The White Horse Inn, Act III

[peral]

Ayeth saw the tears well up in Gudryn's eyes though she tried so desperately to hide them. Suddenly she felt a pang of remorse, she couldn't just leave now, it would be seen as running away from a situation and she knew she'd never live it down if she did so now. Although she said nothing, she stayed nonetheless and she hoped that noone would ask any difficult questions about it.

She placed her hand on Gudryn's arm. The girl looked up at her and Ayeth could see the grief and desperation in her eyes.

"Don't worry," she whispered. "I'm sure it is safe here. And even if..." here she trailed off seeing the look in Gudryn's eyes. The girl was willing her to stop and stop she did because of what she knew could happen to her had she continued.

[littlemanpoet]

The news that faced Saeryn was dreadful. The man of Eomer and the hobbit were saddened for her, and the boy Dégas, and expressed their sorrow at her loss.

Eodwine said, "Lady Saeryn, though I am most curious, you need not tell us a thing about your family, not until and unless you are quite ready." He turned to Maercwen. "Mayhap we could have that cider that the good lad has offered up, and thereby quench some small bit of sorrow in shared drink and company."

Maercwen nodded and scurried off to the kitchen.

Soon drinks were had all around, and Eodwine for his part was grateful that it was cider instead of anything stronger. Once they had quaffed and taken what solace could be had from their shared company, Eodwine stood and said, "Long has Master Falco Boffin been waiting to be shown the Great Hall of Meduseld, where I must go to report. It is time for me to take him there. I offer to take Gudryn under my protection, with the aid of Harreld and Garreth, if they desire, as far as the King's hall, where I will ask what may be known of this Rand fellow. Maybe we can get to the bottom of this. And while we are busy with it, I shall see that Gudryn is provided with seemly clothing for a young Rohirric lass. Then maybe we can all meet again here toward evening and learn what we may. Maybe the Lady Bethberry would have Gudryn accompanied by another lass to keep her at ease? And what say you, Gudryn?"

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Drying her tears over a pint, Saeryn's cheeks remained faded. Would every place she thought to call home become a place of horror? She could not remain at the Inn for now, whither she returned or no.

"Eodwine, friend, I am willing to be companion to Gudryn, if she and you will have me. I seem to have business that must be swiftly dealt with. Would you have me join you?"

Dégas made to lay his hand over his sister's, drawing back at the last. She glanced at his still red eyes. "Dégas, I must go, and please... you mustn't try to stop me. I realize now that I cannot forever run from my home. No place again shall home be called if I fear reprisal for my prior actions. Will you," and here Saeryn spread her arms wide, "Or all or any of you, join me to the Folde? I go there from Meduseld." Turning to Bethberry, Saeryn spoke again. "Mistress, if I might but reserve the room you have given me? I plan to ride light, and with me are extra belongings that my mare need not bear."

[Boromir88]

Alrik was a tall man, with jet black hair down, to his shoulders. He had the appearance, as well as the build, of one of them mountain men from Gondor. He also walked with a clear limp, but no one knew why. Most figured he was injured in the previous wars, but some said his left leg was longer than his right.

Alrik strode into the Inn, immediately catching the attention of the others in the hall. There was a long, silent pause. He continued to hobble towards the counter, his feet echoing each step he took, breaking the silence. He noticed he was being watched and attempted to not draw so much attention. He reached into his worn, ragged pants, and pulled out a piece of paper; which he quickly stuffed back into his pocket. He turned away from the other inn members, and faced the wall behind the counter; hoping to get served soon, so he could be off soon.

[peral]

Ayeth nodded slowly.

"Aye, tis what would be best for us, at least, that's what I believe," she quickly added.

She was grateful for this suggestion. It gave her a chance to return home to her father without seeming to be running away from a situation. Her father...again images of what could possibly have occurred to him over the past hours flashed through her mind's eye again.

With a small bob to Harreld and Garreth and nods to Eodwine and Falco, she made as to leave. But before she did, she touched Saeryn's arm and looked at the girl reassuringly. As she reached the door, she looked back once, remembering what the inn was like, for she was sure it would be some time before she would be seeing it again.

[Esgallhugwen]

Gudryn

People. Strangers. Heros.

For once in her life Gudryn found herself in bewildering company, people who, without the slightest wink of an eye would go forward and right the wrongs of people they hardly knew. Without the faintest flinch would swear oaths to protect them.

Gudryn's face hardened, and she nodded her head. For once she was sure of what she must do.

"I will go with you to Meduseld, and have Saeryn by my side as well, if she wishes it so"

Eodwine and Saeryn nodded, she smiled meakly back and wrapped the shawl tighter around herself. She waved goodbye to Ayeth as she headed out the door back to her father.

To have a Father, to take care of in old age.

Gudryn looked past the people to the far wall, a trickling of images went through her and she looked away.

"Are Harreld and Garreth to accompany us?"

[Bêthberry]

A voice cried out to Ayeth ere she walked out of the heavy oak doors. It was Frodides, the cook. 'Don't you be leaving empty-handed with a father to attend to. Here, take this pot of warm soup and share it with him."

Ayeth stood open-mouthed, unsure of how to accept--or whether to accept--this generosity.

"Don't stand on ceremony. It is a small enough thing. And you can always be tellling your father that you must return the pot to me, so we will be expecting to see you back again, young miss. And give my regards to your Da. He knows me."

Ayeth's face brightened considerably at the easy, kind manner of the woman. Oh that she still had her own mother, as sweet and thoughtful as this woman! She would have hugged Frodides had her shyness not held her back.

"I thankee, Mistress Frodides, with all my heart. I will indeed return your pot, and likely with my Da's good wishes." With that, Ayeth sprang out the door, to return with a more satisfied heart to her father.

And in the Great Hall, plans were being laid.

"Now what would Eodwine be knowin' about clothes for fine Rohirrim lasses?" asked Ruthven mischievously, hoping to lessen some of the sombre mood. "Lass, if the Innkeeper here won't have some clothes left behind by a guest who had more finery than coin, then the Edoras rag lady will."

"Indeed, Gudryn," intoned Bethberry. "Come, check out the back closet with Ruthven to see what we have, before you go to see what stock of clothes she has in her own establishment. You'd be surprised at what clothes the ladies part with when they have need of coin."

"Lad, I am sorry your ill news meant initially an ill welcome, and Saeryn, I am most sorry for your loss. A room will be yours, if you consider leaving some of your possessions behind as a promise of return."

At this point, a stranger strode into the Horse and Bethberry saw she would need to attend to another patron.

"Eodwine, you are all most welcome back this evening to discuss what matters to attend to. And to taste what delicacies Frodides will have prepared." With a wink and a grin at Falco and the twins, the Innkeeper moved on to address the stranger.

He was a grim-looking man, untidy with travels perhaps. Bethberry wondered if his sullen mood reflected a chip on his shoulder, developed in tandem with the ungainly hobble of his walk. She approached him warily but with the usual Innkeeper's welcome for all patrons and wondered what need he had to view the paper which he pushed so quickly back into his pocket. She was, however, too discrete to ask openly about it.

"Stranger, the Innkeeper welcomes you to The White Horse. You arrive early and you see we have had a busy morn with much communal discussion. Yet our kitchen is open to you. Is it light fare you wish, or a substantial meal? Or do you seek some advice or merely directions to our town?"