The firewood cracked and spat flickers of light as it warmed the feet of those resting at the end of a hard working day. Women shared their gossip and giggles with one another as they stirred into the varying bronze pots from which the smell of stew was luring the hungry. The men held clay jars in their hands from which they drank their beer. Flushed, sweaty faces where filled with wrinkles gained from age and toil were all directed at the one man who's golden hair now had became white as the foam still lingering on his mustasche. Father Framgar was his name, tall if not for the lingering stoop in his shoulders and lean if not for the bulge under his tunic that was his belly. His grey eyes were going over them all and then he grinned, "Today I shall speak of the king, but not just any name picked from my mind. No it shall be of the very first the Riddermark has ever had. Back when Aldburg was destined to be the first great hold of our people!"
Some men yawned and shrugged, having heard of this ancient hero more than once in their lives. Deciding to wrap their arms around their women. However the younger men and children slapped and nudged one another merrily. "King Eorl!", a voice cried, "Eorl! Eorllll!! Eorl! Eo*burp*l", it went for a moment till they were all silent and listening.
Framgar nodded, "Yes Eorl-king, Eorl the Young, a man that was blessed with a vigour this old man you see has had the luck to experience." The children laughed when he crossed his eyes with a wide smile and stuck his thin chest forwards. Small hands clapped till he continued, "However, such a young man must have a father with him to guide him, learn him crafts and ofcourse first become a king while he was yet .. a prince. Leod, leader of the Eothéod a prideful rider and master of his art knew of a creature that lived in the woods far far north. In the realm where our fathers' fathers' fathers' fathers" .. and so forth came from." Framgar pulled a face as he spoke the dreadful name, "Mansbane." And eyes widened. "Did Leod try to catch and kill it?", someone asked. "Oh no.", Framgar continued, "He tried something far more brave! And something we are very good at! He attempted to ride it! Yes that is right, the dreadful Mansbane would become a steed of Leod!" They all roared and cheered at the thought of whatever their mind had conjured, to be tamed by such a hero however Framgar's mustasche drooped, "Alas..." And all grew silent once again.. "Even if the attempt was brave and the man skilful, Mansbane was a strong creature and Leod could not overcome it's strong will and strength at the cost of his life! Still we must drink of his deeds!", as they all did.
"It is here however that Eorl took his first step to become our first king, by seeking out the killer of his father and he demanded a wergild from it! By what means we do not know, did he spoke unto it? Did he tame or trick it into submission by force or silver tongue? All that we know is that he went and returned with it, though no longer Mansbane, this creature would from now on be known as Felarof and woe to the man not being Eorl that would try to saddle it! Woe however also to the other steeds of our forefathers, for Felarof had a great appetite for grass and the fields could not sustain him nor any other herd of our folk! We needed new fields and meadows and fate had just that in store.."
Time passed, they ate and drank, played games and only when most bellies were filled Framgar proceeded to regale..
"Then a man of Mundburg travelled far north, seeking friends to aid these men in their war against the Easterlings those whom we know even to today as our foe in spite of how many of their peoples must fall under our hooves. A race of fivehundred miles made by over seventhousand capable riders followed, past a great evil twice over. Once that of a Nameless darkness and another through a golden mist they had to find their way conjured by Elvish witchery!" Many shuddered, not least the children at times. The distrust for the Dwimordene lay deep within them. "Yet as they arrived on the field of Celebrant, they did so in time to drive spears and swords into the backs of Orcs and Easterling alike! All to Calenard did they have to chase them, till none was left to report home! A staggering victory that ensured the men of Mundburg that Eorl's people are as true as their king! In reward, we were given the Mark! Our home! All thanks to the first king and Felarof reared at the thought of all that tasty fresh grass!"
Everyone cheered once more, a hiccup went up to the ceiling aswell till one of the children asked, "So, where is Eorl now? If he is forever Young and all.."
Framgar rubbed the inquistive head and replied, "Alas, even kings and heroes do not live forever, he fell in a battle long long after our people had come here. Defending that which was yet to be built. And that is why we must remember heroes like him and do our very best to be brave and let everyone who crosses us as friend or foe know... We are the Men of Eorl."
