Régnwald blinked rapidly as the dim light, broken only by the two large fire pits at the hall's center, took over from light. At his first step, he gazed into the heavy gloom above the rafters. Carved Mearas reared, nostrils wide, their hooves kicking the open air and as they looked down on the Eorling, with a deeply-drawn breath, he advanced onward.
Saewaru all of the sudden looked towards the door of the hall, her eyes widened for a moment and then she bolted from her seat like an arrow to run towards the man who entered holding her skirts somewhat up so they wouldnt get in her way. Her voice could be heard in the whole goddamn hall as she shouted "Reeeeeeeeeeeeeegn"
Céolswith would turn over her shoulder. She would let out a loud laugh before taking a sip, waiting for the siblings to meet first.
Régnwald let his eyes travel the familiar columns and the folk of the Mead-hall, a thin, almost ghost of a smile cracked in his face and he paced forth. Though there was a flutter of white and green emerging, a maiden of fair skin and a head of golden waves. Now the Eorling formed a strong smile, ''Hello, sister,'' it was lowly spoken and with long strides, he ran to her and embraced with his free arm, the other accepting the offered horn cup from a side. ''You greet me so warmly, Sæwaru! Guess I'm right to think yer wrath has waned.'' he paused, ''For not letting ye ruin a perfectly decent shirt with the hatched needlework of yours.'' straightening, he looked to her eyes once more and held her close, his green eyes gleaming with the hints of longing.
Saewaru did not much wait for the embrace instead she properly jumped into his arms to hang from his neck, confident he could carry the weight of her thin frame. Once she got hold of him she properly squeezed the life out of him as an answer, well she would if she was stronger. For a while she did not say a single word.
Céolswith rubs her forehead again before standing up, waiting for her old friend and his sister to make their way back to the table. Nervous, she would readjust her gown, knowing that there were about to be many questions tosses around.
Régnwald smiled to her and the mid-aged Eorling's hand ran to her cheek, ''I knew Béma would show me this day, so I am grateful.'' it was spoken lowly, ''How fare you?'' he added in a short while, eyeing her dearest treasure with curiously though not in wonder.
Saewaru settled her feet back to the ground, she snorted a chuckle and all the world around seemed to smile with her, even he flames that danced over the firepits of the hall. "I am well now... but I wasn't home to greet you it seems... " she added in an apologetic manner and looked at him with care pouring out to surround him. "I'll tend to you properly once we're home yes? But come let us have a seat at the table, so you can rest and dine. There might be others here who want to see you as well" She said and taking him by the hand she meant to lead him to the table, often glancing at his face, to make sure he's still and really here.
Régnwald gave a crooked-grin ''I have no doubt, nooo doubt...'' and then he struggled up a grin, nodding one or two times ''Ah ya.'' therefore he walked by his sister, his arm wrapped softly about her back.
Saewaru looked up at him to smile and she asked softly as they walked together "Where's Hondshhcioh?
Céolswith smiled wider as she sees her old friend. She crossed her arms before her, "He is alive!"
Régnwald answered, scanning the ground ''He's in Elthengels with his family. Though worry not, he'll be arou--'' yet before finishing his words, he winced at another familiar voice, lifting up his bearded chin only to find Céolswith before him. For a few moments, he looked as though he was stunned and he blinked one or two times. ''Céolswith?'' he could manage to speak finally, though he gulped.
Céolswith shook her head. In the months since they last saw each other, her nose and left hand had healed. Left in the past was the looks of a shieldmaiden. She now stood before him, slightly rounder like one that works at home, "Don't stand here in surprise, old friend. How have you been?"
Saewaru looked between the both of them, she stretched on her toes to kiss Régn's cheek and nodding at him she murmured "I will go get a plate ready for you... you have seat" And with those words she parted from him grudgingly, stopping after a few steps to look over her shoulder to make sure he's there still.
The rugged man merely watched Saewaru leave. Then his eyes landed upon Céolswith, after a short length, he stepped closer, only to falter on his second step -- to some lordless cup left on the ground. He closed his eyes, cursing at that inside. He drew closer and to full height, narrowing his eye a slight and with a wide smile. ''I am well, as I can be. Not battered or broken this time perhaps, eh?'' he eyed her a beat, and his eyes gleamed with the dialogue of an old memory they shared. ''What of yourself? How have ye been?'' he studied her a beat and thought she had grown shorter and larger since last they met, but surely enough, he would keep these thoughts to himself.
