The pounding in her head woke her. She felt around. She was alone and it felt like her bed. She opened one bleary, bloodshot eye. It looked like her room in the dusky morning light.

MORNING!

She jumped up but quickly sat back down. It felt like Thor's hammer was pounding in her head. Moaning ever so slightly she tried standing again but this time, much, much slower. She held up her bronzed mirror. Even with bloodshot eyes, she could tell she looked a mess.

Moving slowly, she cleaned up, changed into a clean chemise and over dress and only pricked herself twice while pinning the straps. Even her hair hurt as she tried to brush out the tangles and straw in her long hair. Normally she could deftly and quickly braid her hair but this morning even her fingers felt hung over.

The noise from the main room made her wince but she forced herself to take one step after another. As she entered into the common room, she took a slow, long look.

Broken dishes, spilt milk and mead, blood, chicken feathers and very happy cats greeted her. It slowly came back to her. Near the entrance to the kitchens, propped up and sleeping soundly, was Gerulf.

She walked quietly over to him, smoothed his hair, wrapped his cloak around him, kissed the top of his head and entered the kitchen to try to start another day...one a little less painful with any luck of the gods.