Life in the Mark III (Free RP)

[Eldrith]

"Or in the mean time, she regained her memories.. went back to her family.. but was later convinced to run away.. " She suggested to Emila. "The problem is we have too many possibilities and not enough certainties. It could be that she is the same person, the description is very similar. But it could be someone who resembles her. It could be that Luthor is exactly who he says and seeks her out of concern. It could be that he seeks her out of genuine affection for other reasons. If she is hiding from others than him, he could hardly say who he was looking for and why. Or he could be someone that she is hiding from."

Eldrith was trying to be FAIR. She knew she wasn't always fair when it came to Gondorians. There were thousands of very nice ones. And even the ones she never wished to see again well.. most of that was on her, she thought. She remembered the Campian though and the expressions.. Drinking the last of her tea, the pubmistress sighed. It is no bad thing to lead a simple life. And she managed it. By snatches. This didn't HAVE to be her problem and yet she knew she couldn't walk away. THere was however a hint of a smile as she heard Eamila worry about the word of a grown man against their hearsay. Reaching out, one of her hands found the hobbits.

"We both have built something here, freond mine. We have built enough of a foundation for our own to be believed on. Even if what we have is second hand. Although it would indeed be a whole lot easier if you could stay here. Not in the least because we still haven't found an official healer ever since Amadhrill went home to tend to her family..." She admitted to Xyler but then shook her head, an idea starting in her head. "It was downright rude of Gwynneth to die, even though she was nearly ninety years old." But that was an unrelated problem. "You go. You learn what you can, and come back to us in a year's time, you hear? Oh, and do me a favor.. don't mention my name there. At all."

They would have forgotten. She was long forgotten. Twenty years, all those of rank would have retired... or died in the war. The young recruits though, those she had fed in her kitchen.. She stopped the derailing thoughts. They had also forgotten. A minor mystery that only fully encompassed her own life. As you mentioned Hadassa though.. she considered. She was already planning to head to the Golden Hall very early tomorrow. She could.. potentially ...

"You've an escort arranged, right? Healers are a very precious commodity at this time. And yes. Both Ea and I are .. considerably older than you." There was humor again, and an emphasis on considerably, as if you'd called them old to their faces. "Let us leave it here for tonight. You have a long journey ahead of you. I will speak to Feldmarshal Guthbrand tomorrow morning. Just to discuss our.. worries. What comes from it, comes from it. And to keep an eye out for Strawberry. If she shows up, either Ea or I will use Shortcake as a means for to make the connection, and hopefully gain some trust."

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith @Eamila Bolger

Xyler
Edoras - Aern Freablod

Xyler sipped his tea quietly while Eldrith spoke to Eamila. He didn't want to interrupt or anything. But when Eldrith spoke to him, he smiled and shook his head slightly, resting his cup on his knee. "Well, ma'am, I'm not really a full healer, you know? I'm only an apprentice.. and a new one, at that. I work in the infirmary. Sigrid is the healer in charge, there." He explained. Of course, he didn't mention that while he might only be a new apprentice, he had been doing this stuff his entire life, learning from his grandmother. That he already knew more about the healing profession than most apprentices did when they graduated from 'apprentice' status. But whatever.

He gave a small nod in reply to her saying to go on and learn what he could. "Thank you." He wasn't quite sure, exactly, where she meant they needed a healer. The inn? Or here? But he wasn't sure why they would need their own healer, when the infirmary tent wasn't all that far away. He decided not to ask. Partly because her request distracted him from further contemplating it. "Sure.." He couldn't help a puzzled glance at the woman, but he didn't ask why. "Can't see why I'd have any reason to, but I'll remember not to." He promised, even though he didn't understand why.

Thankfully, another question changed the topic again. "Uh, yes, I believe Sigrid sent a request to the cavalry, to ask for an escort for me. I don't know who it'll be, yet. But since I'm to travel all the way to Minas Tirith, and I have no fighting skills to speak of, they thought it would be smart to send someone along with me to protect me." He shrugged with a little smile. "I just hope it won't be some grouchy old veteran who'll make fun of me the whole way," He sighed. It'd be just his luck. He'd get one of the ones who'd criticize him for not knowing how to defend himself or something. He took another drink of tea, finishing if off.

Then, he grinned slightly at the lady's humor. "Right. I'm leaving early in the morning, so I'm sorry to dump this on you and then leave.. but, I figure it's better off for you and for Strawberry, if she's around, if you're informed about it all." He shrugged as he set his empty cup aside. "Thanks," He added, when she spoke of watching out for Strawberry. "Um.. she might appreciate it if you don't tell the feldmarshal about her," He mentioned, hesitant. Of course, he was only guessing, but he suspected that his friend would prefer not to have information about her spread from one person to another... that was why he had been hesitant to tell anyone about her at all.

[Eldrith]

"Sigrid is.. more than busy for now. And I believe there's a request being sent out for her to temporarily join one to one of the Eoreds" She added it with a sigh, it was one of the logistical problems she had not yet been able to solve. The war had taken many. Those that remained were overworked, and the last two years had seen families grow. It was a good thing, Life starting again. They needed healers everywhere. The Eored's were doing without basic field medics, which was one the reasons Sigrid was about to be sent out. If they could afford. The training was long and most of it was done from a young age. Many of the healers did not read or write, so it took years to take over that knowledge bit by bit...

"But do not worry about all that... you leave.. there is an escort provided. And you will let us know what you are learning." It was one of those were times when she said something as if it was fact, as if her words made it so. She expected to be kept appraised of how you fared. She could see the confusion when she asked not to have her name mentioned but did not further elaborate.

"I will be discrete. About Strawberry." That was all she promised there. Discretion. No, she did not know exactly what she would say. She had already determined that there would not be much sleep tonight. She'd rise even earlier than normal and visit the Dragon Room, wake the Feldmarhsal if needed. She wasn't quite sure if she was not exaggerating but in the absence of the First Marshal, keeping him informed was important. But that didn't mean he needed to know every detail. Her concerns about the man at the inn might be enough.

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith @Eamila Bolger

Xyler
Edoras - Aern Freablod

Xyler nodded in agreement. With him leaving Rohan, Sigrid would certainly be left busy. And there was only one other healer, and another apprentice, left in the Infirmary. So, if Sigrid was leaving to join an Eared, that would leave only them. He almost felt bad for leaving, but it hadn't been his idea to begin with. He'd been happy to accept the opportunity when it was offered, too. Well, he figured they'd be alright without him. It would be arrogant to assume that they couldn't get along without him there, right?

"Maybe after I'm an official healer, and not just an apprentice, I'll be asked to join an Eared as well." He mentioned thoughtfully, unsure how he felt about that. "My father was a medic with the cavalry," He mentioned. But he had gone into the cavalry, purposely. He'd already known all about healing from his mother, Xyler's grandmother. Thus, he had been readily accepted as a medic for his Eored when he enlisted. Ironically, he had not been killed because of his duties, but rather, during a visit home.

