When: 3014 TA Seven years before the 4th age begins (This is before the War of the Ring).

Where: Edoras - built on a lonely foothill that stood out from the White Mountains.

The hall of Meduseld, the Golden Hall, was surrounded by a green lawn that sloped away from the platform on which the hall was built. Up though the lawn cut a high, broad stair, the top step of which was wide enough to hold benches. The north-facing doors swung inward into a long, wide hall with many pillars. In the center was a hearth, from which smoke could rise to louvers in the gable above. At the far south end was a dias that held the chair of the king. This hall was multipurpose, serving as a feasting room as well as a reception hall. Coming off the main hall were chambers built into towers at each corner.

The roleplay first takes place in a room in a tower adjoining the main building of Meduseld. The room is round with windows looking out over the beautiful but cold landscape. Inside, tapestries on the walls and a small metal stove for heating are present. The chairs are carved wood and placed in a circle where several rohirrim chat as they work together to sew a new banner to be given to Théoden King on the Vernal Equinox celebration which is soon approaching.

Roleplayers will select their character from book characters or make one of their own. All characters should be human in this roleplay.

The IN CHARACTER posting will be in this thread and can begin now.

EDIT: Because of the large group of new members that can roleplay in 3rd age I have moved this roleplay to the third age instead of the fourth age. Have fun!

Gamling made his way through the halls of Meduseld, his eyes instinctively moving from left to right slowly as he scanned every detail of the corridors as he did every single time he walked them. Years of military service had taught him that, though most of the time you are safe, you never know when something will leap out at you. Nodding sharply to a silent Royal Guard who stood outside a door, Gamling continued on his way until he came to the door which would lead him into the West Tower, where he knew the King's new banner was being made.

Stepping through the door, he said in a gruff, but not harsh voice,

"Is the Banner ready yet?"

"No, Captain, it is not. It shouldn't take us much longer though. Perhaps an hour or two more." One of the Rohirrim workers told him.

"Well, when don't rush it. Everything has to be perfect for the King this time. We don't want a repeat of the last performance do we?" Gamling replied.

"No sir." The workers replied in unison, as their minds went back to the last celebration which ended in a mess when a horse went wild and charged into the Mead Hall.

"Exactly, so keep up the good work." And with that he spun round and walked back out of the door.

(OOC: That was my first post, hope it was okay. Someone can meet Gamling in the hall or something so I can begin interacting with people, if you want!)

Arminas was sitting on a bench in front of the stable. His face was hidden in his hood. The cool morning breeze blew into his body, Arminas shivered and pulled his cloak together as Gamling walked into the hall of Meduseld. Little did he know about this land. Arminas decided to go to the hall of Meduseld to seek some hospitallity.

He walked up the stairs swiftly. Arminas was enchanted by the Golden pillars and Rohirrim architecture, beautiful, yet strong, like a woman standing in a windy day, unshivered. Arminas laid his hand against the Golden Pillar, suddenly he heard someone shouting "Stop, you stranger! Take thy filthy hand away from the property of his majesty the King!"

Ferdbrego sighed at the guard's question regarding how he got injured, he had been asking for half an hour so he decided the other guard might hopefully be quiet after he told it. He thought back to that night a month ago, he had been leading a patrol of ten men when they had been ambshed as they finished the patrol and were heading home. That was when the orcs sprang from the bushes around them he shouted at his men to reatreat as they were out numbered. Trusting their comander, they turned and galloped off, but being at the front of the column, he had been vulnerable for the longest period of time and had recieved a sore, but not fatal wound to his sword arm.

Suddenly his ears registered footsteps and instinctively he turned around to see a man. He gripped his spear more tightly.

"Halt!" He shouted, adjusting the sling he wore on his injured arm, " Take your hand away from the property of his majesty the King! What is your business at the hall of Meduseld? Lower your hood and place your weapons on the ground in front of you"

Anura chuckled as the captain entered demanding a report on progress. She remembered all to well the last visit. Realizing she was smiling visibly, she pressed her lips together to stop. It would not do to have others asking what she was smiling about- especially the stern captain. She was sure he had quite another intention in his statements rather than making the workers smile.

