I am a woman of peace, of good order, of enough for all. So I was raised, so do I still live. I see no benefit in chaos, and poverty of goods or of spirit. We are the Rohirrim, the Horse-Lords, and by that title should be honourable and trustworthy, else what is a ‘Lord’ but a baying dog not wanting his bone while depriving it from others?
For the most part, be they Lords and Ladies, farmers, riders, artisans, our folk are noble-minded, and honest to a fault. I say not that a skilled smith or carpenter will not charge a good price for their work, but that they will not overcharge. Neither will the keeper of an Inn or Wayhouse only accommodate the wealthy journeyman, though they be likely to order the more costly room and meals. Nay, hospitality is a duty, and most will show it to all if they can.
Peace. Order. Goodwill. These are the marks of a thriving society. Though all, noble or otherwise, need first to survive. Alas that we have long been beset by enemies; the Dunlendings, whose lands we stole, the Easterlings who would steal our lands. I have no pride in knowing these lands are ours because of Gondor. But I will not cease to defend them from the Eastelings, or other ill-intentioned folk, or indeed from the wild things that gather. But mostly, I see my part in defying those of the Mark who dishonour the Mark, and seek to lower us to creatures crawling through the dust on our bellies.
I watch, listen, and learn. Most of our Men are of the noble and generous kind. They work the fields, ride to hunt, and defend us in battle. They are goodly husbands and fathers. Yet I see a strain among them that is the opposite. Not just among the poorer folk, but even among some few of our Thanes. There are some who even now try to bend the ear of Theoden King to hearken to their greed and manipulation of others. I thank Bema that the Thane I have known for over twenty years is of the honourable sort, wishing the best for his people. But he, like I, knows there is descent. Not all are loyal to our King.
And then there are individuals, men like Criba, now thankfully gone by a goat. Men who seek only their own good, and will stoop to the lowest to gain it. And his actions set my mind to thought.
That thought was realised when several of our women folk left the Homestead a few years ago. None seemed to know what had happened to them. I spoke with my Thane, but Averel was as much at a loss as I.
He said he should have intervened at the treatment of our smith, Hertha, who was refused recommendation and the position she sought, because she was a woman? So she left, and wandered who knew where, leaving a distraught Heaard and others to carry on, until they too left.
There was Yllfa, the most promising healer I have yet come across, a quiet and thoughtful soul. She left to attend to her ailing father in Harwick, who was alone. True enough, for her eyes held no lie, yet there was more to it. She did not return.
And the one who was to cause me to take action, Hildfrith of Snowborne. I had known her as a lively and vivacious woman, keeper of the local Tavern, and sadly not totally honest in her dealings. Yet the good she did, and her fine cooking, outweighed her ‘hidden’ secrets, her ‘Fight Club’ and her small overcharge on some ales. She had the misfortune to be wed to one without honour or even decency. Together they had a child, Bronaa, who the Thane saw much promise in that he thought to have her trained as a bard. She had a cowardly lying father. And although there was no bodily abuse, both mother and daughter suffered regularly from neglect, drunkenness, and ill company brought home. After he died I thought there may be a chance for them, but life was not that kind. Hildfrith fled one day, we thought back to Snowborn, though Bronna stayed a while later because of the Thane. Avaril said he had watched her unhappiness grow until, one day he had all but ordered her to seek her mother, and had given her coin to help her on her way. And so it was.
And I spoke again with Averel of a thought that had come to me. I would seek a house, somewhere away from Bancross yet close still to Edoras, and purchase it for any women and children who needed somewhere safe to stay awhile. To collect their thoughts and heal from any past experiences.
“What about Men?” he had asked, part in jest. “I know it is Men that can be the cause of this, even Men of the Mark, but they can suffer too. Young boys can be abandoned as much as young girls.”
“But boys will mostly be taken in to train as soldiers, or even to be taught a craft. For we women the choices are less, unless we have a good husband or father.”
Averel nodded. He understood. “We have but few Shieldmaidens in these times, but those we have are as brave and skilled as any Man.”
“But not always as strong? For that is what it comes down to. Men respect other Men, while a woman’s place is in the home. Nay, I understand your point. Men and boys, be they in need that the usual places cannot meet, will also be welcome. Though I will have them dwell apart from the women and girls until I am sure of them.”
The Thane was satisfied. My aim was to build up individuals who could benefit from help, and renew themselves, perhaps to go on and do the same for others.
And I was not alone in my vision. To that end, within a month a place was found. Averel knew where, though others did not. I would have peace and stability, even if much of the world was descending into darkness.
