[Kath]

Astilwen had been sitting quietly in a corner of the inn since the school had ended and the children had left. She had been reading over the new version of the song that had come about and had heard a voice singing the words. She had turned to find that it was Master Hearpwine. She considered going to join him as he was sitting alone, but he looked deep in thought so she stayed put.

Instead she reached into her pocket and pulled out the little bag her mother had given her when she left home. Being with the children in the schoolroom had reminded her of her own siblings, and it had made her a little homesick. She took a quill, ink and paper from the bag and set about writing home, in the hope it would help her feel better. She did not notice that she was crying as she wrote until teardrops hit the paper. She quickly wiped them away and continued.

As she finished she saw that a hobbit girl had stopped next to her table carrying a tray of food. The smell of the stew made her stomach rumble and she blushed in embarrassment.