A chain was needed, a chain or a cord. Of course not just any chain or cord, but one that would be worthy of the most precious gift she had ever been given. Yes there had been dresses of elaborate brocade, token gifts of a jewel here, a trinket there. This though, this was symbolic and it came from him. She could not wash dishes or clothes with it on her finger, no no, it was worth more to her than a mere trinket.
Spanning her hand out before her she looked upon the elegant ring upon it, the firelight catching the perfect facets upon the flawless deep blue stone. Too often now she daydreamed, though when thoughts strayed to what he might be doing in the moments they were parted, she swept them away like a lesser maid sweeping dirt beneath a rug. It is true, love causes blindness.
Toryns cries echoed in Blinces home, pulling her from another daydream. With great haste through the grand hall her footsteps echoed, where all manner of cruel looking items lay perfectly placed in assigned areas, items suitable for bludgeoning, hacking, slicing and stretching flesh from whatever poor fellow met their edge. Onwards through the warm, welcoming family room where so many fond moments were shared, ones of love, togetherness, laughter and joy, a stark contrast to the adjoining room, this with its toys and rugs scattered, the kittens bed and comfortable chairs with plump cushions. Quickly ascending the wooden steps, worn over time, toward the bedchamber he shared with his brother, she opened the heavy oak door further to go to the little boys side, her arms encircling him as he stood atop of the bed, a wailing, red faced child. She held him gently to her body, shushing him in a soothing manner and soon turning to soft song. The tearstained face was wiped with her thumb and his eyes as if glass, as pleadingly he asked her “Papa?”…”Soon Toryn, soon he will return my brave little one..”. Cradling him against her, she rocked the child gently till his sniffles were no more, his eyes closing to allow him sleep again. In the darkness, lit by a solitary candle placed high, she looked about the room. Two warm, soft beds of high quality, furnishings to rival any fine home and so many toys, a sign like the ring, one of devotion, admiration, love.
How could such a scarred, blunt, crude man express so much love yet on the other hand do the unspeakable to whom might meet his wrath? She knew of what he was capable of, she witnessed a taste of it and yet her knowledge was pushed aside, swept beneath the rug and leaving her content with being ignorant. The man she would wed, the drinker who didn’t realise that she kept fewer casks of ale and bottles of drink in the home now. The fighter, who at times looked exasperated, as if he could not care to fight again. The mentor, one who guided and nurtured those younger than him. The lover.. she did not want to think on this, for what woman in her right mind would want to think of their partner with another? And he had known many before her. She did know one thing though, should any challenge her place at his side…Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and looked down once more at the ring upon her finger. They were far from perfect, but they belonged.
Gently she pried herself from the little boy and made her way from the room, the small kitten crawling up the bed to lay against Toryns back. She would give him everything, as if he were her own, just as she would his father.
