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Rider of the Mark

Rider of the Mark

 

Chapter 11

Apprenticing to your Affections



***

***What in Arda?...***

Gamling watched in fury as Aefre calmly picked her way around chickens and birds on the ground, her arms laden with two linen covered baskets.

***I told her... Béma! The KING told her not to leave the gates... what is she doing?...***

Grabbing his leggings, he thrust both legs in at once, only to trip and fall over himself. Growling angrily, he threw on his tunic, falling again as he grabbed his boots, and pushed both feet in them without stockings. Slamming the door to his chambers open, he ran headlong into …omer.

"Good morrow, Gamling!" the Marshal put his hands out and steadied the older Horse Lord. "I was coming to get you for breakfast, however, considering the thumping and noise coming from your room, I thought perhaps you were enjoying yourself with a comely wench!" He stepped back and tried to look over Gamling's shoulder. "So, who is she, the wondrous woman who has pulled you from your doldrums?"

"…omer-"

"Was it Aefre? Did you manage to put her in her place?" …omer continued to attempt to peer around the haphazardly dressed Rider, Gamling irritably stepping and shifting to keep the king's nephew from peering in.

"…omer-"

"Did she put up a fuss? Was she- *Stop* getting in my way!... don't tell me you killed her with your over- exuberant pent-up attentions?" …omer finally stopped bouncing and backed up. "Ooh! She's shy!" Apparently thinking he had finally managed to shoe the Mearas, …omer settled his hands on his hips. "Shy? Why would she be shy about such things at both of your advanced ages?"

…omer, son of …omund, was immediately presented with Gamling's back as the Horse Lord stomped away, punctuating each footfall with a curse. …omer shrugged helplessly at the chambermaid, who was looking at him in horror. "Was it something I said?"

Gamling made his way through the city, aiming straight for the gates. Wise people moved aside, wondering what had upset the normally reserved Horse Lord this early in the morning. He growled at the two gate guards who attempted to bid him good morning and paid no attention to the angry pair of eyes that watched him from the royal stables.

***Where would she be goingstupidstupidwoman going basket early morning...***

He snapped his fingers and growled out loud. "The Tent Village!" Gamling found a worn path between the rocks and made his way to the makeshift dwellings.

*** They look more rag-tag up close than at a distance...Béma! How desperate are these people? ***

He spied a filthy, skinny urchin, aged about ten summers, playing in the dust. "Boy!" he commanded sternly. Blank, empty blue eyes looked up at him. It shocked him how one so small could be so desolate. "A woman... a lady," he corrected himself, "came through here a few minutes ago from Edoras. She was carrying bas-"

"Lady Aefre."

Gamling nodded, saddened by the forsaken tone of voice in one so young. "Yes. Lady Aefre. Where did she go?"

The youngster pointed to a tattered covering. "Garberend's widow. She's been ill." His attention returned to the haphazard lines he had drawn in the dirt.

"Thank you." Gamling whispered. The child acknowledged him with a noncommittal grunt. Slowly, the Horse Lord made his way over to the frayed cloth, soft voices murmuring within.

"You're a gift from the Valar, you are."

"No, I'm not. I'm just-"

"No, no, my lady." There was the sound of rustling. "We'd starve if it weren't for you." More rustling.

"What is the word in Edoras, my lady?" A different, younger voice. "We hear talk of war."

He recognized Aefre's heavy sigh. "Aye. There will be war. Théoden King awaits a summons from Gondor."

"Then 'tis not a rumor." The younger voice stated hotly. "If they want land, give it to them! How many more of our men, our children, must die-"

"It's not about land, Aerlene!" Aefre answered the woman sharply. "This is an evil - doer from an ancient age - a minion of Melkor. It's about total domination. This is a war brewing since before our great grandsires time!" Her voice gentled. "We will all die if we don't fight. There will be nothing left for our children. There will be no Rohan, no Gondor, no Middle Earth."

