[Nurumaiel]

The children were startled when the girl came running towards them, hurtling snowballs as she did so. The first wall of their castle had been completed and they sheltered behind it, Lythremm and Geryman barking out orders to the others, who ran about to obey. Lytdeorcan built up a pile of snowballs to fight off the enemy whilst Hyrde and Godglædhold continued to work on the rest of the castle. Lythremm had been constructing a large tunnel that was to be the gate of the castle when they were attacked, and he quickly blocked off the entrance so the girl could not get in.

Geryman gazed at the pile of snowballs carefully, then nodded. "Good!" she cried. "I do believe that's enough. Keep making them, Deor, for the second round." The rest of the children were called to stand by the wall and all gathered a snowball in each hand. The cry was given to fire, and the got to their feet, throwing the snow with careful aim towards the girl. She ducked her head against the oncoming storm, and when the first attack was over Geryman cried out, "What business have you, stranger, attacking us in this unseemly fashion?"

"I and my friends back there are Shieldmaidens of Rohan," the girl replied. "And Gondor, too."

"That does not explain why you have attacked our castle," said Geryman. "We are also of Rohan, and our kin are of Gondor. We are friends of yours... I suppose."

"Oh, I am indeed sorry. I didn't realize that at first. I could not see you very well over your high walls." She came closer and, standing on the tips of her toes, was able to see them all over the wall. "There are many of you," she said, and then, turning her gaze to Geryman, "The Shieldmaidens have gathered together, and perhaps you might join us, if you were also one. Are you?"

"Nay!" Geryman laughed. "Nor would I wish to be. I have never seen or lived during a war, but should one occur I would take my place near my mother to tend the children and the wounded." She looked down at the snow. "I might have some regrets, for I would find it hard to see my brothers leave whilst I stayed behind, but they would be few. My task is not to fight." She laughed again. "But as long as it is not real, I shall fight with the rest. So I am afraid I cannot join you, for my place is by my brothers."