The White Horse Inn, Act III

[VanimaEdhel]

Giedd felt Gudryn and Eodwine’s eyes turn in her direction. She looked briefly out the window – at the sun growing steadily higher in the heavens. Giedd still had not rinsed her cup – and it should soon be time for her to engage in her other chores. At the same time, Giedd wished she would not have to leave this man and the dear girl. His words made it evident that some sort of parting was to some degree necessary, however. She paused a moment before voicing her opinion.

“Well,” she began, “You have made the morning more enjoyable than many I have endured as of late, if I may speak candidly. But, I should be getting back to my house. And,” she added, “I would very much delight in having both of you accompany me back.”

A voice in the back of Giedd’s head whispered, mentioning how very small her house was, and how little it appeared to be from the outside, cozy though it was once one entered the door. Giedd pushed that voice even farther back, until it was unintelligible, reminding herself what a kind man this Eodwine was. He would not take offense at her modest living style. It struck Giedd as rather odd that she would even think to care what he thought of her abode. Much of the town – man, woman and child – knew exactly where to find Giedd should her presence be necessary.

Trying to disguise her thoughts, Giedd rose and put on what she hoped was a sincere smile. Gudryn returned with the smile that only a child – no matter how jaded the child – can give. Giedd felt her heart lift again within her chest.

Graciously, the trio bid Falco farewell and moved towards the door of the Inn. Once out in the fresh air, Giedd once again examined the position of the sun.

“It is not so late as I thought,” she said with surprise. “The sun indicated that it was later when we were inside the Inn.”

“That is good, then,” Eodwine said, smiling, “We don’t have to run through the streets to get you home.”

Giedd laughed a little, imagining the three of them sprinting through the streets, upending carts and knocking into people. As the day had worn on a bit since she entered the Inn, there were more people in the avenues now – a few even greeted Giedd as they walked by and looked curiously at her escorts. Giedd smiled and wondered if Eodwine would notice the extra attention he was getting as he walked with her. It was so rare that a man would walk with Giedd, she realized, that it must certainly be a novelty to the people of the town. If Giedd were ever accompanied by another on her walks, it was almost certainly a woman in most cases, especially if they had a child with them. She kept one eye on Eodwine, waiting to see if he questioned or even mentioned his curious treatment.

[Nerindel]

Æòelhild stared uncomfortably at her feet as deep dark careworn eyes studied her malnourished appearance, she almost let out a sigh of relief as Saeryn’s voice suddenly drew the woman’s attention away. The woman’s general assessment had been more right than she cared to admit infact if it hadn’t been for the stale bread she had denied the birds and the apple Saeryn had kindly offered her in the stables she probably would not be able to hold herself up especially with the weight of her fathers sword adding to her own. She hugged the weapon tightly as she looked gratefully over in the young woman direction, in her mind she knew she would have to find some way to thank her properly but at the moment she could not think how. It was then that she noticed the loose bandaging around the young woman’s head, “A riding accident” Bethberry whispered next to her as if reading her thoughts. “nothing too serious” the innkeeper smiled assuredly as her mild curiosity turned to sudden concern, “A little memory loss, but nothing that should not return with time” the woman went on her eyes now looking past her to the young red head, giving Æòelhild the impression that she was not entirely sure in that assessment, but she did not press that matter after all it was not her place to interfere in the affairs of others.

Just then the young woman turned and asked the innkeeper if she would be joining them, the innkeeper inclined her head thoughtfully, “I have already eaten but another cup of tea would not go amiss” she winked in cooks direction. Then she directed then to a large wooden table where they sat as the cook and her assistant busied themselves preparing them a warm breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. As they waited the conversation remained general with talk of the good weather and Bethberry’s inquiry as to the well-being of Saeryn’s mare after the fright of the previous day, Æòelhild had relaxed considerable as the younger woman assured the innkeeper that both she and the mare were none the worse for their fright.

“You really should keep the bandages tight to avoid swelling,” she offered almost without thinking as the cook returned placing warmed plates before them. All three woman looked at her, surprised that she would know such things. Æòelhild then realised that she had perhaps offered to much, but also knowing that it was too late to recant she pushed back her chair, and placing her fathers cloth wrapped sword against the table she rose and came toward the young woman, indicating to the loose bandages awaiting her consent. Saeryn looked toward Bethberry who nodded with mild curiosity in her eyes. Gentle unwinding the binding Æòelhild was please to smell the distinct smell of the appropriate salve whoever had tended Saeryn was an accomplished healer and Æòelhild could see that the wound was healing well, so she rewrapped the bandages tightly and securely to help the swelling recede.

