The morn wore on as the sun passed overhead and then on westwards whence men could never follow. Bethberry had spent a pleasing time with the new young waif Ćňelhild and Sćryn, dawdling over tea while they ate, away from the eyes of the hungry smiths. Sometimes it strengthened one to stay away from such gazes and Bethberry suspected this young one might have reasons to avoid direction recognition. Yet, out of the most innocent of comments stories could be drawn out and Bethberry, while being discrete, had surmised something of the girl's situation. Shortly, though, she had excused herself to attend to business. And as she walked the halls of the White Horse, she mused.
How strange, she thought, to find so many homeless girls astray on the land. What was it that was forcing them away from their homes and families? What drew them to Edoras? People here had no greater use for women than any where else in Rohan; there were no more jobs to be had in the Courts than in any of the other towns and villages that dotted the land. Yet still they came. Was it shelter or desperation?
Finding no easy answer, the Innkeeper turned to the business of running the Inn. She inquired of the maids if anything was needed for the laundry and if anything were missing from any rooms. It was amazing how often towels went astray. You'd think that there was a market somewhere for linen marked with an embroidered white horse the way they went missing. Still, Bethberry knew that was one way travellers came to hear of The White Horse. Paying customers were always needed given the way destitute characters seemed to be calling upon the Horse's good graces.
Later in the afternoon Bethberry attended to her most pleasant task, the designing of a new banner to hang in the rafters in the Meadhall. It was one of the few ways she was able to practice her love of creativity and beauty and she looked forward to the rare opportunity. This banner was to mark the ancient history of the fall of the east and the rise of the Dark Riders, The Shadow of the West it was called. It was a story told in whispers in the days before the War of the Ring, for not much had been known, but since Aragorn had taken the throne in Gondor some people were speaking more openly and directly about events in their history. It was a change Bethberry respected and admired, for those who did not know their past could not be prepared to face their future, she felt.
The Innkeeper became lost in thought as she contemplated the kind of design and the colours for the banner. The day flowed on into late afternoon and soon the many patrons would return for dinner and conviviality....
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