[Nurumaiel]

The little boy seemed startled when the kiss touched his dark curls, and suddenly all the children fell strangely quiet, watching with the utmost attention what the stranger was doing. It was more than a little surprising that the child made no attempt to pull away during the first few moments, but it was soon remembered by his family that only the other day he had allowed one who was not in his family to actually hold him. But the stranger still intrigued them. It was unusual for a stranger to come up to their little brother and kiss his head. It had never happened before.

A young girl, in fact the only girl of the seven children, leaned over to the eldest of the family, whispering, "Hyrde, do you recognize that person there?" The reply was in the negative, and the children grew even more curious and quiet. They were all extremely protective of their two youngest brothers, and were careful to always make certain they were all right.

The little boy at last turned and limped towards his mother, a wide, beaming smile on his face, saying, "Tell Dadda, tell Dadda." Mellon got to his feet and smiled at the rest of the family. The father stepped forward and held out his hand, introducing himself as Ænlic Lytcyning and his wife as Hleo. One by one he gave the names of the children, from eldest to youngest, pausing every so often to remember. Hyrde was the eldest; then was Lythremm; the girl was Geryman; the one who had began their little snowball-fight was called Godglædhold; after that was Lytdeorcan; the little boy with the limp and dark curls was called Brond; and the baby Eorl. While their names were being spoken, some of them smiled, some of them bit their lip in embarrassment, and the baby ooed and pointed at the horses.

After introductions, a conversation was struck up and the children grew bored. Godglædhold, Lytdeorcan, and Brond began fighting with the snow again and began building castles while the three eldest in the family led the horses to the stable, then they too joined in the building of a castle. One of the children suggested building a large fort they could actually hide in if they were attacked by the other children (which clearly showed their eagerness to join in the fun), and they set to it with a will.