“You are a healer?” Saeryn asked as she felt the bindings and watched Æoelhild return to her seat, “oh no, I am not as gifted as the healer who tended your injury” she admitted looking at both women, “but during the war it was required that all who could helped in the tending of the wounded.” at this admission she looked down at her plate and lifting her fork she moved it idly through the steamy eggs, remembering how bad that time had seemed to her, but it was nothing to what came after.

“So you are from Gondor?” the innkeeper queried as she lifted her tea and blew before sipping gingerly. Æòelhild’s eyes again shot up unable to believe that she had just done it again, letting virtually complete strangers know that she was from Gondor was the one thing she had meant not to do, but she guessed that they would find out eventually, her dark hair and eyes standing her apart from most of the inhabitance of these lands. Slowly she nodded that it was so, unaware of Saeryns uncomfortable shift as she lifted a heap of warmed eggs to her mouth. It was such a deliciously welcomed change from wild berries and scavenged scraps that she quickly took a second mouthful and then a third, before sipping at the tea that the cook poured for her.

“Edoras is such a long way from Gondor?” Saeryn pressed cautiously, Æòelhild looked up nodding “yes a very long way” she answered vaguely remembering the blisters on her feet and trying to avoid further questions, but the innkeeper was curious and pressed her further. “So what brings you to Edoras?” she asked.

She looked at the two woman thoughtfully for a moment before answering, “Well to be honest Edoras was not my destination,” she was not really sure where she had intended to go all that she knew was that she had had to get away, but necessity and the lack of coin and food had forced her into the city. “I thought to look for work and shelter for a time, if I could” she answered truthfully, though the former had proved difficult due to her dishevelled appearance, “but no one wants to take on someone who looks like they might drop at any moment.” she answered sadly.

“I am sorry that I snuck into the stable I didn’t mean any harm I didn’t think anyone would mind if I shut my eyes for just a few moments,” again she looked down at her now almost empty plate, “Please do not fault Saeryn not many people would be so kind as she towards …well someone like me.” Æòelhild was painfully aware of what she had become she was no longer the young Gondorian noble child, but and orphan a waif with no home or family to call her own an outlaw in her own lands. Suddenly she was no longer hungry and it occurred to her that just being here she may have brought trouble upon the innkeeper and the young woman who had befriended her, though for months she had heard or seen nothing of her pursuers, perhaps they had given up or lost her trail. Though she would regret bringing any trouble to the two women she had no choice she needed to rest and find time to raise funds then she would move on again and if she was careful what the young woman and the innkeeper did not know could not harm them. She lapsed into silence as she sipped thoughtfully at her tea.

[littlemanpoet]

Eodwine & Gudryn walk with Giedd

It was a pleasant, sunny day, reaching towards noon. The streets of Edoras were busy with carters, sellers of wares, errand boys, and shoppers inspecting the wares of the sellers. The lady Giedd seemed pleased with her company, but even more pleased was Gudryn, who while holding Eodwine's right hand in her left, had eyes only for the woman who walked on her right.

Gudryn acted every bit the child, though she was in her early teens; but this did not surprise Eodwine, considering what the poor waif had been through in the northeast of Rohan. So it was no surprise when Gudryn asked the lady if she would hold her right hand. Giedd's brow rose in mild surprise, and after a brief glance at Eodwine, she smiled and allowed her hand to be taken by the girl. And so they threesome traipsed through the town market, gathering glances and stares from all sides.

"'Twould seem that we three are a sight to see, the way the townsfolk gift us with their glances!" said Eodwine.

"I think," Giedd said, "they are not used to seeing me-" she paused and blushed a little "-like this."

"Like what?" asked Gudryn while Eodwine smiled to himself; he guessed what Giedd had meant, considering her earlier words.

"Oh, I am often in the company of women and children," Giedd said, as if that was all that needed to be said.

Gudryn frowned a moment, then looked at Eodwine, then she broke out in a grin, and skipping between the man and the woman said, "I can't wait to see your house!"

Falco & Garreth back at the White Horse

Falco was busy with second breakfast when Garreth walked back into the Common room. The smith stopped short and looked wide-eyed at the table where Falco ate alone.

"Where is everybody?" asked the smith. Falco chewed thoroughly while Garreth loped to the table and sat down in the chair next to him, causing the floorboards beneath his chair to positively squeak in protest. "Well?"

Falco swallowed. "Harreld went back to the smithy to get a headstart on the day's work."

"He what!" Falco eyed Garreth as he chewed on his next bite of honied hardroll. "Why'd he go and do that?"

"Maybe 'cause it's what he does for a living? And maybe you could stand to yourself?"

Garreth cocked his head at Falco. "Now that's no way to speak to a friend. Leastways, I was considering you a friend."

