The White Horse Inn, Act III - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 10-07-2005, 06:40 PM

There was a knock on Giedd's door. It was late afternoon; Eodwine had left Gudryn with him two hours ago.

"Who could that be?" Giedd asked, to which Gudryn shrugged. Giedd set her dust cloth on the nearest flat surface and went to the door. Opening it, she found Eodwine standing before her, a strange look in his eye. "Good greeting, Master Eodwine. Were you not off to Gondor? Or do you want your daughter with you after all?"

Eodwine shook his head mutely, then licking his seemingly dry lips, said, "Beorctild had it wrong. There was no message to Gondor. May I come in?"

Giedd stepped out of the doorway and let Eodwine pass, her brow creasing. Something was amiss, for the man said less than he meant; that much was clear for his shoulders were hunched and his head lowered in a way that seemed most out of character.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Aye," he nodded, sitting next to Gudryn, "that would be well."

Giedd busied herself with pouring water from her jug into an extra tankard, as Gudryn watched her foster father with signs of fear and worry growing on her face. Giedd handed Eodwine the tankard and broke the silence.

"Is something amiss?"

Eodwine dropped the tankard from his lips and regarded the woman Giedd. "The King has no further need of me for his messages. I am released from my duties."

littlemanpoet · 10-13-2005, 07:29 PM

Eodwine approached the door to the White Horse Inn as the sun hid behind the golden hall of the King, casting long shadows over the town of Edoras; dusk was still a way off. He opened the door.

The fragrance of the evening meal wafted out the door and Eodwine breathed in deeply, a smile coming to his unusually dour face. He stepped into the homey light and warmth of the Inn, his stomach growling.

There was Master Falco Boffin at table, just having begun his first supper, Eodwine supposed. The hobbit turned his head to see who entered, and his jaw dropped. He closed it and swallowed.

"Eodwine! You here! Word was you were off on an errand with the King, and without me! What happened?"

Eodwine did not reply, but kept a no-tale face on, walking to the table where Falco was, and sat down beside him.

"That looks like an excellent repast. Is there more of it?"

Falco eyed him with a dubious air. "Not telling, eh?"

"Supper and a good long drink first. Where is everybody?"

"Everybody who?"

"Ruthven. Bethberry. Saeryn. Garreth. Harreld. For example."

"Haven't seen the smith brothers. Saeryn's about ... somewhere. Ruthven I haven't seen in a couple hours. Bethberry's in and out. Where's Gudryn?"

"I left her with Giedd for the evening. I'll pick her up before nightfall."

"Leaving her with the strange woman? Mighty trusting, eh?"

"She's well known in Edoras."

"Is that the all of it, Master Eodwine of the Gap?" Falco was grinning mischievously.

"'Tis enough for now. I'm ready for some supper, watching you fill your mouth with that fare. I wonder me if I should make a foray to the kitchen."

"Do that and you may lose an ear, the way I saw Bethberry handle Garreth over lunch."

"Aye. Maybe I'll wait." Eodwine settled back in his chair while Falco wiped the last bit of stew with a chunk of brown bread.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 10-13-2005, 07:41 PM

"I am here." said Saeryn quietly, joining Falco and Eodwine from behind. "It's been that sort of a quiet day... I'm not certain where anybody else is, though I believe that my young friend from this morning is visiting with Mistress Bethberry near the fire."

She sat beside Eodwine, smiling as he made room for her. She sipped her warm tea, enjoying the warmth that spread through her fingers as she held the cup and breathed softly the scent of the brew. The weather had turned during the day, and no manner of layered clothing seemed to take the chill out of the air. Even the crackling fire only warmed her so much. Cold... she thought... I hate being cold. Beneath her breeches, Saeryn wore thick white hose, with soft kid boots laced up her lower legs, with her breeches tucked neatly into the tops. She wore a thin cotten shirt beneath another borrowed blouse from her brother's stores. She still had no idea where he'd gone, but she was not worried. Degas had left all of his things... he would return. Over all, she wore a fitted scarlet vest, laced tight. Were they not too cumbersome, she'd have considered gloves. She even wore her long auburn curls falling loosly past her shoulders, counting on it's extra warmth on the back of her neck.

"And of course there is more supper, Eodwine. If you like, I'll bring you some so you need not get up again."

littlemanpoet · 10-13-2005, 08:08 PM

"That would be most kind of you, Lady Saeryn," answered Eodwine. "You have found clothing I see for the change in the weather. It suits you well."

"Thank you," Saeryn smiled, getting up and moving toward the kitchen, and through the door.

"That one," mumbled Falco through the last bite of his first supper, "will not want for suitors."

Eodwine grinned. "Aye." He stretched luxuriously, his spirits lifted by the thought that his appetite was soon to be sated.

