Sad Stories at Old Glories

A day after the picnic with Mr. Darkwold, she was yet again at the Pony. It was starting to feel more like a home to her than home did. She was playing some very doleful tunes on her harp, still feeling rather down when Mr. Baywillow noticed her, asking her what the matter was. After a little coaxing from him, she decided to confide in him about the captain. But she did not wish to speak about her experiences in the common room. Mr. Baywillow suggested they take a walk. He said he knew the perfect place, hardly anyone ever went there. So they left the Pony, walking towards the West Gate. She followed him to the Oldstone Ruins and they stood there for a while, chatting about this and that. He told her that the coat of arms on the wall was an old Dunedain relic. The ruins had been originally built by the Dunedain, but these ruins were all that was left of their former glory. Lieve was fascinated. This was not quite the same history that she heard from Mr. Willow at the Scholar's Stair. Then, for no apparent reason, Mr. Baywillow threw his cloak over the wall. Lieve could not restrain a giggle. She asked him why he had done it. He just shrugged, grinning under his mustache. After a while, Lieve finally began to speak of what was weighing down her heart. Mr. Baywillow listened quietly, stroking his mustache and nodding now and then. She was impressed by how well he listened. Just from looking at him you would not think he was the most clever man in the world, but his quick wit and and exciting tales had given him a special place in her heart. He had always been kind to her and now he was being even kinder. He seemed to understand better than any she had told her tale to yet. After a little digging through judicious questioning, she found out why. His tale was also of sorrow and heartache. He told her never to forget her captain. Even though it had not turned out well. He held that no one could ever replace another and it was wrong of people to try to usurp the place someone else held in a heart. She nodded thoughtfully. What he said was true. She would never forget the captain, he would always have a place in her heart. But in time, perhaps someone else would also find room there. Feeling better than she had since she arrived home so ingloriously, they started on the way home until Mr. Baywillow abruptly snapped his fingers and exclaimed 'Fer cryin'!' He had suddenly remembered his cloak. They went to fetch it, laughing about it, after which he walked her home.