There was a stifled sob. "My lady, I am afraid to go home. My mother was brought here from Helm's Deep and she is too ill to be moved. I can't leave her here. The last I saw of our home, it was in flames. I have nothing to go back to. I can't rebuild by myself. Does the king even *care* that we are here? This is not an existence I thought I would have to endure."

There was an eerie silence.

"I know the king cares. I'm sure he has someone he trusts working on this problem as we speak."

***Béma! I've been consulting the wrong person!***

Gamling came around towards the front of the tent, just in time to see Aefre back out. "There is enough willow bark to last you a few days, but I'll be back before then. Aerlene, don't give up hope." She backed out completely and turned only to run headlong into the unmoving, tall Rider, fruit falling from her basket.

Out of sheer instinct, Gamling grabbed her by the shoulders and steadied her, holding her at arm's length.

"Gamling!" she gasped. "What are you doing here?"

Gamling bent over and began to pick up the dropped items. "I followed you to ask you that very question, My Lady!" he retorted. "As I recall, not only did the King order you not to leave the city walls without me-"

"He did no such thing! He told me to not go riding about without you!" she interrupted in outrage.

*** She's defying me... ME! She is... Béma, the woman is....***

"I myself told you not to wander freely without an escort!"

"I... well... I..."

***Speechless! Yes! Yes! Finally! Who's the Rider? Tell me Who IS the Rider...***

"Yes, My Lady? I am waiting."

Aefre rolled her eyes. "Fyren is in the stables. I saw him when I left. No one in their right mind would accost me in broad dayli... oof!"

At the word 'accost', Gamling grabbed her, pulling her up against him, causing her to drop her basket, fruit again spilling over the ground. In a proprietary manner, he enfolded her, holding her against him. Ignoring her gasp of outrage , he pulled her tighter and whispered in her ear, "Do you think anyone would step in to rescue you here? You are not among civilized folk, you... OUCH!" Aefre found herself abruptly turned loose, as Gamling stepped back, clutching his shin, eyes searching for the person who had attacked him.

The grubby waif who had earlier told him where to find Aefre was standing not too far off, his grubby hand in a fist.

"You will not harm Lady Aefre," the child stated firmly.

"I wasn't going to-"

"You will not harm Lady Aefre!" he repeated. A medium-sized rock materialized in the palm of the child's hand. "Do you understand?"

The youngster was too far away for him to-

***Béma! That hurts! Where did one so young get such a deadly aim?"***

- grab, disarm, and beat some respect into him. Gamling looked at Aefre.

***Oh yes! Laugh it up as it wasn't your leg he hit with a rock!***

Aefre was having a very difficult time keeping a straight face. "I do believe," she started mirthfully and nodded towards the child, "that I have a worthy, brave escort, Just Gamling."

The rock was being tossed in a rhythmic manner and the adolescent was cannily eyeing Gamling's leg, measuring the distance.

"Yesyesyes you do! Will you please call him off?"

Aefre rolled her eyes and putting her arm around the Rider, she called to the boy, "It's all right, Bawdewyne. This is Gamling, Marshal of the Mark. He was making a point and meant no harm."

"You are sure?" The child studied the Horse Lord dubiously. "He looks... seedy to me."

***Seedy? Seedy? You need a bath and a firm hand across your backside...***

Aefre finally laughed which brought the heads of many out of their tents. "It's all right, Bawdewyne, I swear it. Behind this scowling visage-"

***...don't you dare, don't you dare say I'm gentle or tender or...***

"-nice and caring-"

***...dammit! Béma, can I kill her, please? It will be quick and merciful...***

"-man."

***...DAMMIT!***

The adolescent still looked skeptical. "Are you sure? He isn't even properly dressed!" Bawdewyne pointed with his chin. "I'll bet his leggings aren't even decently laced!"

***... well, now that you mention it, it is a bit breezy in the southern part of the Riddermark...scowl dammit... grrrrr...***

"Gamling!" Aefre elbowed the Horse Lord. "Stop glaring at the child! You'll frighten the wee thing."

*** wee thing? I'll frighten his wee thing all right! Imp!...***

"Gamling! Now would be good!"

