[Mithalwen]

Elfride's homestead lay a couple of miles nearer to Edoras than the village but not directly on the main road. She trusted that the girls knew the way well enough not to miss the turning in the dark but for herself and her horse there could be no mistaking the lane that would take her to the back way on to her property, The Grange. There was a broader track that joined the main road further down, closer to the village but as well as being a longer route, most of her farm workers' cottages were along that road and their party would be large enough to attract their attention.

She turned Leif who made his way, sure footed despite his size, through a copse and then the woodland opened and she was back on her own demesne. Skirting the orchard she could see lights in the windows of the steward's house but not her own. She wished it was light enough to see the house more clearly. She loved her home and the bittersweet memories it contained .

The traditional rohan homestead had been extended and largely rebuilt with the money from her dowry using a style Theomund had seen in Gondor. The old thatched great hall remained but the new house adjoining it was stone built and had a tiled roof. It's building had been a great local curiosity - many thought it folly but it was comfortable and commodious.

The old farmhouse a long, low building, had not been demolished but was largely disused. Theomund, remembering the discord in the early days between his mother and his wife had decided that it should remain against the day when his son brought his own bride home and wished for a degree of independence. The new part of the house had been designed at a time when they hoped for more children and expected to entertain many guests and was far too large for a widow living in retirement from society.

Elfride rounded the walled gardens and entered the courtyard in front of her house through the side gate. As she did so Bredon her steward emerged from his house bearing a light.

"Ah lass, I'm glad to see you safe home - such terrible things have happened here since you left - but from your face perhaps you have heard? ". Elfride did not expect formality from her Steward. Her mother in law might have been "Milady" to him but Elfride had been addressed as Lass since the day she had arrived and it was a mark of affection not disrespect. He too had served under he father in his youth and he and his wife Maudie had been quiet support to the new bride, who had felt so alone on the farm when Theomund had been away with his Eored. He was now over sixty but still hale and Elfride knew she would have struggled to manage the past few years without him.

"If you mean about the Starnsons' I have. In fact Mayonette is on her way here now with her friend Cordelia and four or five soldiers ... they are making up a search party. We will leave at dawn tomorrow but they will stay here tonight - so if you could possibly take Leif and prepare for the arrival of another half dozen horses I would be grateful... and if Maudie could give me a hand in the house I would be even more grateful."

"Soldiers in the house - are you sure that is wise ..... and why do you have to go Lass... if they need another person one of my boys...". Bredon's sons were all approaching forty but as she herself was still 'lass' so they were still his boys.

"I need to go because Sandrina Hitherford is with child... but keep that to yourself - and keep this venture as quiet as possible please. I hope we can get away unnoticed. If anyone wants to know where I am I will be visiting Theo's sister near Helm's Deep. The soldiers are under the command of General Haukrsson so I expect no insubordination, but even so it will be well for the girls to have a chaperone.... but please we have so little time.."

Bredon took Leif and Elfride let herself into the house, where she was delighted to find that fires had been laid and lamps filled ready for her return. All she had to do was light them. She had scarce put down her bags before Maudie arrived with fresh bread and by the time more hoofbeats were heard in the yard fires were beginning to glow in the kitchen and great hall. At short notice she could offer her guests plain fare only but this was not a time for feasting and so the home produced ham and cheese would suffice. They decided all could be accomodated without opening the old wing and Elfride thanked Maudie as the older woman went to make up beds... and apologised for the extra work... "it will be good for the house to be full ..especially with Master Elfthain away... " had been the response

Elfthain! Elfride realised with a mixture of surprise and horror that she had managed to get through an hour without brooding over her boy but she had no time to think more of him now... the others would soon arrive.