Úreu. Æt áscian æt mæting (Ours; to learn to dream)

Chapter 03

“So, when are you going to make an honest woman of my mother so the town will stop talking about her?”

My fork, which was dripping well-seasoned green beans stopped midway to my mouth.

Wudurose’s mug crashed and shattered on the floor.

“EDRIC!” She sounded horrified, something I found amusing. “I do not think-“

“No,” I interrupted quietly. “Let the boy speak.” I reached over and took her by the hand, caressing the knuckles with my thumb. “I am interested in what the town is saying.” I leaned back, still holding her hand. Town gossips were always good for something.

Edric spent little time putting me in my place. “First off, you sit at our table, almost every evening, as if you are man of this house! And if you are not here, we are up at your place, washing your clothes, preserving your vegetables, picking your tomatoes, or …” his hands flayed about uselessly, “… or something! Mama says you are a soldier and do not know any better, so you need all the help you can get!” Wudurose’s head dropped at this pronouncement, a beautiful blush creeping over her features. “She thinks you would starve if we did not help! You could not eat for days and still have enough packed away!” He stopped for a moment, a glare on his face that would be fearsome when he reached his majority.

“Eanfled, among other unmarried women in town, has done everything but fall from her blouse to catch your eye and yet you ignore her and all the rest of them! But let my mother sneeze within earshot and you are ready to call a healer!” He bowed up. In this I feared he was correct. The cupboard above my sideboard was full of jarred and preserved jellies and fruits, more sweetbreads and pies made their way to my stable and front stoop. I believe the women in town would be put out if they knew I shared them with Edric and his mother. If I ate all that was left for me, I would be fat as a pig.

“When your stallion caught colic, my mother stayed in the barn with you all night, helping you walk him. When you caught a summer cold, she spent as much time making herbal teas and taking care of you-“

“Edric,-“ Wudurose was staring at her plate, her fork clenched tightly in her hand.

“You already act as her husband! Are you afraid to ask her? Everyone in town says you moon over her like a-”

“Edric, that is enough.”

“But-“

“I said, that is enough!” Her knuckles were white.

“Edric,” I began quietly, “while you have made valid points, this is something best discussed between your mother and myself.” He opened his mouth, to protest or continue, I do not know, but I raised a finger to quell the argument. “You have said enough this night.” It dawned on me I still held her hand.

“But-“

“Enough.”

He clenched his jaw shut.

“Edric,” his mother spoke up quietly, “you may go up to your room.”

For a moment, I thought he would refuse, but he finally hurled himself from the table and climbed the ladder, a loud thud echoing through the home as he flung himself into his bed.

Wudurose exhaled loudly. “Well, that was…”

“Enlightening.” I stood up and helped her to rise. “Shall we talk?”

“I CAN STILL HEAR YOU!”

“Outside?”

Wudurose’s shoulders slumped and she nodded affirmatively. “I do not know what has gotten into him or where he gets this stubborn streak.”

“Growing pains and sensing a new male in his territory.” I leaned over and whispered in her ear grinning, “He has much of his father in him.”

“I! CAN! STILL! HEAR! -“

“Then come down here,” Wudurose spoke up tersely, “clean the dinner table and sweep up and mop up my shattered mug! Gamling and I are going outside for a walk!”

There was a stiff breeze, the promise of rain on the wind and the assurance of chill that night. I grabbed my cloak and stepped out on the porch, waiting for her, watching her grab a cloak for herself. I nodded to the hill above her home and we made haste to reach the top. She spread her wrap on the ground for us to sit on.

“I take it this is a request to share my cloak?”

In the rise of the moon, I saw her smile. “Actually, it is to keep us from getting dirt or mud on our rear ends. But if you are offering…” Her voice trailed off.

Within seconds, the two of us sat side by side, wrapped in my cloak, watching the stars and clouds, her hands clasped in mine. She was warm and smelled of kitchen herbs.

“About what Edric said-“

“He is right.”

Her jaw became unhinged. “What?”

“He is right. I moon over you. I have for years. Even before you knew I watched you, I watched you.” It was hard work to stare at the stars and the passing clouds and not look at her because I was terrified to gaze at her. “I have watched you grow from a wild rose in Aldburg who belonged to someone else, someone more powerful than me, to a strong, resilient woman, belonging to no man and not needing one.” Now, I looked at her, not seeing the rejection I expected to observe, but wonderment. “You would have done well without Éomer’s help. I knew that before. I care not for what you have obtained for Edric, but I would be pleased if you would agree to be my wife.” I took her silence for shock. “I realize I am an old stallion-“

“Sometimes,” she interrupted me, “a seasoned stallion is needed to keep the young, hot-headed ones in their place.” She squeezed me good-naturedly when I pulled her protectively under my arm. “They cover a mare just as well. Do you love me, Gamling?”

I scrutinized her, her eyes, which reflected the moon. “Yes,” I whispered. She reached up and tucked a stray lock behind my ear.

“A long time ago, on a snowy Yule, a young man stood in my cottage and told me reminiscing on good memories was nice, but one should not live in the past. They should look forward and create new, equally good memories. I believe it is past time to begin creating them. The past is gone. I have waited long enough.”

“You have? What have you been waiting on?”

“You.” Again, she reached up, only now she caressed my jaw. “Éomer is a memory. A wonderful, beloved memory, but I fell out of love with him long ago. ‘Tis impossible to hold on to a useless dream.” Her thumb now traced the edge of my bottom lip and I turned my head to place a kiss into the palm of her hand. “I realized four summers ago I looked forward to your coming, to seeing you. You were so serious, I did not think you returned my feelings.”

I smiled into the cup of her palm, reaching up and holding it in mine. “I fear ghosts. You have been loved by the King,” I reminded her. “Any man would be a lesser man.”

She looked at me solemnly. “Any man who would dare tread where the king had, would be a bigger man. It is long over, Gamling. There will be no ghosts in our bed.”

I stared at her, taking in the moment. She met me half way to that first kiss. There was joy in it I did not expect, something I wanted more of. Eventually, we did have to come up for air.

“Gamling?”

“Hmm?”

“You realize it is raining?”

We jumped up, grabbing cloaks and running down the hill, laughing the entire way. It was pouring when we reached the front porch, both of us soaked to the skin. I grabbed her again, spinning her around and took her into my arms.

“I CAN STILL HEAR YOU!”

Wudurose’s head thumped my chest. “Get used to it, Edric!” I yelled back. I held her close, warm, while I looked out into the pouring rain. “I suppose I will not be making it back to my home tonight. Do you have an empty barn stall?”

Wudurose was now peering around me, watching the storm. “It does not feel right to make you sleep in the barn,” she whispered. “You can sleep with me.”

“No.” I tipped her chin up so I could look her in the eye. “We will do this right. In the morning, we will see Tondhere, the headman in the village and he may say the proper words over us. I will not join you in your bed until then. In the meantime,” I pulled her to the swing and sank into it, drawing her into my lap, “I wish to stay here and search the stars.”

Her arms went around me, her head on my chest. “Searching the stars for what?”

I clutched her to me. “To contemplate what is ours and learn again to dream.”

TBC