Hers

My éored stayed for some days, aiding in rebuilding burnt buildings, repairing farms and fencing, restoring herd animals back to their proper owners. We made sure the place where the orcs crossed was watched, carefully guarded. Elfhelm found a large, grassy area just past Wudurose's farm that would be ideal for a moderate sized garrison. No one lay claim to the land and Tondhere was unaware of who owned it. I let be known that I would check the old deeds in Aldburg and Edoras as to the property and construction would commence in the spring.

I had been complacent for far too long, and that included my son. My wildest dream was he would openly embrace me, move to Edoras, become part of my household; my greatest fear was he would openly hate me.

The reality was somewhere in the middle. For now, I could accept that.

Gamling began to heal and he was the growling, wretched creature I knew him to be. But his wife and daughter kept him in line and it amused me to watch my cantankerous captain, who commanded men with an iron fist and was feared by them, to be completely overwhelmed by a single-minded woman and a small, girl-child, both with backbones of mithril and who left him grumbling, but obeying their every whim.

I was unable to spend time alone with my son after that idyllic morning and afternoon. Once Gamling was up and moving around, I made sure he sat at the dinner table with us and engaged him in as much conversation as possible. It was a frightening and heady feeling at the same time.

The evening before my éored left to return to Edoras, I was patrolling the outer-lying farms. Gamling and his family returned to their farm and I invited myself to Edric's after dinner. Rumor had it he was soft on a young woman in town and I wanted to know about her.

I was his father; it was my right.

Maybe.

As I left the bonfires and sounds of the little hamlet behind me, I realized I had company.

“Sire,” Esolhætt was particularly nasally this evening. “All is well?”

In recent days, I became more understanding of Wudurose's – and Edric's – desire to remain anonymous and hidden. There were some who would take advantage of it.

“All is well.”

The man needed a bath. Badly.

“Again, I must... remark... on the amazing resemblance of Wudurose's son and yourself.”

I kept my eyes on the road ahead of me. “You have remarked on it more than once.”

“You know, I was thinking, that if Edric's great-grandfather and your grandfather were the same, as you have stated, it would be equally assumed that Edric's grandfather and your father would be the same.”

The man was beyond annoying. I did not answer.

“Meaning,” he continued, “that it could be possible that Edric's father was not Wudurose's dear, departed husband, who died before she moved here.”

“What do you want?”

The man preened. Obviously, he thought his life was getting ready to become much easier and wealthier. He rubbed his chin, scratching at the nits that were obviously living in his beard. “Wudurose seems to have fared very well for a single woman – before her advantageous marriage to a favored and obvious beloved Knight of Rohan. All this property she has been able to buy, the blue-blooded horses, fine stock...” his voice trailed in thought. “I would think the one who gifted her with so much could find a little bit extra for those of us who watched over her while he did not come around for so many years.” His gaze was calculating.

“Are you not aware how many times an éored or scouts come through this part of the Riddermark?” I cut to the left, forcing him and his horse between my horse and the fence. “I am aware that you have long coveted my kinswoman's properties and wealth. I am aware-” I spoke over his weak protests, “that you have not only coveted her wealth, but that you have coveted her and she rebuffed you.” I leaned forward and snarled. “Didn't she?”

He snapped his mouth shut.

“Do not think she and hers are not watched over. Do not think she and hers are not guarded. Is this town not prosperous?” I reached over to his horse's bridle and yanked it close. “If I did not know better, I would say you are attempting to blackmail Rohan's King. Please tell me I am wrong!”

“But-”

“Because if I am right, blackmail is a serious offense and punishment would be equally serious.”

“How... serious, sire?”

“Do you have next of kin to bury your worthless body?”

He wilted.

I turned the bridle loose. “So, I am wrong?”

“My apologizes, Sire. I... you misunderstood. I simply... considering the orcs, I thought you would wish a garrison or fortress... such an installation would benefit the townspeople here.”

Ah. He was a bastard, to be sure, but at least he was not completely stupid. “You are correct.” I backed up and smiled. “A garrison would benefit the town here. In fact, my Marshal noted an open field, south of Wudurose and Gamling's homestead that no one is claiming. We plan to build there after I check the deeds in Aldburg.” Aldburg was where the old records and maps were kept. I turned my horse back towards my original destination. “Long have I desired to build a garrison here. I have been content and comfortable in peace and this attack has brought me from my doldrums.” I made sure I was looking him in the eye with my next statement. “I will not make that mistake again.”





A/N: My updates might get wonky for the rest of this. This IS a completed fic, however I've gotten a job offer I can't resist, much less turn down and I am moving about 300 miles away. I don't know when I'll have a place, or when I'll have reliable internet. I'll try to find a library or somewhere with Wifi and do the best I can. thank you for understanding!