eodwine about to laugh. “It’s so harder to explain than you might think!” she said, laughing. “Now, I’ve done my best – you tell me what you were thinking!”