A HOMECOMING
May 2 - 3, 3020
The home of Elfwine and Hild, near Underharrow
About 5 o'clock in the afternoon, May 2, 3020
Written by Eowyn
Inside the main hall of the home of Elfwine and Hild, a downdraft from the louver in the ceiling blew smoke about the room. Hild coughed as she held the handle of the long-handled griddle and removed it from the fire in the center of the floor. Atop the griddle were two freshly baked loaves of bread. She moved the griddle aside to a large flat stone atop the table where the bread would cool. "Cynwise, open the door so that the smoke will go out. The windows are not sufficient for this hail of smoke."
Cynwise, the woman who helped Hild with the housework, nodded and went to the door and opened it. A large wolfhound shuffled through the doorway and lay down under the table, sighing contentedly. "He is proud enough of himself," said Hild, "his mate birthed the eight pups that he sired just last night."
"Aye," said Cynwise, "and fine hounds they will be."
Returning to the brazier, Cynwise bent down to where a cauldron was suspended over the fire by a chain dangling from an ornately wrought three-legged iron stand. She gingerly lifted up the heavy metal lid of the cauldron with a cloth and inhaled the aroma of the bubbling stew. "All done now, lady," she said and turned to Hild, a happy look upon her face. "Two loaves of bread, a fine kettle of stew, milk, butter and cream."
"Everything is finished for supper and I know the men will be most happy to eat at the board tonight. 'Tis true enough though," Hild said as she spread a pat of newly churned butter on the tops of the loaves, "little enough of this food was raised in the Mark but the little folk of the Shire were most accommodating in sharing of their last year's crops with the people of the Mark."
"Yes, tis true lady," Cynwise said as she straightened her back and walked over to the table, where she began putting plates down the long board for five places. "But," she said, smiling, "I hear they received a generous price for their goods."
"True," Hild said as she finished spreading the butter on the tops of the loaves of bread, "it is said they are regular merchants and they made a tidy profit of what they sold us," she said conspiratorially.
"Aye," said Cynwise, "bad as Dwarves!"
***
Written by Madurz
As she rode with others towards Underharrow, Debanni thought of how completely confused she was at the interruption and turn of events at the scheduled hanging. Though unsure of what was happening or what might come, she was delighted that the king had released them from the sentence and cleared them. No death or banishment. Relieved that she and her mother would not have to be on their own, fending for themselves, but, penetrating uneasiness seeped to her core because she was indeed on enemy land. And all too aware was she of the narrowed eyes that had fallen upon her and her mother. Stares that seemed to rake through all the way to her heart until it pained. She knew these people did not care for her and her mother's existence, plights or reasons for being there, only that they were invaders. Blinded by natural hate instead of individual judgement and it was expected, for her people were the same and such is how it has always been for years upon years everywhere. She knew their time here would not be easy even though they were released and now given a place to stay.
She clenched her hands tightly on the reins and looked down thinking, "How many men like Algund might I encounter?" She shuddered at the horrible, embedded memory and her skin crawled. The cruel stare and vile acts...such pain and such trauma and all so vivid, whether awake or sleeping...a haunting memory. She could hear his laughter in her head and how satisfied he would be that he had burned himself in her mind. "How many here are just the same and would delight in seeking revenge on their enemy through acting out on me?"
She asked herself many questions as she once again journeyed into the unknown. No, she was not safe at all yet or may never be, she thought. Debanni felt that she and her mother had to settle for safety now since happiness seemed ever the unattainable. And beyond any matters of culture or land, happiness was all she had ever wished for. It was a wish she had little expectations for, and now it seemed a definite impossibility.
And love...through watching her mother all these years, and having faced cold reality of her life and what it would be like early on, that was always a far off dream. She would smile and slip off into daydreams about a lover who would sweep her off her feet and envelope her with secure and loving arms as he would look into her eyes and tell her of his devotion and adoration for her and then express his love in the most intimate of ways. Thoughts and dreams of, she suspected, many young women. It was a place of escape for her and bittersweet to have such wonderful flights of fancy and that was just what they were. One look though, in her mother's eyes would be the jolt back into reality and she would just wait until she again could visit her imagined beloved in their life of freedom.
