[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Finduilas' Welcoming Party

Meirelle scurried about, picking up empty glasses and stacking soiled plates. She had just straightened up and wiped the sweat from her brow when she heard a herald cry. "Make way for the noble Steward, Ecthelion!" She heard murmurs and gasps from the crowd as they shuffled quickly out of the Steward's way.

Meirelle, holding a tall stack of dirty plates, shuffled slowly to the side out of sight of the Steward. She didn't want to be seen in such a state, sweaty and grimy. She had had a glass of wine spilled on her apron by a clumsy lady, and the red stain stood out nicely against the bright whiteness of the cloth.

When she had gotten a grip on the stack of dishes, she walked briskly to the kitchen and gave them to a maid who had a sink ready for washing them. The drying-rack was full of clean dishes, and the maid groaned when she saw the huge pile ready for her. Meirelle smiled and walked back into the hall. The Steward was gone, as was Finduilas. Her sister was still there, though.

Meirelle's roving eyes searched the hall for something else to do and settled on a dirty table. She cleaned it off and turned to go back to the kitchen. As she reached it and threw the waste into the bin meant for scraps and rinds, she felt someone bump into her. She turned around and saw Gwen.

"Oh! Hullo there, Gwen. Busy night, wasn't it?" asked Meirelle.

Gwen looked up and said, "Oh, yes. I haven't rushed this much since...well, since never." Meirelle looked her in the eyes and motioned with a subtle nod of her head that they should go to a more secluded area. Gwen followed her to a table in a far corner, away from the crowd. In a low voice, Meirelle said, "Did you get anything done?"

Gwen looked at her strangely, and then realized what she meant. "No. I couldn't get away from my duties. Did you?" Meirelle nodded and said, "I managed to get a look inside of some sort of study, or office, during a quick break. But I found nothing."

Gwen nodded and said, "Do you think anybody else accomplished something?" Meirelle took a deep breath and said, "I hope so. I thought I heard someone say something about Lady Finduilas' secret identity or something to that effect, but I had to hurry and serve a table so I could not listen longer."

Gwen said, "We had better get something done tomorrow, or else Dryea will be angry." Meirelle nodded and motioned that they should go back. The party was over, it seemed, and the crowd was diminishing slowly. Maids still scurried to and fro, wiping off tables and gathering together dishes, and Meirelle joined them.

After she had wiped off what seemed like her fiftieth table, she glanced at a large clock that was on the wall. It was an hour and a half after she had her talk with Gwen! Meirelle gaped at the time, but was soon jostled by another maid, who said "We're nearly done. And about time for it, too! Take these tablecloths to the laundering room."