[Aylwen Dreamsong]

"The Queen is with child. She is to give birth soon, yet my Lady Galadriel was too busy to come herself to be her wetnurse, as requested by King Eomer to do so. So, I was sent in her stead. A great honor it is forme, one so young, to be allowed to help birth a Prince. I am very priveleged. May I ask you a question, miss?" Vinorel asked in return, catching Aylwen off guard with the Elf's answer and quick questioning. But the Assistant Innkeeper nodded, and Vinorel softly continued her inquiry. "Why are there so few people in this inn, in which I had heard before was always filled with talking and laughing?"

As Vinorel trailed off, Aylwen sighed and looked out the window. Light was streaming through it, and dust could be seen floating on the air as the sounds of the builders echoed into the Inn. Aylwen turned back to Vinorel and smiled, weakly. "We had a little disaster yesterday. Our stables caught flame and burned to the ground. Horses were lost. The crowds that you speak of, they are probably volunteers now, outside helping to rebuild our stables. They are also having a fine time getting along and figuring out their plans, I've seen..." Aylwen trailed off as she noticed Hisimé politely waiting for her attention.

"Good morrow, ladies. Miss Dreamsong," he nodded to Aylwen, but the Assistant Innkeeper saw his eyes waver to the ears of Aylwen's companion. "I offerered my services yesterday as a helper in rebuilding the stables. May I ask when it will begin, and if I can be of any help yet?"

Nodding, Aylwen informed Hisimé that Talan was in charge of the operation and that he was outside. Hisimé thanked her and left the main hall, leaving his jacket on one of the hooks before going outside. Aylwen shook her head and looked back at Vinorel, smiling as their conversation continued. Castar and his seatmate, a woman Aylwen recognised but didn't quite know, were staring at the Elf, Aylwen noticed, as did anyone else who walked into or out of the inn through the main hall. They must not have ever seen an Elf, either, Aylwen thought. Vinorel asked for more ale, and Aylwen excused herself to fill the order. She also took one of the other maid's orders: Castar's coffee order.

When Aylwen got to Castar's table with his coffee, the woman was gone and Windheneb had come and gone with her. Aylwen sat next to Castar, setting down his drink and smiling. "Isn't it strange? I've never seen an Elf before in my life! She says she came to help with a birthing. Has Windy come by yet? Do you feel better?" Aylwen bombarded him with questions, anxious to get someone else's point of view. After the previous day and the fire, Aylwen figured that the only way to go was up. Maybe the Elven woman's visit was a sign of some sort, as silly as Aylwen felt to think such things.

---
Taren

Taren sighed as he shoveled into the ground for a lodging for the log poles, which would be used for the framing of the Inn. Some men had gone off for more wood and lumber, others were busying themselves by sawing and cutting the wood, and yet others were fruitlessly arguing with Talan about this measurement and that measurement. Taren recognised Hisimé from the night before when he'd seen the man at the Inn, and Taren, discouraged, hoped that the soldier would add sense and order to the task at hand.

Noontime was fast approaching, and Taren was disappointed to note that only two posts were up and standing securely, even with all the time the men had been outside. Miss Bethberry and Aylwen would not be pleased...disappointed... Taren thought, wiping his brow and looking despairingly up at the sun, nearly blinding in the deep blue sky. Taren's father was a carpenter, and Taren had learned all he could from him, but even that knowledge could not make all the men outside building a stable work together.

Then there was Talan, working as hard as he knew how to keep the men working, keep the logs rolling and the posts standing. He might not have realized it, but his leadership was helping. Taren helped a few men lift another post, and stand it into it's place. However slow or fast they were moving, they were helping and getting it all done.