Scarburg Meadhall

[littlemanpoet]

Eodwine could see how ill at east Ginna was, just asking for some help, as if she had not the right. His heart went out to her, as it usually did in such cases, and he wished he could step into the role of father to her and give her a hug that would tell her all would be well. But he hunched that Ginna would feel even less at ease if he did.

She was gesturing to the Hall, and maybe without her knowledge she was leaning and already moving toward it.

"It will not be any trouble. I would be honored, Lady Ginna, Randvér's Daughter, to do whatever I can for your good." He smiled, close-mouthed, and tipped his head forward by way of a bow. She was his equal now that he was not eorl, and it pleased him to treat her with this small honor. Maybe serving wench was her role here, but she was free born, and her service would not last forever.

"My - my thanks," she said, somewhat startled, and made off for the Hall. He did not watch her go, but turned to the smithy.

[Folwren]

To Saeryn, to remain silent when inside she screamed with injustice sounded like lying. She found Rowenna's tone offensive for a moment, and she held her tongue, lest she speak hastily and in anger.

"You did not say how you disagree. If you intend to speak as you have already to Athanar, I cannot help you. ... unless there is something you have in mind that I may do? I do not promise to do it, but I will listen."

"Perhaps you and I have different meanings of help," Saeryn replied. "What you have said concerning saying little to anybody and going to the king sounds like more scheming and working behind Athanar's and Eodwine's back then I choose to do. I asked for you help to me persuade Eodwine of our point of view. I told you, going to the king and asking him to reconsider is impossible unless Eodwine agrees with me. As you say, this is a world of men and their rule, and were I to do such a thing without his permission, I believe I would be subject to punishment of some kind."

Rowenna visibly relaxed. "Well then, at least we agree to first things first."

"Meaning, you agree that I should somehow convince Eodwine to agree with me. Yes, exactly. So just how are we to set about that?"

[Folwren]

"First," said Rowenna, "I think you must make peace with him about what happened between you in the Hall, and then persuade him."

Saeryn nodded. "I'm perfectly willing to make peace, if he's willing to see I'm right. And if he'll apologize about how he spoke of me to the ladies."

Rowenna stared at Saeryn in consternation. "So if he refuses to see that you're right, you'll keep fighting him?" Rowenna threw up her hands. "Saeryn, you're impossible! What if her never agrees? Will you keep fighting no matter what?"

"No, certainly, I won't keep fighting." Saeryn paused and knit her brows. She knew exactly how she would deal with it, acting calm and rather aloof until he saw her point, but she did not know exactly how she would tell Rowenna. "But he will see my point of view, I am sure."

"I had better let you do the talking, then. If there's a mess to clean up, I'll do my part. Lead on!"

Saeryn sent a skeptical look at Rowenna as she left the room ahead of her. "What mess do you think there will be to clean up?"

"That," answered Rowenna, following Saeryn out the door, "depends on what the two of you say to each other and what you're willing to listen to, I would wager." Rowenna closed the door behind her.

Saeryn walked ahead. "I doubt there will be much of a mess for you to clean up, then. We're going to be polite to each other, at least." She went down the stairs and opened the kitchen door. Kara and Frodides were the only ones there. "Besides," Saeyrn said, turning as Rowenna came in behind her. "He's not even here now, so the conversation shall be put off anyway."

[littlemanpoet]

When Eodwine approached the smithy he heard no smithying sounds coming from within. He opened the door and three heads turned to him: Harreld and Garreth, whom he had expected, and Falco Boffin, whom he had not - and whose presence explained, in part, the inactivity of the others.

"Greetings, Harreld and Garreth!" he said. "How are you both? Is Falco keeping you from your work?"

"No," said Garreth grinned broadly.

"Yes," said Harreld with a guilty grin.

"Well I never!" said Falco. "Eodwine, you have nerve! Do you really think the inactivity of these canny smiths must be all my fault?"

"Why of course! They are too hard working to cease for any other reason than to hear every last word you speak!" Eodwine had walked over to where Falco was sitting and clapped him on the back. Falco coughed.

"So what news is there?"

With that, the four regaled each other with all there was to be said and heard by each of them. As usual, Harreld spoke least and Falco most; but Garreth held his own. Good natured jibes flew in the midst of it all; the only thing missing was a pint over which to jab each other with the jibes. After a few minutes of this, they were interrupted for a few minutes by Thornden, about which business we must read elsewhere in due time. When Thornden took his leave, Eodwine coughed in his hand and then rubbed his aching cheek muscles to get the laughter out of them. He eyed each of them seriously.

"I do have somewhat about which to speak to Harreld. Should we go elsewhere?"

"Nay," said Harreld. "Anything you have to say to me can be heard by my brother and Falco here."

"Are you sure, seeing it has to do with a woman?"

"Oh ho!" said Falco, his interest piqued.

"Now then," said Garreth gruffly, his brow furrowing, "if it's about women, all the more need that I should stay and hear, for someone had better be here to speak the hard truth about 'em."

"What hard truths do you mean?" Eodwine asked.

"That they're all the same danger. Grabbers! Twisters! You can't trust 'em any farther than you can throw 'em."

Eodwine winced. "I hope you have not practiced the art of throwing women, Garreth?"

"What? No! I've throwed no women, though there's one I'd like to if I ever saw her again, the blackheart."

"Ah. You have had some experience lately?" asked Eodwine.

"That I have! Can't trust 'em. Why do you think I was so quick to come here? All I needed was an invitation once Edreda ruined my business and standing in Edoras! I could -" he lapsed into mutterings too hard to make out, apparently unwilling to describe aloud what degree of torture he was ready to inflict upon the woman.

"Well, Harreld," said Eodwine, "are you sure you want to talk here?"

"Aye, here is fine, and I would guess 'tis Ginna you would talk about, is that it?"

"No doubt another blackheart," Garreth grated.

"Now now!" cried Falco. "Let's give the thing a fair hearing before deciding the heart of anyone!"

"Good words, Falco," said Eodwine. "As a matter of fact, it is Ginna I came to talk about."