Xyler smiled again as he was encouraged not to worry about those he was leaving behind. But he was surprised when she asked for updates on his progress. "You want me to write to you?" He asked, finding that interesting. He'd only just met the lady today, and he could have laughed as it sounded like she wanted to be pen pals. He paused. "I mean, I was planning to write to my grandma, and to Hadassa, anyway. So, I'm sure I can manage to write a third letter, too." He promised, then, with a little grin slowly growing on his face, he added: "Well. If I'm going to write to update you about my progress, then I expect the same in return, concerning Strawberry." He declared. "If she shows up, or if she doesn't, what happens with that Luthor guy.. all that." He shrugged.

"I should probably get home though, so I can get to sleep. I have an early start tomorrow." He stood up, having finished his tea and the cookies that he had accepted. "Thank you for the tea and cookies," He added, smiling at them both. "It has been nice to meet both of you, Eldrith and Eamila."

[Merewyn]

Merewyn of Smoltwaeter (Age 8)
T.A. 2998
Springtime in Smoltwaeter: Pt. I

Merewyn was sitting on the bank of the little creek that ran along the length of the southern edge of her family farm, her toes dipping in and out of the water as she swished her feet around. It was a beautiful and cool morning in the early spring. Dew still sat atop the grass and on the branches of nearby trees, a soft cold wind blew from the north, and the sky shined bright and clear with nary a cloud in sight. Merewyn had awoken early and finished her morning chores in record time so that she could spend the rest of the morning and all the afternoon running around and exploring. With any luck her Uncle Edbert would return from his hunt today and come by the farm to teach her to shoot a bow like he promised. He was supposed to be back three days ago, but had not returned yet. Her father, Folcwine, told her not to worry. He said that Uncle Edbert was often away longer than planned because he hunted small game. If he hunted larger game he might return home immediately after successfully bringing down a large buck or the like, but as he mostly hunted for rabbits, beavers, and squirrels, he usually stayed out until he had filled his pack and saddlebags with game. Regardless, he had not yet come back to the village and Merewyn was certainly going to give him an earful about it. Promises were promises after all.

In the distance she could hear her father and mother yelling back and forth to each other from their cottage and stable. Folcwine was a horse-tamer by trade, priding himself in being able to rear and train even the most tempestuous of mounts. Her mother Eafled helped in this, but more often than not was busy with her own work of knitting and sewing. Every horse that was successfully worked with by her father was sent off with handmade goods from her mother; a blanket, grain bag, and colored tassels for their mane as well. Today they were shouting back and forth about Whitehoof, a particularly troublesome horse that her father had been working with for nearly three months. He had made some progress for certain, and was no longer immediately bucking Folcwine off of his back, but he was still more trouble than he was worth. At least that was what her mother said to her, before saying not to mention that to her father. He was certainly beautiful, but she had never approached him. The one time that she tried she was shouted and chased away by her father and received a proper lecture later that day about the dangers of approaching horses that didn't know her, especially ones that needed help like he did.

It sounded like their shouting match had something to do with needing more grain, as Merewyn saw her mother walk into the stable as her father rode off on the glorious white colt. She was in the stable for a few minutes before walking out, leading their family horse Butterwine by the reins. She began calling out, "Merewyn! Merewyn! Where are you?" The young girl swished her feet one last time in the creek before standing and rubbing her feet dry, as best she could, on the dirt of the bank. She pulled back on her stockings and boots and took a few step backs. With a few quick pouncing steps and one great leap she cleared the creek an landed on the farm side. She took off at a sprint towards her mother, waving her arms and shouting, "Here Mama! Here I am!" Already in the saddle, Eafled turned the horse towards her daughter as she ran up to her. "Child! Where have you been? Off climbing trees again? Or where you digging under the riverbank searching for Dwarf treasure, eh?" She tossed a quizzical look in Merewyn's direction, but her eyes were wide and betrayed the smile she tried to hide. "Ah, don't let me spoil your fun. But I have to go into town to get more feed for the horses, do you wish to come?"

Merewyn's eyes lit up. She didn't get to go to town very often, normally only to see family or for special events and holidays. She had never gotten to go to town for a supply run before. She nodded her head in acceptance and said, On one condition, Mama!" Eafled raised an eyebrow at her daughter's tone and said, "And what, would that condition be, my dear?"

She looked back up at her mother and smiled, before pulling herself up into the space directly in front of her mother in the saddle. Turning back to face her she said, "I get to hold Butterwine's reins."

[Isolde Alarion]

Swanholme
Outside of Edoras
Isolde w/ son Orlin 12 yrs and Blaise 9yrs
@Rillewen

She came down the porch steps with her pack on her shoulder and another travel pack hanging from her left hand. "Hurry up Boys!" She yelled for them over her shoulder. "We can't get there if we never leave!" She added as she came to stand beside her horse. The bay stood patiently as she tied the packs on the back of her saddle. When finished she rest her right arm on the seat and looked back at the house.

Her blue eyes sparkled with amusement as she smiled at hearing the chaos of them coming down the stairs inside. She flicked her long russet braid back over her shoulder as she adjusted her cloak. "Orlin! Don't forget your cloak this time! Blaise, make sure you get enough apples to last you a couple days! There are few markets along the way!"

In the upstairs room Orlin grabbed his pack and slung it over his shoulder, he was in a hurry. Waiting for this trip had been torment but the morning had finally arrived! He was going to stay with his Father for awhile, finally of age to learn the ways of his elven lineage. Although the blood of the Rohir coursed through his veins he more so resembled his fathers people. Taller and slimmer then most Rohiric children his own age with blonde hair that flowed down past his shoulders. Striking blue eyes and symmetrical features it was apparent he was his fathers son.

He met Blaise at the top of the steps. "Have everything?" He quickly asked before the two took the steps at a rapid pace. Just as they hit the bottom step he was reminded to grab his cloak. "I'll be right back!" He told Blaise as he took the steps back up two at time. In his room he grabbed his cloak and turned on his heel to head back down.
Meanwhile Blaise was met at the bottom step by the cook, Mira, with a pack tied shut. Apples nearly spilling out. "I hope this last you more then a day." She smiled at the boy and took him by the chin to tilt it up so she could press a light kiss on his forehead before letting him go. "Be good! Have fun! She brushed at his forehead with her hand towel. Just then Orlin arrived and she gave him his own pack of snacks then once more she pressed a kiss to his forehead before they both headed for the door. She followed along behind to come to stand on the porch as the boys rushed to their horses.