Saewaru noted the happenings behind and that only gave speed to her steps. She hurried over to talk to the serving maids, pointing with her eyes over her brother. There was some giggling involved but soon she was provided with a plate that she filled in with all kinds of things served in the hall enough to feed a fair number of men. Along with it she took another horn and a jug of mead. She returned carrying them all with ease.
Ceolswith said, 'It is perhaps better for another time, but I am well. Walstow is home now, nothing more than a housewife. Though I don't mind. It is quieter than being Quartermaster.'
Régnwald stared at her, checking his word-hoard, searching for mouth words. ''...Yea? 'Tis a bliss. I'm happy for you. It appears Ruscbald's grumblings heated ye up, hah.'' he gave a weak chuckle, moving his eyes aside. Then he took several long drafts of the horn cup in his firm hand. Adding with a gulp ''I wasn't expecting to find ye here though. Tonight I must be lucky...''
Saewaru paused for a while to watch them from afar then she walked cheerfuly towards them. She set down the goods and cleaned up the table in front of Régn with a rug. Then she placed all of it in front of him, meaning to make it up for not being home to greet him, by serving him happily herself. After a moment a king's meal would be in front of Régn, with all of his favorites that she could find in the hall. She grinned and sat on the table next to the food as she often did when they were home.
Céolswith chuckled as she shook her head. She stepped forward to embrace him, "I have missed you, Régnwald. Stiff as always, eh?"
Régnwald embraced Céolswith only very softly at first, then his free arm tightened. ''I have missed ye as well!'' he spoke loudly, in joyful mood and then turned only to see what his sister has brought to feed and grace him with. ''I told ye I came alone this time, without a band of men with empty and large bellies following after me.'' he sighed with a smile and proceeded to take a seat.
Saewaru says, 'Oi don't tell me you lost your appetite...'
The Eorling of sunkissed moonface shook his head and said, 'Oh, nay!'
Ceolswith moved around the table to take a seat.
Saewaru paused for a moment to glance at Ceol and soon she smiled. Picking up her horn she raised it to make a toast. "My brother is home!" she said beaming with joy.
Ceolswith reached for her drink to join in the toast, "To homecomings."
Régnwald wandered his eyes reflecting the dancing flames just ahead of them. It was a peaceful moment for him, he refilled his horn-cup so he would join in the toast. Raising it, he eyed them both ''To better days.'' soon he drank of the kin's drink, sweet honey mead, just stopping himself from cuffing wet lips against his chest clad in repaired chain-mail, licking them instead, he set the vessel down, laughing heartily some.
Saewaru drunk deeply from her mug and twitched her nose as she might as well have gotten too much at once. She then lowered her horn and noting Regn, she let out a hearty chuckle.
Ceolswith followed suit with her tankard. Her smile softened a bit as she got lost in her thoughts and her mead. Her brow would then raise as she looked at the others, "All here for the Foaling Festival? It's a welcoming fest. I haven't been to one of these."
Saewaru said, 'Well.. not me... I am here for... another reason in fact it is a good thing my brother showed.'
Régnwald said in jesting manner, ''Do not mock me, canya?'' he smiled to Saewaru, shaking his head and glanced at Céolswith ''Helm's balls. I almost forgot about the festival.'' answered, staring thoughtfully at the fire ahead of him. He would then begin turning more than a half of his attention to his meal, cutting off his favourite part of the roasted pig. '''So, tell me sister. What is the reason that brought ye here?''
Saewaru put on a serious face. A formal one almost. ''You must eat first, I wouldn't have you hear this with an empty stomach.'
Céolswith glanced between the two, "You have my curiousity, though it may not be my business." She then turned her attention to the plate of food, eager to eat.
Saewaru said, 'Well it might be good you're here too Céolswith, such matters might not be to comfortable for a girl to speak with her brother.'
Régnwald frowned some, chewing the delicious meat, he would even blink his eyes to show his reaction for the taste. ''Why?'' he asked bluntly and eyed between them, the brother's eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Céolswith grinned as she holds a pinch of meat in her fingers, "And his friend is a better option? Régnwald, you may be in trouble with this one."
''Well...I have become of age and there was ... some proposal for marriage.' Saewaru spoke,, 'Our cousin has approved of the matching since well you weren't around and I am .... I am excited too but there is a problem you need to solve my brother.' She placed down her horn and crossed her hands over her lap.
Régnwald sniffled and wiped his mouth with a small piece of bread, glancing up to her with eyes narrowed. ''Yes, you have become of age, and I'd owe much to hear more of these proposals from our cousin.'' keeping the stare, head cocked ''What is it?''