She was not exactly one of the workers, but she had some knowledge in tapestry and enjoyed the work. It could not be said that she was faulty in her style. The work of her fingers blended well with that of the others. Some had told her she was better than they, but she doubted that was true. Many of the poorer classes would flatter nobility until their ears hurt in hopes that they would be found favorable. The action rather turned Anura away from them. She never enjoyed fawning and would much prefer honesty.

Anura glanced up sharply as a voice rang out demanding information of a passerby. Security was not usually so tight or jumpy, but with the coming visit, every soldier was on his best behavior. Or rather, what they thought was their best behavior. She had doubts that the king would approve of soldiers stopping unknowns in the hallway merely for touching a pillar. But, it was not her business and would soon be over with once the king had gone.

She brushed a rebellious hair away from her eyes, and returned to her needle. She was embroidering an image of a horse and rider. The horse was more enjoyable. Much prettier, she thought. Though, she often had more pleasure in watching animals than people- certain kinds of animals anyway. He was white with a large red ribbon decending from his head to meet the stirrup below his belly. it was rather pompous, but Anura didn't mind. She had an eye for the beautiful.

Anu sat in a chair a few feet away from the others in the room. His job today was to help the others out by giving them needed thread and materials. He also provided refreshments upon requests. Right now, all was fine; nobody was in need of anything. So Anu watched intently at the banner coming to life.

Suddenly, Anu heard the comotion out in the main hall. He excused himself, saying he'd bring back a full pitcher of water for the workers and got up from his seat. He went to the door and stepped out into the hall. Then he looked around and noticed near the entrance a guard questioning a stranger. Anu stood just outside the door and listened and watched with detatched curiosity. That's odd he thought, Why such hostility toward a stranger?

Anura glanced up to see one of her fellow workers stand and walk to the doorway. Her head tilted slightly to the side as she watched him, curious as to what he was watching. Then she heard a noise- most likely what had caused the other to abandon his post. She realized it had been going on for a few moments, but she had been so engrossed in her work she had not noticed. Carefully placing her needle aside, she slid slowly out from under the banner so as not to move it and disrupt the other workers. Her footsteps made no noise on the polished floor as she stepped toward the doorway to join the person there. She stood beside him, and inclined her head forward in disaproval. This was not the courtesy she had come to expect in this city. Perhaps everyone was uneasy because of the nearing celebration. She glanced up sideways at the man beside her, who was significantly taller than she.

"Do you know what the man has done?" She asked softly.

"No, not yet," Anu answered her. "But appearantly, the guard is really on him about something." He turned and smiled down at the young lady mischeavously. "What say we sneek closer and find out?"

Anura looked up at the man beside her and then back to the two in the hall. She chewed her lip thoughtfully. "I'm not entirely sure that it's our place... But I am a curious sort." She nodded and smiled. "Let's go. What's your name by the way?" Anura side stepped behind a nearby pillar. It was large- almost 5 feet wide. She could easily hide behind it and even edge closer to the pair of men by the other pillar. She beckoned for the man to follow her. "Unless you have a better idea of course." She whispered.

"My name is Anubauglir," he whispered as he slipped behind the pillar next to her, "but my friends call me Anu for short. And you are, m'lady?" He put his back up against the pillar and peeked around it to look at the guard and stranger again, making sure they didn't notice the evesdroppers.

Anura nodded politely at the introduction. "I am called Anura. It is an honour to make your acquaintance." She fell silent for a moment straining to hear what was being said. One of the men was quite louder than the other. He appeared to be some sort of soldier; perhaps a castle guard. He was the one making the accusations. Loudly, he anounced that the other fellow had no business laying hands on the king's pillars. The hooded man made some inaudible reply.

"Can you hear what he is saying?"

"How absurd!" Anu whispered, "Jumping down the poor stranger's throat for simply touching a pillar or perhaps leaning against it for support. Who knows how far he traveled to reach here, he may be quite weak or at least exhausted." He strained his ears to try to hear the stranger speak. All he could make out were a few words here and there. "Something about a long journey.... meant no harm.... the beauty of the pillar....very sorry if offended.... that's all I could make out."

