Emma headed back to the hall when it was time to get dressed for dinner. By now, she and Carling had developed a routine. Every afternoon she would wash up as much as possible then change from the grimy brown dress she wore to work with Madge into the olive-green dress she wore in the evenings. This afternoon, however, Carling came into her room carrying a large package.

"Blythe sent up some of your order," Carling beamed.

"Already?" Emma was shocked.

"Just some of it," Carling said, "she has your underthings here," taking out one of the packages, "and two dresses." She pulled out an emerald green dress, beautifully adorned with gold thread stitched into simple but effective flower patterns.

Emma stared in awe, "How did she even have time to do all this?" she ran her hand down the delicate stitching.

"Blythe's got magic fingers," Carling hummed, "works like she's going to get set on fire if she stops moving." Then she turned to the last package, "that's not all."

"What? How could she possibly have had a chance to do anything more?"

"Magic fingers," Carling laughed. This time she pulled out a plainer dress. It was a darker green color than the other dress, the material was rougher and more sensible. "This is for when you're working with Madge," Carling said, then she pulled out a large smock made of rough, undyed material, "You can wear this on top so you don't ruin the dress with your magic potions and whatnot."

"I didn't order this though," Emma frowned, "although it will certainly come in handy."

"Lord Eomer asked me to request a couple of work dresses for you along with the gowns. Figured you'd need them, life in Rohan is rough, even for a lady such as yourself."

"He didn't mention it to me," Emma said, "though it is definitely needed."

"Well," Carling smiled and clapped her hands, "let's get you out of those ugly gowns then!" She helped Emma undress and then helped her put on the green embroidered dress. It was perhaps the finest dress Emma had ever owned. Even though this was a small medieval city, Blythe was very talented, and the material she used was nicer than the fast fashion Emma could afford back home. Besides, a custom-fit dress was literally made to enhance her natural figure.

"The riders will be fighting over you at the tournament," Carling said with a large grin. Emma actually blushed.

"It does look good, right?" She thought she looked great but was also uncomfortable wearing something this ornate, she felt like she was walking around in someone else's clothes. Ironically, she was finally wearing clothes made for her instead of Eowyn's discarded gowns, but the makeshift dresses, while hideous, didn't make her stand out the way she would at dinner tonight.

"You've got nothing to worry about, Lord Eomer's not going to be able to keep his eyes off you," Carling laughed.

"Why are you and Madge always pushing me about Eomer? I've barely seen him since I've been here!"

"Ah, see that's the thing. You wonder why Sinead has such a bug up her skirt around you? You should've seen how he looked at you when he helped you off his horse, had all the maids fantasizing for days," Carling sighed.

"Oh please, he didn't do anything special," Carling said. "He hasn't even been nice to me since I arrived."

"He bought you the dresses," Emma pointed out.

"Only as payment for working on the accounts and at the healing house!"

"What about the coins he gave you then? Wasn't that supposed to be your payment?"

"Well, I don't know what the going rate is for running a hall," Emma defended.

"I heard," Carling leaned in conspiratorially, "that you stitched up Declan at Madge's today. Lord Eomer was there and got angry that you're cheering for him at the tourney."

"Jesus, how do you know about that?"

"Madge, of course!" Carling laughed, "that woman can get a rumor started faster than a flood. She's torn, you know, being that Declan's her grandson so she obviously is on his side, but she thinks you and the lord would make a fine couple."

"Oh, stop it, I'm not looking for anything with either of them!" Emma's face was beet red now. She couldn't believe she had unknowingly become a source of romantic speculation among the women of Rohan.

"Tell you what, my lady," Emma glared at her for using 'my lady,' "I bet you one bronze coin that Lord Eomer sits next to you all through dinner tonight."

"Isn't one coin, a lot? Can you even afford to lose?" Emma gave her a sidelong glance.

"I can't lose a sure bet," Carling winked.

"It's not a sure bet, Eomer hasn't sat next to me for a meal since my first morning here," she retorted.

"Bet you that'll change when he sees you in that dress," Carling laughed, "and when he sees you talking to Declan."

"Fine Carling," Emma said defiantly, "but when you lose and can't pay me back you have to help me with something instead of the coin."

"What is it?" Carling's eyes gleamed.

"I want to take a bath. A proper bath, not just washing up in the standing tub with a soaked rag," she corrected.

"All right," Carling held out her hand, "it's a deal." Then, Carling leaned in with an evil gleam in her eye, "you know, Lord Eomer has a bathtub."

"CARLING!" Emma shouted, "my god, I thought Rohan was more conservative about this stuff."

"Oh please, I'm a modern woman my lady," Carling said, "I know how you nobles get about."

"And do you?" Emma leaned in and used quotes with her fingers, "get about?"

Carling chuckled, "No, my lady, but that's different."

"Why?" Emma asked.

"Because I don't have the money to take care of a baby if some rider gets me in trouble and doesn't do his duty." Emma grimaced, "that's not to say I don't have ANY fun," Carling giggled.

"Does that mean you have a man in mind?" Emma asked.

It was Carling's turn to blush, "I don't want to say."

"Oh, come on! You've asked me all about Eomer AND Declan, you can't leave me guessing!" Emma pleaded.

"I'll point him out at the tourney," she conceded.

"Okay, but you have to promise," Emma said, "and I'm serious about the bath too!"

Carling laughed, "trust me, my lady, it won't be a problem. I just have to figure out what I'll do with my coin."