The next evening, we came to my family's lands. I looked over the snow-covered lands and Caspian whinnied in knowing. This was the first time we had been home since my father's passing. I wished Rianna had been allowed to come with so she could see her mother. I sighed seeing my hands shaking holding Caspian's reins.
"Is this your home?" he asked.
"Aye," I said shakily.
He didn't say anything. I had never talked to him about my home or my mother's view on me being a guardian, or the state of the property. In truth, looking at my home, it had become shambles in my father's passing. As headstrong as she was, I was sure, it would have be in better repair. Oh, mother.
I was honestly embarrassed that I had brought Alistor here. He was a higher noble class than I. He was somehow related to the king… a nephew or something. He had vast
lands, and a beautiful stronghold. Then there was my shambled house. How was my mother not ashamed of this? Did we even entertain other nobles anymore?
"It's-"
"Don't," I growled and kicked Caspian into a gallop.
Something was amiss at home. I rode up to the stables, leaving Alistor in my dust. A stable hand a few years younger than me took my horse.
"Lady Eveline?" he asked, surprised.
s"Guardian," I corrected.
"My apologies."
"Everett?" I asked cocking my head to one side.
My, had he grown!
He smiled. "Aye."
He had just been just a lanky boy when I left, now he was a striking lad. Alistor caught up to me, looking at me confused as he dismounted.
"Would you like me to announce your arrival?" asked Everett.
"Nay. Where is my mother?" I aked.
"She will be in the main hall, Guardian Eveline."
"Thank you. Will you have my things brought to my room along with Guardian Alistor's?"
Alistor nudged my shoulder when Everett looked at me confused. I had forgotten. Unlike when we were on missions, it was unnatural for us to share sleeping quarters.
"I mean… take his to the guest bedroom," I stumbled out.
Drat it, he would be in the furthest room of our house, especially with my room being in the loft.
"It will be done, my lady," he said with a bow.
"Thank you."
With that, I left the stables and walked up to the front door.
"Eve," Alistor asked, catching my arm and making me stop.
"Aye?" I asked quietly, looking forward.
He let go of my arm. "I know you're ashamed, Eve. Don't be. This is a nice home."
I turned, glaring him down.
"It was when my father was alive. Right now it is an eyesore."
That wasn't the only thing bothering me. I was worried how my mother would react to Alistor. Would she welcome home her daughter or would she be unimpressed with me? Could Alistor hold his tongue if she got sharp tongued with me? Why had I done this to myself?
I opened the door and walked down the hall. Halfway there, I saw Matilda. "Matilda!" I said enthusiastically.
She almost dropped the pitcher of water she was carrying. "Lady Eveline?" she asked looking at me.
She had aged. Her hair was almost entirely silver now, her skin wrinkled and leather like. Her eyes had crow's feet at the corners, but her eyes were still young- dancing with life.
"Guardian," I correctly. "This is my partner, Alistor ap Renn of Boarshead."
She bowed almost dropping the pitcher again. "If we would have gotten word we would be entertaining the king's nephew, I would have cooked a grand feast!"
"What's all the commotion about, Matilda?" came my mother's shrill voice from the main hall.
I cringed slightly.
"Stay here, please. At least let me properly announce you," she said, scurrying into the next room.
"She seems wonderful," whispered Alistor.
I smiled slightly. "She was like a mother to me. She's Riana's mother."
He nodded. "As I said, wonderful."
I nudged him as I heard Matilda introduce us in the next room. I began walking and so did Alistor.
"Mother," I said curtly.
"My daughter," she said. "Welcome to my home, Guardian Alistor."
He bowed slightly. "My lady."
"Why didn't you send word you were stopping in? We could have had a grand feast made for you."
"We… we just left Reytor yesterday. We are an important errand," I said. "There was no time to send a letter."
I looked at my mother through veiled eyes. She had aged too, not as much as Matilda, but some. Her hair had gray streaks, her eyes had crow's feet and she looked tired.
My mother waved off my comment.
"As is the guardian lifestyle. Why after all these years do you choose now to pay a visit?"
Alistor looked at me too as if he had been wondering the same question. "There was no time, Mother."
"I heard of your deeds in Haye's village, my daughter. Do not lie," she said curtly.
I looked down at the floorboards. This was why. She was making me look like a fool in front of Alistor.
"On that errand, my lady, we had no time to stop. We rode straight there and as soon as our task was finished, we had to flee back to Reytor."
I let out a sigh. At least Alistor was coming to my aid.
"Why don't you two get washed up? I'm sure you could use a nice bath and then dinner will be served."
Alistor bowed and left. As I was leaving, my mother spoke.
"It is nice to see you again, Eve," she said quietly. "I have been so lonely in your father's absence."
I felt terrible. I walked over to her and hugged her. Under it all, she was still my mother even if she didn't agree with my life choice.
"I'm sorry, Mother. My duty lies solely to the king."
She brought her hand to my chin. "Do not lie to me, my dear. I see your heart also belongs to that boy. Even in court you cannot follow rules."
"The king allows it, Mother," I said curtly feeling my cheeks turn red.
She smiled. "He is a good choice. The king's nephew."
"That is not… That's not why I love him."
She sighed. "Not that anything can come from it anyhow. You cannot marry without hanging up your shield. Will you really have me die with no grandchildren, Eveline?"
A tear came to my eye. "I'm bringing good to the kingdom, Mother. That is bigger than being a wife to a lord or a bard and having children."
Why couldn't she be proud of me? It always came down to that our family tree would die if I didn't marry and bear children. I missed my brother. If he were alive, not all the pressure would be on my shoulders.
"I never said I wasn't proud of you, Eveline," she whispered.
"Thank you."
She smiled weakly. "You're so much like your father. I just hope sometime you will be willing to settle down."
"I will not do that to Alistor, mother. This was his life dream as well as mine."
"And what if he asks one day, Eveline?"
"Then I will cross that bridge when it comes."
She sighed. "I guess that's better than you saying never. Go get a bath. I will see you for dinner soon."