Moments later Saeryn returned with a well stocked tray, with food for more than one. Eodwine set to, and Falco went straight into his second supper.

"What have you been up to this afternoon, Saeryn?" asked Eodwine.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 10-13-2005, 09:52 PM

"What I've been up to?" repeated Saeryn, returning to a comfortable tailor's seat on the bench and cupping her small hands around her tea. She thought for a moment, comfortably lazing in the late afternoon light as her companions dug into the meal she had brought them. The shadows were beginning to fall heavily and the lamps had not yet been lit. Her cheeks glowed pink in the flickering firelight.

"After you and your daughter took leave with the lady Giedd, I took my own leave of Æòel, who perhaps you've not seen?" Saeryn queried, noting Eodwine's gentle shake of his head, "and Bethberry, giving them a time for talk. Perhaps Æòel will accept my invitation to stay as my guest. Gudryn is a dove, but I would never dream to impose on your family, nor on Mistress Bethberry for female companionship. I left the lass to decide. Should she accept, she knows where I can be found.

"After that, I searched my dear brother's room for signs of his whereabouts, like any good inquisative sister would." Saeryn winked at the men, showing her jest. "Being entirely unable to find Degas, I looked out the window, considering a ride. Yes, I know." she interrupted Eodwine's start. "I know I'm still bandaged and shouldn't be on a horse until my bruises are less tender... But then I noted the clouds rolling across the fields outside the city and decided that I'd rather not get caught out of doors when the rain began. Only the rain threatened all afternoon without a hint of real wet. The wind picked up as the warmth disappeared... but no rain."

She sighed wistfully, dreaming of the wind in her hair as she rode bareback across the open plains, heavy droplets staining her mare's brown coat with spots of black... No time soon, she reprimanded herself.

"And so," she continued, watching her audience for signs of boredom and seeing none, "I decided that it would be the perfect day for random tasks. So I cloistered myself in my room, mended clothes, put away my things, and frittered a few hours away doing small tasks. By mid-afternoon, I assure you, I was bored and my muscles were stiff and aching with the cold and disuse... so I went to the kitchens where it is so wonderfully warm... and I begged leave to help make supper. I chopped the very carrots and potatoes in that stew, if you'll believe me."

She smiled, content as a child satisfactorily completing her chores. Eodwine did not miss the nearly hidden question in her eyes and hid a smile.

"And the vegetables are most excellent, m'dear. The perfect size, and cooked tenderly as any master could do." She almost managed to hide her delight at the compliment and he almost managed to hide his delight at the child that still showed through her grown up facade. She mistook his smile, and probed some herself.

"And your day, Master Eodwine? I heard rumours of an errand for the King?"

littlemanpoet · 10-14-2005, 07:43 PM

"They turned out to be untrue," said Eodwine matter of factly. "The messenger seems to have guessed wrong."

"But you were summoned?" Falco asked. "That's the word hereabouts."

"Yes, I was summoned." Eodwine took a drink while Saeryn and Falco waited for him to continue.

Eodwine glanced at each of them, their eyes big with anticipation waiting for him to spill his news. He was not teasing, actually. No, far from it, though it must seem that way to him. Rather, he was sore put to it to find words to carry his thought.

"The King has ended my service to him," he said finally with a sigh. Now their eyes were big as saucers.

"Whatever for?" Falco managed, finding his voice.

"Seems I've been set out to pasture, as it were." Eodwine looked at Saeryn. "Well?" he grinned. "You're obviously full of a question waiting to be asked. Out with it."

Feanor of the Peredhil · 10-14-2005, 07:56 PM

"Well..." began Saeryn, considering for a moment the polite art of dancing around a subject gracefully and deciding quickly that it would be an unwarranted waste of time. Perhaps another conversation would be better for a duel of words, but he'd said 'out with it', and that called for little hesitation. She laughed as she realized that she'd been hesitating, and spoke up. "You left with the lady Giedd," she intoned with a smile and a gentle teasing lilt to her voice. "Mayhap you can foresee the question without the inconvenience of bothering to state it?"

Saeryn palmed a soft roll, still warm, and began to tear it into small pieces, tossing them in the air in a most unlady-like fashion and catching them in her mouth. She leaned back as far as she could before wincing back into a better posture and glanced at Eodwine, waiting for response. She was not certain why Falco did not rise to the occasion, but she attached his mysterious silence to the ferver with which he devoured his second dinner. Finishing her first roll, she snaked her hand between his mug and bowl, confiscating one of his. She met his glare with a wide grin.

"Come now, Master Eodwine," she prodded the laughing man. "A man free of duty to the crown, with a new daughter and out for the day with a lovely lass of the town? Whyever did you return to us?"

