A Long Way From Home

[Grettir]

Grettir was very much enjoying the liberty of walking about, exploring the world. Of course he had seen it before. But quite a bit has changed in the past several decades. To be free of his duty to guard the bridge had both felt like a relief and yet, a bit unfortunate. The Fisher King's lands, his bridge that bordered the kingdom, would always be his home. While he fully intended to return one day, it was not anytime soon. For in the meantime, he covered the ground, using the more traditional mode of transportation: walking. It was only this way that he would fully experience what was out there. His latest venture landed him on the soils of Camelot. A great kingdom; one that held so much potential that every being of the Old Religion was well aware of. Some wished to see it fall, and did what they could do achieve this. While others supported its reign and did all they could to watch it succeed. Grettir, was neutral.

Seeing as how he was not the violent kind, he tended to remain disengaged from all of the plots to over throw it. The ultimate one was coming though, and he would have nothing to do with it. Camelot would be built without his help, without the help of many of his kind. So instead, he would enjoy it when he could. Seeing what it was about this particular kingdom that made it so appealing. He currently found himself in the countryside, coming across an estate, one that he did not know the owner of.

What drew him to it though was the very large, very elaborately green hedge maze. It looked like quite a bit of fun. And Grettir, being a man who appreciated the natural environment, knew it would make for a good stroll. He stood at the entrance, not yet walking in. The side of his mouth titled upwards into a half smile, as he thought the idea rather clever. The last hedge maze he had been through as the Labyrinth of Gedref, and that had been a wonderful experience. Who would have thought to put such a maze in the lawn of a noble's estate. Rather ingenious indeed. So instead of entering, he waited, and turned his head to look about. Walking right in would be trespassing, so perhaps he would wait for someone to come out so that he could ask permission, which if he did not, could be considered a bit disrespectful.

| Tag: Marian Engel |

[Lady Marian Engel]

Ladies whom live int he country do not waste all hours of the night staring at stars! Those were her aunt's parting words from the night before, followed by the loving reminder that if you went to be early then you could arise early and then there would be no need to waste candles. Marian never grew angry, with her aunt for wanting her to be more like she was; she knew that her aunt simply did such because she loved her and wanted was was best for her.

Still, sometimes Marian longed for adventure and finding it in the maze was one of the best ways. It was the napping hour currently and the moment her aunt bid her a good afternoon and sought out her bed, Marian fled to the maze with book in her hand. When she found her hidden gazebo however, she could a little white bird there. She paused at the wooden door frame to wait for it to since her and flee but it never did. She took a few steps hesitantly closer but it only gave a small sound and breathed quicker.

Marian moved along the far wall so not to startle the small frightened animal as she tired to see if it was waiting for her to get closer before flying away. That was when she noticed it was hurt! It's wing was bent in a very wrong way! Marian gasped out as she saw it! OH NO! How horrible! Looking around she knew that if he stayed here then he could find no food, or worse one of her aunt's cats out find him! She set her book down slowly beside the bird and tired to gently lift him up on it so it could be used to carry him but it only cried out in pain.

Marian found tears slipping over her pale cheeks as she knew that the bird must have more wrong with it then a broken wing. It would not be able to survive out there for long but it sill have a better chance out there then in here! Maybe she could find a nest to put him near and other birds would take care of him!?

Lifting to book she turned to slowly and carefully walk the maze, so she could take him out of here and get him to his friends. As she got to the door that lead out she froze at the sight of the child in the door way. Not fearing a child she moved closer, her eyes and watery eyes taking in the sight of not a child but a man! A small little man who was blocking her way out. Marian stopped a many feet from the small man and wondered if she should speak or if he would leave after seeing that someone was here.

[Grettir]

Grettir would not be waiting long it seems. For a young fair woman revealed herself from the maze. Grettir gave a polite smile as she drew closer to him, and lowered himself in a respectful bow. His small size would not permit him to go too deep, but he went far enough for the gesture to be recognized. Looking at her once again, the smile remained on his lips. She seemed startled by his presence. Which was to be entirely expected as he was an unannounced stranger. And Grettir was not naive enough to belief that his physical stature did not raise a few eyebrows. Judging from her appearance, she was most certainly of nobility. Probably the owner of this estate, or one of them if she had a family. Either way, Grettir would act on this strong instinct, and spoke to her with the universal respect he held for most others.

But he looked at her, he noticed something small in her hands. A small animal it seemed. And then he saw the tears in her eyes. Grettir may not be overly social but he was not violent. He held enough compassion for others to arouse his next question. "What 'ave ye got there me lady?" He questioned, curiously, as he took a step towards her to get a better look at what covered her delicate hands. For such a small man, he was remarkably confident. If there was any way to help whatever caused her tears, then surely, Grettir would do what he could.