Hild was still trying to work out quite what her husband was up to at breakfast the following morning. She was talkative at the meal, hoping to find out a little more from him, and tucked into the porridge she had made. Paega was a little quieter, and ate less. He made appropriate replies to her, in a slightly distracted manner. He asked about how her idea for a written menu, for those few who could read, was coming along. He asked if she had found anyone yet to actually write in for her?

Dear diary, this morning I brought Freawine over to Egfor's farm. He said he could put my boy to work and a little soil never hurt anyone. I hope he behaves, no one ever said being a mother is easy. But he brings more warmth to my soul than anything else in this world. I can only hope that one day, he will come to understand how much I love him. My family did not believe in coddling, even in our wealthy upbringing. Of course, there were still the expectations of high society, to which I do not completely abhor.

The Aftermath

Why do I keep thinking people are intelligent, especially those who are from Breeland and Trestlebridge. Perhaps there is an addled brain monster living in this region and going around smacking the folk living here in the head with a mallet to keep them close-minded and with low intelligence. Whatever it is, it is making me crazy, and now that Egfor can feel my emotions, I need to do something about this. So I will try writing it out. Has helped me in the past with other problems.

It was another rainy morning in Imloth Melui, two days after Romenstar had healed the crippled woman in the Hall of the Gentle Hand.

A Serviceable Weapon

This story takes place the same evening as the trilogy "A Letter in the Library" took place.

"A lady walks gracefully, A lady does not scream or shout, she is patient and waits for the appropriate time to act." These words resounded in her mind as she awoke at dawn. Was she still the Lady that Rohan molded her to be? Did she ever meet such a standard? Those words in her mind once came from the lips of her own Mother. While Shield-Maidens were not necessarily forbidden in the land of her ancestors a Highborn's daughter was expected to embrace a specific type of femineity.