The Stone Maiden

Nobles, Nobles, Everywhere

Another week of dreadfully slow travel passed before we made it back to Edoras. Kaila decided her Inn just had to be set up just as soon as we entered it. So Laniel and I helped her air out rooms and dust off every single thing. Most of the food was fine because I'd stayed behind during the war and people still wanted my food. I wasn't a great cook, not terrible, but definitely not Kaila. She was the best in the kitchen. Everyone came for her food. It's that good.

Serving it with ale might also help a bit with sales...

Well, as it happened, that was a very smart move on her part. Word of the death of Theoden King had spread in my absence. Once the rest of the men returned, dignitaries from the provinces of Rohan began arriving in preparation for the coronation.

"Hello?" I turned to the door of the Inn, a serving tray at my hip and a washing rag over my shoulder. A small party of noble folk stood in the doorway.

"Welcome to Kaila's Inn," I greeted, slipping quickly through the mostly empty dining area. "What can we do for you?"

"We were told there would be rooms for us here," the man in front stated.

"Who sent you?" I asked curiously.

"Lord Eomer, son of Eomund," he replied.

"Ah, yes, of course," I mused, unaware that we would be housing the nobles. "Just this way, if you please." I led the small party through to the back of the Inn where the rooms were.

"Maeve, what's going on?" Laniel asked as she entered the kitchen with her buckets of water.

"We have guests, Laniel. This is an Inn after all, dear."

"Right. I knew that." I giggled and showed the nobles to a pair of rooms, side by side.

"Was that an elf?" the lady queried conspiratorially.

"Yes, Laniel is an elleth who prefers the ever changing whims of men to her own people," I assured her. "She can be very icy to strangers though. Please, if you need anything just ask and we'll be happy to help."

As they settled into their rooms, I left the Inn to speak with Eomer. He could have at least warned me about nobles staying at the Inn. Warning Kaila would do basically nothing. She was always forgetting something.

"May I speak with my Lord Eomer alone, please," I requested sweetly. Eomer's eyes widened in fear as the advisors quickly vacated the room.

"Lovely to see you, Maeve," he began. "To what do I owe this visit?"

"Sending nobles to the Inn without warning," I replied. "You're just lucky we had a few rooms cleaned out because Kaila is way too over prepared for literally everything."

"If it's a problem, I won't send any more to you," he offered.

"Just-ugh- how many will be coming?" I sighed.

"There's only five provinces, each with small parties," he explained, walking over to me and taking my hands. "I can house their guards easily enough, but the nobles require delicate handling." Delicate handling. Really? 

"Don't you try to make me laugh right now," I threatened, desperately trying to keep a straight face.

"Oh, I would never try that, my Stone Maiden," he teased, spinning me in a circle. I let out a sharp laugh in surprise before throwing my head back and letting him pull me closer.

"I'll tell Lani and Kai that we'll need to ready some rooms for nobility," I stated.

"You are an angel, my dearest," Eomer breathed, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear.

"High praise indeed," I mused distractedly.

"My lord," Gamling interrupted. "Apologies, but we must continue our meeting with all haste."

"Of course, Gamling," Eomer sighed. I pointed my toes and left a small peck on his cheek before sliding out of the Hall. Both of us had things to attend to, which were of great importance.

I had a feeling that our duties would pull us apart. Kaila would be willing to let me slack off work, but Eomer's just kept piling up.

"Maeve, what did you tell them?" Lani raged as I entered the kitchen, still very distracted. "They stay as far from me as they can!"

"I just said you were a bit icy to strangers is all," I shrugged.

"I am not," she returned.

"Referencing your powers, Lani," I explained. "I'm starting to think I'll never get you to take a joke."

"Oh." Lani moved away, letting me check on our noble guests.

"Good day, my lords and lady," I greeted. "Were your rooms suitable for you?"

"We find them quite content, thank you," one of the men stated.

"May I ask you something?" The lady stopped me from returning to the kitchen. I nodded quickly. "What do you know of Lord Eomer?"

"He is a strong leader," I answered. "He helped to train my brothers to wield weaponry. I admire the man very much, my lady."

"Did not your father train your brothers?" her man continued.

"My father was killed in battle before he could do so, my lord," I answered. "Lord Eomer offered to train them in his stead."

"A kind heart," the lady murmured. "Do tell us more."

"I know that he has led the people since the death of Theoden King. The whole city of Edoras trusts him, and with good reason. He is a man of few words, but he knows exactly what to say to instill courage in his people."

"That's all very well," the lady interrupted, "but my queries were of a different nature." She stood and drew me off to a different corner. "How is he in bed?"

"I wouldn't know, my lady."

"Lord Eomer informed us that he was courting you, but if you don't know how he is in bed I'll have to believe he lied."

"I'm sorry, he is courting me, but with him being king soon, our relationship has not progressed to that level of intimacy. Do not take me for a fool, my lady. I know that my affections may only be returned for so long before he recognizes that I am so much below him, but I am not stupid enough to deny him if he chooses to court such as me." She looked shocked that I deigned to speak to her with the tone I had used. "I do understand if you find it rather annoying to be staying at the Inn where I work, but I'm sure Lord Eomer will move your party to another set of rooms if you ask."

"Is everything alright over here?" Laniel asked suddenly, appearing from behind me.

"No, everything is fine," the lady stated. She huffed proudly and stalked back to her group, presumably to gossip over my straightforwardness.