Issy went to help Blaise tie up his packs. "We'll be back in two weeks Mira, I'll send word if longer." She spoke while giving Blaise a helping hand into the saddle. She pat his leg as he got settled. He'd come a long way with his riding in the three years since he'd come to live with them. He rode the grey gelding, trusted and reliable. Meanwhile Orlin mounted his own horse, a grey dappled mare. The only filly Isoldes own mare Anlicar ever had, the same mare that now looked over the fence rail as if insulted she wasn't going with them.

Settling into his seat and adjusting his reins Orlin looked at his mother. "We can't get there if we never leave." He grinned as he teased her, she held a hand up in defense. "Alright. Alright." She took her reins and with practiced effort she was quickly settled in her seat. "Be well Mira." She spoke as she turned her horses head to leave.
Orlin took that as his que and waved at Mira to which she waved back.

They started off at a slow trot. "Orlin looked over at Blaise. "I think she packed some cookies in there too!!" His nose was rarely wrong when it came to smelling Miras cookies. He grinned at him.

[Rillewen]

Blaise (9)
Swanholme
Outside of Edoras

His packing was almost done when he heard her call to hurry up. He had everything in there that he actually needed. But he hesitated for a moment, gazing at his cherished toy before deciding that he could not be parted from it. It didn't matter if they didn't plan on being gone long. It didn't matter that the wooden figure was old and worn, the paint rubbed off in many places. The boy had always insisted that his knight protected him, and when he was little, he wouldn't part with him. The toy "knight" wore shades of green and leather along with a tiny white tree emblem on its chest, and anyone who knew much about it would have identified him as a ranger, rather than a knight, but the boy had been too little to know any differently when he was parted from his family. He carefully placed him into his pack, among his clothing. The horse was a little harder to fit, but he made room. Haldir couldn't go anywhere without his trusted steed, after all!

After his most treasured possessions were stowed safely into his pack, he grabbed it and hurried out. "I think so!" He answered Orlin, before the two boys made a race out of who could get down the stairs first. Of course, his 'brother' was faster, being older and a half-elf, but Orlin then turned back after being reminded of his cloak. Blaise grinned; his own cloak was tossed over the arm of a chair, where it had ended up after he came in from playing earlier.

A surprise met him at the bottom of the stairs, though. Mira, who knew his love of apples, delivered an unexpected gift to the boy. His blue eyes lit up with excitement as he peeked inside and saw apples. "Thanks Mira!" It had taken him a while, after he came to live with them, before he could call the lady Mira. For some reason, his little brain kept trying to turn it into Mora, although he did eventually get it right and he no longer struggled with saying her name wrong.

The pack full of apples was heavy, and he let it drag the ground while going to the horses. Waiting while the packs were positioned and tied onto the horses, which he could not reach, Blaise grew thoughtful, pondering on something that had been turning around in his mind for a while. "What will I do while Orlin is visiting with his father?" He wondered, curious about the plan for him. Because, while the two had become like brothers over the past three years, the small boy never forgot that he had his own family, somewhere out there. He just didn't bring it up often, because he didn't even know where to look for them.

After getting on his horse with help from Isolde, Blaise tucked his feet into the stirrups, adjusted to just the right length for his short legs, and picked up the reins to keep the horse from trying to wander off before he was ready. Then, "Ohh, I wonder if there's apple cookies?" Blaise replied to Orlin's observation about the cookies, half being silly, but also half hopeful. Apples and cookies, combined? That'd be the best!

And then it was time to set off. He tried to remember not to simply sit in the saddle and bounce around while the horses trotted along, but to use the stirrups and move up and down along with the motions of the horse so he didn't get bounced and jostled. About the time they were far enough that the house was no longer visible to them, he remembered that he had been going to ask if they could bring his aunt's sword along, in case they needed to use it to protect themselves from orcs or something. But there weren't any orcs around these days, right? He frowned and thought about that a little. Then he remembered that scary guy, from years ago. Orcs weren't the only dangers in the world, which was perhaps a concept that a boy his age shouldn't have to think about. But he did.

"Wait," He spoke up. "Should we have brought my aunt's sword?" He wondered. Maybe it wasn't too late to go back for it. "What if we run into bad people on the road?"

[Isolde Alarion]

Swanholme outside of Edoras
w Orlin and Blaise
@Rillewen

When Isolde was asked by Blaise what he would be doing while Orlin was with his Father she looked at him and smiled. "Have no worries, I plan on a couple fun things for us to do." She answered and pat him on the shoulder then went back to gettng them ready.

They were just about to set into their pace when Blaise called for them to wait. She pulled up her horse and looked at him as he voiced his concern for bad people on the road and perhaps needing his aunts sword. For a moment she almost shook her head no, she wore her own short sword and various throwing daggers and a knife but she could tell it was important for him. "You're very right Blaise, can never be too prepared out here." She looked over at Orlin.

"Orlin, hurry and head back to the house and retrieve the sword. You know where it is, be mindful with it." She instructed her son who she trusted to handle the weapon. He'd been taught from a young age to use and respect weapons. He nodded and looked at Blaise with a reassuring smile. "Be right back." He clicked and heeled his mare and the two galloped away till they disappeared. She looked back at Blaise. "He'll be careful with it, I promise."

Reaching the house Orlin did a quick dismount and ran up the stone steps into the house where Mira was just starting to clean up. She was surprised to see him and not Isolde. "Forget something?" She could hear him heading down the hall to his mothers room. "Blaises sword!" He called back to her as she came around the hall corner to watch him and hear him better, which she really had no problem doing. "Didn't know you were taking it or I would have had it ready this morning. " She answered, absently wiping her hands.

"We weren't but he asked for it, in case of trouble you know?" He answered as he came out of the room with the sword carefully in hand. "Be mindful with that, sharp as a houndstooth it is." She cautioned him as he went past. "Yes Ma'am." She followed him out and held it as he pulled himself into the saddle again and took the reins, then reached for it. She handed it over and smiled at him. "Have a safe trip." she pat his leg then stepped back as he smiled back, turning his horse to head back to where his mother and Blaise waited. "Bye Miraaaa!" He called back to her as he faded into the treeline.

Hearing hoofbeats Issy looked over to see Orlin coming with sword secured on his saddle. He pulled up beside her. "Here you are Mother." He handed it over. Issy gave it a lookover as she took it. It was a very nice sword and had often looked at it too see if there might be some clue to it's owner for Blaises sake. Some initials or insignia but she couldn't really see anything that stood out. She secured it alongside her own sword. "There we are Blaise, it'll be safe here." She reassured him knowing how important it was to him.

She then smiled at both the boys. "Now where were we?" She turned her mount and encouraged the boys to follow along.

