[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Meirelle finished making Alethea's bed and sighed. Rubbing her back, she took a last look around the room to make sure that it was perfect. Satisfied, Meirelle stepped out of Alethea's room and made her way back towards the kitchen. When she reached it, she picked up a plate of dainties and tapped an older maid as she walked by. "Ma'am," she began. "Ma'am, are these dainties to be served at the luncheon?"

The woman looked at the plate and nodded. Meirelle thanked her and started to walk towards the luncheon. When she reached the room in which it was held, she slipped inside and set the plate upon a table. As she turned to leave, Meirelle spied some empty, soiled serving plates and gathered them up.

When she reached the kitchen with her stack of dirty plates, Meirelle deposited them in the sink and turned to go back to the servants' quarters for a rest. As she passed one door, she heard a voice say, "Finduilas wasn't the person who she claimed to be." Meirelle kept walking, but she started to giggle to herself. What a good job these women did spreading rumours! You would think they were telling the truth! Meirelle thought, and had to restrain herself from laughing out loud.