Iron From Ice

Chapter 9

Esther Waters ~ Wolfswood ~ Esther's Home

Esther opens the door after she returned from Ironrath. She is exhausted and ready to sleep. Her house is simple, it only has two rooms. One is a bedroom and the other the common room. In the common room, a small table with two chairs is set down near the only window. There are also a few chests for storage and small hooks to hang her weapons and coats on. The rest is filled with necessities for cooking and cleaning.

Esther walks in and kicks off her boots. A sigh leaves her as she rubs her eyes. "Esther?" Ryon says from the bedroom. "Hey Ryon, did I wake you?" She says. Ryon shakes his head. "No... I couldn't really sleep," he says softly. "I see... I am sorry if my home is not really what you're used to. Living the simple life, you know," Esther says as she sits down in a chair.

"It's fine. It is just... whenever I close my eyes... I see Ethan," he says in a tiny voice. "I wouldn't wish it on anyone, Ryon. Your mother and sister are very happy to know you're with me. I brought some of your clothes, since you'll be staying here for the foreseeable future," Esther says as she points the bag near the door.

Ryon nods as he walks to the table to sit in the other chair. "How's your arm?" he asks. "It's fine. It will probably sting for a few days. We should get some rest. Is it okay if we share the bed, Ryon? I rather not sleep on the floor," Esther asks with a tired voice.

"I'd also rather not sleep alone..." Ryon says softly, eyes cast down to the wooden floor. Esther smiles sympathetically. She stands from her chair and walks over to Ryon, crouching down next to him. "Hey, you Forresters are though. This House will make it. We're not dead yet," Esther says, putting a hand on Ryon's shoulder.

"Thank you, Esther. I'm glad you're here," Ryon says as he hugs Esther. Esther returns the gesture. "Of course."

—

Esther feels two small hands shaking her awake. "Hmm?" she groans out, still very much tired. "Esther! I heard something outside." Esther's eyes snap open and looks at Ryon. "What did you hear?" She asks, jolting out of the bed. "I don't know! But it sounds heavy," Ryon whispers nervously. "Stay here, I'll check it out," Esther says and quickly puts her boots on and dons her weapons.

In a slow and cautious pace, she sneaks to the window. When she is next to it, she peaks outside to see where the noise is coming from. It is just as Ryon said. It's heavy and loud. As Esther scans the forest with a critical eye, she eventually sees movement in the bushes.

Her eyes squint to make out what it is. Her anxiety grows by every second, a nervous sweat builds on her skin. A few tense seconds fly, the sound comes closer and closer. The bushes rattle harder and from them a large boar comes out. It sniffed the air heavily as its hooves make loud stomping noises.

Esther sighs in relief, just an animal. "Coast is clear. It's just an animal," Esther says to Ryon. He peaks from the bedroom, visibly relieved. "I thought it was some Whitehill soldiers..." he says softly. Esther sighs. "Well, my home is very isolated. Most will either get lost or give up before they're able to find it. I hope you do not mind if I kill the boar, Ryon. It is large and it looks healthy. Food is food, after all."

Ryon nods as he fully emerges from the room. "It's okay. I'll stay here while you do your thing." Esther nods and with bow and arrow makes short work of the boar. As some time flies while Esther carves the boar, Ryon eventually looks out the window.

"What will you do with the meat?" He asks. Esther looks up and points to the small side building with a bloody hand. "I will salt the meat and dry them in there. Probably going to bring some to Ironrath as well," Esther says. Ryon nods softly. "When are you leaving for Ironrath?"

"Depends on how long this will take, but probably in a few hours. I also need to prepare dinner for your sister," Esther says with a smile as she continues to work on the animal. "Do you like Talia?" Ryon asks curiously. Esther's smile grows as her cheeks slightly turn red. "I do. Do I have your permission, young master?"

Ryon chuckles softly and nods. "If Talia likes you, then why not," he says. "I'm glad to hear it. I will treat her right..." Esther cleans her hands with a rag and picks up the meat to prepare it. As the meat is prepared and hanged out to dry, Esther walks back into the common room.

"I'm afraid you'll have to stay in the house, Ryon. You'll easily get lost in the woods, and your mother will not be happy if I get you hurt," Esther chuckles. "I'll think of something to do..." Ryon says as he looks around the house.

"Well, whatever is mine is yours. If you need to hide, there is a trapdoor that leads to a storage area under the floor. Hide there, okay?" Esther says as she points out the trapdoor. Ryon nods in response. "Alright, well, I'll be back in a few hours... Stay safe, Ryon."

Life fell into a rhythm as two days begin and end. Esther was preparing everything for tonight in the chosen location. She even showed Ryon the place, and he was pretty impressed by it. Esther hopes that Talia will like it as well.

Esther emerges from the wood and walks the final distance to Ironrath. Slightly ahead of her is a cart that goes the same way. Esther squints her eyes to make out what is on the cart. Just as it goes through the gate, her eyes go wide. She sees Rodrik, and most miraculously, he's moving.

She takes a sprint to the cart as it comes to a standstill. "Rodrik!" Esther says as she is close to the cart. Rodrik looks up weakly with a small smile. "Esther..." he says before falling back unconscious.

Esther looks around in a hurry and sees Royland coming towards the cart. "Ser Royland! Call the Maester! Rodrik is alive!" she says. Royland looks shocked as he ordered people to get the Maester. Esther, with the help of Royland, picks up Rodrik to bring him to his chamber in the Forrester residence.

The doors are pushed open as a worried Maester walks behind them. An unconscious Rodrik is laid down on the bed for the Maester. "Can I leave Rodrik in your hands? I'll inform Lady Forrester and Lady Talia," Esther says. Both men nod as they start to tend to Rodrik.

Esther starts searching for the Forrester ladies. Elissa was not in the Forrester residence, so she went to the Great Hall to see whether she was there. As Esther walks in, she sees a tired looking Elissa looking out of the window towards the Grove.

Elissa turns to Esther as she hears her enter. "Esther, what's wrong?" she asks. Esther smiles at the Forrester matriarch. "Rodrik is brought to his room. He's alive! The measter..." Esther does not get the opportunity to finish as Elissa runs towards Rodrik. A huge smile and relief etched on her face.

Esther smiles a bit as she watches her run away. She turns to the entrance to the grove to find Talia. Talia is eventually found by Esther. She was sitting in an open area on a rock, writing something down on a piece of parchment. Esther hears her softly humming to herself.

"Talia," Esther greets her. She looks up from her piece of parchment. A smile forms on her lips. "Esther, how are you? Coming to get me already?" she asks curiously and with red cheeks.

"I was, but I have some great news! Rodrik is brought to Ironrath. He's alive, Talia!" Esther says. Talia looks at Esther with shock and pure happiness. "Where is he now?" She asks as she quickly walks to Esther. "In his room, but probably being tended to by the Maester. We can see if he is able to speak?" Esther says.

Talia nods as she smiles. "It feels like we're getting back on our feet. Rodrik is back and... your help to our House," she says as they walk to Rodrik. "It's a group effort, but we not out of the woods yet."