The White Horse Inn, Act III

[Bêthberry]

For all her brash, rough humour, Ruthven knew when to cease a line of joking and let quiet contemplation work its way into the conversation. She turned away from Bethberry and Eodwine and towards Falco.

*Cracked your tooth have you on your mug?" she inquired. "Let's take a look at ye."

Without much ado, she picked him up and placed him on a high stool and without granting so much as a by your leave to his sputterings, she pulled down on his jaw and lifted his lips to look at the tooth.

"Tisn't cracked, nor even chipped. Likely just gave it a jolt to wake up your jaw bone, lad." For all her forward nature, she meant her actions kindly, and listened to what Falco had to say.

A hush had fallen over the crowd as Degas strove to acquaint Saeryn with Fenrir and her family. All were too polite to enquire why the man must take her back, yet everyone was eager, as is the manner of people in small communities, to know why he was bound to take her back, and how he would accept a lady with no memory of him.

Bethberry took advantage of the diversion which placed the young people in the centre of attention and turned her attention back to Eodwine. His reply to her had justly met her earlier comments and those of Ruthven. The man deserved a thoughtful reply.

"We have not had a wedding here in Edoras since the first rush of marriages after the War of the Ring. Too few of our men returned and many a lass has looked to a life of penury and diminished expectations without a husband and confidante and bread earner. "

Bethberry watched as Eodwine nodded, silently, and Gudryn's face grew sombre.

"What kind of husband do you think you would make, Eodwine, that a woman would take a shine to you? And what might you look for?"

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

For the life of her, Saeryn could not understand her brother's insistance of another sibling. Her memories of their childhood had flashed back, knocking her senseless to the floor, and yet this Fenrir that he spoke of... she remembered nothing.

She strove with the thought, clutching the hand of her twin, until her head ached. Her wounds still hurt, and she was tired.

"Degas, if you insist that we've a brother named Fenrir, than I will believe you." she sighed, exasperated. Degas did not look much better. He brushed his locks out of his eyes with his bandaged hands. Suddenly a look of concern fell across his brow and he looked at his sister. Her bandages still peeked from beneath her gown, and her face held a small nearly concealed frown.

"Mistresses, I hate to interrupt... but my sister... she is still injured, and she is still exhausted. The day has been long. Will someone help me get her to a warm bed?"

[littlemanpoet]

Bethberry regarded Eodwine with a penetrating gaze. "What kind of husband do you think you would make, Eodwine, that a woman would take a shine to you? And what might you look for?"

Eodwine opened his mouth in reply when Degas spoke up.

"Mistresses, I hate to interrupt... but my sister... she is still injured, and she is still exhausted. The day has been long. Will someone help me get her to a warm bed?"

Bethberry called Maercwen from the kitchen. Once Bethberry saw that Saeryn's need was seen to, she turned back to Eodwine.

He looked at her gravely. "I would make the same as I made before, with fifteen years' additional wisdom to aid me. Remembrance of the family I lost will make me hold a new family dear. My loyalty is unquestioned by all who know me. Other than that, you have seen for yourself through our recent adventures what kind of man I am. As to what I might look for, firstly a woman who would be a good mother to Gudryn. Other than that..." Now a small grin played on his lips "...I would wish that such a one be not much older than I, and be not too hard to look at, if you take my meaning." He grew serious again. "But what I look for most is someone who could give her heart to the both of us and expect no less in return."

[Bêthberry]

The departure of Saeryn and Degas with Maercwyn brought a bustling commotion to the Greath Hall, so that people turned away from the central event towards their beer, their dinners, the thankfully calm conclusion of their day. The twins enthusiastically attacked their plates of pastries and ragouts and vegetables while Falco kept his eye on his companion Eodwine. He had not expected the Rohirrim man to accept the adoption of Gudryn, but stranger things had happened in his life. Still, Falco chuckled to himself, for he foresaw some lively adventures in the near future.

Gudryn's blushing concern for herself disappeared as she watched Saeryn leave, so she was neither prepared nor expecting the Innkeeper's question to her.

"Gudryn, you have had a tumultuous day and no doubt your head and your heart are spinning with events almost unbelievable."

The girl turned back to Bethberry shyly and nodded, her hand still holding Eodwine's arm.

"What say you to this idea of Eodwine's, that he supplies not only father but mother for you as well? It is a mighty step, to step into the lives of strangers. Girls don't usually pick their maws and paws as easily as they choose new frocks."

"Frocks," interjected Ruthven, munching on a thick slice of grain bread slathered with butter. "Gives me an idea, Bette."

"Well it might, Ruthven, but let's let Gudryn give us a few leads. Yet don't feel rushed to answer now, dear. The day has been long and much too rushed to recommend sudden decisions. Shall we all finish dinner and like Saeryn and Degas seek our repose, that tomorrow we may consider with fresh mind and heart Eodwine's idea?"

~~~

And so the day finally wound down as the sun set, with tongues wagging slower and slower and people by one and two drifting off for the night. Ruthven bid the twins goodnight and Falco, nodded to Eodwine, and gave Bethberry a parting hug.

For her part, the Innkeeper lit the taper inside a lantern and made the rounds of the doors and windows on the main floor, ensuring all were barred and locked, and then withdrew to her room for rest. She was tired, nay , even wearied by the day's events and hoped for a good, long sleep.

~~~

Alas, she could not sleep, not for the longest time, that is. Her feet ached and her arms and gave her little peace. Yet sleep finally came and the sun did rise again.