But now, even this place of mental comfort was tainted after the abusive four nights with Algund. Where now the expressions of the once gentle lover twisted into a sneer of hate and malice. Soothing hands became bruising and an envisioned body that displayed loving intimacy and pleasure became a vile and degrading instrument of pain. Gone now was the soft green grass they walked and laid upon as it was replaced with hard, sharp and cold stone and slate. Her hands gripped the reins tighter now with anger at him for destroying her dreams and thought, "Delighted are you, Algund? For even in death you are my plague."
She lifted her head and watched her mother ride next to her. Adibe kept her head forward with thoughts of her own but looked over and her features softened as she smiled to her daughter. Debanni's fists unclenched and she felt a hope from her mother's gaze that a place of refuge in dreams would come back to her. She eyed her mother from head to foot. Dark hair surrounding her smooth tan face. Soothing, deep brown eyes that almost appeared black between khol rimmed lids. The colorful and beautiful silks draped over her skin. And she, herself was a copy of this and they rode together and stood out and always would, as long as they remained here among these folk. A long and deep breath was sucked into her lungs and released as she looked over the land and then out to the road beyond. She might have enjoyed the freedom and adventure in the presence of the two men whose intentions were not to harm or fueled by hate if it were not for the prior events.
She looked over her company and her eyes lingered on Ceolwulf before staring straight ahead again. She adjusted herself a bit and did her best to prepare for next bit of fate. She only hoped the worst was over.
***
Written by Hobbitness
Never has the Harrowdale Valley seemed so infinite, never so gloomy and forbidding, though it is late afternoon and not the darkness of night. Everything here seems dead, even the mightiest trees whose trunks were once as thick as a man in armor. Perhaps life remains in the depths of these giants, under their burned bark, but there are no outward signs of green.
"I will ride ahead and tell my wife of our coming," Elfwine tells the company when they are almost two miles away from Underharrow, then starts off at a gallop. Before long, he can make out their house in the distance. The young peasant couple who are helping her with the farm work split wood in the grass before the front door. Eadulf, the young man, has just put the horses in for the evening. The fields between the hills were once horse pastures, but now have little vegetation. There are a few tool sheds about the grounds, a smokehouse, the barn, and the home of Eadulf and his wife Cynwise. It is all a far cry from the fine hall that Elfwine's family possessed in Edoras, but hopefully there will be no more war and all will be rebuilt in the coming years.
Eadulf and Cynwise look up in surprise when Elfwine gallops up. "Master Elfwine!" Eadulf cries. "We thought you were on duty! What has happened?"
"I cannot tell you yet. Now I must see my wife," Elfwine says as he dismounts and hands his horse over to Eadulf, who takes it to the stables. Cynwise leads Elfwine to the door and opens it for him. He steps into the great room that serves as kitchen, dining room, sitting room, and bedroom for any houseguests. A screen lies against the wall, ready to be strategically placed to shield the kitchen area from view if needed. Behind a wood partition are the master's bedchamber, the lady's bedchamber, the boys' bedchamber, and a sewing room.
Hild's small but strong frame is bent over the fire in the great room, stirring it. She looks up and gasps when her husband enters the room. "Do not be alarmed, my dear," Elfwine smiles. "I have a strange tale to tell you, but all has turned out well, for the most part. Ask Cynwise to set more places, for our house shall soon be full of guests."
Hild portrayed by Eowyn
Elfwine and Leofen portrayed by Hobbitness
Ceolwulf portrayed by Angmar
Hild: "Elfwine! You are back from
the marches early!" Hild exclaimed, her look of surprise
turning to one of joy as she rushed to her husband. "Is something
wrong? What has happened? Who has come with you?"
Hild: Hearing the exchange between the two, Cynwise quickly went
a set of shelves where the dishes and bowls were stored. Then
looking back to Elfwine, she asked, "Sir, how many guests
are we expecting? And I should like to know the same things as
Lady Hild!"
Elfwine: Elfwine's grizzled face brightens with a soft smile for
his wife and he pulls her into an embrace. The force of his grasp
alerts her that something is wrong and is pressing on his mind.
He looks over Hild's shoulder to Cynwise as she asks him about
the coming guests. He counts in his head, then smiles to her a
little apologetically. "There are six more people coming,
Cynwise. I am sorry we could not let you know in advance. Many
strange things have happened of a sudden."
Elfwine: He pulls away from Hild and holds her tenderly by the
shoulders. "Hild, I came ahead to prepare you for the shock
that is coming. I bring news of joy." He pauses, then moves
a soothing hand along her forearm. "Ceolwulf is alive. He
is on his way!"
