[Airerûthiel]

Maikadurion pondered Bethberry's question. Usually when asked questions by others, he had an answer that seemed to appear in his mind and form itself into sentences within a matter of moments - but this was because strangers generally asked him the same questions. But this was far more difficult and complicated than most of the inquiries made of - or about - him.

"It is a strange question you ask of me, Bethberry," the half-Elf said eventually, "and it carries with it a long answer. But so as not to occupy the precious time we have in this season, the reason I chose to remain in Rohan was because it seems to me that here is a country where I can remain, neither welcomed nor scorned. Gondor is my true home, but if I set food over the borders of that land I will surely be slain because my father was a traitor to the Stewards. When Laitalathion and I ran away from the house of the Rocconinquë to go and find the Elves, I thought that maybe we might be accepted by our mother's kin in Mirkwood. But there we met with the same reception we always had - that of being tolerated, neither wanted nor rejected.

"Ever since the death of our mother, there has been no place in the world for the two orphan sons left behind by Théomer of Gondor and Orowethwen of Mirkwood. Here in Rohan, none know of my family history, so I am seen as what I am - a former Ranger now working in the White Horse Inn. There is no stigma attached to me here, no pressure placed upon me to live up to the divided ideals of the two races whose blood flows in my veins. I can be the person that has been created by my world, my family - and my heart."