[Nerindel]

Æòelhild stared uncomfortably at her feet as deep dark careworn eyes studied her malnourished appearance, she almost let out a sigh of relief as Saeryn’s voice suddenly drew the woman’s attention away. The woman’s general assessment had been more right than she cared to admit infact if it hadn’t been for the stale bread she had denied the birds and the apple Saeryn had kindly offered her in the stables she probably would not be able to hold herself up especially with the weight of her fathers sword adding to her own. She hugged the weapon tightly as she looked gratefully over in the young woman direction, in her mind she knew she would have to find some way to thank her properly but at the moment she could not think how. It was then that she noticed the loose bandaging around the young woman’s head, “A riding accident” Bethberry whispered next to her as if reading her thoughts. “nothing too serious” the innkeeper smiled assuredly as her mild curiosity turned to sudden concern, “A little memory loss, but nothing that should not return with time” the woman went on her eyes now looking past her to the young red head, giving Æòelhild the impression that she was not entirely sure in that assessment, but she did not press that matter after all it was not her place to interfere in the affairs of others.

Just then the young woman turned and asked the innkeeper if she would be joining them, the innkeeper inclined her head thoughtfully, “I have already eaten but another cup of tea would not go amiss” she winked in cooks direction. Then she directed then to a large wooden table where they sat as the cook and her assistant busied themselves preparing them a warm breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. As they waited the conversation remained general with talk of the good weather and Bethberry’s inquiry as to the well-being of Saeryn’s mare after the fright of the previous day, Æòelhild had relaxed considerable as the younger woman assured the innkeeper that both she and the mare were none the worse for their fright.

“You really should keep the bandages tight to avoid swelling,” she offered almost without thinking as the cook returned placing warmed plates before them. All three woman looked at her, surprised that she would know such things. Æòelhild then realised that she had perhaps offered to much, but also knowing that it was too late to recant she pushed back her chair, and placing her fathers cloth wrapped sword against the table she rose and came toward the young woman, indicating to the loose bandages awaiting her consent. Saeryn looked toward Bethberry who nodded with mild curiosity in her eyes. Gentle unwinding the binding Æòelhild was please to smell the distinct smell of the appropriate salve whoever had tended Saeryn was an accomplished healer and Æòelhild could see that the wound was healing well, so she rewrapped the bandages tightly and securely to help the swelling recede.

“You are a healer?” Saeryn asked as she felt the bindings and watched Æoelhild return to her seat, “oh no, I am not as gifted as the healer who tended your injury” she admitted looking at both women, “but during the war it was required that all who could helped in the tending of the wounded.” at this admission she looked down at her plate and lifting her fork she moved it idly through the steamy eggs, remembering how bad that time had seemed to her, but it was nothing to what came after.

“So you are from Gondor?” the innkeeper queried as she lifted her tea and blew before sipping gingerly. Æòelhild’s eyes again shot up unable to believe that she had just done it again, letting virtually complete strangers know that she was from Gondor was the one thing she had meant not to do, but she guessed that they would find out eventually, her dark hair and eyes standing her apart from most of the inhabitance of these lands. Slowly she nodded that it was so, unaware of Saeryns uncomfortable shift as she lifted a heap of warmed eggs to her mouth. It was such a deliciously welcomed change from wild berries and scavenged scraps that she quickly took a second mouthful and then a third, before sipping at the tea that the cook poured for her.

“Edoras is such a long way from Gondor?” Saeryn pressed cautiously, Æòelhild looked up nodding “yes a very long way” she answered vaguely remembering the blisters on her feet and trying to avoid further questions, but the innkeeper was curious and pressed her further. “So what brings you to Edoras?” she asked.

She looked at the two woman thoughtfully for a moment before answering, “Well to be honest Edoras was not my destination,” she was not really sure where she had intended to go all that she knew was that she had had to get away, but necessity and the lack of coin and food had forced her into the city. “I thought to look for work and shelter for a time, if I could” she answered truthfully, though the former had proved difficult due to her dishevelled appearance, “but no one wants to take on someone who looks like they might drop at any moment.” she answered sadly.

“I am sorry that I snuck into the stable I didn’t mean any harm I didn’t think anyone would mind if I shut my eyes for just a few moments,” again she looked down at her now almost empty plate, “Please do not fault Saeryn not many people would be so kind as she towards …well someone like me.” Æòelhild was painfully aware of what she had become she was no longer the young Gondorian noble child, but and orphan a waif with no home or family to call her own an outlaw in her own lands. Suddenly she was no longer hungry and it occurred to her that just being here she may have brought trouble upon the innkeeper and the young woman who had befriended her, though for months she had heard or seen nothing of her pursuers, perhaps they had given up or lost her trail. Though she would regret bringing any trouble to the two women she had no choice she needed to rest and find time to raise funds then she would move on again and if she was careful what the young woman and the innkeeper did not know could not harm them. She lapsed into silence as she sipped thoughtfully at her tea.