[Bêthberry]

For all her brash, rough humour, Ruthven knew when to cease a line of joking and let quiet contemplation work its way into the conversation. She turned away from Bethberry and Eodwine and towards Falco.

*Cracked your tooth have you on your mug?" she inquired. "Let's take a look at ye."

Without much ado, she picked him up and placed him on a high stool and without granting so much as a by your leave to his sputterings, she pulled down on his jaw and lifted his lips to look at the tooth.

"Tisn't cracked, nor even chipped. Likely just gave it a jolt to wake up your jaw bone, lad." For all her forward nature, she meant her actions kindly, and listened to what Falco had to say.

A hush had fallen over the crowd as Degas strove to acquaint Saeryn with Fenrir and her family. All were too polite to enquire why the man must take her back, yet everyone was eager, as is the manner of people in small communities, to know why he was bound to take her back, and how he would accept a lady with no memory of him.

Bethberry took advantage of the diversion which placed the young people in the centre of attention and turned her attention back to Eodwine. His reply to her had justly met her earlier comments and those of Ruthven. The man deserved a thoughtful reply.

"We have not had a wedding here in Edoras since the first rush of marriages after the War of the Ring. Too few of our men returned and many a lass has looked to a life of penury and diminished expectations without a husband and confidante and bread earner. "

Bethberry watched as Eodwine nodded, silently, and Gudryn's face grew sombre.

"What kind of husband do you think you would make, Eodwine, that a woman would take a shine to you? And what might you look for?"