Anura nodded absentmindedly to the man beside her; her attention was elsewhere as she seemed to hear the questioning guard leaving. She risked a glance around the pillar, and yes, he was walking away. Perhaps he had been satisfied by the other's answer. Or, perhaps he had realized how foolish he was being.

"Strange..." She murmured. "It may be there is more to this story than is apparent." She glanced down at the floor, and then back up at Anubauglir.
"Well, I shoud get back to the tapestry. We would not want it to be late!"
She smiled, and directed her steps back toward the door.

"And I should fetch the water I promised for the group and be right back." Anu replied, walking quickly toward the well with the pitcher in his hand. "See you in a few minutes, lady Anura." He hurried across the hall and turned his head toward the stranger as he walked. The stranger was still sitting just inside the hall now, admiring the architecture.

Casting a quick glance over her shoulder at the stranger, Anura went back into the room and slid carefully back into her place. Silently, she mulled over what had just happened. It was very odd for a stranger to be accosted in such a way, even when the emotions of the city were tight. She absentmindedly pushed her needle through the heavy fabric making a less than perfect stitch. A frown covered her face as she glanced at it. She must give better care to her work- which would require leaving these thoughts. She hated to do it, but this mind game could wait. The banner was more important right now.
Thinking. Some told her it was one of her bad habits. She could never do anything methodical without losing herself into some deep thoughts or theories, which removed her focus from what she was doing.
The needle was gripped more firmly before being plunged back through the fabric forming a much better cross-stitch.

On his way back with the pitcher of water, Anu decided to aproach the guard. "Uh, excuse me, Sir, but I just thought you'd like some water. I'm sure you get thirsty out here. Does your bottle need refilling? If so, please allow me to do so before I head back to the banner room."

The guard checked his bottle and decided it did indeed need topping off. Anu gladly filled it up while asking, "So.... what has this stranger done that was so wrong we heard you shouting at him from the room?"

Éomunda sighed, put down a section of the banner she had been embroidering, and then she got up to gaze out the windows in the room up toward the gray-blue sky.
Eomunda also looked up when someone demanded what business an exhausted man had in the golden halls.

The guard wasn't too helpfull, and commanded Anu go about his duties. Anu turned and slowly walked back to the banner room with his shoulders slouched. Just before he went in, he stopped at the door and looked back at the guard. The guard stared back with eyes blazing, challenging Anu to disobey. With a final sigh, Anu went into the room. Suddenly he perked up and offered water to everyone.

Eomunda heard the door open behind her and she looked to see Anu with slouched shoulders. Walking up to him, she stepped out and in a tone of anger she asked the guard what the exhausted man did wrong.

Hurriedly, Anu went around the room filling everyone's water goblet. However, he kept looking toward the door with anxiousness as he listened to Eo's confrontation with the guard. Once, he was listening with such intensity and looking at the door that he overfilled one of the banner maker's cup. "Oops! Please forgive me, m'lady." he said. Quickly he took out his hankerchief and dried up the spilled water.

Frea hurried through the paths that led from her house toward the Meduseld. She was so excited to be going there to help in the making of the King's banner. She tossed her long dark hair out of her face and twisted it into a plait as she walked along. She glanced up at the window of the banner making room. She thought she could see someone looking out but she wasn't sure.

Suddenly she felt worried. It occurred to her that perhaps someone was watching for her arrival and that she was late. Her mother had not mentioned the need for haste. She was to come to the room on the morrow and show the others what her skill was like and then if she was good enough they would keep her until the banner was completed.

She was so honoured that she had been asked to help out anyway, It was so special to be asked to work on the banner for the King. A smile crossed her lips as she thought about it. She had learned many stitches and was skilled at smocking. She was skilled at weaving as well. She enjoyed the decorative stitches the best and also weaving. She liked to create pictures of beauty that she saw around her. Patterns of plants and horses that twined in and out making a sort of rhythm almost like music it seemed to her.

At last she reached the stairs. She hurried up them to the guard on the door. He knew who she was and that she was expected. She smiled as he told her to slow down. "You'll do yourself an injury if you carry on so." He called after her as she walked inside.

