Brena and Kelda made their way back through the market to the mansion. Kelda was still wondering how Brena had been able to pay for the foal, and she knew she needed to ask before they got home.

"Brena?" she began, as they walked the stone pathway.

"Yes, my darling?" Brena replied.

"How…how did you pay for the foal, and were able to give Bofur extra coin? I know how my brother is; he only gave you enough for the necklace and the food."

Brena chuckled.

"The necklace I chose for you was much less than the amount Bron had allotted me for it. I was able to find a jeweler who had necklaces that were made with less silver, but still looked very lovely. Bron will be none the wiser," and she winked at Kelda.

Kelda smiled happily back at her.

"My goodness, Brena," Kelda giggled. "You're a rather deceitful woman when you wish it."

Brena laughed merrily and kissed Kelda on the cheek.

"I am when I must be. To secure my little Kelda's happiness, I will be as deceitful as necessary," and she smiled lovingly at Kelda, who still held her arm.

Kelda looked to Brena for a second or two with confusion. And Brena could tell that she wasn't quite certain what the nursemaid had meant by that last remark.

"Kelda," Brena began, softly. They were almost home, and Brena wanted to be careful no one heard these last few sentences. "When you wrapped your arms around Bofur and held him, his eyes were as bright as stars. His smile was the biggest and happiest I had seen him smile. Do you know how much you mean to him already, my darling?"

Brena looked thoughtfully into Kelda's eyes, searching them. Kelda dropped her gaze for a moment, and looked to the path in front of her.

"I…I know that he made this stallion just for me, and that he did not sleep until it was done. I had wondered if…perhaps… this stallion was more than a gift of friendship for me…."

Kelda's voice faded away, as if she was in deep thought. Brena nodded thoughtfully, looking down at the path also.

"I do believe it was more than a gift of friendship," the nursemaid stated. "But I am not completely certain, and we will not presume too much yet," Brena advised.

By this time, they were at the mansion's doors. Before they went in, Kelda stopped Brena by squeezing her hand.

"Brena," Kelda began her voice quiet and thoughtful. "I have not been this happy in someone's presence since Father passed. Bofur gives me that joy which I had lost when Father died. He….he makes me feel so wonderful…just from his laughter…and his smile. His eyes are so full of joy and cheeriness, he takes all of my sadness and worry over my future away! "

Then Kelda looked to Brena, with eyes full of uncertainty.

"Could I truly care so deeply for someone this quickly, Brena?" she asked, her voice still quiet.

Brena smiled gently, and she put down her basket of food. She stroked Kelda's face with a motherly gesture.

"My sweet little Kelda," she nearly whispered, as if to only herself. "Love is a very strange thing. It is the most powerful force in this world, and once it has decided your heart's fate, is not deterred. If you are uncertain as to whether you are in love with Bofur, listen to the voice of your heart. Does your heart skip a beat when you see him smile? Does it flutter when you hear his laughter?"

"It…does, Brena," Kelda replied, and her eyes fell to the floor, as she blushed deeply.

Brena smiled brightly.

"Then you have your answer, my darling," she replied softly. "And I will do everything I can to make sure you can pursue these feelings for this goodly dwarf."

Kelda looked up to her nursemaid then, and her eyes were full of adoration.

"Your mother did not want this fate for you," Brena began, her smile fading, and her gaze off into the distance. "Neither would your father have approved of what Bron is doing. I knew them since Bron's birth, and they wanted both of you to marry to someone you loved if it were at all possible. Bron is a different boy now…different from who he once was. So I will treat him differently, and do what I feel your parents would've wanted for you."

And Brena nodded with determination, taking Kelda by the hands and squeezing them in her own.

"Thank you, Brena," Kelda said softly, smiling lovingly.

Brena nodded once again and smiled too.

"Now," the old woman began, picking up her food basket once more. "We must get you ready for Lord Haethorn."

Kelda's smile faded a bit, and she nodded with understanding. They both headed into the mansion then.

Bron heard them come in while he was in his study, and he came into the hall to meet them.

"Ah! My sister!" Bron greeted them with a smile.

It was never a genuine smile, not anymore. But Kelda smiled in return, and hers was as genuine as it could be, for she still loved her brother.

"Hello, my brother," she greeted in return, and they kissed each other on the cheek. "When will Lord Haethorn be arriving for tea?"

