Eorling Mead Hall

[Folwren]

“So how did your meeting with the Lord Eodwine go? Have you found out what you will be doing at the Hall?”

“No, I haven’t,” Javan answered, leaning slightly to rest his shoulder against the stall door. “I guess the meeting went well. As well as can be expected. He asked me what I wanted to do, and I told him.” Léof nodded but said nothing as he continued to fill the wheelbarrow beside him. “I liked him,” Javan said after a short pause. “He seemed nice.” He smiled a little as he recalled the conversation from the evening before. “He asked me what I would like to do and then when I had told him, he said he would consider it and this morning I am to learn what he decides for me. I’m so excited, Léof,” he went on eagerly, standing up straight again. “Do you suppose he’ll let me help you? I told him I’d love to work with the horses, and I really would like that above anything else, I think.” Javan really had little idea what other options there were, but he cared very little. “I wanted to come out right away and talk to you and visit the horses. If I can’t help you, perhaps there would still be extra time so I could ride some. I suppose you do exercise them? Occasionally?”

---

Thornden, inside the hall, was only now just receiving his answer from Eodwine.

"If Léof will have him, then Javan may work with him. He shall be answerable to Léof for all that he does in the stables, and Léof will report to both you and me in a week's time as to Javan's fittedness to be ostler's helper. Does that suit your wish?"

Thornden smiled, happy that Eodwine had been so willing. He had half expected for Eodwine having had some other idea for Javan's occupation. It would have been just fine, of course, if he had, but Javan would be happy to have a chance to work with the horses. Whether he would remain working in the stables would depend entirely on his ability and his behavior with the horses. Léof would be a good judge of that, too.

"Yes, my lord, thank you. It suits perfectly."

[Celuien]

Lèoðern had risen early in the morning, stirred out of dreams by her brother as he grumpily stomped around the room. Garmund had disappeared quickly, along with their father. She had gone to find Cnebba, hoping to go out early and play before her lessons started, but he too was gone. Left alone, she had hurried outside and sat near the stables to play with the kittens before breakfast.

Her attention was soon drawn by the arrival of a young lady. Much like her missed friend Linduial she seemed in bearing. A princess, thought Lèoðern, and she scampered to her feet and brushed the dust of the inn yard off her dress.

The lady seemed not to notice her. And so Lèoðern gave her a bright "Good morning!" Then, remembering a lesson in manners given by Linduial, added a curtsey and said, "My lady."

[Firefoot]

“Not as often as I should like,” answered Léof. “But if you ever have free time, I’m sure I could put you to work.” He set down the pitchfork and grinned at Javan. “Would you mind rolling that wheel barrow out back? You can’t miss the manure pile. I’m going to get some fresh hay from the loft and then we can go have some breakfast.”

“Alright,” said Javan agreeably. The two parted ways and within a short time the stall was freshly bedded and the pair was heading into the Hall. They had barely sat down with their hot plates of food when Léof saw that Thornden was approaching.

“Good morning, Thornden,” Léof said.

Thornden sat down across the table from them, answering, “Good morning. Léof, I’d like to ask you a question.”

Léof raised his eyebrows in curiosity. “I’m listening.”

“My brother here, Javan, has probably already told you how much he loves horses and would like to work with them. I have just finished speaking with Eodwine and he has given me permission to ask you if you would take Javan and let him work under you and your supervision for a week. At the end of that time, you will tell Eodwine and me how Javan did and if he is able to continue working in the stables, and also if you want him there to help you. Right now, you have the choice to say yes or no to this request. If you do not want his help and presence, or do not need it, then tell me so."

Léof nodded slowly. “I think that should work fine. From what I have seen, Javan will be perfect for the job.” A short glance over at Javan showed that he was thrilled, and Léof felt quite pleased himself. Besides having a friend, he could see several other potential advantages. How much better would it have worked if he had had an assistant when Gárwine’s horse trampled his foot? Not, of course, that he ever intended on that happening again. And… well, he was still concerned about his sister – if he ever needed to request a couple days to ride out there, he would be able to leave the stable in capable hands.

