Hers

Wudurose was easy to find; she was in the middle of the town square, talking to Tondhere, the blacksmith, arms akimbo. I made my way through the crowd, voices quieting, people stepping back in reverence. A part of me immediately yearned for Edoras or Aldburg; there my comings and goings were not remarked upon. With the exception of the fact I was referred to as ‘Sire’ or ‘King,’ my wanderings about the cities made no difference; I was little different than anyone else. It made me uncomfortable still after almost twenty summers to be deferred to in such a manner. As other talk began to quieten, I could clearly hear the argument between Tondhere and Wudurose.

“Wudurose, I truly understand your ire and fear; however I am quite sure Gamling would not wish you out and about alone in the countryside to find your cattle. The King-“

“Will join her to check on the outlying farms.” I stepped up next to the man. There is only one Rohirrim I have to look up to – Erkenbrand – and only a few, I can count on one hand those, that can look me in the eye. Tondhere, was now added to those few. He was thick; years of working in the smithy with heavy irons had built layers of muscle on him. I felt sure that if irked, he would easily break me in two. I had both headman and stubborn woman’s attention. I addressed Wudurose first. “Gamling is going to need stitched and Andhun is taking care of that, as well as packing the wound with a nasty salve that will make him extremely grumpy.” Wudurose snorted at that. “I am sure he will show you how to make it later as the injury will need to be kept clean and the ointment reapplied. I know Gamling; he won’t like it.”

“That will not be a problem,” Wudurose growled. “I will sit on him if I have to.”

The moment she said that, a memory unbidden, long buried, rose up; a memory of a night long ago, in a tent before the war, when she rode me, grasping my long hair like reins…

I shook my head and blinked hard. “I do not believe that will be necessary.” I hoped and prayed my momentary distraction went unnoticed. I turned my attention to Tondhere. “Gamling has expressed concern about the outlying farms and homesteads. I realize he and Wudurose have a double homestead that is furthest out. One of my captains is rounding up cattle as we speak and it is my understanding,” I turned my attention back to Wudurose, “that Wudurose will know whose are whose.”

“Aye,” she nodded quickly. “Only three homesteads loosed cattle over the hills and the other two have a different breed from ours. They will be easily dealt with.” At this she looked down. “I am worried about mine and Gamling’s horses. We loosed them as well.”

I could now understand hers and my captain’s agitation to see to their farms and properties so quickly. “Do not worry, Wudurose.” Without thinking, I reached over and tucked her chin up, forcing her to look at me. “I will help you rebuild if necessary.”

For a moment, time stood still.

“Sire,” A squeaky, insolent voice rose from the surrounding crowd. I removed my hand and looked for the speaker. “Might I remark on the amazing resemblance you share with Wudurose’s son, Edric?” The man was some summers older than me, bow-legged with a potbelly. He was balding and what little bit of hair he had left, stuck out at odd angles. He was grinning snidely, showing gaps in his missing teeth. There was an outraged gasp from many of the surrounding townspeople.

Wudurose drew up, furious already. Before she could lash out, I spoke up. “You are?”

“Esolhætt.”

I smiled broadly. “Well, Esolhætt, Wudurose and Edric are family. Edric’s great grandfather and mine share the same great-great-grandfather. They are dear to me and their well-being is my concern.”

The man’s eyes darted back and forth between Wudurose and myself. With a tug to his forelock, he bowed and backed away, disappearing into a crowd that was now snickering at him. I turned my attention back to the mother of my first-born. “Do you have a mount here?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Saddle up and meet me here.” I watched as she wove through the now dispersing crowd. “Tondhere, my éored will be arriving returning over the next several hours, possibly into the evening. We can camp if necessary and feed ourselves-”

“We will find accommodations for them, Sire.” He dipped his head and smiled. “And I will personally check and see to each and every Rider’s horse. Grateful, we are, that you personally came to our aid.” After that, he looked around, as if to check to see that no one could overhear. Satisfied, he stepped forward to whisper in my ear. “Thank you for putting Esolhætt in his place. He has been a bane to Wudurose for many years, kept in check and at a distance by Gamling. He has been itching for a fight of any kind all this time and has oft remarked that her luck has been too good for much too long. It is as if Béma himself has his hand over her.”

I started to say nothing, but I remembered that Gamling had remarked on the man’s time and investment in my son. “I hope Béma’s hand is on her and Edric as well. I do know mine is.” Tondhere nodded with a knowing grin. “I understand that you have taken great care of Wudurose and Edric before Gamling married her and have made Edric your apprentice and heir. I wish to thank you for your care.”

“I could do no less, Sire.” With this his smile dropped. “'Tis not every day a pregnant… widow… arrives alone on the threshold of winter, looking for a fresh start.”

Alone?

Tondhere continued, oblivious to my inner disquiet. “She was grieving… deeply… the loss of Edric’s father.”

From the side, I saw Wudurose bringing up a horse I recognized to be Gamling’s. The stallion, Byldu, was saddled and had a reputation of being as cantankerous as his rider. Gamling's sword was sheathed in its place near the front, close to the horn. I touched the man on the elbow as I walked by him. “We grieved her loss, as well.” I retrieved my mount from the post and strode up next to her. “Gamling’s horse allows you to ride him?”

“He knows who brings him treats in the mornings and afternoons,” she smiled. “He tolerates me well.” She nodded once. “Are you ready?”

Quickly, the two of us mounted up, made our way slowly towards the gates. As we exited, I saw a group of my éored coming from the river, Cynegels at their head. Motioning for Wudurose to stay behind, I joined him outside the gate.

“There is a narrowing of the river where they crossed, sire,” he began. “I would suggest a small militia should keep an eye on it from now on.”

I nodded my consent. “Any signs of orcs?”

“None.”

“Damage to homesteads?”

“Aye. Mostly burned farmland, defaced barns and homes.” With this his head dropped. “There is one home that has been scorched. Apparently, it is the wet season and the timber was very wet. The thatched roof however…” His voice trailed off.

“How far out?”

“Furthest one.”

My heart clenched. Gamling said his and Wudurose’s properties were the furthest outerlying farms. Béma will it, the home wasn’t one of theirs and if it was, the repair should be easy. If it were not, I would take care of it. I gave my captain instructions to camp on the outside of the town and to send men to forage for wild game in the surrounding fields, if there were any to be found. If nothing else, they could fish in the river. The people of the town had enough hardship ahead of them.