Eduwiges of Faldham was frustrated. She sat at a table in the corner of a low rent tavern just inside the walls of Linhir. Edu sat where she could see everything in the tavern. There was no way she was going to have her back to anyone. She was wearing light brown armor that sufficed for patrolling and roaming on horseback. The golden circlet given to her by Moriaith, the disgraced captain of the Imladris guard, was on the table in front of her. Baedu Drut, her great sword, was strapped to her back. Her elbows were propped up on the table as she nursed Xandilif’s favorite concoction, grog. Edu had been approached by several would be suitors but a cold stare and a feck off written on her forehead soon put a stop to that. Most of the patrons were subdued with the dark rumors of death circling the small city like a cold morning fog.
Since Eduwiges had raided the small camp of Angmarim scouts and the capture of the traitorous Moriaith, disturbing thoughts had been coalescing in her mind. If Moriaith, an elf of a millennium of service could turn then was anyone safe anywhere? She recalled the look of hatred on the elleth’s face after Edu had thrown her to the ground when she returned with her back in Rivendell. She felt the betrayal deeply. Not only had they bore arms with each other they had warmed each other’s bed a time or two. There was no love involved, just two comrades sharing more than danger and death with each other.
Edu sipped at her grog and tried to put together the problems that had brought them to Nethida’s home town. A letter from Neth’s sister asking for aid and the fast travel to Gondor. Edu was happy to do what she could to help her friends even though her dislike of the woman who sent the letter was palpable. They had almost come to blows the last time they were here. Although, her parents were quite lovely. Edu was more than happy to admire the curvy lithe figure on Neth’s sister but their obvious dislike for each other negated anything else between them.
She brooded as she drank deeply of her grog and waved the serving wench over. She asked for another one. She missed the mischievous gleam in the buxom lass’ eyes and the obvious attempt at flirting with her. Her thoughts were too convoluted to think of much else. Nay, her thoughts were more on her friends and the newest addition to the group, Ryn. Ever since their visit to Bree-land and the subsequent battle with the masked ones in Imladris there had been a subtle shift in relationships among the group. Like a willow-wisp it was difficult to put a finger on it but it was there nonetheless.
Eduwiges gave a small smile that turned to a grin as the serving girl brought her a fresh grog and the swish of her backside as she walked away. She leaned back in her chair, it creaked, giving an alert to the rustic craftsmanship that made it. Her eyes took in her surroundings; a dark semi-lit room with a few chairs and tables, a bar with stools that had been polished shiny by backsides for years. A couple of sailors from the port of Pelargir were knocking back drinks and telling ribald jokes. The floor had seen better days as the wood planking was warped and nails stood out in several places. Smoke from pipes curlicued up into the air covering the semi-nude paintings of maidens, dragons and mermaids. Conversation was muted and most were discussing the rumors of the war and of a killer stalking the common folk right here in Linhir. Edu snorted to herself. There had been killers stalking her and the rest of her friends for as long as she could remember, hence, her back to the wall where she could guard herself and reach her sword in an instant.
Eduwiges was also confused in her feelings. Since the journey they made to Bree-town the dynamics of relationships had changed within her comrades. There had been much trouble and trauma for everyone since they had left Tol Lochul. Finch learned the history of her mother and the wandering spirit she had tamed. Ryn was an unknown, an old friend of Finch who had thrown herself into Xanderian’s band of merry misfits. Her and Nethrida had gotten together at the Prancing Pony and now there was no separating them. All of them had been stalked and if it weren’t for the messenger, Asmalinde, things could have been much worse. The journey to Imladris had been traumatic as well. The disasters at Imlad Gelair had damaged everyone. Is it any wonder the two elves, her Lethy and Calidis had begun clinging to each other in solace?
Eduwiges still did not understand what had occurred on the bridge and in the depths of the elven refuge. But she had gotten hers when she slew the Angmarim and exposed Moriaith for what she was.
It was difficult for her. Seeing Calidis and Xanderian together. Xan was her Lethy, her special one. They had bonded from the moment they met. Their relationship had been sealed by Xanderian’s blood by the docks of Kheledul. There had been others in and out of their lives, lovers and such but Eduwiges had never been jealous before. Well, possibly the one time when she threw a fit on the streets of Bree after finding out about Xan and that lunatic Maeradae. However, Edu and Xan had talked it out. Eduwiges understood there was an understanding between the two of them. So life went on in a comfortable fashion. The two of them always knew they were there for each other. Sometimes in each other's arms and sometimes just a knowing look or smile. For some reason this time it felt different. The relationship between the two elves seemed a love match. She readily admitted to herself that there was a twinge of jealousy there. But, she loved the two of them fiercely, just as she did the others.
Xandilif was another story, the mistress of mayhem. The hard boiled warrior had softened of late. She was not the fierce fighter who spent all that time with Eduwiges, training her to be harder than Gareth Steel arse. She had started to fear for the safety of her companions. Edu recently had begun to feel out of place spending time with her friends who were family to her. Their gatherings seemed to be four on four instead of the openness and raucousness of the past. She knew she was human and not elf so time moved differently for Lethy, Xandilif, and Cal. She also knew they thought differently from her. Edu had spent most of her formative years with elves so she was not angry or bitter. Just a bit sad knowing she was going to have to make an adjustment in her thinking and her heart. She would have to take up the defense of her friends until things changed. She loved them all passionately and would gladly die defending them if need be.
The other puzzling problem was Addiela. Whom Lif called the horse imp. Edu and Addie were both from the Mark but that was where the similarities ended. Eduwiges grew up on the frontlines in Faldham her mother died when she was very young. Her father brought her up as a shield maiden and she ate and lived like a soldier. Addie was Rohan royalty. If life had thrown a different course she could have been Queen of the Mark. Eduwiges was garrulous and hardened by battle. She had the scars to prove it. She also had been known to drink a bit and have a little too much fun. Addie was prim and proper, more reserved. Her mother had been abusive towards her and her plots for power had almost gotten them all killed. Addie wore clothing up to her neck. Eduwiges skinny dipped in the river not caring who saw what. Edu was a master of the sword. Addie was a master of magical arts. Edu was grateful for the way Addie had taken the time to cook for her and talked her down from her nightmare on the bridge. Lately she had been casting a few appreciative glances at Addie but shook them off as nonsense. There need not be another strange dynamic cast into the group.
Eduwiges of Faldham was feeling pretty good as she finished her last grog and slid her chair back to stand. She stretched, pulling her arms over her head and her joints popped in appreciation. Her breasts strained the fabric of her armor and then she relaxed. She left her coin on the table and the circlet as a tip for the tail swishing serving wench and headed for the door. On the way out the girl stopped her and pulled Edu down to whisper in her ear, ‘I will be through at the last bell if you would care to walk me home.’
She winked and smiled and twirled herself back behind the bar. Eduwiges smiled and continued out the exit. Her troubled thoughts still swirling as she pushed through the doors. She did not notice the gems on Baedu Drut glowing bright blue as she left.