“That’s settled, then,” said Thornden, seeming satisfied.

Léof caught sight of two people who had arrived. “And it looks like we may already have a couple of horses to tend to. Eat fast, Javan, and get used to being interrupted.”

[Lhunardawen]

Ginna jumped in surprise, and spun towards the voice. What she saw made her want to laugh out loud: not only had a little girl called her "my lady," but she also curtsied! Ginna tried to suppress the urge but failed right away; and at the sound of her laughter the girl flinched slightly and looked a little offended. This effectively put an end to Ginna's mirth.

She slowly walked towards the girl and knelt before her, carefully gathering her skirts about herself. The girl stood up straight and looked her unblinkingly in the eye. Ginna immediately felt herself bound to the girl, as though she was the little sister that she never had.

"Are you allowed to speak to strangers?" Ginna asked. "Never mind," she quickly added. "My name is Ginna; now I'm no longer a stranger. What's yours?"

"Lèoðern, my lady."

Ginna reduced her amusement to a smile. "Why do you address me so?"

"Are- are you not a princess? Because you look like one."

Ginna's smile widened and she shook her head. "No, no, Lèoðern, I'm not a princess. Far from it. But I'm flattered you think so."

Lèoðern had shyly bowed her head when she realised her mistake, but seeing that all was well, she broke into a fit of giggles. Ginna could not help joining along; after all, it really was funny. If she knew her father at all, she would be forced to earn her place here as a serving wench – not that she would mind.

"I assume you know this place well," she finally said when she had breath enough. "Would you mind taking me around?"

[littlemanpoet]

Thornden took his leave upon finishing his breakfast. Eodwine congratulated himself on not being overly curt with the lad. Lad!? He was a grown man, for all his earnestness.

Falco sauntered up with Lefun and Ritun in tow, and took a seat next to Eodwine. Lefun and Ritun sat across from them, their double torsos taking up twice the chair space.

"I bid you good morning," Eodwine said to both of them. He looked to Falco. "Have you stayed out of trouble so far today?"

"Now whatever do you mean by that? I'm no trouble maker!"

"I think others might disagree."

"What, about Garmund? Aye, they might, and if they do they make more of it than they ought to. Where is the boy?" Falco looked around the room as if expecting to see the boy pop up from beneath a table.

"He has been set to sheep sheering across the road, he and Cnebba."

"What ever for? They're just boys! They should be allowed to play! In the Shire-"

"Well I know how you hobbits treat your young ones. With the Eorlingas it is different."

"More's the pity," Falco murmured. Lefun and Ritun were looking at the two of them with an expression of mixed humor and mild astonishment. "What is the matter, Rilef?"

"Speak you much before you eat!" said Lefun. Both of them grinned.

"And you speak as little as ever!" Falco retorted. "I'll change that!"

Just then a man walked across the Hall and stopped at the head of the table. They looked up. He was staring at Lefun and Ritun, his fingers standing at attention on the edge of the table. Eodwine's eyes went wide and he rose.

"Randvér! 'Tis good to see you!" He pushed his chair away and went over to his friend and gave him a bear hug.

"Well met, my friend and lord!"

"Ah but do not you be calling me lord unless we're sitting acourt! I got your letter! Where is your daughter Ginna? Did you bring her?"

"Aye, she is out by the stables, having failed to follow me inside." The man was mildly put out apparently. An embarrassed silence loomed after the man's confession.

"Well! Allow me to introduce my friends!" Eodwine made introductions to the garrelous and tongue tripping Falco, and to the tongue-tied Lefun and Ritun, their nervousness showing profoundly, which did not help Randvér's nervousness at all. Eodwine distracted them. "I would meet your daughter. Let us go to her, and afterward you and she can eat with us."