Hild: Hild's eyes widen and she feels faint. "Ceolwulf!"
she gasps. "We thought he had fallen at Pelennor! Oh, what
wonder is this! What glad tidings! Our son is back!" she
cries, her eyes welling up with tears of happiness.
Hild: Cynwise turns back to the shelf, her hands trembling as
she gathers up bowls and spoons. Hild and Elfwine had missed their
son horribly, and nothing ever really assuaged the grief. The
Rohirrim had lost so much in the war and then over the cold winter.
Hild: Gathering six bowls, Cynwise walks back over to the table
and begins to set it. Then she returns to the cauldron of stew
upon the brazier, wondering if it will be enough. She decides
to add some more water to the pot, though she wishes she could
provide better for the guests. "It will have to do in a pinch,"
she thinks.
Elfwine: Wanting to be strong for his wife, Elfwine struggles
to keep the emotion from his own voice. "It is true, no grief
could lessen the joy of his return, but nevertheless there is
sorrow to temper our happiness." He pauses again, preparing
himself to deal the blow to his beloved wife. "Ceolwulf has
been enslaved in the Nameless Land. I do not know what he has
endured, but he has changed."
Hild: Her lips part in horror and her mouth opens and closes with
no sound coming out. Finally she is able to speak. "Our son
- enslaved - in the Nameless Land?" she chokes in fight.
"Oh no! That - that is horrible!" She sways upon her
feet and her grip upon her husband's arm tightens. She swallows,
trying to muster her strength and courage. "Where is Ceolwulf
now? Is he coming?" she asks, desperation and panic in her
voice.
Elfwine: Before Elfwine can reply, the door opens and a windblown
Vardamir emerges. Behind him are Leofen and Ceolwulf, followed
by Adibe and Debanni. Eadulf and other servants are outside tending
to the horses of Ceolwulf's company.
Ceolwulf: Ceolwulf walks into the room, blinking at the lights
for a moment and then he sees an older woman near the door. "Mother!"
he exclaims and walks over to her as his father steps back. Clasping
Hild around the waist, he hugs her tightly. "Mother!"
he says. "Let me look at you!"
Hild: "Ceolwulf!" Hild exclaims. Her mind reels and
feels as though it is about to burst from surprise, fear and joy.
So much is happening. Ceolwulf has returned! Ceolwulf has returned!
O joy of joy, wonders of wonders! It is almost like he has returned
from the dead! She embraces Ceolwulf tightly, desperately, never
wanting to let go.
Hild: "My son, my son!" she says, pulling away from
him slightly, so she can look up into his face. "Is it really
you!" her voice is breathless.
Hild: An astonished but happy smile is upon Cynwise's face as
she watches Hild and her son. Such a joyous occasion, and so very
strange. She does not know what to think of it all. Then quickly
she returns to the table, preparing it for the unexpected and
welcomed company.
Ceolwulf: "Mother, we bring strangers with us, not of this
land. They are Southron women. 'Twould take too long to explain
why they are with us, but they come as friends and ask for sanctuary
in your house."
Vardamir: Before Hild can answer, suddenly the door to the house
opens. In comes Vardamir and Leofen with Adibe and Debanni. Vardamir
has gathered their most important supplies, including his and
Ceolwulf's swords, in a saddlebag which he places on the floor
near the entry.
Hild: Elfwine and Cynwise goes to greet Leofen and the newcomers,
and soon are all are seated at the table. For the time neither
Hild nor Cynwise realizes or cares that the two strange women
are Southrons, not the fair daughters of Eorl.
Ceolwulf: Ceolwulf looks into his mother's eyes. Then leaning
forward, he kisses her on the cheek. "Mother, my dearest
mother. It has been so long. Over a year since I saw you last!
Dear mother." He kisses her on the other cheek, then stands
there and looks into her eyes.
Hild: "Oh, son! We have missed you so much, your father and
me." She kisses his cheeks and hugs him again. "Oh,
it is so good that you are back."
Hild: But then worry taints her joy. Did not Elfwine say that
their son had changed after his captivity in the Nameless Land?
Her brow furrows and concern lines her face. She pulls away again
and looks to him thoughtfully. Her voice is soft as she asks,
"What happened to you?"
Ceolwulf: "I fought a battle, Mother, and I lost. That is
all there is to say. I am quite tired and I would like to lie
down and rest. Do you have my old room ready for me?" He
steps away from her.