[Rillewen]

Blaise (9)
Outside of Edoras

Fun things? He wanted to ask what fun things they were going to do. His curiosity was great! He tried to imagine some of what sort of ideas she might have, and it wasn't until after she had sent Orlin off to retrieve the sword, that Blaise gave up trying to imagine. "What'll we get to do? What fun things? I wanna know!" He grinned, eager to find out. It was super exciting!

As for Orlin, Blaise had no worries that his brother would be careful with the sword. They were much older now than they'd been when they'd sneaked off to retrieve it from the old, dilapidated shack where Maewen had left him. Sometimes, Blaise would ask about going back there, to check if his aunt might have returned. But there was never any sign of her, and the boy couldn't make sense of what would be keeping her away. Unless.. well, he knew that people sometimes die, but he didn't want to think about that. Not with someone he loved. So, he tried not to think about that possibility.

When Orlin returned, Blaise was glad to see the sword with him. It really was a beautiful weapon. Even as young as he was, he could appreciate what sort of workmanship must have gone into making it, even if he didn't know all there was to know about it. He remembered that Maewen had treasured it, but his memories of his time with her were fading slightly. Having her sword nearby, made him feel like he wasn't forgetting her. "Thanks." He said to Orlin, for going to get it. He smiled, happy that they now had another weapon to protect themselves with. Just in case.

"How long'll it take to get there?" He wondered, turning to look at Isolde, now. "There's not any bandits around, right?" His forehead wrinkled slightly in concern before he switched to a nicer question. "Are we gonna camp under the stars tonight? Will we get to cook over a fire?" He asked, blue eyes wide with curiosity. Once, many years ago, he sort of halfway remembered a lot of that sort of thing. But it was a distant memory, now. And the notion of it seemed exciting, now. "Can me and Orlin help make a tent if we camp? OH! And we can get firewood, right Orlin?" He was full of questions, and it seemed that Isolde was in danger of having them come at her nonstop, until another thought occurred to him. "Ohh, I got an idea! Let's play a game while we ride? Do you know any?" He asked that question in general, including both Orlin and Isolde.

[Isolde Alarion]

Isolde with son Orlin and Blaise 9
Outside of Edoras
@Rillewen

Issy had to laugh at Blaises curiosity and at how many questions the boy had. She settled them into a nice pace before attempting to answer some of them. "Fear not Blaise, you won't parish of boredom. i assure you." She grinned.
Orlin smiled in reply to Blaises thanks for going to get the sword.

"No bandits, yes we'll be camping under the stars tonight and we'll have a fire too." She made a small guessing sound as she thought of how long it would take them. "We could be in the white city in a couple days, perhaps three if we really take our time and yes you two can make a tent when we camp."

Orlin grinned at Blaise when he heard that. He liked making tents and "roughing it" as it were. "it's going to be so much fun!" He told Blaise. "A game?! That's a great idea!" He thought for a moment. "I have an idea! I'll say something I see and you have to guess what I'm looking at."

"I'll go first. I see something blue." He tried not to give it away.

[Rillewen]

Blaise (9)
Traveling!

He grinned as he was promised that he wouldn't perish of boredom. He hadn't really expected to be bored, but he was curious what to expect. The White City sounded very exciting! He assumed they'd probably get to explore the city, and see all of the things. But there was still plenty of time when Orlin would be with his father, and Blaise... well, thinking about that made him miss his own family. His parents, his sisters, and his brother. He had dim memories of them, but he'd been so very little when he and Maewen left there. And he wondered often why they had left without the rest of the family. His imagination had explored every possibility that his young mind could think of, but without knowing anything about Maewen's reasons, he had no idea what had happened.

But he didn't let his thoughts dwell on the past, nor on the sadness that accompanied his occasional moments of homesickness. They were going to get to camp under the stars tonight! He was excited to hear that he and Orlin would get to make the tent. "Yay!" He cheered. It was always fun to get to do something different than the usual.

Orlin started off the game with asking Blaise to guess a blue thing that he saw. He looked around, trying to see if any of them had any bits of blue in their clothing, or on their horses. Then he looked around at nature, but the only thing he could see that was blue, was... "The sky?" he guessed with a grin.

[Rillewen]

(Private - a character backstory thing)

Dina (age 5)
Many years ago
Somewhere in the area where Eastfold meets Firienholt

White, puffy clouds drifted lazily across a pale blue backdrop. A gentle breeze stirred the long grass around Dina, and she breathed in the sweet scent of the meadow grasses. Feeling something tickling her leg, she squirmed and sat up, brushing off a little beetle that was crawling on her knee. Already somewhat bored of gazing at the clouds, she decided to do something else instead. A little further ahead, there was a creek, and she decided she was hot enough to splash around in it. The little girl scrambled up to her feet and took off running through grass taller than she was, giggling merrily.

Emerging from the wide open prairie, to enter into the shade beneath the tall oaks that made up the forest here, the small girl climbed onto a big, moss-covered boulder and looked down at the glimmering water as it flowed past, following a course that had been set for it long before she was born. Dina wondered how long ago the creek had come to exist, and thought maybe she’d ask her mother when she got home. By then, of course, she might have a dozen other questions to ask and would forget about that one, maybe. But in this moment, she planned to ask it. Slipping down the moss-covered rock, she laughed as the cold water splashed up around her knees. She spent a while there, splashing and playing in the water. Momma had told her to stay in the shallow parts always, so she didn’t venture into the deep part. Besides, she didn’t know how to swim, and Momma had said there might be big fish lurking down in the deep parts. So she stayed here, where it was safe.

When she started to feel cold, Dina left the creek and ran through the trees, back toward the sunny grass on the other side of the forest. She climbed up onto a fallen tree at the edge of the woods, staring out across the prairie toward the very distant mountains. The child wondered where her momma was, right now, and if she was out there in those mountains, exploring and having adventures. Then she turned and looked the other way. Was she out that way, somewhere? She wished she would’ve asked her in which direction she was going to explore. She always told Dina about her adventures when she came home, and she looked forward to hearing the tales. But it made her feel better when she knew where she’d be coming from when she returned. Sighing, she hopped down from her perch and wandering through the woods. Soon, she found herself strolling along the creek’s bank, and since she knew there was a tree full of berries located in this direction, she decided to go get some of those to eat.

Along the way, she stopped to pick some pretty flowers, smiling as she tried to work the stems into her braids. Those were getting a bit messy, since Momma had been gone a few days by now, and Dina didn’t know how to braid her own hair. But the flowers prettied her braids up nicely, she thought, and she smiled happily. Moving on once this was accomplished, she found her way to the mulberry tree that she liked so much. She had learned a long while ago that if she climbed up the small oak tree growing beside it, then she could reach a branch with a lot of fruit on it. It wasn’t easy, being so small and having to climb such a tall tree, but hunger drove her to do whatever was necessary. Who knows when Momma would be home, after all. She had to take care of herself when Momma was away.