Gamling jerked his attention to the woman still holding him around the waist. "Lady Aefre," he began tersely, "you disobeyed a direct command from not only from me-"

"Commanded by you? I am not a Rider in your entourage! How dare you-"

Gamling raised his voice over hers. "You also disobeyed an order given to you directly by Théoden King!"

Aefre turned him loose and attempted to go nose to nose with the tall Rider. "I believe we already discussed this! The King stated that I should exercise my horse-"

"Béma! Be quiet!"

Aefre's mouth snapped shut.

***Well. That was certainly fast and worked rather well! I must try again...***

"Due to the fact," Gamling began quietly, "that most of the guards are watching those here on the hillside, certain... activities..." he nailed Aefre with a steely gaze, "have been curtailed. As you well know, the King is concerned for the safety of all of his subjects and he asks that the women do not wander about," his finger went up to shush her pending outburst, "without an escort. I saw you from my window, hence my lack of proper attire. I was concerned."

"Oh." It was a soft exhale. "Well, that was certainly-"

"Don't say nice or sweet."

"-thoughtful. You really didn't need to worry." Again her arm stole around him.

***nicenicehotsweetsweetmagicfingerssweet...***

"And you may call off your pint-sized escort!"

She smirked and turned him loose. Motioning to Bawdewyne, she began picking up the fruit and returning it to the basket. "Bawdewyne, would you take the rest of this to your grandmother? Please tell her to wash the fruit. There is also a tin of comfrey for her cut. Tell her I will check it tomorrow." She smiled at the child and sent him on his way. With a soft 'follow me', she guided the half-dressed Rider around and away from the refugee camp. Eventually, the rustling and sounds of the outcasts faded away. She motioned to a grassy knoll and the two sat down in the shade of the city walls. Gamling looked over the nearby hill, and saw mounds of simbelmyne...

"Sad place."

"Beautiful place." She corrected gently. "Quiet. I come here sometimes to collect my thoughts. It's the only bastion of privacy I can find." The wind was a bit cool, still early in the morning and unconsciously he moved closer, to block her from it.

"Are there that many taking up your time?"

She smiled slightly at that. "Typical Rider. Never spent much time below stairs, have you? Or in the kitchens? 'Lady Aefre, should we wash the linens today? There is a strong wind.' 'Lady Aefre, do these apples look like they are going bad?' 'Lady Aefre, the King wants roast chicken for dinner, but we still have too much hart and it is likely to spoil.' ' Lady Aefre-'..."

"I get your point." Gamling had to laugh. She made it sound so... so...

***busy life...and hectic...***

For a few minutes, they stared off together, enjoying the view, the tranquility.

*** quiet... silence... who would have thought she was capable of such?***

Fingers at his brow.

"Admiring your handiwork?"

"Which part?" she questioned cheekily. "Admiring the fact that I managed to hit you at all, or admiring my handiwork in keeping it from swelling your eye shut?" She pulled her hand away and sliding her knees up, she propped an elbow on them, and cupped her chin in the palm of her hand.

"Aefre. You have the most interesting look on your face." He scooted closer to her, his arm around her and his hand placed behind her. "Have I done something to amuse you?"

If she was aware the she was now protectively sheltered under his arm, she made no mention of it. "Besides the thought of you barging around Edoras and into the refugee camp barely dressed?" Aefre chuckled dryly. "I am willing to bet the entire Hall is questioning the sanity of Théoden King's most trusted advisor. I'll even wager," she poked him good - naturedly in the ribs, "that you didn't even put stockings on your feet when you thrust them into your boots!"

Gamling's toes curled painfully in his boots and he knew he would have blisters if he didn't remedy the situation soon. "What are you willing to wager?"

Aefre began to nervously fidget with the ties on her bodice. "Are you saying you *are* wearing stockings?"

***bluff... bluff... you can...***

"No. You're correct. I saw you sneaking out-"

"Sneaking? How dare you? I did no such thing! I've been doing this every morning since returning from Helm's Deep!"