Hild: "Oh.." she murmurs. "I am sorry. If the memories
of... of what happened to you bring you pain, we shall not speak
of the matter any more." She breathes deeply, slate blue
eyes taking the sight of her son. He looks much older than she
remembered him and his hair is dark brown and not light blonde.
She wonders what has happened to him, but she knows her son well.
It is Ceolwulf - there is no mistaking him.
Hild: She forces a faint smile. "Come with me, and I will
show you to a room. Tis not the same as our old home in Edoras,
but it will suffice. Better than suffering in the cold and weather,
like many were forced to do last winter." She walks away
from him, beckoning him to follow her.
Ceolwulf: "Yes, Mother, I would prefer not to speak of what
happened to me at this time. Perhaps later," he says as he
follows her.
Vardamir: Vardamir looks to Elfwine and Leofen as they sit around
the table. "If you wish to know aught of our story, I can
tell you what has happened to him. But it would grieve you to
know."
Elfwine: Elfwine replies, "Not now. It is too soon."
Hild: She takes Ceolwulf into Leofen's room and shows him around.
Then she says, "I will have Leofen sleep in your father's
room so you can rest peacefully. Would you want me to bring you
anything to eat?"
Ceolwulf: "No, Mother," he says, "that is quite
all right. It is so good to see you again after so long. I trust
you will rest well and I look forward to seeing you in the morrow."
He waits for her to leave the room before taking off his clothes.
Then turning back his sheet and blanket, he blows out the candle
on the bedside table and then slides between the covers and closes
his eyes.
Hild: Hild steps back into the great room and walks over to the
table. She stands there a moment, smiling awkwardly. "Ceolwulf
is resting now, and we should give him peace and quiet. He has
been through hell and has come back alive. Leofen, you are to
sleep in your father's room tonight. I trust this is well with
you."
Leofen: Leofen's face falls. Ceolwulf is resting, so soon! He
had hoped to have a good, long talk with his brother. "Of
course, Mother, it is well. Anything that will help him."
A smile slowly creeps onto his face. He has missed his mother,
as well. Getting up, he walks over to her and hugs her. "I
am glad to see you, too. This is a welcome rest from our army
duties!"
Hild: Hild returns her son Leofen's embrace. "Welcome home,
son! Indeed this is a happy reunion. Both you, Elfwine and Ceolwulf,
who returned beyond all hope, all in the same day."
Adibe: Adibe and Debanni feel very much out of place amongst strangers.
Adibe speaks for both herself and her daughter. "Could you
please show us to a room? Anywhere. Someplace to sleep. We can
sleep in the barn, by the hearth, but please we must rest. We
are not hungry. Perhaps in the morning."
Hild: Hild looks to the two women, noticing for the first time
they are Southrons. She feels uneasy, as though something unclean
had blighted her home, but she resolves to remain polite and courteous.
Breaking away from Leofen, she looks to to the two women. Managing
a polite smile she says, "Certainly. You can sleep in my
bedchambers. I shall pull out the trundle bed for you."
Adibe: Adibe and Debanni give their gratitude and rise from the
table. They nod and thank everyone present, wishing them a good
night. Then they follow Hild to her bedchambers.
Hild: "Elfwine and I welcome you into our home and hope your
sojourn here will be a pleasant one," Hild says as they walk
together. "Forgive me for asking, but I did not catch your
names..." The conversation fades away the further they go.
Hild: After seeing to Adibe and Debanni's comfort, Hild returns
to the main room of the house and takes her seat at the table
where sit Elfwine, Leofen and the servants who have just come
in to eat.
Vardamir: "My thanks for your hospitality, my lady,"
Vardamir says and introduces himself. At Elfwine's request, he
relates the story of this harrowing day. He tells of the outlaw
band he and Ceolwulf joined, of the kidnapping, of the death of
Algund and the flight to Rohan. He glosses quickly over the trial
and their time at the gallows, how close they came to being hanged.
Vardamir: Saving the worst for last, he finally tells how Ceolwulf
killed his comrade by accident, but adds that the weregild has
been paid. "It is a hard and treacherous road that has brought
us here, my lady, but I am grateful that you have made our journey's
end such a pleasant one."
