hmm yes I was wondering the same thing? With her current employer off on adventures to the east Æòelhild is rather at a loss, with her current employment cut short and no home to call her own, (well not one that she is willing as yet to return too!) and an underlaying plot haunting her things again look bleak for poor Æòelhild.
Another question? how far from the timeline of the leaving of the innkeeper Bethberry will the opening of the Mead hall take place?
This Link may also prove informative and helpful
http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ed/study_a_s_2.html