Winterfall

My steps hummed with anger as I walked into the kitchen where I expected Theoden to be based on where the bond showed he was. I heard his gentle footsteps before I felt his strong arms wrap around my waist. I felt my mood shift as his siphoning eased my nerves.

He brushed my chestnut brown hair away from my cheek and rested his hand upon it. It will be alright Maria, I promise.

I stared up at him with a spark of hope in my eye, how can you be so sure?

He parted his lips crafting a gentle smile as he removed his hand from my cheek. I have communicated with Quinn and Brienne. Both have agreed to accompany you.

I sighed in relief. Brienne was one of the newer elites but she had an impressive skill set that helped her shine. Quinn, I was starting to see more and more like a sister. I knew she was one I would be safe with no matter what.

We stepped back from each other as Roland entered the kitchen from the back pantry. “Don’t let me stop you two.”

“We do have our limits.” Even though Roland knew of our relationship, we still tried to keep physical touch to a minimum.

“And I appreciate that Maria. But there are few and far places where you two can truly be yourselves.” He had a point there but that still didn’t mean we had to show off our affection any chance we got.

“Roland, I have to ask you. Is it alright if four guards join us for breakfast?” Theoden was hesitant when he asked. Considering how Roland was with the Council randomly joining he didn’t know how well he would handle guards joining.

Roland glanced over at him and I could tell that he was calculating if he would have enough to feed four guards that had high metabolisms plus a dragon. After a minute of silence, “Yes. It should be fine. I have plenty of food already prepped, however I may need to prepare some more.”

“I will be more than happy to help you with that.” Theoden said. Meet us in the castle’s kitchen. Quinn, Brienne, Hank, and Thorin. Theoden utilized sending to send a message to the four guards he was choosing.

“Hank and Thorin?”

“Two of my male guards. Hank Petrov is one of the older ones. Thorin Grove is in the middle ranks of the elite guards. Both men I trust with you fully.”

Once he said their ranks and last names it clicked in my mind. Hank was an elven guard and had been in the elite group for a couple hundred years. He was one of Théoden's first elites. Thorin was another elven man but with less experience than Hanks. He has been an elite for one hundred years.

My mood shifted more as I knew I would at least be well protected while dealing with Marcel in Summer Crest. “Theoden, will you help cook the bacon?” Roland asked as he held unwrapped pork.

“Of course.” Theoden took the unwrapped pork from Roland and began to warm up the skillet.

“Maria, can I trust you with the eggs? I have to gather the trays of already prepped food out of the cooler.”

“Sure thing Roland.” I took the eggs that he had sat out and began cracking them in a metal mixing bowl. Once I had a couple dozen cracked I began to whisk in some white cream and a bit of seasoning. In my first attempt at making an egg scramble.

Once I thought the eggs were whisked enough using the metal whisk, I moved over to the stove and grabbed another skillet and let the heat magic heat up the skillet. After a few minutes I slowly poured the egg mixture and began the cooking process.

Theoden looked down at me and gave me a grin as he turned the bacon. “What?” I asked him as I glanced up at him but returned my focus back to the eggs I was cooking.

“You are beautiful when you cook.”

My face flushed with heat, “Please, you’d say I would be beautiful if I was caked with mud.”

His grin faltered as he tried not to laugh, “is that a bad thing?”

I elbowed him gently, “whatever.”

“Don’t be burning anything now you two.” Roland said as he began to carry out the trays of food. “Move for a second so I can place these in the bottom of the stove.”

We both stepped aside long enough for him to place them in.

After thirty minutes of cooking all the food was ready. Just as Quinn and Brienne walked into the kitchen. “Something smells delicious!” Quinn piped up.

“Oh most definitely. Smells better than what I could cook.” Brienne said.

“Thank those two for helping me out.” Roland said as he pointed at the both of us.

“Wait…Theoden can cook?” Quinn’s expression made me laugh. As her voice carried exaggeration and humor.

Theoden let out a long sigh, “There is a lot you don’t know about me.”

“Clearly captain!”

“Regardless of who cooked, sit. Eat while it is still hot.” Roland said as he began to plate food for everyone. “Where are the other two guards?”

“They should be coming soon. They had their rounds to complete.” Theoden responded. “Let me check.” Hank, Thorin, report your location and standing.

A moment went by and he got a response back, affirmative, thank you for your response.

We all looked at him, “they are running a bit late as something comes up. So, it will just be us five for breakfast. Which is just fine with me. I am starving.”