[Nurumaiel]

Leofan's house was only a short walk away, and at a canter he reached it in the space of a few minutes. Dismounting Mihtig quickly he stopped for only a few moments to look at his little house. It would have to be left alone for awhile, for his family would be living at the White Horse for a time. He pushed open the door and called out, "Frodides! Mærcwen! Come and hear this!"

A small freckle-faced child appeared out of seemingly nowhere and leaped into his arms. He kissed her cheek and carried her into the next room where his wife was sitting in front of a weaving loom. She looked up and her eyes lit up. Standing gracefully, she strode towards him and smiled. "You look pleased, Leofan," she said softly. "What is it that has happened? Has good fortune come our way at last?"

"I will not waste time explaining here," said he, taking his wife's hand and leading her outside. "Come with me and you will see, not hear." He placed his daughter on Mihtig and smiled as the horse nickered softly, greeting his 'sister.' Leofan then helped Frodides to mount. She looked down at him with a puzzled face. "It is just a short walk from here," said Leofan.

He took up the reins in his hands and began leading Mihtig forward. Frodides sat easily on the stallion's back, needing no support from the reins. Mærcwen swayed a little from side to side, and Frodides clasped her daughter's hands firmly and placed them on the horse's mane. "Grasp his mane, Mærcwen," she said. "You are not a skilled rider yet." Mærcwen giggled as Mihtig tossed his head up, feeling the little hands touch his neck.

The White Horse soon came into sight and Leofan pointed at it, saying no words, but his wife understood. She let loose a merry laugh and smoothed out her daughter's hair, kissing her on the top of the head. The child was already happy, but how much happier she would be when she knew no hunger! Frodides reached out and lay her hand on her husband's shoulder, smiling down at him with beaming eyes.

"Ætstandan, Mihtig, ætstandan," Leofan said softly. It was a word in the language of his people that meant stop, or halt, and it was by that word that Mihtig learned that he must stop. Leofan patted him in praise, and then held out his arms to help his wife and daughter dismount. Taking their hands in his, he brought them to the door of the inn. He pushed it open very gently, and led them in. Mærcwen gave a squeal of delight when she saw the other children.

"Now," said Leofan, releasing his daughter to go play, "go enjoy yourselves with the other children, and you, Frodides, introduce yourself to Bethberry and Aylwen. Maybe you could give them some assistance in preparing the party tonight?" Frodides nodded. "I must go tend to Mihtig and the other horses." He moved back to the door, and then paused. Looking over his shoulder, he added, "Perhaps you could ask Bethberry for me if there is any special task she would like me to perform in the stable?"

"Yes, Leofan," said Frodides, watching her husband go. Turning back to all the various faces, she felt a blush rising to her cheeks. She was not commonly a shy person, but she felt embarrassed being shoved through the door and told to speak with Bethberry and Aylwen. What a misfortune that her husband had not remembered that she knew not which of the many faces belonged to the aforesaid. Ducking her head, she stepped forward to her daughter who was already introducing herself to the other children.