Athilda watched as Dunhama walked back to the wagons and spoke with their drivers. After a rejection from the farthest driver, she began to get nervous. What if no one was willing to drive them?
Athilda took in a breath, but smiled as Dunhama approached her and took her by the hand and led her away.
"Thank you, my love."
She spoke softly as she watched Wulgov dismount and walk-with a slight limp-to the wagon just behind theirs. As Wulgov climbed in and sat down, Athilda looked up at Dunhama and smiled, but her mind was preoccupied.
"Dunhama..."
She began to say before Kano road up to them.
"Aye, I'm sure you are looking forward to it, Gaelrin."
Athilda addressed Gaelrin as they passed by the wagon where Wulgov sat perched on his bench. Her eyes shifted ever so slightly to where he sat, for she wanted to see how he fared, but their eyes met and locked.
A breath escaped her lips as his eyes bore into hers and for a long moment, she felt as though she was being drawn to him. The sound of Gaelrin's voice brought her back to reality and finally Athilda shifted her gaze to Gaelrin who was now smiling broadly at the sight of her horse.

(Sorry for my lack of activity... the outdoor projects have been piled up with dentist appointments after work and a weekend trip planned this coming Friday evening. Pluss we have had critters gettig our chickens so many nights as of late I have been sitting out with a gun and flashlight watching. )


Kano smiled as Gaelrin thanked him. "It's the least I can do... I know your pain and would be a fool not to offer my aid."

They made their way to the wagon and he was glad to see Gaelrin happy as she lay eyes on her horse.

"She seems happy to see you," Kano said, observing Sandy's reaction to Gaelrin.

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Visit The Varsian Kingdom!

(OOC: Good idea! //No worries, friend! Life can get busy sometimes. )

Gaelrin smiled and let out a small laugh as she watched Sandy eagerly eat the snack that her brother had given her. Tears began to form as Sandy trotted towards Sage, and with an outstretched hand, Gaelrin rubbed her horses' mane and neck. As she rubbed her horse, Gaelrin spoke.
"Aye, she and I have been through many trials together."
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Athilda looked up into Dunhama's deep, caring eyes and smiled. She was completely and utterly in love with this man; no other man could ever hold her heart. Athilda felt her heart flutter as Dunhama rested his hand on her cheek. She longed for nothing more than to be his wife, to be bound to him for life.
Her eyes began to sparkle as she thought about their future together, and as she rested her hand on his, she spoke quietly so only he could hear.
"All I wish is to be wed to you, with our friends by our side." She paused for a moment, then brought up her other hand to rest it on his chest.
"I love thee, Dunhama, with all my heart."

Kano brought Sage up to stop beside the wagon and looked back at Gaelrin. He was sure she would be excited but he could still see sadness in her eyes. She looked as though she were about to cry. The pain was all fresh, though... he knew this. He wished there was some way to help but knew of nothing.

"I'm sure Sandy would love to have you back on her," Kano said in agreement with Dunham.

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Visit The Varsian Kingdom!

Athilda was still mesmerized by Dunhama's kiss as she and her friends walked to the side to wait as the line of wagons began to slowly make their way back to Edoras. Athilda noticed a joy return to Gaelrin's eyes as Kano rode up to Sandy, but it was quickly followed by deep sorrow. She crossed behind Dunhama and walked over to Gaelrin and gently inspected her ankle. After a moment, she looked up at Gaelrin and held her hand in front of her to block the rays of the sun.
"Your ankles seem to be doing much better, however, I would not advise you to ride at a full gallop with Sandy."
Athilda saw the girls' face fall at the news, but she gently placed a hand on her leg and smiled up at her.
"But I think it would be good for you to ride so that you can gain extra strength."
At this news, Gaelrin beamed and nodded, then glanced over to Dunhama and her brother as Athilda asked Dunhama for help.
"Will you help her down and onto her horse?"

Kano road up closer to sandy and let them help Gaelrin down and onto the horse. He looked ahead as the caravans moved on. He barely knew Edoras as "Home" but he looked forward to returning all the same.

After Gaelrin was on the horse he waited for everyone to get situated.

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As Dunhama lifted her onto the back of the wagon, Athilda couldn't help but smile as she thought of the joy that was to come once they reached Edoras. She would become Dunhama's wife. The thought made her heart soar and it was sent further up as she felt his hand slide around her waist. She rested one hand gently on his leg, just above the knee, then firmly planted the other one on the bottom of the wagon for stability as the driver took his place in line.
"Finally."
She said quietly as she watched the Keep grow slowly farther away, but as Dunhama spoke, Athilda looked up at him and the smile began to fade at the topic.
"I..."She uttered, then glanced down at the ground beneath them as she gathered her thoughts.
Should she tell Dunhama how his uncle made her feel....or rather, how she felt an unappeasable desire to know his thoughts and help him? Athilda sighed, then glanced up at Dunhama with a hint of shame in her eyes.
"Dunhama, I love thee...with every part of my soul but....I fear that whenever I am around your uncle...I become...enchanted by him, and I begin to grow curious about him."
She watched nervously as he glanced down at the ground, then quickly added.
"This...curiosity is not love, but rather....I feel the need to help him, for it seems as though he's never had any help before...from anyone."
She looked intensely into Dunhamas eyes, then brought her hand up to rest gently on his stubbly cheek.
"To answer your question...I feel that perhaps...well, I feel conflicted. But he is your uncle, and I do not want to separate you from your...only family. It is up to you, my love."

As the wagon rolled slowly along and Sage plodded rythmaticlly beside Sandy Kano began to feel his body relax and it was as if he was releaved of a great stress. He had not realized how tense just the very place of Helms deep had made him. All he knew of that place was war, death, and suffering.

He looked around at his new compainions. When he left Edoras he knew no one. Now there was Dunham, Athilda, Gaelrin, and Grihias. They all seemed like fine people indeed. He was happy to be traveling back with them.

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Visit The Varsian Kingdom!

Upon mounting, Gaelrin felt her heart swell with newfound hope and comfort, and once she and her new friends joined the line, she felt at ease in knowing that soon they would be going home. Yes, she and her brother would have to start a new life, but with the help of her new friends, she felt that it would not be so bad.
She had been riding for a while before she looked over at Kano and noticed his change in demeanor. It was as if something was lifted off him.
"You look well, sir."
She said kindly.

Athilda looked at Dunhama in surprise.
"You...you're not..?"
Athilda voice trailed off as she felt him gently squeeze her. She knew that he loved her, and as she revealed to him before, she loved him, with all her being. She looked over at Gaelrin and Kano with compassion.
"Aye, they both look very happy. But alas, we will be there for them when sorrow strikes them again."
She then glanced up at Dunhama and kissed him fully on the lips.