[Folwren]

Tim was busy in stables. There had been another one or two horses brought in, and he had groomed, fed, and watered them. Afterwards, he made rounds about the other stalls, making sure that all of them had water and hay.

When that job was done, he went to look for Wren, to see what she was doing. She had come into the barn directly after him, some time ago, and he felt curious to see what she had been occupying her self with. He climbed the ladder to the loft and peaked over.

There sat his little sister, with a large, cat sitting in her lap. Her head was bent over him, and her little hands both restrained and stroked his damp fur.

"Where'd you get that thing?" Tim asked abruptly. Wren looked up for only a second and then looked back down at her new 'pet'.

"He was inn the kitchen. They were being awful to it, so they gave him to me, because they didn't want it."

"I dare say he'd caused some sort of havoc," Tim replied. Wren only shrugged and went on with her gentle caressing. Tim watched her only a moment longer and then went back down the ladder and towards the door.

Stepping out into the sunlight, he glanced around the Inn yard. Tables were being set up, and many sorts of people were helping do so. He thought hard for a minute, and then remembered clearly talk of a party that night. Then a clear light entered his face and he nodded to himself with a smile. The next moment, he noticed a very tall horse standing tied to a post just beside the road. The animal stood resting its left hind foot, and its eyes blinked calmly and sleepily in the warm afternoon sun. Tim's eyes lit up with admiration of the huge steed.

After only a moment, however, he remembered his job and he walked forward. He had to find the owner of the animal and ask if he should lead him to water and food. As he approached and came to where he could see on the other side of the horse, he saw a young lady stroking the stallions mane. He quickened his steps, but couldn't catch up to her before she'd turned away and gone to speak with another woman. Tim followed her and stopping beside her, he reached out tentitively and plucked her sleeve.

"If you please, ma'am, is that your horse?" he asked.