After she’d eaten whatever she could reach of those, Dina carefully climbed down from the tree. Once she was on solid ground again, she wiped her juice-stained hands on her patched dress, entirely ignorant of the purplish coloring around her mouth. There were better things to worry about, after all. So she wandered onward, remembering to keep track of how to find her way home. She only had to follow the creek to get back to a place she recognized, and then she knew the way from there.

For the time being, however, she was intent upon exploring. There was a shallow place here, and she waded across on the pebbly streambed, then crawled up the muddy bank on the other side, grabbing roots for handholds. After coming out into the woods on the other side, Dina giggled as she began following a butterfly as it fluttered around. When it finally stopped, she stopped as well. Staring, not at the butterfly, but at the flowers it had landed on. There was a whole mass of flowery vines here, covering a large section of shrubs that were growing near the bank. It was so pretty! She marveled at the way the vines wrapped around the bushes and spread out, so that everything in this area was covered in flowers. She breathed in the lovely scent, turning around and around as she noticed more trees here, along the bank, all covered in these pretty yellow and white flowers that smelled so sweet.

After admiring this sight for a while, the little girl went over to the nearest one, taking hold of one of the branches. It took some effort to break it off, but she did, eventually. She would take this home and make it grow around their house! It would be very nice to have these pretty flowers growing all over the walls, making the house look prettier.

After she’d had enough of admiring the vine flowers, Dina wandered back toward the creek. She was still hungry, so she went looking for some of those ‘leaky’ plants Momma had shown her how to gather. It took her a little while to get to the patch where they grew, and she was getting a bit tired by the time she found the patch. There weren’t a lot of them left, being this late in the summer, but she gathered as many of the onion-y leaves as she could carry, being careful to leave the root part in the ground, like Momma said. Then she sat down on the riverbank and rubbed any dirt off of the leaves before eating them. She wasn’t old enough to start a fire, Momma said, so she couldn’t cook them or anything. But they were alright raw, even if they were a bit crunchy and tough.

After finishing what she could eat of her leeks, Dina laid back, stretched out on the muddy creek bank. She was feeling a bit tired from wandering so far, so she let her eyes close while she dozed off for a little while. The sound of the gently bubbling stream played in the background of her dreams while she napped. It was maybe an hour later when the sound of approaching hooves awakened her. Dina sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, and looked around. The sky was growing dark by now, and she realized she probably better hurry back home before it got really dark. But who was coming? Momma had told her to hide if ever any strangers came around, so she figured she better hide, just in case.

Crawling over to a big rock, she crouched behind it and looked to see if she might recognize the horse. And she did! Once she recognized both the horse and rider, Dina grabbed her broken-off flower vine from beside her, and ran to meet her. “Momma!” She called happily, waving to get her attention before she went past her.

Bronwethel
Returning home from 'adventures'

Hearing the small voice calling out, Broni pulled her horse to a stop and waited with a patient little smile until her small daughter had caught up to her. She didn’t ask what she was doing so far away from home. She simply reached down a hand, while Dina reached up to her. Broni pulled her up to sit in front of her on the horse.

“I missed you! I didn’t know you were coming home today!” Dina grinned happily. “Look!” She pointed to her braids. “Isn’t it pretty?”

“Well… you’re covered in mud,” Broni pointed out with a little laugh. “But I’m sure that it was pretty, before the mud.”

“I put flowers in, see?” Dina grinned over her shoulder at her mother, simply happy that she was home now. “And look what I found!” She added, thrusting the piece of vine toward her. “What is it, Momma?”

Broni had to lean back slightly to avoid it being shoved in her face. “Uh, that is honeysuckle.” She identified the wilted-looking branch after a closer look. “It smells nice, doesn’t it?”

“It smells so sweet!” Dina agreed. “I want to make it grow on our house. Can we?”

“Oh, well, I don’t think it’s going to work, Dina. See, it needs to stay in the ground, or it’ll just wilt and die.” She explained. “See, how it’s already wilting?”

“Oh.” Dina’s face fell as she examined her vine branch, no longer looking as nice as it was when she picked it. “Well, let’s hurry and get home, so I can put it back in the ground!” She asked, anxious.

Broni laughed softly. “I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that, sweetie.” Reaching around Dina, while holding the reins in one hand, she pointed to the broken-off part. “See, there aren’t any roots on it. They have to have roots or it won’t work.”

Dina frowned, studying the branch, thinking on that. She decided that she’d try it anyway, just in case it worked. And if it didn’t, then she’d just go back to the place where she found it, and she’d dig up some roots and bring it to their house to plant. That should work, right?

“You smell like onions,” Broni mentioned, amused. “Have you been eating leeks?”

“Uh huh, I got hungy.”

Broni nodded and didn’t say anything more about that. They reached the house, and Broni helped her daughter down from the horse before dismounting. “Is there water in the house?” She asked, having not been here in a few days.

“Yes. I filled the water thingy.” Dina assured her. That was one chore that she was supposed to do every day, and so she tried to always remember to do it.

“Then please wash your hands and your face, at the very least.” The mother requested with a little smile. “I’ll be in just as soon as I finish with the horse, and then I’ll fix some supper.”

“Alright!” Dina skipped happiliy into the house, then she remembered the vine. She ran back outside, walking around to the side of the house. Picking a spot, she scooped some dirt away with her hands, put the broken end of the plant into it, and patted the dirt back in around it. “There. Now, you grow, and get pretty.” She instructed, before hurrying inside to do as she had been instructed.

Broni passed by the house, saw the sad looking vine sticking out of the dirt, and shook her head in amusement. In a few days, it would be dead, but whatever. She went inside and put down her saddlebags and her weapons, then began loading the cabinets with food. “I got you something, Dina.” She mentioned, glancing over as her daugher emerged with... mostly clean hands and face, although the rest of her was still quite dirty. She didn’t really have a way to clean her up though, except in the creek. And it was too late in the day for that, so she would worry about that tomorrow. They probably could both use a bath, and she’d need to wash clothes.. ugh. Definitely putting that stuff off until tomorrow. At times like that, she missed the life of Gondorian nobility which she’d been raised in.

“What is it?” Dina asked excitedly, running over to see. “What’d you get me?”

Broni smiled and pulled out a small bow, which was actually a little taller than Dina. “Well.. you’ll grow,” She said with a little laugh, once she saw how much bigger it was than her. “I’ll show you how to use it, tomorrow.” She produced some arrows, too, sized to the bow.

Dina studied it with wide eyes, then looked up at her mother. “What’s it for?” She wondered. “Am I gonna go with you next time?” She brightened happily at the thought of accompanying her mother on her mysterious adventures.

