A Father's Tale II

Of My First Daughter

I was gladdened when my second child was a daughter. For though I sought to have battle-hardened sons, a daughter is ever a father's delight. Meadowyn my wife named her, and since she could walk little she wished for Meadwine's company, and was very fond of him. As she grew older they played a lot together, and though Meadowyn was a girl and he a boy, Meadowyn always enjoyed Meadwine's games more, even when they were unfitting for a girl. 

On the other hand when my wife sought to teach her of things like cooking, washing and tending to other things in the home Meadowyn seemed to loath them. And moaned when ever it was asked of her, yet she unwillingly complied and did what was needed of her. She never became skillful at it though.

When she grew old enough to wield a sword she very much wished to as her brother did, however, I would not have it. She was my daughter, not my son. And thus I forbid her from wielding a sword and that was to be that. But I saw defiance and rebellion in her eyes, I doubted that she would truly defy me in this. And she watched her brother practice with his sword with longing in her eyes, he would often show her a thing or two, but she was not allowed to touch the hilt herself. The two of them still played together when ever they could, and Meadwine often had her assist him with labours that would grow his arm greater. When I asked him of why he asked her he ever said to me that he needed the aid, and these words I believed without guessing that they were not wholly true.

    It seemed to me as though Meadowyn grew stronger in arm, and her work at home continued to lack as she grew. She and her brother would speak to one another of anything and everything, what ever troubles they had they would share. For this I was glad, yet I would that Meadowyn were rather a boy if this was her ways. When asked to wear a dress she would rebel and get angry, and now when I think of it - I think that this growth of her ire stung deeply and stayed with her - for Meadowyn was very bold in her anger, and would often turn to something folly if it could grow worse. Worst of all she was seldom seen around other lads in Town, I feared that she would not find a suitable man of my likings to wed to, however, there are very few men who were to my likings.

Meadowyn's coming of age was one of the hardest blows that I took as a man. For when she came of age she cut her long beautiful hair short and oathed herself never to wed to any man, and to never bear any children. Instead she would become a Shieldmaiden and fight for her folk. Now, she grew strong, and undeniable became a worthy Shieldmaiden, and at that time she could not be stayed. I remember her words that day as though they were spoken in her voice,

"This is it then. Look upon me today, father, and look upon she who you think to be your daughter for the final time, for you look upon me with wrong eyes. For now I am no longer a girl, but a woman, and a woman is free to do as she wills; I shall not tend to any man in his need, and I shall not bear him any children, however, I shall aid any man were he my comrade at-arms! From this day forth I shall bid my life to my duty and honour, not as a woman, but as a Shieldmaiden! You may love what you wished for me to be, father, but that was not my wish. This is my love, and so I ask you not to hate me for what I could have been; but to love me what I am now."

I told her that I would still love her, yet my words were perhaps a bit bitter the day, but they were sincere and that fell well with her. And so she fought at her brother's side and together the two of them were capable of many great deeds. Even now, I still wish that she did not choose such a dangerous path. 

   Yet the ferocity that grew in her over her young years was fueled into her sword-arm and she was mighty upon the field of battle. I do not doubt that many have fallen to her sword, and that many live now due to her deeds. She became greater than my mind thought that she could ever have become, and the soldiers delighted when she fought at their side. Perhaps because she was a woman? I cannot say, but it would be wise for those men to keep their gazes and hands from whither they do not belong, for they have aught more than me to fear from her. 

Quirks/Traits

Of the most notable of her traits is that she has strong leadership prowess, and if pushed into a position, she shall take it as he own and lead it as if were it her own. She often represents the saying, "If you want something done right, you do it yourself."

She doesn't care much for her physical appearance,  and in her own words: "Beauty is a distraction" fully describes this trait of hers.

She is a fearsome fighter, and the day may fall ill upon those who sought to provoke her. However, she seldom boasts of her skills and keeps to herself on many matters. She tells very little to strangers, and sometimes if there was need she would boldly tell them so. However, he answers them with much concealment either way.

She has may traits in the likings of her brother Meadwine's, she too tends to keep her thoughts and emotions behind a sturdy wall of indifference, and a solemn expression.

She is skilled with swords, spears, shields, and bows.

She is significantly stronger than the average woman, and this can be seen upon her features. She is more alike to a man than any woman, and do not expect her to have shaved her underarms or legs for that fact, yet it is very much doubted that anyone would behold either of those. 

Jests seldom amuse her, and ones that include her toil her ire, yet she may not always ever express it; it depends on the manner of the jest. 

Chronicle

Out of Character

All drawings used on this page were drawn by me. Edits were done by a friend.