Eorling Mead Hall

[Lhunardawen]

There was no time for Ginna to wonder how so many things could happen in her first two days in the Mead Hall, or to be disappointed that her plans with Kara and Modtryth had been thwarted - or so it appeared. Without hesitation she followed the man's order (she could not remember meeting him, but how could she question an authoritative voice like that?), took a sobbing Lèoðern from Kara, ran about, and now she was back in the kitchen.

Falco had just left again, amidst Frodides's warnings, and now the cook was talking animatedly to herself as though scolding the hobbit. Lèoðern was still crying as she sat on Ginna's lap. The urgency in the air outside could be felt even there in the kitchen.

Ginna had the sudden desire to get up and join the men. It did not occur to her how much danger might be waiting for them, or that Eodwine might be more angered than pleased to see her if she did, or even that the stern-looking man who did not know her name would most likely not let her. A day was too short a time to make her forget how much freedom she used to have, even if that day had been as event-filled as her first in the Mead Hall. She did not care what awaited her outside, so long as she could be there.

She had almost thoughtlessly begun to stand when she felt the little girl's weight on her lap. Lèoðern still had not stopped crying. It brought Ginna to her senses.

"Ssh," she whispered, gently rocking Lèoðern in her arms, "it's alright." Lèoðern quieted down a little, her sobs reduced to sniffles. Ginna remembered that she had asked the girl to take her around the place when they first met, but had not talked to her again since her father took her away.

"Frodides," Ginna looked at the cook, who stopped abruptly to face her, "do you mind if I take Lèoðern for a little walk in the yard? It might make her feel better."

[Folwren]

In the courtyard things were busy and near being in an uproar. The men about the place had responded well and immediately to the call for help and all were ready and willing to go to their eorl’s aid.

It was not long at all before Lèof began leading horses out from the stables. Javan came behind him, two more in hand, but instead of darting immediately back inside to get more, Javan stayed outside, looking around for his brother. Thornden found him first, and walking towards him, asked quickly, “Javan, aren’t there any more horses?”

“Yes,” Javan replied.

“Then go in and help Lèof get them!”

“Thornden, may I go, too?”

“No,” Thornden said without pausing to think. He turned to walk away, but Javan followed him eagerly.

“Thornden, please! I won’t get in the-”

“This is not child’s play,” Thornden said sharply. “Now get back into the stables and help Lèof with the rest of the horses.” Javan scurried away at once, able to recognize danger when he spotted it and knowing better than to ask again.

Thornden’s mind left his younger brother’s request behind at once. His eyes scanned the courtyard with the men around it. Four horses already had riders either mounted or standing by their heads. Garstand and Stigend were there, as was Gárwine. Even Trystan had arrived in the courtyard, Thornden noted with mild surprise. Nain was there, too. And a moment later, Garreth and Harreld came trotting into the courtyard, heavy hammers in their hands, ready to leave at once.

Before Thornden could go towards them and ask them how they knew to come, his quick eye caught sight of another unexpected figure. Falco Boffin came out into the courtyard. He did not look at all well, but his face was set in a determined sort of fashion as he made his way over to his pony, who still hadn’t moved a step.

Thornden threaded his way quickly through the men and horses to where Falco was, hailing him before he was quite near. “Falco! What are you doing out here? You’re supposed to be inside getting bandaged and sent to bed! You can’t come with us,” he said in finish. “You’re hurt and wouldn’t be able to do much good because of it.”

[littlemanpoet]

Falco eyed Thornden balefully.

"First things first. I went to Manawyth because he's one more man at arms, but he said he's prisoner and won't be leaving his prison grounds. Make of that what you will.

"As for me staying here, you listen to me, Thornden. I'm a guest here, see, and not a hobbit at arms to be told what for by you. It wouldn't matter if you were Eodwine himself! I'd say the same. But enough! This isn't about doing your bidding or not. Eodwine's my friend. I stand by my friends. I'm walking on two feet with no limp. I can use both my arms, and I can see and hear at least as well as you. One thing more. I can move more quiet than any of you!" He gestured in the general direction of the now quiet and gawking riders. "So like it or not, I'm the best you've got for spy. Don't be a fool and try to force me to stay. Now let's not waste any more words on this. Do I have your yes?"