“No,” Broni shook her head with a slightly sad little smile. “This is so you can hunt rabbits and birds and other things that you can eat,” She explained. “And I’m going to show you how to make a fire, and how to cook meat.” She informed her. It was a concern that had been tugging at her, and she wanted the girl to know how to provide herself with food if necessary. Just in case Broni had to stay away longer than she intended to.

Dina looked at the bow again, thoughtful. She was a mixture of curious and eager, and disappointed and sad. She had really hoped that maybe she’d get to go with her momma, next time she went away. She hated being all alone for days and days. But, she was also curious to learn how to shoot a bow, and she was eager to try and learn this thing, because it was something her mother would have to take the time to show her. She threw her arms around her and hugged her. “Thanks, mommy!”

Broni smiled softly, hugging her briefly. “Now come on over here. I want to show you how to do this.” She revealed a couple of rabbits that she had already killed along the way. Taking a skinning knife from a kitchen drawer, she began to show her daughter exactly what to do to get the edible parts, then she showed her the simplest way to cook it.

Dina tried to pay close attention, though she wrinkled her nose. She really didn’t like having to watch the poor bunnies getting their fur cut off. “How’d you learn all that?” She wondered, curious to learn more about her momma.

Broni paused, brushing a bit of her hair back behind her ear. “Someone I knew long ago, taught me.” She answered quietly.

Dina swung her feet below the table, bouncing her heels on the bar that formed a brace for the chair legs. “Who was it?” She persisted. “I don’t know anyone but you. Why don’t anyone live near us?”

Broni sighed, shaking her head at the child’s questions. “Because that’s where we chose to live.” She explained.

“We?” Dina tilted her head in puzzlement. She didn’t remember choosing anything like that…

“Me, and.. the friend I once had.” Broni explained. “We went traveling for a while. Then we decided to live here. Then, my friend didn’t want to live here anymore, but I.. stayed. And then you came and joined me.” She was trying hard to be evasive about the matter that the girl was too young to properly understand.

Dina wrinkled her forehead as she tried to make sense of it, then she nodded and decided that it probably made some sort of sense to her mother. “I met a butterfly today. She showed me where the honey.. honey stuff was.” She informed her, instead.

“Honeysuckle,” Broni smiled, relieved that the topic had changed. She put the meat on to cook, and then washed up the prep area. “I noticed you planted the honeysuckle branch, anyway.” She mentioned. “Even though I told you it wouldn’t grow.”

“I thought it might grow.” Dina explained, her eyes big and hopeful. “Will it, Momma?”

“No.” Broni answered, bluntly truthful. “It won’t, because you broke it off from its root.” She frowned, taking a moment to think how to explain it. “Imagine if.. if you pulled off the wing of that butterfly. You wouldn’t expect the wing to keep on flapping, would you? The butterfly would just.. be without a wing. And the wing would die and be useless.”

Dina listened, and tears began to form as she understood. Her lip quivered as she was on the verge of bursting into tears.

“Don’t cry,” Broni spoke gently, pulling her close in a hug. “It’s not that terrible. You didn’t know. And people pick flowers all the time, and put them in vases. It’ll be alright. The mother vine will grow more vines. It’s not exactly the same as the butterfly. But now, do you understand why plants can’t grow without their roots?”

Dina sniffled, struggling not to cry as this concept hit home. She nodded while trying to hold back tears. Once she had calmed down a little, she asked, “What if I.. dig up.. some of the roots, Momma? Can I move it to a different place, and put it in the dirt, and will it grow and live?”

Broni nodded slowly. “Yes, it should.” She answered thoughtfully. “If you don’t damage the roots, it should be able to grow, I think. But it might take a bit for it to adjust to being moved to a new place…”

“I wanna put the honey-sulk stuff around our house, but not if it’s going to die.” Dina explained.

Broni sighed softly, thinking for a moment, then she smiled. “Well, I have an idea. How about, tomorrow, when we go out to learn archery, you can show me where the honeysuckle is growing, and we can pick out a vine to take home? I’ll help you dig it up and we’ll plant it.”

Dina brightened at this idea. “Alright!” She agreed happily.

By the end of the day, she had taught Dina the basics of shooting arrows, and they ended up planting three vines along the edge of the house, and then they both went to the creek and washed all the mud away before having supper. It was a wonderful day. Dina loved it when her momma was home, because she could curl up with her instead of having to sleep by herself. It felt so much more safe and comfortable with her mother holding her, and she slept more soundly while momma was there. Even if it was only for a short time.

[Rillewen]

(Private - a character backstory thing)

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Bronwethel & Dina (age 7)
Some years ago
Somewhere in the area where Eastfold meets Firienholt

A hole was carefully dug, using her hands mostly, and a small spade her mother had brought her. The roots of a lovely little red flower she’d found was carefully coaxed into the hole. The dirt which was packed around the roots filled most of the hole, and she gently pushed some of the loose dirt in to fill in the rest of the space. She finished by patting the rest of the dirt into a little mound over the top, around the stem. A bright red poppy plant now brightened up each of the little flowerbeds that Dina had created at the front of the house, adding a splash of red among the white, yellow, pink, purple, and blue flowers that cheerily grew in harmony on either side of the door. She had planted many things there, in the last couple of years. Along the side east of the house, honeysuckle nearly covered the wall, except around the window where Broni and Dina had trimmed it, so it wouldn’t cover the window. That was the side which got the most sun, and the plant was thriving. On the other side of the house, she had planted some bushes which bore big, bright orange flowers, and these drew butterflies to come and visit their home. Dina loved them, although she’d had to go very far to get it. In fact, she’d had to wait for her mother to be home, so they could take the horse, and so Momma could help her dig up a few of them and bring them home.

Sitting back after she had completed her planting, Dina brushed her muddy hands on her stained dress and stood up. She smiled at her work. Very pretty. But there was something missing. Her smile turned to a frown. She had to find another color of flower to add to the flowerbed! With that thought foremost in her mind, the young girl grabbed her spade and ran off into the meadow, hair streaming behind her. She was trying to think, going through every flower color she had seen, in hopes of finding a new one to add to the flowerbed.

Her bare feet took her far across the fields, without caring which way she went. She just ran aimlessly, until suddenly, she spotted a patch of peach flowers! Then she stopped, panting for breath, smiling as she made her way closer, searching for the perfect one. At last, she found the one she wanted. She sat down and examined the ground around it, parting some of the other plants away as she tried to make sure that if she dug it up, she wouldn’t harm any other plants near it. Then she carefully pushed the spade into the dirt, cutting a little circle into the soil around the unknown, peach-colored plant. Next, she grabbed a dirty piece of cloth from her pocket, which she used to transport her plants back home. Using her spade, she eased the plant gently out of the dirt, then wrapped the old cloth around it. It was a piece cut from one of her old dresses, which her mother had suggested she could use.

