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Mithalwen · 05-10-2006, 06:03 AM

Elfride looked up at the young man, startled to be spoken to and a little flustered by the words. In latter years every time she caught sight of her reflection she merely thought how old she looked and before she had only cared that Theo had thought her fair. So the compliment washed over her and she answered that which more concerned her thoughts.

"I thank you, sir, but there is nothing that anyone could do that would help. I have parted from my boy so you must make allowance for a mother's sorrow", Elfride swallowed hard trying to muster the control she habitually exercised in public. But there was kindness as well as mischief in the youth's eyes and she continued, "he has gone with his uncle to learn to be a soldier - I know it is what he wants..." she paused thinking of Elfthain's rapt face listening to tales of war told by his father and uncle and remembered her brother's harsh words to her, the ones that had made her yield "Do you want him to grow up to be a man or a milk-sop tied to his mother's apron strings .... he might stay through love to begin with but in time he would resent you.. soldiering is in his blood he will be never content to be just a farmer.." . Her reserve cracking she finished "It is just that his father and mine both went to war and did not return .... I could not bear it if the same happened to my son". She bit her lip quelling the tears that threatened and adding "but I am being silly, he is only in his tenth year, it will be long ere he could ride to war" . She forced herself to smile and this did give a momentary beauty to her grave face.

The young man was strange to her and she knew most of the people of Edoras by sight at least having lived in the town for most of her childhood and nearby since her marriage. She was sure she would have remembered him since his colouring was darker than usual for the Rohirrim and had he not addressed her in their own tongue she would have thought him perhaps of the folk of Gondor who dwellt the far side of the White Mountains.

"You are not from these parts, I deem, what brings you to Edoras? And may I ask your name? I am Elfride"

05-10-2006, 06:03 AM	#12
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Elfride looked up at the young man, startled to be spoken to and a little flustered by the words. In latter years every time she caught sight of her reflection she merely thought how old she looked and before she had only cared that Theo had thought her fair. So the compliment washed over her and she answered that which more concerned her thoughts. "I thank you, sir, but there is nothing that anyone could do that would help. I have parted from my boy so you must make allowance for a mother's sorrow", Elfride swallowed hard trying to muster the control she habitually exercised in public. But there was kindness as well as mischief in the youth's eyes and she continued, "he has gone with his uncle to learn to be a soldier - I know it is what he wants..." she paused thinking of Elfthain's rapt face listening to tales of war told by his father and uncle and remembered her brother's harsh words to her, the ones that had made her yield "Do you want him to grow up to be a man or a milk-sop tied to his mother's apron strings .... he might stay through love to begin with but in time he would resent you.. soldiering is in his blood he will be never content to be just a farmer.." . Her reserve cracking she finished "It is just that his father and mine both went to war and did not return .... I could not bear it if the same happened to my son". She bit her lip quelling the tears that threatened and adding "but I am being silly, he is only in his tenth year, it will be long ere he could ride to war" . She forced herself to smile and this did give a momentary beauty to her grave face. The young man was strange to her and she knew most of the people of Edoras by sight at least having lived in the town for most of her childhood and nearby since her marriage. She was sure she would have remembered him since his colouring was darker than usual for the Rohirrim and had he not addressed her in their own tongue she would have thought him perhaps of the folk of Gondor who dwellt the far side of the White Mountains. "You are not from these parts, I deem, what brings you to Edoras? And may I ask your name? I am Elfride"