"Let the hobbit come!" yelled Garreth. "He claims he saved the Eorl's life once. Now he can prove it was true!"

Harreld cuffed him on the shoulder and Garreth subsided.

The other riders waited for Thornden's reaction.

[Celuien]

Garstan's mood was grim as he hurried into the stable to make ready to ride to Lord Eodwine's aid. If only aid from the hall would not be too late.

Before leaving the hall, Garstan had returned his his room to take up his dagger again - the same that he had worn in the not too distant past when he had gone with the Eorl to rescue Linduial from another outlaw band. Life, it seemed, could not long stay quiet near Edoras.

[Taralphiel]

Lys shyly reached over with a hand, holding it over Elfthain's outstretched palm.

"When I came here I had no money. I still have no coin to my name, and no thought on how to earn it. Lord Eodwine has kept me in his Hall only on a promise I would earn my way. I do not think you have to worry Elfthain..."

Lys' led the young boy towards the kitchens, but found the disruption begun in the stables had spread through the Hall quicker than they could retreat. Lys stood by the threshold to the kitchen, watching the women worry about a crying younger girl. With as much speed as he could manage, he walked into the kitchen and begged their pardon. He explained there was a newcomer in need of a small meal, and acquired some cheese and bread on a platter. Lys' berated himself for the blush on his face as he backed out the door into the Hall - he was still not used to talking to more than two or three people at a time. He felt guilty for bothering them at such a time.

Nonetheless, he took his humble meal back to one of the long tables, trying his best to stay ahead of the able-bodied Elfthain. Lys begged Elfthain to begin and take the greater share as his breakfast had not quite worn away. Lys then remembered to answer his last question.

"I am not certain what has happened. But I am worried. Lord Eodwine is a great man, and he has saved me. I do not know why anyone would want to harm him."

[Folwren]

Thornden’s frown etched itself deeper in his face and as Falco went on with his fantastic spiel about being a guest, not a man at arms, of being a friend of Eodwine, and able to go fight for him, Thornden's eyebrows drew closer together. It didn’t help his humor, either, when the loud mouthed twin, Garreth, put his opinion into the matter and called to allow the hobbit to come. Thornden scarcely gave him half of an annoyed glance before looking again at Falco.

“I understand your wish to help Eodwine, Falco,” Thornden said as calmly as he could. “But you have helped him already. You have stood by him while you could, and I don’t believe he expects more, not after you’ve been hurt. I don’t think we’ll need a spy, and if we do, I think one of us can manage it. I won’t hear an argument. Falco!” he said, his voice growing sharp as the hobbit opened his mouth to argue, “You’re hurt and I couldn’t stand to see you hurt again. Nor could I face Eodwine if you were.”

He turned his head as he heard more horses being led from the stables. He looked at Lèof and then back at Falco’s determined face. “Lèofric,” he said, turning away from the hobbit. “Take Falco’s pony in and unsaddle him. Put him up and don’t let Falco get him out again. If you’re coming with us,” he added a second later, “give that message to Javan.”

[littlemanpoet]

Now Falco was getting angry. Eodwine would hear about this.

"You ninny! Do you know how many outlaws there are? How are you going to find out, walk right up to one of 'em and ask? You need a spy, or at least a scout, someone who can sneak quieter than any stomp-footed Man!" He raised his arm. "Besides, the bleeding's almost stopped."

"Falco," said Thornden, "I've no more time to waste on you. Go back into the mead hall and rest."

Falco scowled. "Thornden, you and I are not done with this! Mark my words!" He took his leave. He noticed that Léof had come out of the stable on his own horse, which left Javan behind; with his own pony. Falco had an idea, but he would not put it into action until Thornden and the rest had left the courtyard.