Hild: "Anything to help my son and his companions, especially
when they have escaped from the hell of the Nameless Land, adventuring
their lives and coming so close to death many times," says
Hild in reply to Vardamir. "It is my hope, my prayer, that
Ceolwulf shall recover from all that has happened to him and all
that he has seen. Just to be out of the Nameless Land and the
conquered remains of old Gondor shall do him good. Now, Vardamir,
eat if you are hungry, but if you are too weary, I shall show
you where you may sleep."
Vardamir: Vardamir thanks Hild heartily, feeling some of his stern
resignation to his fate breaking. How Hild reminds him of his
own mother. He begins to miss his own family and his old home
and he hears the music of his old harp in his mind. His Ring tightens
on his finger. "Weary you are, yet you shall find no rest,"
it tells him. "Do you not envy Ceolwulf, who rests peacefully?
There shall be no rest for you until you turn to Me as he has
done."
Vardamir: A surge of nausea overtakes Vardamir, and he flinches
slightly. But he wills the feeling away with a great effort, and
accepts Hild's offer of food. He eats hungrily, then falls into
the bed Hild has prepared for him. His troubled mind has difficulty
falling asleep, but once sleep comes, it is deep and dreamless.
***
Written by Angmar
The next morning, Ceolwulf rose early and after dressing and making up his bed he walked out of the room and down to the kitchen where he found his mother and Cynwise. After greeting them both, he sat down at the table and began to speak. "Mother and Cynwise, Vardamir and I were just on the gallows yesterday. As you can surmise, it was a very unnerving experience," he said impassively. "It is quite a terrifying thing to stand there, with your hands tied behind your back and a hood tied about your neck. When we were rescued by Father and Leofen I was very stunned and surprised because I expected to die upon that gallows. As you can imagine, I was quite unnerved and said some rash things. I am sure Father understands the reason for my impetuosity but perhaps you can explain this to him for me."
Hild looked at her son with love. "I understand, my son. Please, do not speak of this. I know how it must upset you."
"Yes, Mother," he said and looks into her eyes. He smiled at her with an endearing smile, much as the ones he smiled at her when he was a small boy and had broken something and she was angry and scolded him.
"Please do not do that, Ceolwulf," she smiled. "It puts me in mind of you when you were a lad." Hild thought of her other son Hereric who had been killed at the second battle of Helm's Deep and wondered how she would ever be able to tell Ceolwulf of his death. "That could wait for a while," she thought to herself."
"Yes," he said and smiled back, "but it always got me my own way, did it not?"
Mother and son exchanged knowing glances. "Now, mother, if you will excuse me, I want to take a walk and look at the grounds here where you are building a new home."
"Yes," she replied, "but try to be back in time for breakfast."
"I will," he said. "Now can you tell me where is my sword, sheath and belt?"
"I believe they must be in the pack that Vardamir left by the door. If they are not there, then they must be in the barn, for the pack was the only thing that Vardamir brought inside."
"Thank you. I feel naked without them," he laughed, then walked away from her and towards the door. Bending down and opening the pack, he drew out his sword, sheath and belt. He stood up and strapped the belt around his waist and then reached down into the pack again, taking out a small dagger and scabbard. He hid this inside his boot and then went out the door, closing it behind him.
Debanni had arisen early and when she was told by her mother that she was going to the kitchen to see if she could help Hild and the other woman, Debanni said that she would just like to go away by herself a while and be alone and think. Her mother said in Haradric, "Of course, daughter, I will be in the kitchen helping in whatever way I can."
Ceolwulf walked around the barn that had recently been built and then he looked at the foundation that had been laid for his father and mother's new house. He turned to the west where the Snowborn flowed and deciding that he had not seen it for so long, he would venture there just for the sight of the river once again.
He walked through the sparse grove of trees that grew around the road and then striking the course of a small stream, he followed it and walked towards the river. There, sitting on a rock on the bank was Debanni staring intently into the water as it flowed by. He caught her silhouette as the sun shone through the trees and he saw how lovely truly indeed she was. He walked closer and she heard the sound of his footsteps and turned to him with a start.
"Who!"
"Debanni, it is I, Ceolwulf. Do you mind if I sit beside you upon the rock and gaze at the river?"
"No," she replied, her gaze cast down as the women in that land had been taught to do when a man approached them. "Please do."
He went over to the rock and sat down upon it beside her. Together they watched the river and talked. The time passed quickly and the morning meal was soon forgotten. When Ceolwulf and Debanni returned to Elfwine's hall, they found that breakfast had long been over.