Eadwig Trodaí

“They say it is the gods who decide who lives and who dies. Does that make me a god?” Saxon warrior, once a healer, now sworn to fight for Ælle Fíorscoth.

[eadwigtrodai]

grandmistressofbows‌:

“You haven’t changed a bit. Or, I mean, you have, of course, but you know. You’re just as I remember you, or how I imagined remembering you,” she rambled. “You’re a healer! Of course you are. But a warrior too, I heard! I’m… I’m sorry I’m a bit overwhelmed. How- how are you?”

A smile curved across Eadwig’s face as he listened to; for all she had grown up, she still sounded exactly like the little girl he remembered. He wondered how long it would take her to notices the differences in him - for he knew, even if she didn’t yet, that he wasn’t the same. “Better for seeing you. Come inside,” he said, gesturing at the door. “We can talk in there.”

[eadwigtrodai]

grandmistressofbows‌:

“I’m… I’m fine,” she breathed out, smiling happily. “So much has happened and…” Shaking her head, Hairud threw herself at Eadwig, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I thought I’d never see you again, Eadwig.”

Eadwig was surprised into stillness for a moment, then slowly, still not quite believing she was there, wrapped his arms around her and held tightly. “Nor I you,” he said, dazed. “I can’t believe how much you’ve grown.”

[eadwigtrodai]

eleanorofcamelot‌:

The majority of her life had been spent with her aunt and uncle in Cornwall. It had been their plan to bring her back to full health and then have her take full advantage of the staff, just as a Princess should. Eleanor, however, had found that the outdoors motivated her to leave her bed. As a little girl she had fallen in love with the animals on the farm. Much to her aunt and uncle’s chagrin she had taken in every single bird, kitten or herd animal she found with injury. Eventually, animals had graduated to people. She had never played full-on nurse, but she had been present for a handful of births and had aided the sick until she herself risked infection. While in Camelot she had tried to be the princess that she felt she was expected to be, but there were some things that she simply couldn’t leave behind and that caring was one of them. 

Weeks ago Eleanor had found seven little motherless kittens on the road during her return from the orphanage. She’d fought hard for them, going so far as to sneak them into the castle and sacrificing sleep to ensure their survival. They’d triumphed beautifully, save for the little one nestled in her arms. The Princess was at a loss for who to turn to so she had found herself wandering in search for anyone who might “I - I just need something for his eyes” she said softly, stroking the animal in her arms. 

Eadwig’s gaze travelled down to the kitten in her arms. It was a tiny thing, snuffling pitifully, and there was something not quite right in the way it was holding its head. He was no expert on treating animals, though, and hestitated a moment - he had no idea if a cat would respond to the same medicines as a human, and he had no wish to inadvertently make the creature worse.

Still, looking at the wretched thing and the lady’s hopeful face, nor did he quite have it in him simply to turn them away. He sighed. “I usually treat people, not animals,” he said, moving past her to open the door. “But come in and I will see what I can do.”

[eadwigtrodai]

grandmistressofbows‌:

He recognised her. Hairud smiled brightly when he spoke her name and nodded. “Yes. H-hi,” she said, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. She wanted to run to him and hug him tightly, to tell him about everything that happened and ask about where and how he’s been but something was holding her back. She wasn’t sure if he would want to have anything to do with her. Why wouldn’t he? she thought to herself but they’ve both changed and been through a lot and in a way she knew they’d have to get to know each other again. It was hard to stay calm, though. “I’m so happy to see you, Eadwig,” she said, scratching her elbow nervously.

“Hairud ...” Moving slowly, as if in a dream, Eadwig walked over to stand in front of her and look down. Tenatively, wary that she might pull away, he lifted a hand to just lightly touch her cheek - unable to quite believe that she was here, in Camelot, all grown up and looking for him. How had she known to look for him here? Did she know what he was doing here? “It’s good to see you, too,” he said quietly. “But, how are you here?”