"And you may still, but that won't stop me from sayin' what needs to be said. Go and get some of your smithying done, my friend, or Harreld will beat you back here and have all the elitgible young ladies to himself."

Garreth's eyes widened. "So that's the way of it!" He slapped his thigh. "Now that makes more sense. I'll be off now, and work faster than Harreld has ever seen, and be back afore he's even halfway done!" Garreth marched to the front door of the Inn and slammed it to behind him.

Falco chuckled to himself and shook his head, swigging down some coffee. He didn't see Ruthven behind him, watching him with a sideways smile, shaking her head.

[littlemanpoet]

"This is my home." Giedd gestured to the front door, which was decorated winningly across the top with horses in full gallop. Most appropriate, thought Eodwine. "Would you like to come inside?"

"Eodwine!" came an urgent voice from the direction Meduseld, amid the clatter of hoofs. "Master Eodwine!"

Eodwine turned. "Beorctild! Good greetings! What news!"

The man was as big as a bear, his hair yellow as straw. His horse was big enough to hold him, blowing heated air from its nostrils. "The King summons you, Eodwine! A message must go to Gondor today!"

"My thanks, Beorctild. Please tell the king I shall come to him within the hour."

Beorctild bowed and cantered back up the hill.

Eodwine turned to Giedd. "I fear that I cannot accept your invitation at this time."

"If you are called away," said Giedd, "maybe Gudryn would like to stay with me a while?"

"My thanks, lady. Or you could ride with me, Gudryn," Eodwine replied, "'tis your choice to make. Do what you wish, my daughter."

[VanimaEdhel]

Gudryn looked from Giedd to Eodwine, and Giedd could see the girl’s mind working. She looked from Giedd to Eodwine. Giedd could sense that Gudryn was torn between getting to know this new woman or staying with her father.

Selfishly, Giedd found herself hoping that the girl would stay. Giedd always enjoyed doing her chores more if she had someone to talk to. Chores, she discovered, were lonely – even when her feeble parents were alive, it was a comfort to have them to at least speak to while she bustled around the house. Even in the stages when they could not respond, just having another body watching her was nice.

Guedryn bit her bottom lip as she seemed to make up her mind. It was clear she knew time was vital and that she could not waste her father’s time pondering what she wanted to do.

“I will stay with Giedd,” she said in a firm voice. “I suppose if you cannot accept her invitation, it would be good of me to.”

Eodwine nodded without asking for further explanation. “I will return as soon as it is possible, daughter,” he said. After a brief farewell and a few words of apology to Giedd, Eodwine took his leave.

“Will you now come in?” Giedd asked Gudryn after a pause.

“I would like that,” the girl’s voice held a little apprehension in it.

As she opened the door and allowed Gudryn to enter before her, Giedd added, “Though I am sure you would like to be with your father as much as possible, I am glad that at this juncture you chose to spend time with me. I would most certainly enjoy your company, Gudryn.”

The girl managed a small smile up at Giedd. Giedd hoped the girl was not already regretting her decision to remain with a woman she had just met today.

“I hope you will pardon the slightly cluttered state of things,” Giedd apologized, “I was going to tidy up a bit this afternoon. You do not mind, I hope?”

“Would you like me to assist you?” Gudryn asked, looking at the tiny bits of chores lying here and there around the house.

“Well, you can assist me by staying and speaking with me,” Giedd said, smiling as she went over to the small pile of dishes that still needed washing. At this Gudryn did grin, and, displaying a bit more comfort with her situation, went and sat on a chair while Giedd began doing her tasks.

[Bêthberry]

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 Æòelhild and Særyn, 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....

[littlemanpoet]

There was a knock on Giedd's door. It was late afternoon; Eodwine had left Gudryn with him two hours ago.

"Who could that be?" Giedd asked, to which Gudryn shrugged. Giedd set her dust cloth on the nearest flat surface and went to the door. Opening it, she found Eodwine standing before her, a strange look in his eye. "Good greeting, Master Eodwine. Were you not off to Gondor? Or do you want your daughter with you after all?"

Eodwine shook his head mutely, then licking his seemingly dry lips, said, "Beorctild had it wrong. There was no message to Gondor. May I come in?"

Giedd stepped out of the doorway and let Eodwine pass, her brow creasing. Something was amiss, for the man said less than he meant; that much was clear for his shoulders were hunched and his head lowered in a way that seemed most out of character.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Aye," he nodded, sitting next to Gudryn, "that would be well."

Giedd busied herself with pouring water from her jug into an extra tankard, as Gudryn watched her foster father with signs of fear and worry growing on her face. Giedd handed Eodwine the tankard and broke the silence.

"Is something amiss?"

Eodwine dropped the tankard from his lips and regarded the woman Giedd. "The King has no further need of me for his messages. I am released from my duties."