[Ealasaide]

Rochadan couldn't help but chuckle at Cynan's enthusiastic approval. While on one hand, it tickled him immensely, on the other hand, he was grateful for it. Andhun needed that extra bit of confidence and encouragement. With Cynan's companionship, Rochadan felt certain that Andhun's recovery would be that much easier, both physically and psychologically.

"Well, that's capital, then," he said to them both. "Thank you," he added. "You have both already set my mind so much more at ease."

Giving the two boys one more quick smile, he turned and ducked into the common room in search of Finian. Seeing him in a rather secluded corner attempting to console a weeping Ærosylle, Rochadan decided that he would speak to Finian later. After all, anything he had to say to Finian at this stage could wait. Ærosylle was far more important. Seeing him, Finian gave Rochadan a rather apologetic shrug, then shook his head. Rochadan shrugged, too. What else could be said? They had certainly given the inn their best.

Walking on through to the kitchen, Rochadan wondered what Finian and Ærosylle would do in order to provide for themselves once the inn had closed. Ærosylle needed someone there with her so much of the time that Finian's options were decidedly limited unless he could find someone to help keep an eye on the girl while he went about the business of earning their keep. He was concerned for Ædhral, as well, and Nell the Cook. He had no worries for Kannah, though. That young woman was strong and resourceful, despite her sharp tongue. Whatever happened, he had a feeling that she, like a cat, would land on her feet. Entering the kitchen, he found Nell standing at the sink, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye with her apron.

"Oh, it's such a shame!" she said as the door to the common room fell shut behind the stablemaster. "I shall go live with my sister. She has plenty of room for me on her farm, but it's you young people that I worry about. Have you anywhere to go?"

Rochadan nodded, explaining to her his plan to take a little cottage in town and to go back to his earlier profession of messenger. Nell seemed satisfied, but did give him a solemn look. "Now, you be careful out there on the road," she said gravely. "Don't take too many chances. Those children need you, both Sallie and Andhun."

Rochadan smiled and gave Nell a hug. "Never fear, Nell," he said. "I shall be the soul of prudence." He nodded in the direction of Cook's room where his little daughter was napping. "Is Sallie awake yet?"

"No, not yet," answered Nell. "But perhaps we should let the little dear sleep a bit longer. After all, when she awakes, her whole little world will be turned upsidedown."

Rochadan nodded. "Yes, you're right. I shall let her sleep then, but please send for me as soon as she awakes."

"That I will do," said the cook. Rochadan thanked her and took his leave, departing through the back door and returning to the stable where there was already much to be done. With the inn closing so abruptly, guests already waited outside for him to bring their horses to them, while others had gone on into the stables to fetch their mounts themselves. Rochadan fell to the work of matching each guest with his or her horse with determination, but a growing sense of unreality washed over him from time to time. Yes, he was taking an active approach and doing what needed to be done, but the idea that the inn would be closing still had not fully sunk in. He still could not believe that in a matter of days, the Vineyard Tavern as he knew it would be gone.

Finally, as the last horse aside from Bragorn's and his own trotted away down the dusty lane, Rochadan leaned back against the door to one of the now empty stalls.

"Well, that's that, I guess," he sighed. Across the aisle, his horse, Alydar, whinnied softly in the silence of the otherwise empty stable. Soon they, too, would be gone. Idly, Rochadan reached out to stroke the animal's forehead, remembering how that morning he had so longed to be back on the road. Now that it was happening, he felt a tug of reluctance. Rochadan laughed ironically.

"Be careful what you wish for," he cautioned Alydar. "For surely you will get it. And sometimes sooner than you think!"

With that, Rochadan gave the horse's nose a final pat, then returned to the inn to collect his daughter and the young boy he had already begun to think of as a son, and to say good-bye to the other employees of the inn. Over the years, he had begun to think of them as family, too, but with the closing of the inn, he knew that they would all be going their separate ways. They would all pack their belongings now in readiness for a new life and new adventures somewhere in the wider world beyond the Vineyard Tavern. He hoped with all his heart that whatever paths they took, each every and one of them would find his or her own happiness.