Saewaru said, 'Well this man...his lineage trails back to Eorl himself and also Gondor, he means to have me to treat me like a queen! But marriage is a costly afair. A dowry of 40 golden pieces is required. It is a good deal I assure you!!!' Then she turned to look at him pleadingly.
Céolswith said, 'Fourty pieces? Good Foldewyn, this man better treat you like one.'
Saewaru turned to nod at Ceol adding a wink to that. ''Please brother... please! I'll get to live in Edoras!!!''
Régnwald listened carefully and cocked his head to the side with a grunt which sounded somewhat like a hog's noise. As his sister's pleadings took their moment, he set the horn-cup down, now uttering his words with all the seriousness of a brother he could muster. ''Do you know this man? And more importantly, do I know him?'' -- ''Gah, if 'tis what ye wish, you better look to lure the King himself?!'' it was spoken with a hint of sarcasm yet still he regretted saying that. His eyes were now scanning the surface of the wooden table, blinking.
Saewaru dangled her feet down the table, appearing very pleased with herself like when she was a little girl after doing something naughty. She leaned closer to ask. ''You'll find me 40 golden pieces?''
Céolswith focused on Régnwald for his response. She looked a bit nervous herself, even if this wasn't her own family.
Blinking some, Régnwald added the words of his own 'You shall never hurry, for if this man really means to treat ye well, he will have patience. -- About the gold, I cannot say much at this time. But your dowry won't be far from that of a queen, happy you?'
Saewaru raised her eyebrows, amused by his answer and surprised as well. ''Well... there's an alternative ...''
Céolswith chuckles into her drink, "There always is."
Saewaru nodded cheerfully at Ceol.
Regnwald sighed with a gulp. ''I'm listening.'' he said, his eyes drifting between the two and the warrior took a mouthful bread to his mouth.
Saewaru said, 'You will let me decorate your damned shirt and stop blaming my wonderful needlework!' She sticked out her tongue at him and laughed hoping he'd get the joke.
Céolswith laughed again, "You never said she was witty."
Régnwald slightly leaned back so he would study his repaired shirt ''How do ye mean?'' he searched for meanings underneath her jestingly offered alternative, taking a goodly swig. ''Didn't I?'' he looked briefly at Céolswith.
Saewaru turned to Ceolswith and shook her head ''Really he'd rather just pay 40 gold. , 'Though truth to be told I expected him to get mad.''
Céolswith said, 'In all the time I have known your brother, I have seen him get angry once. It takes a lot, doesn't it, Régnwald?''
''No, the thought has been wandering in my mind also. You've indeed become of age. -- What?'' Régnwald turned to meet Céolswith's gaze. ''You've been always so courteous, Céolswith, and ye hardly ever tried me hard, so...''
Saewaru turned to look back at Régnwald affectionately. For a moment she thought her eyes would feel with tears, realizing how much she missed him. But she twitched her nose and that moment passed by.
''Where is Yrmenlaf by the way?'
Saewaru said, 'Hiding from Blaestwyn...He challenged his luck by paying a serving maid a compliment about her ... jugs. Sometimes I think he does those things in purpose.'
Regnwald grinned wolfishly, ''Then he is fine as ever. Not a very mindful act I would say. Especially when Blaestwyn is 'round.'' he nodded at Saewaru, though it was a soundless nod, so no one knew what he implied by that.
Saewaru spoke, 'Not at all... But tell us of yourself brother, I want to hear all about it!'
Ceolswith reached for more of the food on the table, eating slowly as to listen.
Saewaru said, 'Yrmenlaf only told me bits and parts I think he meant not to upset me. But there were people who came in Snowbourn to me with ill news and... well ill intentions.'
Régnwald remained silent a long time at that, finally looking up to match his sister's gaze and he searched for a goodly piece of pork, a slight air of solemnity growing in his eyes, he eyed her with a spark. For those who knew Régnwald before he returned disgraced and alone, it might seem that he has changed during this time -- or has he?. The reason he'd give to anyone who wonder whatever happened along the way, he would only say: "I came home. That's all that matters." Then he took a long gulp, setting the finely decorated horn-cup down, for a moment stealing a glance at Céolswith.
Céolswith nodded, muttering softly, "Welcome home then, Régnwald."
The smile of the mid-aged earl remained a sombre one, just the corner of his lip curling into a half smile. Blowing air through his cheeks, he spared a faint bow of his head, just before cocking to the side.