"Very soon," Bron replied with a nod. "So run upstairs and change into something presentable!" Bron coaxed cheerfully.

Kelda nodded and continued to smile.

"Of course, brother," she replied kindly.

"Go up, my darling," Brena said softly. "I will be in shortly to help you with your hair."

Kelda nodded to Brena, and proceeded up the stairs. She proceeded to choose out her dress, something red with silver, she thought. The dress needed to match the new necklace, of course. After she had chosen the dress, she laid it across her bed. By that time, Brena had entered her room, and placed the new necklace on the vanity.

"It's very lovely, Brena," Kelda complimented, smiling.

Brena smiled back.

"Thank you, my darling. Now, if only it was Bofur who was seeing you in all of this," she added, under her breath.

But Kelda heard her, and she looked away then. Her eyes became sad, and her smile faded.

"…Yes…" she whispered. "I would like to look beautiful for him."

Brena saw Kelda's dejected countenance, and came over to her.

"Oh, my darling child," Brena whispered lovingly. "We shouldn't be so defeated yet. Let us smile still, and keep our hopes up that things will change for you."

She smiled tenderly at Kelda, and lifted her chin with a warm and withered hand. Kelda's eyes met her nursemaid's, and she saw the encouragement she needed in them to smile.

"Besides, Lord Haethorn is far from a wicked man!" Brena commented. "He has been the kindest to you, has he not? And he is not as proud or pompous as the other suitors who have come for you. At least, this will not be a terrible afternoon."

Kelda nodded and grinned.

"Yes," she replied softly. "Lord Haethorn is a very kind man. He is always smiling when we see him at social gatherings, and he seems very gentle."

Brena nodded with a small smile.

"Good," the old woman said quietly. "Then let's get your hair up and 'presentable' as Bron wants," she chuckled.

Kelda chuckled too, and sat down at the vanity for Brena to start on her hair. As she sat there, with Brena brushing her hair, she tried to think of what she would talk to Lord Haethorn about, what proper things to say, all the things she was taught to say as a lady. But her mind wandered and wouldn't focus on any one thing. All she could think about was…Bofur. The way his arms felt around her waist, timidly holding her. They were warm, strong, and so gentle. She wondered if she could ever be in them again.

Soon, Kelda was ready to see Lord Haethorn. She came downstairs slowly, not wanting to trip on her dress or mess up her beautiful hair.

Lord Haethorn had already arrived. He was in the hall, in front of the large stairway, talking to Bron.

Bron looked up to see his sister coming down the stairs.

"Ah! And here she is!" he exclaimed with his false smile.

Lord Haethorn looked up to see Kelda coming down, and he smiled at her kindly. Lord Haethorn was a slender, handsome man. He was a head taller than Bron, and he carried himself with dignity, but not pride. His hair was jet black, and came to his shoulders. It was straight and smooth, and his beard was trimmed well to form his defined chin. His eyes were the color of the bluest sky, his nose was long, but handsomely arched, and he had dimples when he smiled.

He was certainly the handsomest suitor that had come for Kelda, and Kelda was not displeased to see him. He truly did seem happy to see her. He didn't seem to be looking at her as a piece of property, but as a simple girl in need of a friend.

Kelda's smile to him was genuine and sweet.

"Good afternoon, Lady Kelda," Haethorn greeted her kindly. His smile was gentle and kind to her. "It is wonderful to see you."

"Good afternoon, Lord Haethorn," Kelda replied sweetly, curtsying. "It is wonderful to see you too."

"I'm sorry I haven't been to visit more often," Haethorn began. "I'm afraid that the boring affairs of court have kept me away from those I would rather spend time with," and he nodded to Bron, and then to Kelda.

"Oh, it's quite alright, Odel," Bron replied, calling the lord by his first name. "No need to apologize! You are here now and that is that. Brena, would you escort Lord Haethorn and Kelda to the garden? After all, Lord Haethorn did not come here today to see only me."

Bron chuckled, and Haethorn smiled bigger. Kelda smiled too with a soft chuckle. Brena nodded and curtsied, and gestured to her left.

"This way, my Lord," she said softly.

Lord Haethorn and Kelda followed Brena down the hallway, with Bron watching them go. His smirk was wide and his expression was one of satisfaction.

He was certain that it would not be much longer until he would be free from his debt, and living like a rich nobleman once again.