#aethelric

[eorzeanharmony]

Commission of Aethelric Firesoul (@Mateus) by https://zeiyth.tumblr.com/

[deathsfavouritesims]

Faustina and Weyland returned at the beginning of the Blodmonath. The winter chill had already begun to set in, yet they came back earlier than planned, after receiving word from Aethelric that Weyland’s long-suffering aunt Saewara had died. They buried her with her husband and son, as well as her distaff and jewelled rings. 

“You must settle your cousin Juthwara,” Faustina murmured to her husband as they stepped away from the burial mound. 

“Can she not live with us? We are her family.”

“Of course she can,” Faustina said. “But I think it is time that she has her own family. She has been caring for her mother for many years now.”

Weyland pursed his lips. “Is there a man she... favours?”

“I believe so. Beornwulf, one of your gesiths.”

“Alright. Once she is recovered from the loss of her mother, I’ll arrange it.”

[deathsfavouritesims]

A late summer fever arrived not long after Faustina and Weyland had left. In their hall, three houseslaves, as well as Saethryth, were taken ill. 

For once, Aethelric was taking his responsibilities seriously, but as the fever settled over the village, he could feel the strain of his own inexperience. And mostly, he was terrified for his little sister. 

Theohild did her best to help by rearranging household tasks and tending to the sick. However, her main contribution was an appeal to the gods, in particular, the god Tiw, whom she asked tearfully not to take Saethryth. Eventually, a bargain was struck and Saethryth opened clear eyes after several days of delirium. Soon after, the fever passed entirely. 

Aethelric was so relieved that Theohild did not have the courage to tell him what she had bargained away for the health of their dear sister and the rest of their people. 

[deathsfavouritesims]

At the beginning of Weodmonath, Faustina and Weyland decided to take a short tour of their landholdings. The estate was left to the care of Aethelric and Theohild. They would also have the counsel of the older gesiths should it be needed, but the borders had been quiet for a few seasons now. 

Aethelric didn’t anticipate having to manage anything more difficult than the cantankerous priest that the king had left behind who was always insisting that more deference be paid to him and his jealous god.  

[deathsfavouritesims]

On the day the king and his retinue left, the family gathered to say goodbye to him, as well as one of their own. Weynild and Cuthheard had been wed the day before by the king's priest.

The ceremony was not quite what Faustina would have wanted for her eldest daughter: far too much fear-mongering and talk of this new god’s power, and little of the peaceful tranquility of her own ceremony. She fervently hoped that it was not an omen about the type of marriage Weynild would have.

“You should make amends with Weynild before she leaves,” Theohild murmured, as Aethelric held back from joining the others. “You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

“It won’t matter what I say now that she had gone and married that earsling just to get away from us all, and me particularly. We likely won’t see her again for a good while, if at all; she’ll travel with the king’s retinue from now on.”

“All the more reason not to let her leave while you’re both still angry.”

“Leave it be, Theohild!” he brushed her away. “It’s too late.” 

[deathsfavouritesims]

Theohild was whispering her secrets to the sacred stones when she heard her two elder siblings come into the clearing. Something seemed to be amiss;  Aethelric was following after Weynild, who suddenly turned back to him. 

“Aelfwyna was the one friend I had to myself! Could you not have let her be?!”

“How is it my fault if she finds me pleasing company, and more so than you?”

“She is lovesick over you, you fool. This is not a game. Her betrothed has renounced her and even her oaf of a father can see it. You’ve ruined her.”

“That is... unfortunate. But it is hardly my concern if she behaved recklessly.”

Weynild struck him, and Theohild reeled back behind the stone where she was hiding. 

“She won’t even speak to me anymore. It is you who are reckless... and cruel.”

Theohild heard her sister’s furious footsteps as she ran off in the other direction. Aethelric huffed and turned towards home. 

[deathsfavouritesims]

War or peace, Aethelric and Weynild continue playing and making up new games at which to best each other. 

Faustina worries over what will happen to them if their father does not return, but she is cheered oftentimes by their childish enthusiasm for competition and life in general. 

[mimabean]

Should probably note that this is well before Lupinea meets Arden. This is just after my other oc, Mael Thul goes missing.

The sound of laughter down the hall drew Lupinea’s attention as she walked through the hallway. As far as she knew it should have just been her, Aethelric, and the servants at home today. She pushed forward and found herself at the doorway of the conference room. The laughter slowly faded as Aethelric’s voice rang out. “So we’re agreed then! We’ll commit our troops to helping Lady Gesselle and stop bothering with this feeble attempt at an alliance that Thul boy was pushing for. Their efforts are sure to crumble without him -” Lupinea stepped into the doorway and everyone fell silent.

“I wasn’t aware we were discussing the future of our house this morning, Aethelric.” Her voice was level, carefully masking the seething anger underneath.

“We weren’t. I was. You’re not needed here darling, we’re going to set things right. You did enough already trying to help that Thul that disappeared.” Aethelric’s voice hid the cold disconnected callousness that she could see reflecting in his eyes. He betrayed me. This is a coup that I’ve already lost. She looked around the room at the members of her family. Her own parents met her gaze with quiet disapproval.

It was her mother that spoke up next. “It really is for the best, dear.” 

--

Aethelric watched his wife closely, she might hide her feelings well, but he watched the anger in her eyes fade into quiet resignation.

“Fine. Just don’t ask me for anything beyond the bare minimum of appearances from now on.” With that she turned on her heel and left. he shook his head. As if anything he’d done up to this point had been anything but the bare minimum. It wasn’t his fault if she thought he’d meant any of it. This was for the best.

He glanced around the room, everyone’s attention was focused back on him. He flashed them a grin and clapped his hands together. “Well! Where were we?”