Randvér agreed and the two went outside where they found Ginna and Léoðern giggling and talking, walking hand in hand, about to round the corner toward the back.

"Ginna!" her father called.

[Firefoot]

Léof led the horse into the stable and tied him in the aisle. He turned to Javan and noticed that he had followed suit. “Do you remember where the brushes are?” asked Léof.

Javan nodded once. “Down towards the end in a room on the right.”

“Right. Go ahead and get those, and I’m going to find out how long these horses are staying.”

Léof turned and left the stable. He spotted the new arrivals across the yard and standing with Eodwine, Garstan, and Léoðern, though the latter two left as he approached. He smiled affably but hesitated at first, unsure of whether to address himself to Eodwine or the newcomers. He decided on the newcomers.

“Good morning to you. I am Léofric, the ostler here. Will you be needing stabling for your horses?”

[Kath]

Taking pity on the obviously flustered Dwarf Kara returned to the kitchen, hoping that Náin would recover the ease he had learnt with her over the weeks if she left him alone a short while. She had no idea why he was so befuddled this morning, he didn't appear to be overly tired or have had bad news of any kind.

As she hung up her apron, still musing on the mystery, she didn't fail to notice the curious glance sent her way by Frodides as the old cook took in the state of the garment. Kara met the gaze evenly, well aware that if Frodides didn't question her now she certainly would later.

"And what happened to you, girl? Give a guest too little for breakfast this morning? Or did the well dislike you taking water from it?"

The words were followed by laughter, as though she didn't much care what the answer was, but Kara had worked with her long enough now to know that she was very curious.

"It was an accident. I made one of the guests jump." She replied, not wanting to name Náin as the culprit in case Frodides confronted him about it.

"Oh? Shouldn't go sneaking up on those as aren't concentrating, or those concentrating too hard. Not everyone is as ready for the day as you or I when they wake up."

The piercing look still being given to her by Frodides gave Kara warning that this explanation did not suffice, and a longer and more detailed one would be demanded upon her return. But it seemed that the woman was willing to leave it be for now, knowing Kara had somewhere to be.

"Now, girl, I'll let you go in just a moment but first, had you thought as to what you were going to do for lunch?"

Kara had to admit that she hadn't. She'd heard of the iron stomachs of Dwarves and their ability to go without food for sometime, and had hoped that a big breakfast (for she had made sure Náin had received plenty of food that morning) and a large dinner would do for them both. It seemed though that Frodides didn't agree.

"Well you can't go missing meals, nor depriving guests of theirs. Take this."

She held up a small basket and placed it on the table in front of Kara. Opening it, she found rolls of bread, slices of meat and cheese and even small sweets.

"You'll have to manage your own water but this should see you through. Get that nice young Dwarf to carry it for you if you find it heavy, though a strong girl like you shouldn't have a problem."

"Thank you!" Kara was touched by the gesture and hugged Frodides in gratitude. The woman made a show of pushing her away and berating her for childish acts, but the twinkle in her eye and the smile she just couldn't keep off her face showed her pleasure.

Grabbing cloak and basket Kara hurried back out to Náin who was now standing by the door. She saw with dismay that his shoulders were slumped and his head down toward the floor. She wondered if perhaps he had changed his mind and did not wish to go, but as she neared he straightened up and by the time she reached him he appeared ready and willing to leave.

Noticing the basket she carried he held out a hand to take it, manners overtaking shyness for a moment. She handed it over without protest, not wanting him to mistake a refusal for a rejection when he seemed so sensitive this morning already.

They set off at a brisk pace, having decided to go into town first as Náin had not yet seen that, and it was the best place to start from as a circular route past many of the things Kara wanted to show him would lead them back to the Hall at last. As she had hoped the Dwarf did seem to be calmer than he had been before and was able to speak far more clearly, though not often. So far the journey had been conducted in relative silence. She just hoped he would find his voice again soon.