With her plant safely wrapped in its cloth, she laid it aside, then found a second plant which she dug up in the same manner. Once she had two matching flowers in hand, Dina stood up and grabbed her spade, then set off back across the field toward home. She didn’t run, so not to jostle the plant, but she happily looked at her flower while she walked. It took much longer to reach home this way, but she got there eventually. Once she had finished planting them in the flowerbeds, she stepped back and admired her work. There. Now, her flowerbeds were complete. “Momma, come see!” She called, happy to show her mother. Since Broni didn’t come right away, Dina ran to find her, behind the little barn where they kept their horse. “Momma!” She called. She knew her mother was here, somewhere, but she hadn’t seen her in a few hours, as she had been busy doing some chores and stuff she needed to do.

Broni looked up from sharpening her sword. “Keep back, Dina, this is sharp.” She warned her.

“Mommy, I finished the flowerbeds. You should see, it looks so pretty!” She said happily.

“Oh, really?” Broni paused, then set her weapon aside. “Alright. Let’s go and see, then.” She decided, figuring she could come back to her own project in a minute. After admiring her daughter’s handiwork with the flowers, Broni told her how pleased she was and how pretty it looked. “Alright, now I have to finish what I was doing, alright? You run and play now, alright?” She suggested. “Maybe you could wash some of that mud off,” She added with a little laugh at how muddy the girl had become. She always got muddy, because she was always digging around in the dirt. Broni’s own parents would’ve had a fit if she ever looked like that, she thought with amusement.

“Alright!” Dina said cheerily. Tossing her spade down, the girl skipped off into the field again.

“Dina,” Broni called. “Don’t forget your bow.” She suggested.

Dina, giggling as she ran around, arms thrown out to either side, paused and looked back at her. She nodded and ran back to the house, grabbing the weapon from her room. She didn’t really like to carry it around, for it impeded upon her playing, but her mother didn’t like her to go a long way from home without it. So, now she ran to the creek to play and splash in the water. She slowed her pace as she neared the creek. Tossing her bow and arrows down on the bank, she then stepped onto a wide, fallen tree that bridged the creek at a place where it was deep enough for swimming, then she stopped in the middle. After only a brief hesitation, she jumped in, with a happy shriek at the cold spring water. Emerging, she gasped and pushed her wet hair out of her face. The water felt delightfully cold! She swam around for a little while, then took a little time to rub some of the mud out of her clothes. It was the quickest way to keep herself, and her clothes, clean.

After she had swam for a while and had begun to shiver, Dina climbed out of the pool and wrung out the skirt of her dress as well as she could, then held the damp fabric up around her knees so it wouldn’t hinder her walking as she left from the creek and went back out to the sunny meadow, on the other side of the creek from home. There, she fell back on the grass and spread her skirt out so that the sun would dry it. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the warmth on her skin, smiling as she began to warm up after her swim.

After a long while, as she started feeling like she might just doze off there, Dina sat up and spread her skirt out around her, so it would still be able to dry in the sun. Momma had explained to her that it was fine to pick some of the flowers. Because some flowers grow and then die, and their seeds drop and grow new flowers the next year. And she said that picking them would only make their seeds fall in a new place, so it was alright. Therefore, Dina picked a few daisies, and began braiding her hair. She began weaving the stems into her hair as she braided it. Then, as she began to run out of hair to braid, she wrapped her braid around her head and tucked the end into another part of the braid, trying to make it secure so it would stay. Curious fingers felt her head carefully, imagining that her hair must look really pretty.

By the time she did all that, she was only slightly damp. Dina was thinking about running back to the creek to look at her reflection in the water, or maybe she could run home and ask Momma if she could look at her sword to see herself. But at that moment, she heard a noise and looked up, startled. A man on a horse was approaching, riding along through the grass. Dina froze, staring at them. This was not a horse she recognized. She frowned, keeping very still, half-hidden in the tall grass, watching him warily. She wasn’t sure who this might be. A breeze made the grasses around her sway and bend, and the man spotted her, keeping still while the grass moved around her.

“Hello!” He called out, wearing a smile as he turned his horse slightly, going toward her now.

Dina hastily got to her feet and backed away a step, wishing she had a better place to hide.

“It’s alright,” He assured her. “I’m a friend of your mommy’s.”

Dina frowned and took another step back.

“I’ve heard all about you,” He went on. “Your mommy is always talking about you.” He smiled. “Is she here?”

Dina didn’t answer, still trying to decide whether he was alright or not.

“Do you talk?” he asked with a little laugh, as if trying to make a joke instead of being annoyed.

Dina thought for a moment, then said quietly, “Momma says not to talk to strangers.”

“Ah,” He nodded in understanding. “That’s very smart, yes. But I’m not a stranger, remember? I’m a friend of your mother’s. And she asked me to come find you.”

Dina frowned at this. That seemed… odd. Momma never did that. She let Dina run around as much as she wanted to. Even when she was home for a few weeks, she didn’t mind if Dina played far from home, all day long. As long as she got home by sundown, Momma didn’t mind. She watched him for a moment longer, then she turned and ran as fast as she could toward home.

“Wait, come back!” He called after her. He made his horse walk faster and began to catch up to her.

Dina pushed herself to run faster, frightened by this guy. Her heart was racing, and she realized of course that his horse could run much, much faster than she ever could. She didn’t know who this guy might be, and she didn’t really know what to do. She ran across the fallen log faster than she ever had before. Honestly, it was amazing that she didn’t end up falling off, but somehow, she didn’t. Hopping down once she reached the other side, she kept running. Fortunately, she knew this area well, and the man did not. She knew all the good places to hide, and she could run through small spaces that the man could not.

After she’d crawled through a little tunnel that she’d partly found, and partly made earlier this year, under a huge mass of honeysuckle, Dina hugged her knees to her chest and watched, heart pounding. The horse had to find a shallower place to cross the creek, for it was just a bit too far for it to leap. And then, the confines of the forest had also slowed the horse’s progress, for there was no open path wide enough for a horse to traverse, and the man would have to pick his way through.

Once Dina began to feel as if she had lost her pursuer, and she had caught her breath, she crawled out from under the vines and raced for home.

---

“Mommy!” She yelled as she got within range of home. “MOMMY!” She yelled as loud as she could.

Hearing the frightened tone in her daughter’s voice, Broni rushed out from barn, wondering what in the world could have happened. She’d never known of Dina to be truly frightened by anything, before.

Dina hurried into her mother’s arms, breathing hard and shaking slightly. “There was a man.. on a horse.. he chased me!” Dina informed her, eyes wide as she looked up at her mother.

“A man?” Broni crouched down and held her at arm’s length, looking at the girl’s frightened face. “Where?”

“Across the creek,” Dina answered, breathing hard. “He.. he said he was your friend, but he... he said you sent him to get me, and-”

Broni frowned. “What did he look like?”

