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As the door closed behind her Æòelhild’s rich brown eyes swept around the modest room, finally returning to the very inviting looking bed upon which Saeryn’s possessions where partially strewn. She dare not touch anything for fear of soiling them with her dirt covered hands, so turning slightly she walked over to a rather ordinary looking dressing table upon which sat a very large and very flowery basin with matching pitcher. Thankfully the pitcher was still full of fresh clear water, So carefully putting down the object cradled under her shawl against the side of the dresser, she slowly lifted it. It felt unordinary heavy to her thin weak arms, but she managed to pour the water into the basin without much difficulty. Returning the pitcher she then unravelled herself from her shawl and removed what was left of her dress, so that she stood only in a very grey looking petticoat.
She washed hurriedly, the water cold against her pale white skin. Catching her reflection in a large dressing mirror to her right she gasped and stared in disbelief at the face looking back at her. Thin and drawn, pale like snow she barely believed it was her own reflection. Nothing like the vibrant young girl who had once skipped gaily through Gondor’s city streets, carefree and oblivious to the horrors in the world, a world she had once thought would never touch her. Believing Her father a captain of Gondor would always be there to keep her and Gondor safe from such evils. With a pained sigh at the memory of her father she purposely turned away and moved towards the bed and the assortment of clothes Saeryn had kindly said that she could choose from.
Remembering what Saeryn had said in the stables about her rather manly appearance and her own need to remain unnoticed Æòelhild rummaged though the garments and the bag looking to see if the woman owned a second pair of breeches that she could borrow. But alas none could be found only an assortment of simple every day dresses and skirts and a few brightly coloured blouses. Slightly disappointed Æòelhild let the bag slip from her hands to the floor, but as it did she thought she saw something, a glint of light. Reaching into the bottom of the bag she pulled out the most beautiful dress she had ever seen, light and soft like gossamer it almost shone in the sparse sunlight that filtered in through the open window. Holding it carefully against her body she looked again in the mirror it was beautiful and the fine gold embroidery told her that it belonged to someone of some importance or wealth. But again remembering Saeryn’s odd appearance she looked to the closed door with a puzzled frown. She did not look like any noble woman that she had ever met and she had met a fair few, vain creatures concerned with beauty and wealth and always looking to snare a wealthy husband or so her father had always described them. “Never allow yourself my little Æòel to fall into the deceitful webs of court with all it‘s trappings, always be yourself my little one” her eyes closed as she remembered her fathers words, his wide loving grin and the way he would playfully press her nose when giving good advice. Opening her eyes and shaking her head she turned back to the mirror. “I guess we all have our secrets” she sighed deciding not to dwell on how the woman came to have such a fine garment, instead opting with care to return it to the bottom of the bag where she found it. She wished to avoid any talk of nobility or court that could eventually lead to her dark secret being discovered.
Hearing the shifting of feet outside the door and realising how much time had already passed she picked out a clean petticoat and the first dress that came to hand and hurriedly dressed . It was a simple garment and plain to the eye which suited Æòelhild just fine, It fitted well and the rich brown of the fabric seemed to match her eyes beautifully. It felt good to be clean again and even though her hair was still a tangled mess Æòelhild did not care it had been nearly a year since she had left with nothing but the dress that now lay heaped on the floor, what little gold was in her pocket and her fathers swor…. Suddenly as if only remembering that she had put it down, she crossed the room to where she had set it down . A little of the wrapping had slipped to reveal a ornately engraved pommel at the centre of which sat a beautiful white stag, quickly she covered it, before calling in her small voice that she ready.
As the door opened and Saeryn walked in ,she stood nervously chewing on her lower lip and hugging her fathers sword in her arms. “well, what do you think?” she whispered hoping for the woman’s approval.
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