[Folwren]

Thornden rode straight to the stables where he dismounted and led his horse inside. “Lèof!” he called. Horses poked their heads out over their stable doors, but Lèof didn’t answer. “Lèofric!” Still no answer. “Probably eating,” Thornden muttered to himself. He tied his horse to one of the rings and set to unsaddling. He put his horse away, leaving further care of the horse to Lèof and headed inside.

A simple glance around the main hall showed him that neither Saeryn nor Eodwine were there. Lèof sat at a table to his right, his back to Thornden, and beside him, a boy who’s back of the head Thornden didn’t recognize, and on the other side of that, good gracious, it was Lys! Thornden felt sorry he had not been there to see Lys come out. He approached, both to speak to Lys and to tell Lèof that his horse probably needed seeing after.

Before he got there, they all three turned to see who came near and he stopped suddenly as he recognized his brother Javan.

Javan leaped up from his seat. “Thornden!” he cried, stepping over the bench and towards his brother. “It’s about time you got back, did you forget we were coming?”

“Quite forgot,” Thornden said allowing himself to be hugged. “When did you get here?”

“Nigh an hour ago, I’d guess,” Javan said. “Or more. We’re almost done with the meal as it is. Where’ve you been?”

“Exploring somewhere with Falco and Garmund is all. Falco’s a hobbit and Garmund is a boy. Lèof, my horse needs seeing after. I’ve unsaddled him and put him back into his stall, but I didn’t rub him down. He’s not in too desperate need of it, I guess. Javan, I’m so sorry I forgot. Is Medreth here?”

“Aye, she’s here,” Javan said with a huge grin. “She’s probably going to knock your head off. She said she would, if you forgot, and you certainly have forgotten. I’m not sure where she is just now. She and lady Saeryn walked off someplace.”

“Dear me, she’s already met lady Saeryn,” Thornden said in a distracted sort of way. “Thanks, Javan. Finish eating. I’ll be back shortly, I think. I’m going to find her first.”

Lys stared as Javan embraced his brother and talked cheerfully with him. The picture of Thornden with a family gave him a small pang of loneliness. But it was not lasting. Thornden called to Léof, and Lys smiled and nodded at the young man as he was called back to his duties. Lys turned back to his food, content to let Thornden be reunited with his family.

“You have a happy family.” Lys said gently as Javan sat back down. “How many are you? It must be nice to have so many people about to keep you company.”

“There’s six of us children in all,” Javan answered Lys, picking up his spoon again. “Only four living at home now, though, of course. Medreth’s married, you know, and Thornden’s here! Nice to have so many? Not at all, my dear fellow! Do you know what’s it’s like having three older sisters at home? All telling you what to do? It’s like having three extra mothers!” Lys chuckled, and Javan grinned in return before setting about to finishing his meal.