She walked more slowly now looking at the place as she went. She thought she could hear some angry exchanges but she felt it would be best if she kept to herself. At last she could see the door to the room. A lady was standing in the doorway calling out to someone in the hall. To the guard who had spoken angrily just moments before.

Frea stopped still and waited politely for the lady to step aside or ask her her business.

Meanwhile, Anu, more carefully now, continued dispensing the water to the banner weavers. When all had full goblets, he set the pitcher down on a small, intracately carved wood table by the back wall. Then he sat down on a stool next to it and sat in silence, lost in thoughts.

Eomunda smiled then stepped aside to let Frea enter the room and she did not ask her business.

FREA

Frea blinked her eyes in surprise as the important looking lady brushed passed her without a word. It made her feel even more insignificant as an ordinary girl in the home of the king. What was she doing here? Such important people all around her. Still she had been commanded to come to help on the banner and she must obey. She felt unworthy and uncomfortable here with so many older and important people about. She turned nonetheless and went into the room.

She saw the young man serving water to the people who were busy working and immediately she was drawn toward him. He was a servant, like herself.

She looked around at the others. A few looked up and smiled at her but then went straight back to work. She felt awkward as she looked around for an empty chair to sit in. She spotted two. One might belong to the important lady who had just rushed away. She approached one man sitting beside an empty chair and asked him, in the politest words, if the chair was taken or if she might be able to sit there. When he nodded that she could sit Frea turned to face the group and also to meet eyes with the water boy: "I greet you all. I am Frea, from the village and I have come to work on the banner for our king. I hope that my work will be acceptable."

She sat down and then looked about for a spare needle and some cotton. She examined the piece in front of her where there was a lot of work tobe done. Again she spoke with the man beside her. He seemed friendly and immediately began to explain to her what was needed and which cotton to use.

She settled in to work but took time now and then to examine the work of the others when she thought no one was watching. She had been used to finding her own work to be of the highest standard when compared to others. In fact she had never seeen any work that was as good as her own. Yet here. Here every bit of the banner was as good as she could hope to do or better. Some pieces she couldnot even understand how they were worked. She settled back quietly concentrating hard in the hopes that her work would be up to standard.

Anu, noticing the new worker, quickly left his stool and set a glass of water on the table next to her. "Glad to have you with us, m'lady," he said quietly and with a bow. Then he sat back down on his stool and went back to his thoughts.

One of the many things he was pondering was his many years in the King's service and how, with the retirement of Lukus a few months past, he was now the oldest and most trusted of the King's servants at almost 40 years of age. Such an honor and a privilage to oversee the work on the Banner, he thought to himself at least once an hour. He couldn't help but smile to himself yet again. He always had a strong sense of duty to the King and when he had the opportunity to serve in the Royal Palace when he was in his early 20s, he jumped at the chance and never looked back.

Frea felt so nervous. She felt so young and out of place amongst all these experienced workers. She looked again at the water server and even he seemed to be almost her father's age. She wondered if they all lived in the castle or did they have homes to return to at the end of a day's work as she did. She swallowed, feeling like her throat was dry probably just feeling nervous.
She reached out to take some water and took a few swallows. The rooms seemed so quiet that she felt the sound of her swallows must have echoed around the place. She looked around at the others to see if anyone noticed as she set the cup back in its place, but to her horror, the cup was too close to the edge of the table and it fell with a crash to the floor! She flet her face go bright red as everyone turned to see what had happened.

Anu jumped, startled by the crash of the metal goblet as it hit the floor. Then, regaining his senses and composure he quickly picked it up off the floor and said to the new weaver in a comforting tone, "That's alright, M'lady, no harm done. I'll just clean this up this minute. If you'd like, I'll get you another cup of water straight away." He smiled up at her from the floor as he wiped up the water with a small cloth towel he took from his belt.

Frea was speechless as she watched the man wiping up the water from the floor. Her mouth and throat felt even more dry due to the shock of having caused such a scene. She quickly apologised as soon as she found her voice and then asked if she might have more water. She turned back to her work determined to not make any other mistakes.
The lady on the other side of the table opposite Frea smiled and told her not to worry. That she should just relax or her stiches would not come out even. Frea thanked her for the advice and then went straight back to work.