10-07-2005, 06:40 PM	#1
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Eodwine There was a knock on Giedd's door. It was late afternoon; Eodwine had left Gudryn with him two hours ago. "Who could that be?" Giedd asked, to which Gudryn shrugged. Giedd set her dust cloth on the nearest flat surface and went to the door. Opening it, she found Eodwine standing before her, a strange look in his eye. "Good greeting, Master Eodwine. Were you not off to Gondor? Or do you want your daughter with you after all?" Eodwine shook his head mutely, then licking his seemingly dry lips, said, "Beorctild had it wrong. There was no message to Gondor. May I come in?" Giedd stepped out of the doorway and let Eodwine pass, her brow creasing. Something was amiss, for the man said less than he meant; that much was clear for his shoulders were hunched and his head lowered in a way that seemed most out of character. "Would you like something to drink?" "Aye," he nodded, sitting next to Gudryn, "that would be well." Giedd busied herself with pouring water from her jug into an extra tankard, as Gudryn watched her foster father with signs of fear and worry growing on her face. Giedd handed Eodwine the tankard and broke the silence. "Is something amiss?" Eodwine dropped the tankard from his lips and regarded the woman Giedd. "The King has no further need of me for his messages. I am released from my duties."

10-13-2005, 07:29 PM	#2
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Eodwine Eodwine approached the door to the White Horse Inn as the sun hid behind the golden hall of the King, casting long shadows over the town of Edoras; dusk was still a way off. He opened the door. The fragrance of the evening meal wafted out the door and Eodwine breathed in deeply, a smile coming to his unusually dour face. He stepped into the homey light and warmth of the Inn, his stomach growling. There was Master Falco Boffin at table, just having begun his first supper, Eodwine supposed. The hobbit turned his head to see who entered, and his jaw dropped. He closed it and swallowed. "Eodwine! You here! Word was you were off on an errand with the King, and without me! What happened?" Eodwine did not reply, but kept a no-tale face on, walking to the table where Falco was, and sat down beside him. "That looks like an excellent repast. Is there more of it?" Falco eyed him with a dubious air. "Not telling, eh?" "Supper and a good long drink first. Where is everybody?" "Everybody who?" "Ruthven. Bethberry. Saeryn. Garreth. Harreld. For example." "Haven't seen the smith brothers. Saeryn's about ... somewhere. Ruthven I haven't seen in a couple hours. Bethberry's in and out. Where's Gudryn?" "I left her with Giedd for the evening. I'll pick her up before nightfall." "Leaving her with the strange woman? Mighty trusting, eh?" "She's well known in Edoras." "Is that the all of it, Master Eodwine of the Gap?" Falco was grinning mischievously. "'Tis enough for now. I'm ready for some supper, watching you fill your mouth with that fare. I wonder me if I should make a foray to the kitchen." "Do that and you may lose an ear, the way I saw Bethberry handle Garreth over lunch." "Aye. Maybe I'll wait." Eodwine settled back in his chair while Falco wiped the last bit of stew with a chunk of brown bread. Last edited by littlemanpoet; 10-13-2005 at 07:35 PM.

10-13-2005, 07:41 PM	#3
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	"I am here." said Saeryn quietly, joining Falco and Eodwine from behind. "It's been that sort of a quiet day... I'm not certain where anybody else is, though I believe that my young friend from this morning is visiting with Mistress Bethberry near the fire." She sat beside Eodwine, smiling as he made room for her. She sipped her warm tea, enjoying the warmth that spread through her fingers as she held the cup and breathed softly the scent of the brew. The weather had turned during the day, and no manner of layered clothing seemed to take the chill out of the air. Even the crackling fire only warmed her so much. Cold... she thought... I hate being cold. Beneath her breeches, Saeryn wore thick white hose, with soft kid boots laced up her lower legs, with her breeches tucked neatly into the tops. She wore a thin cotten shirt beneath another borrowed blouse from her brother's stores. She still had no idea where he'd gone, but she was not worried. Degas had left all of his things... he would return. Over all, she wore a fitted scarlet vest, laced tight. Were they not too cumbersome, she'd have considered gloves. She even wore her long auburn curls falling loosly past her shoulders, counting on it's extra warmth on the back of her neck. "And of course there is more supper, Eodwine. If you like, I'll bring you some so you need not get up again."

10-13-2005, 08:08 PM	#4
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	"That would be most kind of you, Lady Saeryn," answered Eodwine. "You have found clothing I see for the change in the weather. It suits you well." "Thank you," Saeryn smiled, getting up and moving toward the kitchen, and through the door. "That one," mumbled Falco through the last bite of his first supper, "will not want for suitors." Eodwine grinned. "Aye." He stretched luxuriously, his spirits lifted by the thought that his appetite was soon to be sated. Moments later Saeryn returned with a well stocked tray, with food for more than one. Eodwine set to, and Falco went straight into his second supper. "What have you been up to this afternoon, Saeryn?" asked Eodwine.

