[Bêthberry]

Evening always brought greater activity to the Horse, and today was clearly no exception. Yet events were more serious and sombre than they had been for quite some time.

Bethberry had been talking with the blind man, Erik, whom she had calmly escorted to a table, discovering that he had returned to Edoras in hopes of finding work as an apothecary.

"An apothecary," she echoed, wondering if his skills and sense of smell and touch were developed enough to compensate for his blindness. "You might be needing to prove your abilities to those about, before they might trust you. But let us not worry about that now. You will be wanted some warm vittles in your stomach." With that, the Innkeeper had called upon Maercwen to take his order for dinner, but while she was calling to the young girl, a second stranger strode into the Horse, one far less social than the blind apothecary.

Bethberry watched as the wizened man sought out a quiet, warm corner and lit his pipe. She would have gone to him to converse, but her first thoughts had been for the shocking news of the return of Eodwine with Saeryn and Gudryn. Seeing that Saeryn was first taken to a warm room, and watched over by the other orphan warrior lass who had shown up at the door of the Horse, She had listened to Eodwine's news of the brigand Rand.

"I have heard nothing of Hama since this morning, Eodwine. Nor of Saeryn's twin. And have no knowledge of when they were to return. We seem to have come upon some dark deeds here. Please, will you return to the Great Hall, and wait for me? I would wish you to stay, at least until Frodides' husband and son can join us to discuss safety. "But first let me return to the girl. Given these events, I am loathe to leave her with a stranger, even one as willing to help as this young girl. Gudryn, will you wish to talk more with Eodwine?"

With those remarks, Bethberry re-entered Saeryn's room.

"Emerisse of Gondor, I thank you for your offer of help in attending to Saeryn, but I will now watch over her. I am, from old days, myself a healer and can perhaps do something for her. It might as well be best if those faces she had most recently seen were those nearest her."

With that request, Emerisse bowed and withdrew, returning to the Great Hall to seek out Eodwine for what great news he had brought. For her part, Bethberry checked over Saeryn's face, poking gently into bruises, lifting her eyelids to see for bleeding around the eyes, and then softly testing limbs for breaks and swellings. There were none. She then moved swiftly to the kitchen, whispering with Frodides, and bringing back with her the two youngest, who she wished to attend to Saeryn. At this time, what was needed was someone trustworthy who would keep her from falling into a deeper unconsciousness. And someone not frightful to the girl. What peril would the children suggest to an injured memory? None, Bethberry hoped.

The three of them gently roused Saeryn to sitting position, talking her into a dizzy consciousness. "Children," spoke Bethberry, "I charge you with a most important task, as important as any hero knew in our tales of eld."

Wide eyes stared at the Innkeeper clamourously and she hid a smile.

"You must keep Saeryn awake, but by quiet means. You must talk with her and get her to talk with you. She is conscious enough now to attend to you. Do not let her fall back into sleep. Should you hear any disturbances, one of you come to the Great Hall immediately and request Eodwine's presence. There are trolls about, but the fey people will watch over you as you keep your duty, so fear not."

With that, Bethberry slipped out of the room. She would soon join the group in the Great Hall, but for now she matters to attend to herself, and would be curious then to know what talk went round the Great Hall without her present.

~~~

OOC: I would like to remind everyone to read over the rules in The Golden Hall about character types and actitivities that are best suited to Rohan. Remember that the keynote to Tolkien's success in fantasy is plausibility and specific detail. The more specific, unique and original your character is, the better will be the events and activities you can join in as a character with something to offer. Citizens of Edoras can work in many ways, and still be able to visit The White Horse. It need not be limited to serving travellers only and there are many more roles than shieldmaiden that a young woman can play.

Bêthberry
Moderator for Rohan