As soon as he had finished cleaning up the water, Anu fetched another goblet of water and set it down, this time on a stool beside her on her right. "Let me know when you need more, m'lady," he quietly told her.

Frea smiled as politely as she could at the water bearer She set back to work but found that her throat had a tickle and she kept coughing and coughing. She knew it was most likely just nerves but she found it impossible to stop. At last she stood and took her cup of water she bowed to the people on either side of her by way of apologizing for having to stop working for a moment. She then turned and walked to the door. She stipped out side and then felt free to sip her water in between coughs to work at clearing her throat. She felt terrible that she had had to come out of the room. Ah well. It gave her a chance to look around. She looked to see if she could see the lady who had marched out earlier.
She was feeling much calmer now and her cup was nearly empty. A few more minutes and she would feel ready to return tothe room.

Just as she was standing there she was a ware of a commotion going on down the corridor. She did not wish to be found outside of the room where she was meant to be working so she quickly opened the door and went back inside.

She smiled at the others as they looked up, well, someof them looked up anyway, and thenshe said, "I wonder if there is some sort of disturbance in the hall just down the corridor. I am not sure what it is about. It may be nothing. Just thought I would let you know."

She sat down and then she looked over at the water bearer and held up her now empty cup. "Please, may I have some more water sir? I seem to have a dry throat."

"Ah, but of course, M'lady. It will be my pleasure." Anu replied warmly with a genuine smile. He carefully and politely took the goblet and filled it again. Then he handed it back to her with a slight bow.

Frea sipped the water slowly and did a bit of work in between. She watched the older woman next to her working rapidly and confidently. She was obviously someone of great wealth. Her clothes were elegant and not too old and worn. Frea thought about her mother's clothes. She had dreamed of making a name for herself in dress making one day and giving her mother and her sisters fine clothes to wear.

She worked steadily sipping her water when she felt she needed a break. She was amazed at how long these people coudl work without moving about At last she could not sit still for another moment. She caught the eye of the kind gentleman who had filled her glass.

"Is it alright, sir, if I take a walk to get some fresh air for just a moment?" He nodded and Frea stood and bowed to everyone at the table and excused herself to leave. "I will be back in a short moment."

"That'll be fine, M'lady, but don't terry too long, eh?" Anu replied with a bow. "It is most important that we finish the Banner in good time. His Magesty is waiting to see it when it's completed." Anu reached over to her spot at the table and picked up her goblet. Noticing it was less than half full, he refilled it and placed it back on the table. Then, returning to his stool and placing the pitcher in its spot, he sat back and watched with patient excitement as the banner workers busily went about the task of making the banner. Wont be long now he thought.

As Frea stood just outside the room she looked out of a window in the hall and watched for someone she was expecting. Her heart leapt when she saw him. Beorn had riden up to the gate about half a mile from the path to the Golden Hall that led from their village. He looked up at the King's dwelling but could not make out anyone watching for him. He tied his horse to the a fence by the gate and then climbed up onto the gate to sit. After a moment he took out a small pouch from his bag and pulled out a pie. No doubt his lunch. Frea watched him for a moment and then knew she must return to her work. With a lighter step she went back into the room and sat down to work.

She listened to the two ladies who were sitting across from her. They must have been discussing some big dinner or something they were going to go to and the dresses they were working on for the occassion. Frea had never been to any special celebration that required her to have a special frock to be made.

Suddenly she was aware that one of the ladies had been speaking to her.
"Pardon, madam?" She asked as politely as she could.

"I asked if you had begun making a dress yourself?"

As Frea looked at them in astonishment the second lady spoke, "I have quite enought blue silk left over from a cloak I had made for my daughter two years ago and you are most welcome to have it if you could use it."

Frea blushed and her mouth opened and closed a couple of times without making any sound as she fought for which question she should pose first. At last she said, "I am sorry but are you sure I shall be invited to come to the dinner for the banner presentation."

"Of course you shall, my dear. We all shall. that is certain." The two ladies smiled and almost seemed to giggle as they launched into the conversation about their dresses. "I have asked my daughter and her friends to embroider trailing leaves up the outside of the sleaves, . . ."

"Green on green, then?" asked the second lady.

"That sounds lovely!" Frea said.

