Scarburg Meadhall

[Lhunardawen]

When Thornden swept Rowenna away, Ginna could not help pitying herself a little for being the sole woman of the hall left without a partner. Even Frodides was out there, laughing as she tried to keep up with a young (at least compared to her) rider who was bold enough to ask her to dance. Inside she felt like an unwatered flower that had slowly begun to wilt and wither, but she held herself up and smiled as she watched everyone around her have a good time. Well, everyone except for that man who snatched Rowenna away from Thornden only to be left alone in the middle of the dance floor just as quickly.

The man came to Rowenna and Thornden and graced her with a bow before walking off with his injured pride. As Ginna watched that scene, she recalled how, in their early days in Scarburg when Eodwine was still Eorl, Harreld had once bowed and kissed her hand in response to her offer of a dance. It seemed like a lifetime ago, a memory that was merely familiar but impersonal. Her eyes welled up with tears. But before her vision could be completely obscured, she saw Rowenna again walking towards the dance floor, arm in arm with the third guy for the night.

Ginna no longer bore Rowenna any ill will, but seeing her dancing with so many men while she stood alone watching from the sides was too much for her. If Harreld had really wanted to dance - even just talk - with her, she could not see why he could not have done so already. She started to retreat surreptitiously to the solace of the women's quarters.