It rose not with any particular portent. It was neither bright and cheerful, cloudless with a piercing blue, nor overcast and dark, with a foreboding sense, but was a mixed sky with whisps of cloud disappated into the blue sky to wash it out, without diminishing the sun's rays. It was a morn like any other morn and so did not seem to hold any special meaning for the day it announced. It was, in short, a most unlikely beginning for the story of heart's desire.

[Esgallhugwen]

Gudryn rubbed the sleep from her eyes and bolted out of bed, realizing in terror that something was wrong. But wait. Her heart slowed as she relaxed knowing she was now in a safe place free from the harm of Rand whom was locked away.

She pulled back the curtains to the sunrise, she loved every one she could remember. Though this one wasn't a dazzling display of hue, it had it's own special beauty that could not be denied.

Gudryn sighed thinking all the while about the decision that lay ahead of her, A father, and now perhaps a mother too? But would she still be able to travel the lands of Middle Earth? As pleasant as it might be she wished not to be about the house all day tending to chores. She wished to see lands that would be new to her eyes, and for all her love of Rohan she longed for the experiences that riding across the land would bring her. To Gondor and the Shire and perhaps the fading realms of the Elves before they were truly gone.

She sighed and watched the sun crest over the horizon, "a new day, full of purpose and choices that must be seen to"

She tip toed across the wooden floor in her bare feet to Eodwine's room, and knocked gently on the door. No answer. She knocked again. Still no answer.

Gudryn opened the door to find her Father sprawled out on the bed, "Father?", he barely stirred. Gudryn stepped closer and tapped Eodwine on the nose, his face scrunched up and he turned over in his bed.

"If you want to wake him you'll have to try alot harder than that", a familiar voice huffed behind her, she spun around to find Falco. "Watch and learn", Falco leaped onto the bed and began to shout.

"Up and about big trouble, you can't be lazing about when the day's upon us" he jumped up and down causing Eodwine to bounce along with him. Next thing a white blur clocked the rascally Hobbit sending him backwards and a triumphant laugh follows.

Gudryn's eyes widened as she tried to settle them down, "hush now others are still sleeping", "and I would have been to if it weren't for pint sized trouble over there".

Falco puffed up his chest and was about to retort when Gudryn cupped her hand over his mouth resulting in a muffled grumbling protest of inaudibility.

"Father, a mother would be more then I could ever wish for, but I still want to travel with you and learn of all the realms in this world. And perhaps if the mother does not mind to travel, we can all go together", Falco stopped his bantering and gazed up at the young lass, Eodwine silenced his laughing, contemplating her words.

[Feanor of the Peredhil]

Saeryn rose early, stiff and weary. As she prepared for a new day, she allowed her mind to wander.

Finding a small mirror in her bags, she examined her face. Though there was no bruising, she could feel where she got knocked on the head by her fall. Her forehead was well and truly bruised, with no color to show for it. She grimaced, remembering her childhood. Not a soul ever took her seriously when she had a hurt, save Degas, because she could never prove the pain with bright shades of blue and purple.

She washed up quickly and dressed, pulling a pair of worn breeches of indistinguishable color on and belting them tight. Over top, and untucked, she opted for a loose white blouse she had lifted from her twin's bags. True to his penchant for frivolty, it's sleeves billowed in a most dramatic way. Unable to work her shoulder to it's full capacity, she left her locks unbraided and sighed over the ringlets she could already see gently framing her face. Perhaps she would ask Gudryn to plait her hair later.

Ignoring her shoes, Saeryn opened her door and went in search for a cup of tea and a friendly face that would not try to helpfully send her back to bed, or wait on her.

"I wonder what this day will bring." she murmered softly as she padded to the kitchen.

[littlemanpoet]

"Father," said Gudryn, her hand over the hobbit's mouth, "a mother would be more than I could ever wish for, but I still want to travel with you and learn of all the realms in this world. And perhaps if the mother does not mind to travel, we can all go together."

Eodwine watched his foster daughter. Her face was bright with the hope she spoke of, but her eyes pleaded. Something was afoot in Gudryn's mind to cause her to come say such serious things bright and early in the morning. At was as if she could read his mind, for he had thought of settling down now that this makeshift family was bringing itself together around him, with his willingness, granted, but almost it seemed to him that some other will was at work to bring him to this point; a good will, if there was one. But of Gudryn, he brought himself back to thinking.

"You wish for me to keep my place as King's Messenger, and take you with me to see Middle Earth?"

Falco reached up and took Gudryn's hand from his mouth. "You may unhand me, lass, I'll not keep you from your words with your new pa any longer. 'Tis time for first breakfast!" With that, he was out the door and down the hall.

Eodwine sat up and swung his legs out to the floor; he had not changed from his garb of the previous night. He gestured to Gudryn to sit by him. She walked over and sat next to him, kicking her feet in the air as if she was treading water.

"Is that what you wish, my daughter?" Eodwine prompted. She nodded, looking up at him with big hopeful eyes. He smiled, but sighed sadly. "I'll have to give some thought to that. You see," he took one of her hands in his two, "it might be that I could buy a horse and train you to ride and come with me on my errands. Indeed, it might be a great adventure for the both of us. But if you are to have a mother also, it looks to my mind's eye that things change, for then we would be a party of three and move slower than the King needs. So maybe 'tis a choice between a mother and my role with the King. I do not know for certain. Which would you rather have, Gudryn?"