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Old 10-19-2003, 07:47 AM   #180
alaklondewen
Song of Seregon
 
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Following the road less traveled
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Sting

The warm embracing air of the inn was a comforting contrast to the cool morning dew that laced Lairwyn’s ankles. As she opened the large door to the White Horse, she unconsciously loosened her grip on the old, yellow shawl her mother crocheted for her before her wedding day. The smell of frying bacon stimulated her nostrils and her stomach rumbled a reply. Several folk sat in the common room sipping coffee and nibbling on toast and eggs. The rattling of pots and pans could be heard coming from the kitchen. Froma is hard at work already. Lairwyn smiled as she pictured the cook slaving over a hot fire, tasting rich sauces and adding pinches of seasonings.

Shaking the image from her head, Lairwyn crossed the room. After her unexpected departure from the market, the day before, she was hoping to catch a few of the local merchants who frequented the White Horse in the mornings. Yesterday had ended with unforeseen excitement. One moment she was looking over produce, and the next she was caught up with a couple of colorful performers and on her way to the inn. The actors had insisted on putting on a dinner show for the patrons, and their audience’s reaction was positive after the initial surprise. When she’d returned home, Lairwyn had to tell her disbelieving husband the tale three times before he’d let her be. Each time Mayhew would question just how she found herself with them, and then when she would describe the act, he would sit back in his chair with his hands behind his head and close his eyes picturing the whole ordeal. Honestly, he was more than a little uncomfortable knowing his wife spent the evening with strangers, but he wished he could have seen the show.

Lairwyn sat on a tall stool at the bar and ordered a cup of coffee and some bread to munch while she waited. Hopefully, she hadn’t missed the men this morning. They typically assembled early to talk about how business was going and the politics of the day.

“Lairwyn, how nice to see you.” Crumbs flew from Lairwyn’s mouth as she spun around on the stool to greet the voice. Her eyes widened when she saw Frodides smiling broadly. Lairwyn’s hand instinctively shot up to cover mouth, and she chewed quickly and swallowed a large lump of bread so she could answer her friend.

“Frodides, thank you. How is Mærcwen?” Lairwyn had served as midwife when Frodides had given birth to her little girl and the women had remained relatively close since. Close relationships with the families Lairwyn has served are common because of the bond formed when people share an emotional experience like that of birth. Lairwyn wiped her mouth with a cloth napkin from the bar, and turned just as Frodides began to answer…

[ October 19, 2003: Message edited by: alaklondewen ]
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