[Mithalwen]

Mithalwen knew she would not follow the bard to the class room but had neither the time nor inclination to explain that she had to complete a more practical service for one child and tidy up her involvement with the mortals of the Shire.

The work might require one more day but she felt she could not afford to stay in the inn any longer so having finished her meal she returned her tray to the common room and slipped up to the tiny chamber under the roof where she had spent the last few nights. Telling herself it was about time she got used to sleeping outside again as she would for the rest of her journey, she packed her few posessions into leather saddlebags. She folded carefully and last the aquamarine dress she had worn for Zimzi and Derufin's wedding and then having checked she had left nothing behind, she took a last look from the tiny window. Aeglos was grazing in the paddock with Kinsul, Uien's horse. Again she regretted the strange change in Uien's manner but was at a loss to understand.

Once downstairs, she checked her slate was clear and arranged to leave her bags in safekeeping til the evening. It was about time to go she thought.