Helkahothion's first post:
Hading was standing on guard in front of the Meduseld when the dispatch arrived. However, he was surprised to see that it was not Deorlin, but somebody else who approached.
"Halt! What business do you have here?" he asked firmly with a commanding voice, while he held out his spear in front of the dispatch.
"I have a message from Deorlin for the King and a request on a matter that will concern him,? the dispatch said.
Because she apparently knew Deorlin, he gave her some trust. He asked her for the message and inspected it. As he inspected it carefully, he saw that the message had not been opened. The dispatch seemed in a hurry to get inside, but Hading was not completly sure it was safe to let her in.
His green eyes searched the woman carefully for any weapons. She was standing inpatiently and waited till the man was finished. She knew that she could not get past this tall man by force, so she just watched his beautifull armor until he was done. She noticed that it had a white horse, but not made out of silver. It was a metal she could not describe and she had never saw this before, exept with the other guards. Finaly the man spoke. He wiped the brown hair out of his face and said.
"You may enter, but as custom's go you must leave your weapons here. I give you my trust and do not break it, for then you will not leave the Halls of King Theodon alive."
The dispatch was clearly relieved and gave the only weapon she had: a nicely crafted knife. Hading hoped he did the right thing, but he had to stop being concerned and do his duty.
"The palace guards will take care of the King," he thought.
Hading was still standing on guard when he heard the King's loud voice.
"No", the King cried, "this can't be happening. How dare they!"
Hading, who feared that his decision was a wrong one, drew his sword and rushed inside. He feared for the worst, but no harm had been done to the King and the dispatch was standing next to him. Relieved that the King was unharmed, he turned to take up his post again. However, when he turned around, the King called him back.
"Hading, you are a loyal servant, but a little bit too hasty in your judgement. This maiden here has toed me something of great importance. It appears that a band of thieves has stolen horses at the White Horse inn. Deorlin's horse has been stolen as well. As the King of Rohan I can not tolerate this. You will ride to that place and help the victims of this raid in their pursuit to recover the horses,? Theodon said.
Hading accepted and, together with the dispatch, went to the inn with two horses.
When he arrived everybody was in an uproar. People were running here and there with weapons, supplies and other things. He went to Ćlfritha and explained his business.
?My fair lady, I have come to offer the services of the king. With me I have two Horses and I myself offer you my spear. Would you accept me and my company of horses?? Hading asked.
Hading was sweating from the long ride and his green cape that he was wearing over his white armor wasn't comfortable at all. He drew his sword and kneeled down offering it to Ćlfritha. In his other hand he held his spear.
"My spear, sword, and bow are your's to command. Will you accept them?" he asked.
"Of course," replied the anxious horsewoman. "None here would think of refusing the King's aid."
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[ January 04, 2003: Message edited by: Bethberry ]
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I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.
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