Rise of the Warrior of Everfen

Chapter 80: Custody

Erinne ran her fingers through the soft tufts of pale hair on her daughter's head. "Anyse." She said the name again. She thought it was a name Cold Hammer could be proud of. They'd never really discussed names. They'd named Andol after his father and for the winter rains and Cold Hammer had mentioned doing the same for their next child. Something that reflected upon Erinne's name, something that reflected on nature.

She assumed they would've used her orc name for guidance, but she didn't use it. Instead, she turned to Andol and blessed his little sister with a name as perfect as his own, with as much meaning. "Anyse." She whispered the name again. Summer sun. The only sun in her life now, the only thing she had left.

When Lohke arrived, she would gather the few clothes she had here, the mighty war hammer, and she would take her small, broken family home. There, she would raise her daughter with the love and support of the Killerfrosts and when Anyse was old enough, Erinne would gift her the war hammer. Her father's weapon. If she wished to use it or save it to pass on to a son. It would remain in the family.

She lifted her eyes from Anyse to stare at the hammer. It was sturdy, well crafted, if not a little plain, but that was Cold Hammer's way. He didn't need pretty things and decorations, he just needed a tool that got the job done. Still, it was special and any orc would recognize it for his. When his daughter wielded it, it would be in his name, and he would know pride, even amongst the ancestors.

She sighed heavily, her heart breaking a little more every time she looked at it. She didn't know how to cope with the turn her life had so abruptly taken. Her entire family, all but one, slaughtered. Again. This wasn't how life was supposed to be.

Just weeks ago she'd been planning a future with her mate and son, preparing for the arrival of Anyse. Now that entire future was lost. She'd ran out of time to prepare for Anyse's arrival, she'd come too early. She'd run out of time to hold her son, he was gone.

"Cold Hammer, I still need you." She whispered and wished he were here. She closed her eyes, desperately wishing to feel his hand on her cheek, brushing away her tears as his voice whispered through the room. "With one swing of your hammer, you tried to save us all, not destroy us." She murmured. The Ancestors hadn't been wrong, though. Perhaps if Cold Hammer hadn't turned back, none of this would've happened. They could've made it to the safety of the castle.

With one swing of his hammer, he'd attacked the men throwing rocks at them, but it'd cost them all. Just as the Ancestors said, but she still blamed Wren. He'd brought them here. He'd forced her to come to a place where people called her children an abomination and tried to cut them from her womb. Cold Hammer had only been defending his family.

"Milady?" She glanced up to see Myre standing in the doorway.

"Please, come in." Erinne said quietly. She'd refused to leave Erinne alone last night for a long time after her return to Thunderfall. She'd grieved with her, brought her food and water, and offered more kindness than Erinne would expect from any other human in these times. She was thankful for her company. Myre was a treasure.

"King Wren stopped me in the hallway. He wishes to see you when you are ready." She scowled in response to Myre's words who ducked her head, her dark curls bouncing with the movement. "Tis what he said, milady."

"My anger is not directed towards you." She assured the girl. "Will you stay with Anyse?"

"Of course. The king says I am to be at your beck and call now. I am no one's servant but yours." She patted her dress pocket and she heard the clink of coins. "The king gave me a gold coin."

"You deserve gold every day for your kindness." Erinne told her and silently vowed to see to it that the young woman was given higher pay, not just a single gold coin. She shifted in the chair she was sitting in and rose cautiously so that Anyse would not wake and Myre held out her hands. She set her in her waiting arms and Myre smiled with delight. "She has a name now. Anyse."