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“Yes, my king. I will tell him,” Léof answered, bowing. King Éomer then gestured another man forward, a guard, Léof thought, and he took that as his dismissal. He turned and walked again the distance of the hall, this time hardly noticing the splendor of the place. He had not noticed his own tenseness as he spoke; telling his tale to the king had felt strangely natural. But now that the whole affair was over with, Léof felt rather shaky, and he thought that if he should stop walking his limbs might cease to support him. He concentrated on taking deep breaths as he walked, and by the time he left the hall and descended the steps, he felt strong enough again to lift himself into Æthel’s saddle.
He was granted a few moments rest before the six promised guards arrived. One gestured for Léof to lead the way, and he did so, feeling mildly awkward with the guards following him. After all, an escort was meant either for someone important, a king or lord, or a criminal, and Léof, a simple ostler, was far from either of those things. Well, you were banished from your father’s house… Uncomfortable thought.
The ride could not have been short enough, and upon their arrival at the Mead Hall, Léof dismounted and left Æthel at the hitching post for the moment. He absently patted her neck in promise of a good brushing soon. He was confused for a moment about the guards – should he do something with them? – but with an internal shrug he decided he should simply find Eodwine and give him the king’s message.
He quickly found Eodwine inside the Great Hall and delivered the message word-for-word as nearly as he could remember it, then added, “I think the guards are still out in the courtyard.”
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