The day began the same as every other. Well, almost, this time she was rudely awakened by small feet parading over her stomach. "Mama get up! I'm hungry. And Nan isn't awake yet."
She groaned and slowly opened her eyes "I'm not made of steel boy, stop jumping on me like I'm indestructible. You will get your breakfast. Just let me get dressed alright?"
"Steel doesn't break. You're just pretending that I hurt you." He grinned.
There it was. 'Like Father, like son.' Freawine had his Father's confidence and cleverness.
Her boy already showed to her day in and day out that he wasn't afraid.
He was ready to face every and any consequences that his words and actions would bring.
Which made it difficult for her to discipline him when he was wrong. The boy always seemed to be two steps ahead.
"Just get down Freawine please."
The boy frowns and reluctantly gets off of his Mother's stomach. "Fine. I was getting bored anyway."
Aellwenn sighs and slowly rises from her bed. She says aside to the boy lingering at the doorway "Freawine?"
"What?" He replied with a tone that was as sharp as a knife.
"I love you. I hope you know that."
The boy's shoulders swing up and then down in a shrug. "Okay." His tone became flat after that.
She didn't have the time or the energy to admonish him. Perhaps she did something to warrant this reaction?
But she had to be better than her own Mother. She had to be. Otherwise, that little boy wouldn't seek her out. He would just hide in his room all day. If he didn't love her. Who would?
Her musings were interrupted when there was a knock at her front door. "Oh orome. Freawine get the door! I haven't even gotten out of my nightdress yet."
The boy begrudgingly obeyed.
Then the shrill voice of an old woman echoed throughout the foyer.
Nan. Of course, it was Nan.
"Ah! So my lessons in chivalry. Are sticking in that shallow space between your ears. Young man! What a gentleman. Opening the door for an old woman."
She puts her cane near the door and asks before Freawine could answer properly. "Now, where's that featherbrained, Mother of yours?"
She wasn't ready to deal with this yet. Oh, no. She prayed in her head to each and every vala there was. 'Please, don't let her walk in here. Please not yet.'
"Hey! She's not Featherbrained Nan! Just a little cranky sometimes. Ma is in her room. She's not dressed yet."
She always taught her boy to be honest. But in this case, a little white lie would be appreciated!
She could almost hear the matron's brow furrowing in the other room. Aellwenn's stomach sank. 'Here we go again.' She thought.
"Oh please dear, I was your Mother's nanny first. And before that, I was a midwife. I think I've earned the right to call her what I wish! What's this about her not being dressed? It's eight in the morning! Back in my day, we would be up at the crack of Dawn! Did your mother have company or something last night? Never mind, you're too young for that conversation." By the Gods did this woman even breathe?
Then just like that Nan came into the bedroom with a huff "What's this then girl? Do you want to spit on your mother's grave? You're sitting here in your nightdress! If this were the courts of the king. You would be put to shame!"
Aellwenn stared blankly at the old crone. The woman that raised her more than her own mother did. There was a time, where Nan's hair was only just starting to grey. But those days have long since passed.
"We aren't in anyone's court. We are among the farmers, the tailors, the carpenters, the hunters. Don't you see? We are common folk now. And even if I could be a Princess my Knight is long gone. And now I can only pick up his sword and hope that it can be used to protect my son. Until he is old enough to raise it himself. What's this about my Mother hm? Dead? I heard no such thing. But perhaps she deserved her fate. What goes around. Comes around no?"
Nan looked taken aback at Aellwenn's words. "You.. you don't remember? Yes, she's dead my child. What happened to you? I thought someone would have told you."
"Life happened." She replied.
"Life happens to all of us girl. It's how you deal with it that makes you a woman."
Aellwenn scoffed "I don't need your preaching right now. Please.. make the boy his breakfast." Her voice weakening towards the end.
Nan shook her head "As you wish. But this attitude of yours is going to come back to-"
"Get out!" Aellwenn grabbed a wooden bucket and hurled it towards the doorway.
She was tired.
So, so, tired.