[eadwigtrodai]

grandmistressofbows‌:

Hairud couldn’t wait around any longer. Ever since Mildryd mentioned Eadwig, she found it hard to focus or sleep, no matter how she tried to convince herself not to keep her hopes up, she just couldn’t help it. She knew the last surviving member of her family was somewhere out there but she didn’t imagine he could actually be here. Wrapping her figure in a thick cloak, she headed to where she was told his workshop was.

When he spoke, her heart stopped. Even if he spoke in a language Hairud never heard, she could recognise his voice anywhere. Turning around, she left her cape fall back from her hair as she looked up at him. “I am, actually…” What does one say in these situations? Would he even recognise her? It’s been so long but he hasn’t changed a bit, at least in her eyes. “Mildryd said I would find you here. I…” She fiddled with her fingers nervously. 

The minute her hood lowered, he went still. It had been a long time since he had seen her face, and the last time she had been a child still - no bigger than his waist, eyes wider and cheeks still carrying the soft plumpness of childhood. But even so, he knew her. He knew her eyes, and he could trace the features he had known then, not least because she looked so much like their father.

He was a very different person now than he had been then. Hatred and cynicism had buried themselves deep inside him and his hands were stained with the blood of countless lives. He wasn’t the brother she would remember; but for a moment he felt like it, like his younger, innocent, hopeful self, as he stepped forward and said quietly, “Hairud?”

[eadwigtrodai]

Viviane had returned to Avalon once more, Ælle was away with Cerdic trying to persuade more Saxon allies to join their cause, and there was little for Eadwig to do but continue his work and try not to think too hard about the doubts beginning to cloud his mind.

There was plenty of healing work to do, however, and his supplies were often running short these days. After stocking up once more on herbs and tinctures from the apothecary, he was on his way back to his workshop when he noticed someone hovering near the door. “Are you waiting for me?”

[eadwigtrodai]

lovelyladyofthelake:

She felt him smile against her lips and she let herself get lost in the sensation of being near him. When they finally pulled away there was something in his eyes that made her hesitate, but then his hand was against her cheek and she was leaning into his touch. He didn’t say anything and he didn’t have to. Viviane had grown fond of his quiet ways, knowing that his actions spoke much louder than his words. There wasn’t a single thing she would change about him, even his mortality. She would rather enjoy the time she had with him than to condemn him to eternity. One day she would have to let him go, but for now she would not think of such things. He was here now, with her, and for a little while they could pretend that all was well with the world. She let him lead her into the room, keeping her eyes trained on him. Tonight she would not care about the whispers or the glances. She was proud of the man she loved. She squeezed his hand gently. “Don’t look so nervous,” she smiled softly. “I’ll protect you.” 

As they came into the room, Eadwig could not help his gaze from flickering briefly across the crowds, looking for familiar faces he knew would be hidden away somewhere beneath the masks and jewels. It was inevitable that they would recognise him - even with a mask he could not disguise his distinctive build - and he wondered what they would think of him entering on the arm of the Lady of the Lake. What rumours would be whispered throughout the camp later. A little to his surprise, he found at this moment, he did not really care. This night he was claiming for himself, and for Viviane. This night he would dance with the woman he loved and forget all the outside things that threatened to tear them apart. Looking down at her, he smiled and brought her hand up to brush his lips over her knuckles. “I know you will.”

[eadwigtrodai]

princess-of-babylon:

“Ah I see,” she nodded when he spoke of how he was a healer. Back in her home, healers were very well respected among the community which meant that they were always well looked after, and Sana couldn’t help but wonder if it was the same here. “And you like your work here?” she asked him. 

He almost smiled, that was such a complicated question - not that she would know it. What was he to say? No, he did not like his work as a spy. Not any more. But yes, the healer’s work ... it was as if a part of him that had been long dead was suddenly returned to life, and he remembered all that he had once been and wanted, if it were possible, to be again. Was like the right word for that?  “I am glad to be able to help people,” he said finally. And he was. He only hoped he could find a way to keep helping them without betraying his own people.

