[Lalwendë]

Wultheof watched the ostler approach, taking note of the other lad's size and how strong he might be. He dismounted from his horse and squared up his shoulders, casting a quick look back at Leocsley. His cousin was busy with the horses, pointedly not looking at the ostler. Wultheof knew that he would have to take the lead here while his cousin waited and listened, as usual.

"Wultheof of Middle Emnet," he said in greeting to Leofric, nodding his head slightly. It was enough of a greeting to be polite, but not so much that he might appear weak. Leocsley only raised his hand in greeting and still would not look at Leofric.

"My father would like the use of your stables, at least for the night. How much longer they will be needed I wouldn't say. Our horses usually attract buyers quickly. They are well bred and strong." Wultheof did not exaggerate. The horses were as fine as any to be found in Edoras, and indeed many of those already in the city were of the same bloodlines.

He knew his father would not like him to barter for the price of the stabling, and he knew not to do this until his father returned, but he was determined to impress upon the ostler that even though he was still a boy, he was not stupid or weak. In as gruff a voice as he could muster, he asked: "What chance is there of a deal for the cost of stabling such fine horses?"

***

Larswic could see what had caused the trouble at the Mead Hall. The walls of the serving quarters had suffered some kind of collapse. Among his many ways of earning gold was his skill in building; it was a useful skill and had in the past earned him plenty of money during lean periods with the horses, or with his other schemes, but it was one he also knew out of necessity. His family had been used to moving about in the past. At one time this had been to follow the horses across the fields of Rohan, but recently it had been due to the effects of the War, and knowing how to quickly put up a rough house was a useful skill.

He could tell straight away that this was something far beyond his own skill, it being a Mead Hall, but that didn't stop him from offering his advice to anyone who would care to listen. A new scheme came quickly to his mind.

"You want to be setting some stronger beams in there," he said. "And the wattle wants replacing too. I daresay that might cost you a fair few pieces of gold."

A fair few pieces of gold. But it would only cost him one or two pieces from the supplier he had in mind, and there would be a nice profit to be had for his own purse. Larswic's blue eyes twinkled as he thought about it.

His words seemed to have had some effect as the new Eorl, his new lord, raised his head from the mayhem and introduced himself. The greeting was rough and rushed, and anything but formal. Larswic nodded and offered his name. He thought for a split second before adding "...my Lord" after his name. This Eodwine might not be given to formality like other Eorls he had known, but Larswic was not prepared to take a chance of causing offence. That might mark him out and make the Eorl remember him, and remember those levies and dues.

A young woman approached to lead him into the Mead Hall, and he was shaken from his thoughts by the sight of her. She could not have been much older than his own daughter, his eldest and most loved child, but this woman moved as a man might. He felt he ought to follow her as he was told to do so, and lowered his head a moment as he greeted her, even though she was a serving woman and he need not do so.