The White Horse Inn, Act III

[peral]

Ayeth laughed. The two men in front of her were getting berated for something she was sure they weren't even thinking. And what was it any of her business whether they were flirting or not? She didn't even know what flirting was, the silly fool that she was. It was now plain to everyone around that she was innocent and somewhat naive and the thought of this made her blush.

"No, not at all, there's no problem. I'm 17, though small for my age." She smiled at the looks on Harreld and Garreth's faces.

She knew she was small and that many said that the lack of exercise and fresh air while she had tended her father had gone and stunted her growth. But she didn't mind being small, quite the contrary. All the women of Rohan seemed so strong-minded and iron-willed, she liked being different in a way. Surely there were men out there who wanted a wife who was dependent on them no matter what, instead of a woman that were always so independent. She hoped that that fact would play in her favour when it came time for her to wed. She shuddered inwardsly, marriage, it seemed such a curse to be born female and not be able to remain single and independent. But while she still tended her father, she was sure that she would remain unattached. She had seen women - both happy and sad - who were married. She hoped that when she was wed she would have a husband who loved her and cherished her for who she was.

She looked up and noticed that Harreld and Garreth were still gaping - most likely because of the shock of her revealing her age - and she giggled quietly to herself as she took another bite of her breakfast, the flavour suddenly returning to it and becoming delicious once more to her tongue.