[eadwigtrodai]

princess-of-babylon: 

Sana stood tall and proud in front of man, her chin seemingly tilted upwards. It wasn’t out of an attitude or anything, but instead she was unconsciously showing that she wasn’t intimidated by him. It was something that she had learned over the course of her travels. “Yes, I am quite alright I assure you,” she nodded before adding, “You seemed to be in a bit of a hurry.”

Eadwig was used to people unconsciously straightening or squaring up to him; usually men, warriors, not wishing to appear weak, but occasionally women as well. He didn’t take it personally. He knew his size made people nervous, though it was not something he could help or control. Occasionally it was useful, when he wanted to be intimidating. Sometimes it was difficult, knowing the assumptions people made. Knowing it wasn’t entirely unwarranted, either. “I was just on my way back to the village,” he explained. “I am the physician there.”

[eadwigtrodai]

lovelyladyofthelake:

“You have my word, good sir. I shall not abandon you tonight.” Nor ever. She had a long life ahead of her, but she intended to make the most of her time with him. She knew they were taking a risk by attending together. It was a public statement, and she was usually not fond of those. Still, she could not imagine facing the evening without him, and she refused to be ashamed of loving him. He was the kindest man she had ever known, and it seemed a dishonour to treat him like a secret. At his words she blushed, lowering her gaze. “And I will try not to object to your restraint. But since you will be holding back on the dance floor,” she paused, stepping closer to them. They were alone in the hall as she reached up and pressed her lips against his. “Ready when you are,” she whispered against his lips with a small smile. 

Eadwig smiled into the kiss, closing his eyes and letting himself pretend, for a moment, that they were an ordinary couple preparing to enjoy a nice of dancing and celebration and nothing more. No worries, no secrets. It lasted all too fleetingly, and there was a touch wistfulness in his gaze as they pulled back slightly. He reached up to run his thumb along her cheekbone and wished they could run off into the night and he could have her all to himself. But he had made her a promise, and he wanted to keep it; she reminded him of all that he had once been and all that he wanted to be again. So he smiled and straightened and led her through into the ballroom, anxious but proud beyond words to have this wonderful, incredible woman on his arm.

[eadwigtrodai]

princess-of-babylon: 

Sana let out a gasp of surprise when a tall man nearly trampled her. She instinctively brought her legs up to her knees as she stared at him for a moment. He did not seem like many of the man she had met here, but then again she had not met too many men from the island at all. “It is I who is at fault,” she spoke after a few moment, coming to stand on her feet, “I should have taken more care to where I sat”. 

While he could hardly say he knew all the faces of th Court well, Eadwig had spent enough time at the castle by now to at least vaguely recognise people - but he found this woman a complete stranger. A new arrival, then? He wondered if it meant Arthur was forming a new alliance and how he might find out without causing suspicion so he could alert his people - and then immediately thought of Viviane and felt a stab of guilt. “No, not at all,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re unhurt?”

[petrolhead-rebel]

Sana had arrived only a few short days ago. She was taking her time to adjust to the new surroundings before really making her presence know to everyone. Of course the famous King of Camelot knew she was here but Sana felt giving herself time to observe was the best course of action. Her beautiful bird was flying around the area, leaving her to her own devices as she sat out in one of the castle’s beautiful gardens. It had been the first day since arrived that the sun had shone which was a relief to her since she was beginning to think this was a land with nothing but clouds and rain. After a moment Sana tilted her head up to let the sun’s rays hit her face.

[eadwigtrodai]

Eadwig had been called to the palace to tend one of the servants, as the court phyisican was busy with the care of one of the nobility. It was clear as soon as he arrived that many recognised him as the man who had escorted the Lady of the Lake to the masquerade; his size was not something shared by many men in the kingdom. The stares and whispers were to be expected, but he preferred still to avoid them so decided to cut through the gardens on his way back down to the village. As spring had finally arrived the trees and bushes were in full bloom, so he did not see the woman sat behind one of them until he almost stepped on her. “Ah - my apologies,” he stumbled back and gave a bow. “I did not mean to intrude.”