10-13-2005, 09:52 PM	#5
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	"What I've been up to?" repeated Saeryn, returning to a comfortable tailor's seat on the bench and cupping her small hands around her tea. She thought for a moment, comfortably lazing in the late afternoon light as her companions dug into the meal she had brought them. The shadows were beginning to fall heavily and the lamps had not yet been lit. Her cheeks glowed pink in the flickering firelight. "After you and your daughter took leave with the lady Giedd, I took my own leave of Æòel, who perhaps you've not seen?" Saeryn queried, noting Eodwine's gentle shake of his head, "and Bethberry, giving them a time for talk. Perhaps Æòel will accept my invitation to stay as my guest. Gudryn is a dove, but I would never dream to impose on your family, nor on Mistress Bethberry for female companionship. I left the lass to decide. Should she accept, she knows where I can be found. "After that, I searched my dear brother's room for signs of his whereabouts, like any good inquisative sister would." Saeryn winked at the men, showing her jest. "Being entirely unable to find Degas, I looked out the window, considering a ride. Yes, I know." she interrupted Eodwine's start. "I know I'm still bandaged and shouldn't be on a horse until my bruises are less tender... But then I noted the clouds rolling across the fields outside the city and decided that I'd rather not get caught out of doors when the rain began. Only the rain threatened all afternoon without a hint of real wet. The wind picked up as the warmth disappeared... but no rain." She sighed wistfully, dreaming of the wind in her hair as she rode bareback across the open plains, heavy droplets staining her mare's brown coat with spots of black... No time soon, she reprimanded herself. "And so," she continued, watching her audience for signs of boredom and seeing none, "I decided that it would be the perfect day for random tasks. So I cloistered myself in my room, mended clothes, put away my things, and frittered a few hours away doing small tasks. By mid-afternoon, I assure you, I was bored and my muscles were stiff and aching with the cold and disuse... so I went to the kitchens where it is so wonderfully warm... and I begged leave to help make supper. I chopped the very carrots and potatoes in that stew, if you'll believe me." She smiled, content as a child satisfactorily completing her chores. Eodwine did not miss the nearly hidden question in her eyes and hid a smile. "And the vegetables are most excellent, m'dear. The perfect size, and cooked tenderly as any master could do." She almost managed to hide her delight at the compliment and he almost managed to hide his delight at the child that still showed through her grown up facade. She mistook his smile, and probed some herself. "And your day, Master Eodwine? I heard rumours of an errand for the King?"

10-14-2005, 07:43 PM	#6
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	"They turned out to be untrue," said Eodwine matter of factly. "The messenger seems to have guessed wrong." "But you were summoned?" Falco asked. "That's the word hereabouts." "Yes, I was summoned." Eodwine took a drink while Saeryn and Falco waited for him to continue. Eodwine glanced at each of them, their eyes big with anticipation waiting for him to spill his news. He was not teasing, actually. No, far from it, though it must seem that way to him. Rather, he was sore put to it to find words to carry his thought. "The King has ended my service to him," he said finally with a sigh. Now their eyes were big as saucers. "Whatever for?" Falco managed, finding his voice. "Seems I've been set out to pasture, as it were." Eodwine looked at Saeryn. "Well?" he grinned. "You're obviously full of a question waiting to be asked. Out with it."

10-14-2005, 07:56 PM	#7
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	"Well..." began Saeryn, considering for a moment the polite art of dancing around a subject gracefully and deciding quickly that it would be an unwarranted waste of time. Perhaps another conversation would be better for a duel of words, but he'd said 'out with it', and that called for little hesitation. She laughed as she realized that she'd been hesitating, and spoke up. "You left with the lady Giedd," she intoned with a smile and a gentle teasing lilt to her voice. "Mayhap you can foresee the question without the inconvenience of bothering to state it?" Saeryn palmed a soft roll, still warm, and began to tear it into small pieces, tossing them in the air in a most unlady-like fashion and catching them in her mouth. She leaned back as far as she could before wincing back into a better posture and glanced at Eodwine, waiting for response. She was not certain why Falco did not rise to the occasion, but she attached his mysterious silence to the ferver with which he devoured his second dinner. Finishing her first roll, she snaked her hand between his mug and bowl, confiscating one of his. She met his glare with a wide grin. "Come now, Master Eodwine," she prodded the laughing man. "A man free of duty to the crown, with a new daughter and out for the day with a lovely lass of the town? Whyever did you return to us?"