"Any ideas of what colour yours will be?"

"I have not really thought about it before. I never even considered . . ." Frea's voice trialed off.

"Would you like to have a look at that bit of silk I mentioned?"

"Oh yes, please. " replied Frea. She had never had anything made of silk before and it suddenly occurred to her that she might be expected to pay for something that expensive. "How much would you like me to pay for it?£ She asked hoping that her directness did not seem rude.

"Oh, my dear. Do not even consider that. If you can use it that is payment enought for me."

Smertin had rode hard that evening. Far from his home in the Wold, the young man was tired, perhaps moreso than his loyal grey steed, Marian. Approaching Edoras was a wonderful sight for the young man - he was but a country boy and seeing a city - quite modest by international comparisons - the size of Edoras was quite a lot to take in. It took what seemed like an age to ride the plain to the city itself.

Approaching the gate a man with a spear and a wooden buckler considered him and sharply allowed him to pass. His aim was to reach the hall of Meduseld and hopefully gain the counsel of the King. For the truth was that his happy little village was happy no longer, and he needed to inform his king of that fact.

Eowyn loved the freedom of riding she would practice her fighting skills while riding and she was very good at fighting from on top her horse or on her own two feet. She like all Rohhirrim loved their horses and would rather fight from on top of them than on foot. The advantage was good for two major reasons the speed of the horse and the height it gave them to see farther. The horses were as close to them as blood relatives are. They mourned the death of the horse as well as the rider. On the contrary today there was no mourning there was joy and happiness for such a day as today. Soon would be the celebration of Banners and the weather was great! Spring was a great time of year for Eowyn and she loved taking Windfola for long morning rides over the land of Rohan.

She was now heading back to Meduseld to get lunch and to do her duties as niece of the King. She would also make a stop by the Banner chamber and see the progress made on the Banner. It was a beautiful design of green with a white horse in the foreground. With Meduseld etched in the middle. The colors of gold, green and white were just magnificent to see, the last she had checked they were half way done with it and she hoped that with only a few days left that they would have it ready soon.

She was let through the gates and lead to the stables. Dismounting and removing the saddle she brushes Windfola down and cleans his hoofs of excess debris, after feeding and watering Windfola she heads to her chambers to change clothes and see to the afternoon meal.

Greeting several people in the halls she makes her way from her chambers to the Banner chamber on her way to see that lunch was being prepared and served. She makes her way to the Banner chamber and hears a commotion some ways away. Eowyn knew one of the voices it was a guard, she could not understand what he said but he did sound upset about something and thought she would ask him what it was about later if she got a chance.

Upon her arrival to the Banner Chamber she slows, she knows they will want to give her the attention that all gave her and her brother for being of the King’s family. She disliked this part of being of the royal family she liked being Eowyn not Eowyn niece to the King and that meant a lot of pomp and stance she had to deal with from the common folk. She peaked in to see what was going on and several of the ladies were talking to a new girl it must have been the latest person added to help move the preparations of the Banner along. She liked it that the new person was getting along with the others so nicely and from what she could tell they had made significant progress from when the last she had peaked her head around the corner. This made her happy and she saw that the servant set to wait on them noticed her. She put her finger to her lips and waved the other hand. She did not want to bother them and especially have them stop for her. She then sped past the door to the main halls of Meduseld and to see to lunch.

Anu, noticing Eowyn peeking in through the door, smiled and was about to get to his feet to be prepared to be of any assistance she would want, when she appearantly decided not to bother the banner makers. He nodded his understanding and remained seated. He sent his eyes back to the Banner Workers, carefully watching and listening, ready to give attention to any who needed his services. The work was coming along perfectly. He could tell it would be finished in a day or so, a little ahead of schedule. That, he knew, would please His Majesty greatly. But it would also give him time to make any changes if he didn't quite like the final results. Of course, that was the way they planned it. One wants to have time to approve of or make changes to a project like this. It had to be Perfect or else it would be done over or altered. But in Anu's mind, it was coming along perfectly. He new the King would love it. And especially Her Majesty, the Queen, whom it was a surprise for in the first place. He wondered how she was kept in the dark about it all this time. Wondered if she could some how find out about it before it was time. That must be why that guard outside was so abrupt with the stranger that approached. Fear that it was a spy sent by the Queen to see what was going on, perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. Time will tell, he thought to himself with a smile.