" - and I was concerned as you disregarded my request-"

"Your command!"

"-from last evening." He smirked at her. "You will be happy to know, I tripped over myself twice, creating such an uproar that …omer speculated that I was rutting with three well-oiled whores-"

"You beast!" Aefre was laughing out loud, leaning against his arm. "You lie!"

"You're right again. I do lie." He made a very sorrowful face. "I lie a lot." He began to inspect the nails on the hand not resting behind her. "The truth is he thought I was sporting with you!" Aefre's jaw flapped in indignation. "You are blushing, My Lady."

"You're... you're... lying..."

"No, it's true. Your cheeks are quite the lovely shade of pink."

Aefre smacked him on the chest. "Not that! What …omer thought! You are lying!"

"No, I swear it!" Gamling put his hand up in supplication. " This time it is the truth, I swear it. I ran headlong into him coming out of my chambers. You should have seen him bouncing about like a rabbit, trying to peer over my shoulder." Finally, he smiled at the memory. "I think he was most disappointed," he admitted with a whisper in her ear.

Aefre's cheeks were burning and she hissed, "That boy has too much free time on his hands!"

"That he does." Gamling looked out at the mounds of symbelmyne and across the mountains, where the sun had begun to clear the peaks, bathing the valley in an orange glow.

"Just Gamling?"

"Hmm?"

"Does the King even know about the refugees?"

Gamling let the air in his lungs expel fully before answering. "Aye. He does. He worries, he is at such a loss. I have racked my brain for a week, trying to figure out a solution. Why do they stay?"

"Because," Aefre moved up against him again, molding herself to his side, "they have nowhere to go. Their homes are destroyed, they have no menfolk, no Riders to protect them or aid them. Many of the children are orphaned."

***Haleth! Béma, what kind of friend am I? Where is he?***

"With the talk of war, they are afraid to return. Why? What is the point?"

"Aye, what is the point?" he echoed. "Aefre, I promise I'll find a way to get them off the hill and into some suitable shelter before war." Realizing the time, he pushed himself to his feet, extending a hand to help her up. "Two questions, My Lady." Aefre nodded, dusting grass and loose dirt from her skirts. "A friend of mine was killed in the Warg attack on the journey to Helm's Deep. His son has survived, but I haven't seen him since our return."

She looked up from her ministrations. "What is his name?"

"Haleth. Haleth, son of Hama. He has about twelve summers."

Aefre dusted grass from Gamling's side. "I'll look into it. Second question?"

Gamling took a second before asking. "Bawdewyne. Who is he and what happened to his family?"

Aefre took a deep breath and pulled her hands away from him. "Bawdewyne's mother died when he was quite young. His father was blacksmith in a village to the west of Edoras. They were by all reports, very close. He was killed at Helm's Deep."

"Hmm."

"Hmm what?" she asked suspiciously.

"Cynn, the blacksmith and farrier here in Edoras lost his apprentice at Helm's Deep. Do you think the boy would be-"

"Would be?" Aefre was simply exuberant. "It doesn't matter! It would get him off the hill! It would be a start! Food. A warm bed."

Gamling was pulling his fingers through his hair roughly. "Don't say anything. Let me ask Cynn." He might not want such a young child for an apprentice. Aefre," he hushed her, "Not. A. Word."

She shrugged. "If you insist. Hopefully, you'll know soon."

"Today or tomorrow."

Impulsively, she reached out to him, pushed his hair from his eyes. "I like your face, Just Gamling. You have an honest countenance."

The smile in his eyes far outshone the one on his face. He took her hand, fingertips playing with fingertips. "Oh? Do I-"

"HEY!" A familiar voice rang from above on the ramparts of the city. "Are you two going to kiss or what?"

Gamling didn't turn loose of Aefre, instead he pulled her close against him and made a rude gesture to …omer, standing above with a few grinning Riders. He could feel her shaking with laughter.

"That... that..."

"Cretin? Lummox?"

A bright, sunny smile peered up from the general location of his chest. "Make me a promise?"