Dina paused, shrugging. “I dunno. He was tall? I never seen him before.”

Broni looked toward the treeline, then back at Dina. She stood up, taking her hand, and led her toward the house. “Well, tell me all you can about him, please? And where is your bow?”

“I.. I left it,” Dina realized, feeling guilty. “On the bank, while I was swimming, I think.” She’d forgotten to get it when she left the creek. Oops. She'd been in too big a hurry to get away from the man.

“Alright, tell me about this man.” Broni asked again, without commenting on the child’s negligence. She was only a child, and they hardly ever got visitors here, so why would she have thought she’d need a weapon? After hearing the best description that Dina could give her about the man and his horse, Broni’s frown deepened. She knew who that was, and he was not supposed to be coming around here. Ever. She didn’t like this at all.

By that time, they heard hoofbeats as the horse approached from across the field. Broni went to the window, watching for a moment, then turned to Dina. “Stay here.” She ordered, in a tone Dina had rarely heard before.

She nodded quietly, watching as her mother stepped outside. Her sword, which she had finished sharpening while Dina was swimming, was in her hand, unsheathed.

“What do you want here?” Broni demanded of their visitor.

“Whoa... easy Broni," He said, seeing the weapon glinting in the sunlight. "I've just come to tell you that the boss says to come.” He informed her with a shrug. He dismounted and draped the horse's reins over the post there.

“You are not supposed to come around here.” Broni’s voice was cold and hard as she addressed him. “You keep away from my daughter.”

He eyed the woman, brandishing her sword threateningly, and smirked in amusement. “She’s a pretty little girl, Broni. I was just curious. I hear you talking about your daughter now and then, so I just wanted to see her for myself.”

“I have an agreement with your boss, and that agreement says that you and the others stay away from my home, and more specifically, my daughter.” Broni reminded him.

“Well, what he don’t know won’t hurt him, will it?” He suggested. “Cause, you’re not gonna tell him anything, will you?” He grabbed her suddenly, pushing her roughly into the wall. He was too close for her to use her sword, now.

“Mommy!” Dina gasped, alarmed. She was watching all of this from the window, and her eyes grew wide as she worried the man was going to hurt her mother.

“Stay inside, Dina.” Broni snapped, without taking her eyes off her attacker. She brought her knee up into his gut, then shoved him away. Her sword swung, but he managed to dodge in time. Then he grabbed a sword strapped to his horse’s saddle, and before long, the clash of swords rang in the air, a sound which Dina had never heard before now. Dina clung to the windowsill, afraid to watch, but afraid to look away, too. She kept down low, so only her eyes could see over the top of the windowsill. She watched her mother fight with the man, and couldn't help being amazed at the skill with which she weilded her weapon. She continued watching until the fighting took them away around the corner of the hosue, and Dina could no longer see what was happening.

When silence once again settled over the little homestead, the girl could hear nothing but the pounding of her own heart. What had happened? Had Momma won, or.. had the man? Was she lying out in the yard, injured? Maybe dying? Was the man about to come inside and grab Dina, maybe take her away from here or something? She didn’t know what he wanted here, and she couldn't even imagine what sort of things could happen to a little girl like her. But she was frightened, and Momma seemed frightened by the fact that he’d come here, so that was enough to make her know she didn't want the man to grab her.

The door started to open, and Dina hastily grabbed whatever she could find to defend herself with. When Broni stepped inside, she found her little daughter holding a broom up, ready to swing it at her. She couldn’t help but laugh lightly at the ferocity on the young girl's face. “It’s alright, Dina. It’s me,” She assured her.

Dina was trembling a little as she dropped the broom and ran to hug her mother. “Are you alright?” She asked, shakily, hugging her tight

“Yes, I’m fine.” Broni lied with a little wince, forcing a little smile as she lowered herself into a chair.

Dina saw the red on her arm. “You got cut.” She frowned worriedly.

“It’s just a little cut, really.” Broni promised. “Will you go and get me the wound box?”

Dina ran to grab it from the low cabinet, where Broni had put it so that Dina would be able to reach it, in case she ever needed to bandage herself. She occasionally got little cuts and scrapes while playing, so Broni wanted Dina to be able to take care of herself whenever she wasn’t here.

“Who is he, Momma?” Dina asked, wide-eyed as she brought it to her.

“He was someone who had no business coming here.” Broni answered flatly. “He won’t again, though. You can be sure of that.”

“He said..” Dina frowned, trying to remember. “he said that your boss needed you? Do you have to go away again?”

Broni frowned then, thinking about that as she rolled up her sleeve and began to tend to the cut on her arm, with a little help from Dina. She had another on her side, which she treated, next. She didn't answer Dina's question for a long while, until she had finished with her wounds.

Usually, they sent a messenger to let her know when the boss wanted her aid. But not that messenger. Broni had made it very clear that that man was not supposed to come near her place, ever. So, it seemed unlikely that the boss had sent for her, using him to deliver such a message. However… she’d had to kill him. And she did not want Dina to see that man’s body lying around, nor did she want to have to bury him around here or anything. And besides, she wanted to explain what happened, so the 'boss' knew why his man was dead. So, she supposed she ought to take him back where he belonged. She sighed heavily as she sat back, handing the wound box back to Dina to put away. “I think I will have to go, for a little while at least.” She answered at last. “I’ll be back, though.” She promised.

Dina was very disappointed with this news. Just as she always was, when her mother had to go away. But she was extra anxious about it, now. That man had frightened her, and she felt like she might cry. She didn't want Momma to go away, especially not right now.

Seeing the tears and the quivering lip, Broni put her arms around her and hugged her. “I’m sorry, Dina.” She whispered. “I’ll be back as soon as I can, I promise.” She assured her. “And, I want you to stay a little closer to home, too. Don’t go on the other side of the creek for a while, alright? But… do please retrieve your bow and arrows, alright? Keep those close to you.”

“I’m not very good at shooting, Momma.” Dina pouted.

“You’ll get better, if you practice.” She assured her daughter. She sighed, looking at her for a moment. She smiled faintly, her hand brushing over the slightly sloppy braids that the girl had done herself, and the flowers braided into her hair. She was growing up fast. “You be cautious while I’m away, alright?” She paused, then added, “You did the right thing, you know. Running from him, coming home to get me. That was very smart. I’m proud of you.”

Dina smiled faintly and nodded. “Be careful, Mommy.” She asked quietly. It was probably just because of the recent fright, because, well, she’d never had any cause to think that her mother might be involved in anything dangerous. So it had never occurred to her before, to ask that she be careful.

But, as she said goodbye and watched from the window as her mother rode off, leading the horse with the man slung across the saddle, Dina felt truly worried about her, for the first time in her life.