[Bêthberry]

Dusk had dwindled into darkness and all about the Horse had gone to their repose. The Innkeeper was thankful that Aywlen had accepted her urging to seek rest, for Aylwen had worked tirelessly both in organizing the stable repairs with Talan and in running the Inn itself. There were so many strangers in town these days and so many hands working to rebuild the stable. In fact, Bethberry had been more than pleased; she had taken comfort in knowing that, should she be called away by these mysterious forces which were bringing darkness to Edoras, then she could leave The Horse in the capable, clever hands of the girl called Dreamsong. She was thankful, too, that Sigrid and Gerdwyn were proving to be dependable and adroit at their work. If she had to leave, she could at least have the reassurance of knowing that The Horse had reliable workers to run it.

Bethberry sat back in her chair, watching Goldwine pad silently around the Great Hall. A shadow on the floor brought her eyes to the window, where she saw Madi looking in at the cat with a decided scowl on his face. She half rose to call to him, but he quickly disappeared. She sat back in her chair, reflecting upon her conversation with Azaziel.

It was a strange intrusion into the affairs of citizens to question the rebuilding of the stables, but he had been satisfied with the general outline of the plans she had presented him with, as well as the several cups of coffee. Bethberry had noted his appraisal of the beverage and realized there was more to his questions than he laid on the table. Why, why was the Golden Hall less interested in how the fire had started and more in blocking plans to replace the stable? Accidents happened and fires happened and buildings were always being repaired and replaced. There were influences afoot which made the Innkeeper uncomfortable, decidedly uncomfortable. She thought back to mysterious affairs of The Princess and Valacirca in Gondor, to her work there, and wondered if the black affairs there were spreading to Rohan, to Edoras. If so, she would need to warn Aylwen, warn those she could trust in Meduseld.

She hurriedly left a note to Aylwen, advising the Assistant Innkeeper to continue as she had done with the stable plans and managing all the personnel, and explaining that she, Bethberry, was seeking some answers to these strange matters and would return upon gaining some satisfaction about them.

Bethberry rose and removed the keys to the White Horse from her belt, placing them upon the note to Aylwen. They would be in good hands.

With that, Bethberry wrapped her cloak around her and climbed out the window of her alcove, dropping silently and lightly to the ground and leaving the Horse locked for the night. The stories of the darkness told her by her father echoed in her head. She stood, took a deep breath, and walked away into the night as the songs of the lomelindi, the nightengales, echoed around the gated town.