Frea looked up when the door opened and she saw the lady peep in. She felt certain that it was Eowyn the King's niece but she was not sure. As soon as the lady had closed the door behind her Frea turned to a lady working beside her. "Was that the Lady Eowyn? She is so young and so beautiful!" Several of the workers looked at her amused and nodded in agreement. Yes she was young and beautiful. They all agreed.

Frea got back to her work again with renewed strength. Somehow it seemed so much more real now that Eowyn had come to look in on them. She knew the time for the presentation was looming and their work had to be ready soon.

She noticed one or two of the workers packing away their needles and threads. She wondered if the work day had come to an end. She looked across at Anubauglir to see if he was preparing to leave. She felt tired and she was anxious toreturn home to tell her family about her day.

Eowyn made her way to the kitchen to meet with her friend Adi. As she approached she slowed her pace and relaxed she was running behind and would have been late to escort the meal to the main hall. Adi is the main cook in the Kings kitchen and also was the one to tell Eowyn about her friend Frea who was a seamstress.

Adi and Eowyn became friends when Eowyn and Eomer moved to Meduseld after their parents deaths. Both girls were about the same age and both were single. Eowyn made it her daily routine to see her friend and to escort the meal to the main hall. It was the only way to hear the city gossip and to know what was happening in the common folk’s lives.

Today was normal Eowyn was as usual running a bit behind and would have to chat with Adi more later.

“Good afternoon,” she said to the cooks and then greeted her friend Adi. “How are you doing this fine day,” she asked. Adi gave her the usual run down of things going on in town and about her family.

“Did you stop and chat with Frea.” Adi asked Eowyn.

“Oh, no, I was running behind and I really did not want to interrupt them, they looked so busy,” she replied. “But I guess I will need too after lunch, it was rude of me not to stop and see how Frea was doing,” she continued, “the banner looks like it is coming along nicely since I last checked in on the work.”

Adi nodded and loaded the food onto the trays. Eowyn envied Adi for her talented cooking abilities. Eowyn knew she could not cook as well but no one had ever told her how bad her cooking was, even Adi never told her how bad it was. No one had the nerve to say a word to the king’s niece.

Lunch was served and eaten as always it was delicious and everyone complimented the cook. Not sure what they had eaten or if they had even stopped to eat Eowyn took the leftover food with her to the banner chamber. She wanted to make sure they were cared for and had more than enough to keep them working hard on the new banner. She and her servant approached the chamber doors and heard talking and laughing. She paused and took a deep breath.

She looked at the servant and then nodded, they entered and the chatting and laughter died down. Eowyn pointed to the table and the servant put the tray down and then left for the kitchen.

“Good afternoon all,” she said, and then walked over to the banner to see the progress made on it. She gently handled the material, everyone else stopped working to let her see what they had done. “It looks wonderful, you all are nearly done with this,” she said to no one in particular.

She then put her gaze on Frea, “well meet, Frea, Adi said Hi and will see you tonight for dinner at her house,” Eowyn said. “How is everyone treating you, good I hope, Adi speaks highly of you.” Eowyn continued to look at the stitching work and tried not to appear annoyed that she was being stared at.

Frea held her breath as Eowyn came over and examined her work. She sat with her eyes growing wider and wider as the fine lady addressed her. She smiled at the mention of Adi's name and then was speechless when it was her turn to answer Eowyn's questions.

Slowly and carefully she stood and faced Eowyn and then bowed her head in polite greeting. "Lady, it is an honour to meet you. Adi has mentioned you to me and she speaks often of your kindness to her." Frea looked back down at her work and fumbled with words to speak next. She nearly forgot to thank the lady for the message about dinner. "Ah, and thank you for kindly delivering the message from Adi about dinner tonight. We are hoping to have a group of friends at Adi's place. She is such a good cook as is her mother. Well, her aunt and cousin also. It runs in her family much as sewing does in mine." Frea looked down again wondering if she had gone on too long. She felt so nervous talking to the King's niece. She could feel her cheeks blushing.