[eadwigtrodai]

hedwiga-maloid:

She hummed. “It shouldn’t be hard. They’re all men. And the one thing that drives men apart is their ego. We find a weak link and exploit it as much as we can and we shall gain the upper hand.” A familiar face walked by, whom she followed with her eyes for a few seconds, the dream she had last night coming to mind as she did. “Well why not seduce and bed one of the ladies of court. Surely there are more then a few willing to tell you a few secrets for a few minutes of physical pleasure.”

“That is the plan,” Eadwig said. At her suggestion he fell quiet again, as though considering it as he tied off his darning. He supposed, technically, he could say he had seduced a lady of court . . . the trouble was, he had fallen for her as well, and he did not wish to betray her. But that could not be said, so he tried instead of think of what he might say to such a plan if he had never met Viviane. “That is more Wulfric’s area, no?”

[eadwigtrodai]

lovelyladyofthelake:

The way he looked at her was enough to make her freeze where she stood. She looked down at herself, trying to imagine what she must look like in his eyes. Her self inspection only lasted a moment, for her eyes quickly returned to his. He cut quite the dashing figure in the improvised outfit they’d procured for him, and even the simple mask could not hide his handsome features. Still, her focus  went almost entirely to his eyes, as lovely and kind as always. “Thank you,” she said simply, knowing it meant a great deal for him to be there with her. She simply wasn’t ready to face the people of the kingdom alone, and more than that, she found comfort in the fact that she didn’t have to. “I promise I won’t run out this time,” she said with a smile, her mind going back to the last time they’d been to a ball together. 

“That would be preferable,” Eadwig said with a small, amused smile. Being left to stand alone in the middle of the ballroom tonight, whenever everyone would have seen them enter together, would indeed make things rather more awkward. But he trusted that would not be what happened tonight. Last time there had seen been so much unspoken and hidden between them, but tonight they both knew the truth and had resolved to face everything together. And right now, stood beside her, he really did believe that somehow they would manage to find a way to make it work. “But if it will help matters, I will try to resist kissing you in the middle of the dance floor this time,” he added, then bowed and offered her his arm as he had seen the knights and lords do previously. “Are you ready, my lady?”

[eadwigtrodai]

lovelyladyofthelake:

Viviane hovered outside the door to the great hall, waiting in silence. She wasn’t even sure if he would come, but she would not go in without him. They said they would make things right together, they wound find a way to face the world together. It was a promise she clung to as she stood in silence, wringing her hands. That’s when she heard footsteps, but more than that she felt him approaching. She smiled to herself, looking up to meet his gaze as he made his way down the hall and approached her. “You came.” 

When he saw her waiting for him, his nerves seemed to fade away. In her blue dress and mask she was radiant, looking like the powerful and remarkable woman she truly was, and for a moment as he looked at her it was like the breath had stopped in his throat. There was no way he could be anything but proud to walk into the ball with her by his side. What would come of it he didn’t know, but surely as long as they were together they would find a way through it. He smiled. “Of course I did. You’re here.”

[eadwigtrodai]

Eadwig stood outside the door to the castle, fiddling with his mask and the sleeves of his jerkin, and hoping this would not prove to be a mistake. He wasn’t worried for himself but for Viviane, for what people would say if they entered together and what they might think. The whispers that might spread. If other spies from his people were here, and he had no reason to think they wouldn’t, then they would wonder at it, too. They would assume he was using her, and want the information he managed to gather. But he felt sure deep inside now that he could not betray Viviane, not even for his king.

He had to trust to the gods, to fate, to whatever it was that had brought him and the Lady of the Lake together that they would find their way through this. Somehow. It would work. It had to. Taking a breath, he adjusted his mask one last time and strode through the door into the entrance hallway.

[eadwigtrodai]

Finding an outfit for a man of Eadwig’s size was not easy, but with Viviane’s help he was able to procure a black, worked-leather jerkin and a furred surcoat to wear for the evening. He chose as plain a mask as possible to go with it, not wishing to draw any more attention to himself than necessary. He is already uneasy at the prospect of entering with the Lady of the Lake on his arm, making a public statement - but when she looked at him with those eyes and asked him to go with her, he could not bear to disappoint her by saying no.