[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

A small smile played across Morwyn's lips as she listened to Nahai's words. She tried to stifle it, for fear that the green-eyed woman would take it as mocking her, but it wouldn't be stifled. Her intuitions about Nahai had been correct, she was somehow different, somehow other than human. The woman of Rohan always felt this small satisfaction when her guesses were confirmed. It meant she was observant, she was careful.

However, as the impact of the shape-changer's words hit her the smile faded. She contemplated Nahai's story carefully, but as strange and alien as her story sounded, underneath there was similarity, kinship even.

Morwyn breathed in deeply, "Lady Nahai," she began hesitantly, "there is much in your words that I do not understand. But there is also much there that I do know." she swallowed as memories pressed hard behind her eyes. "My family also is gone, my husband was killed far from home, but I held my baby daughter as she died. That loss I know. Hardship also I understand. This land is not easy to travel as a woman alone." she smiled grimly. "I have a sword, and I've used it many times." She stood, to reveal the short sword sheathed at her waist and pulled out a few inches of the bright steel.

"But what we have most in common," she continued, "is that neither of us can afford to throw away friendship when it is offered to us." She smiled. "All your words to me have been true, and all your actions, my friend." She looked at Nahai, whose green eyes looked even larger than usual and held out a hand across the table. The Lady of the Beornings took her hand, and smiled back at her.

Morwyn then turned to Elhor, whose large eyes had followed the whole conversation. "I also would extend friendship to you, if you would have it." She smiled at the boy as she waited for his answer.

[ March 27, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]