Tales of Eldor - The Warden

Chapter XIII - The Funeral

3 days have passed as the sun starts to go down over Valiant Hold and the courtyards torches are lit one after another. The atmosphere grim and hearts heavy as everyone prepares to bid their farewells. Racnor and his people had returned in great numbers to honer the fallen they fought side by side with, not so long ago. Lelah this time bringing her daughter li'sha with her in an impossible attempt to lift Jess' spirits ever so slightly. Tho it did not quit soften her grief, it did make for a welcome distraction and baby talk filled the house for the better part of the day. Until Jess noticed the torches being lit and knew it was time. Time to say goodbye. Goodbye to the man she loves. Her eyes tear up at the thought.

"Shall I look after the little ones?" Maude asks both women as she walks into the dinning room. Jess nods slightly as Maude moves to lift Harleen from her arms.

"I ... I shall get dressed." Jess mutters.

"I will accompany you." Lelah replies while walking after her.

Meanwhile at the barracks Gwen and Galadrin are reminiscing over a cup of ale. "Do you remember when we went out into the deadsea? Just the 4 of us?" Gwen nods firmly.

"How can I forget!?"

"I was so scared. Like you wouldn't believe!"

"I saw you trembling out of your boots so yes ... I believe you." She jests while grinning slyly.

"Laugh all you want. But did you know, after ... he came to talk to me?" Gwen shakes her head. "He asked, if I was scared. I told him I was terrified. Then he asked why I did not run. I told him I don't know, that I didn't even think about it. He replied, that's what it means to be brave and honorable. You know how strange it is to hear that for me? Before I joined the army ..."

"Forcefully joined." Gwen interjects while leaning over the table and punching his shoulder.

"Yes yes ... forcefully. It was join or jail but still. I saw myself as everyone else saw me. A lowlife, a thief, a scoundrel ... and you where there during boot camp. No one went easy on the thief. No one ever went easy on me for that mater, I was always looked down on. And then in came the captain. A man respected by everyone. Saying I was brave and honorable. He saw the best in me. In all of us. Even when we didn't see it ourselves." Galadrin sips his cup and stares into it. "And now, now he died for us."

"He did. And now its up to us."

Galadrin looks up at her, staring blankly.

"Are we going to honor him for his sacrifice? I for one am going to! I'm going to look after Jess and his daughter, I am going to see to it that Valiant Hold is restored in all its glory and most of all that he is never forgotten."

"Who says we are even going to be allowed to stay here? For all we know we will be recalled to ..."

"We are staying! I petitioned the king and suggested Jess be appointed warden. Saying we all volunteer to remain at her side to rebuild."

"Did he replay?"

"No, but he is coming here for the funeral."

"He would have hated that you know."

"I know, but its not like we could repel him from coming. And who knows, it might serve some good if he read my letter."

"If we are lucky Racnor will just have his head and be done with it."

"Let him appoint Jess first then." She adds jokingly. Then barracks door swing open and a private barges in.

"The king, he's here!"

Both let out a long drawn out sigh as they get up from their stools. "Lets go praise the ass hat that left us for dead shall we." Galadrin whispers and Gwen replies with a wicked smile. When both making their way towards the east gate they are quickly accompanied by more and more of their comrades to give the king a fitting welcome when he enters.