[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

As Aleia stood with Talan, waiting for Iswyn to show up, a stall advertising differently sized woven pouches caught her eye. Moving over to it, she picked up a pouch and inspected it closely. Lovely! she thought. I need some of these for my things. Reaching for her money purse, she realized it was gone - and whirled about just in time to see a lad stuffing it into his pocket and fleeing. Aleia started after him, crying, "Thief! Thief! Catch that lad!"

The boy who had stolen her purse was a certain orphan named Anwir, who had grown up on the streets. Anwir's parents had died when he was young, leaving him alone to roam the streets of Edoras. He kept himself alive by pilfering food from shops and stealing money from civilians. Anwir was now fleeing from the outraged Aleia, heart pounding and breath short as he searched for a hiding place. He dodged behind a fruit stall and thought himself safe, as the shouts carried past his hideout and slowly died down. He dashed out from behind the stall and abruptly crashed into Talan, who was waiting there for him.

"In a hurry, lad?" Talan asked, smiling a little. Anwir was shaking like a leaf on a windy day and pale as snow. "P-please, sir," stuttered Anwir. "Don't hurt me, s-sir."

Talan felt a pang of pity for the poor boy, who was extremely thin and had dark rings under his eyes. "Just trying to get by, eh, lad?" he asked gently. Aleia trotted up, puffing, and said, "Boy! Could you kindly hand over my purse?" Anwir gulped and held out the money purse in a shaky hand. Aleia grasped it and clapped a hand on Anwir's shoulder. "Now, we shall take a little walk. Have you ever been to the White Horse, boy? No? I think you'll like it," Aleia said, guiding Anwir through the crowd. Turning to Talan, she said, "I'll take this boy to Bethberry and see what she says. Seems I won't be getting my shopping done now, anyway."

Talan nodded and turned back to the crowd to look for Iswyn. Aleia continued chatting to Anwir, who was obviously bewildered at this treatment. He expected anger and a horrid punishment. He was shaken out of his stupor by Aleia asking, "What's your name, before I forget to ask?"

"Anwir, miss lady," he replied, still a little wary.

"Please, boy! Call me Aleia. Now, I think you shall like the White Horse, and you shall like Bethberry the Innkeeper as well. She seems hard at first, but she's got a big soft spot." Aleia chattered on and on, and Anwir's head was spinning by the time they reached the Horse. They went in and Aleia called, "Bethberry? Are you here? I've got a visitor for you."