"Gamling! Couldn't you find somewhere more romantic than the graveyard, for Eru's sake?"

"Does it involve …omer's death?"

Aefre was having a horrific time keeping her laughter under control. "After the war, we set him up with the most horrid of females."

"A dumpy, shrewish, domineering, ugly princess?" Aefre nodded enthusiastically. "Lady Aefre! My Lady! You are evil!" Gamling admonished sternly. "So we are in this together?"

"Oh yes. You-"

"HEY! Are you two going to stand there all day? Come on! Kiss her already!"

Aefre felt his fingers thread through the loose tendrils of her hair. "Should we appease him?" Gamling whispered in her ear.

Aefre disentangled herself from his grasp. "No." she shook her head, ruefully, but he caught a glimpse of a smirk. "I'll not kiss you just to appease someone."

"Oh?"

For the second time that morning, she poked him in the ribs. "No. I'll kiss you because I want to." She left him there, standing on the hill. She had gotten about ten steps before turning around walking backwards. "You might want to go in and get dressed. Put on some stockings before you get blisters." She laughed jovially before turning back around and-

***Woman! You could break something, swinging hips that way! HothothotohsweeeeeetElbereth...***

"Is that it? Béma! Gamling! Whatever happened to the-"

Gamling made another rude gesture up to the ramparts and tuned the aggravating Horse Lord out. Trying very hard not to limp, he followed behind in the wake of a pair of hips that intrigued him to no end.

***

Before going into the Great Hall, Gamling stopped by the blacksmith to make sure Dréogan was properly shod and to make the inquiry he promised Aefre.

"A boy about ten summers?" Cynn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I don't know, Gamling. That's mighty young."

"His father was a blacksmith. I suspect he knows his way around a smithy."

"Hmm. Still. Young." Cynn tapped on the last shoe, making sure it was secure.

"You'll have an apprentice for a long time."

"Underfoot."

"Energetic."

The blacksmith looked up from Dréogan's rear hoof. "You are determined." Gamling shrugged. "Oh, all right. Bring him down in the morning. I'll work his arse off."

"Thank you." Gamling turned and started to leave.

"Will this impress her enough?" The blacksmith was smirking.

***Béma! What is it with everyone trying to-***

"It will get a hungry child off of the hillside."

The blacksmith wisely waited until the reticent Horse Lord left the smithy. "Aye." He nodded to himself. "This should get him in her bed."

***

After getting dressed, Gamling made his way to the kitchens to see if anything was left over. Munching on a thickly buttered slice of bread, he deftly palmed an apple for his mount. He tossed it over his head, only to watch it snatched from the air by the meaty hand of Willan.

"Béma! Willan!" Gamling made to snatch the apple from the giant only for him to playfully hold it over his head. "If I were a lesser Rider, you would frighten me!" He held his hand out, palm up. "Hand it over."

With a grin, Willan dropped the apple into the offered palm. "I need you to do something - wait - two things."

Willan stood back expectantly and crossed his arms over his chest.

"First, there is a filthy urchin on the hill; his name is Bawdewyne. Father was a blacksmith, killed at Helm's Deep. Find him, feed him, bathe him, feed him again and take him to Cynn, the farrier." Willan nodded. "Second, early in the mornings, Aefre takes food and medicines for the people on the side of the hill outside of the city walls. Accompany her." Willan nodded. "Don't let her tell you no." Willan nodded. "Don't let her slip off." Willan nodded. "Don't' let her-" Willan's' hand covered Gamling's mouth and he made a comical face before turning and shuffling off. Gamling watched the man until he left the kitchen. "You could have let me finish," he mumbled before shaking his head and heading for the Great Hall.

Early morning found Gamling again, watching over the city, a self - satisfied smirk on his face at the sight of Willan following Aefre, the man's arms laden with foodstuffs. Gamling turned away, finished his morning ablutions and made his way to the Great Hall.

As he and several others spoke with Théoden, the Ranger burst into the Great Hall.

"The Beacons are lit! The Beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!"

***

tbc

***



 

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