Rúmil Meets His Match

“I’ll be on the training field in a couple of days and expect you to be there, also,” Rúmil said to Lindar, once they arrived in Caras Galadhon.

“I plan to spend nearly every waking hour there until my trials, sir. I am sure I’ll see you there.”

“Don’t wear yourself out, Son. You challenger will show no mercy to a weary apprentice!”

“Yes sir,” Lindar agreed with a nod just before rounding the corner to his house.

A small distance away, Rúmil turned up his own walkway. To keep himself from worrying about Lorinaura, he thought of how good it was going to feel to be clean. As it was, he could do little for his sister, but he could take a bath and at least smell decent when he went to check on her.

Upon his arrival home, he quickly disrobed and headed for the washing room. After the bath filled, he sank deep into the water, letting his hair drape over the edge of the tub and forcing himself to relax. He smiled, thinking he should have gone to the library first to see if the lovely Yavannea would have wanted to join him. He was sure even if she did not, he would have been well sated just in the kiss due him. The one, intense moment he spent with her before he went to the fences, spoke volumes and of course, it also kept his mind occupied during those long nights on patrol.

Though he saw her on occasion, walking through the city or in Celeborn’s library hard at work, he assumed such a beauty was already taken. Normally, this would not have thwarted any attempt, but she also looked delicate. He would sometimes take a reserved or shy elleth to his bed, but he tried to steer away from fragility. Over the years, he learned the frailer ellethin could not withstand much of his...creativity.

Therefore, he never approached the little historian. He probably still would not have, if Haldir had not left one of the maps they needed to study at Celeborn’s desk, just before they left for patrol. He sent Rúmil in to retrieve it and there stood the demure, dainty, little she-elf, behind the desk. She was looking down at her books as if in deep concentration, but smiling and holding something out to him. As he walked in further toward the desk, he could see she was handing him the map for which he had returned.

“Thank you, my lady,” he said politely wondering how it was she guessed someone would come back for this particular map, when there were so many strewn about the room.

She glanced up to him, smiling as if she knew something he did not. “I am happy to be of assistance, warden,” she said, immediately going back to deciphering the pile of scrolls. He noted the crest of the Gray Havens’ shipwright marking each parchment and figured they must be the scrolls Galadriel was so excited to receive. A few days before, the Lady told him that some of them were coming from Valinor.

However, what intrigued him the most was the use of his station in addressing him. Most of the ellethin just called him Rúmil. “Are these the scrolls from the Gray Havens?” he asked pointing to the pile.

“Yes, my lord. Are you also a historian?” she inquired, not turning her head away from the scrolls, but looking over the top of the high desk, nonetheless. He could see her lips curving slightly, but did not think anything of it, just then.

“Nay, Galadriel told me they were arriving soon and these have the great seal,” he stated, placing his finger on the scroll just beside her hand.

This was where all certainty left him. As he was pointing the grey waxen stamp out to her, she lightly brushed the back of her hand upon his extended finger...twice. He could not imagine why, but this small act nearly stopped his heart altogether. Then she began to write something as if she had done nothing it at all. “So, you are a master at deductive reasoning, then? How very interesting, my lord,” she said.

He began to see her in a different light, realizing she was teasing him. It was very proper, with the ‘my lord’, but nonetheless, teasing. When finally he could grasp any of his thoughts, he replied, “Perhaps not a master, but certainly a student. Are you a master historian?”

“My best friend, Lorinaura, is the only one who claims to be better than me, and she does her work from Imladris, as you well know,” she said proudly and then gave him a wink. “Since Aura has the ability to mind speak, I thought perhaps I would give the ones I have already translated from Nandorin to the Lady, so she could share them with her when next they link.”

He was surprised, to say the least. “Lorinaura? You know my sister?” he asked.

“I do,” she said, obviously trying to fight the curving of one side of her mouth. Was she baiting him? “I lived in Imladris for many years, and she spoke very well of you and your brothers.”

“I’ll just bet she did,” he said with a smirk. This elleth knew who he was all along. Perhaps he was a little too hasty in thinking her unworthy of his attention. She might look easily broken, but did not portray it in her manner.

“Oh, she told me if we were to ever hold more than just polite conversation to be sure to inform you...” she began.

“I know, I know. She is not my sister,” Rúmil interrupted and then sighed. “But I miss her as if she were. We all do.”

“Well, I will be sure to convey as much in my next letter,” she said, smiling.

“That would be most kind of you,” he said and then took her hand to keep her from going back to her translations. “Now, what was it you meant by her ‘ability to mind speak’? Is she telepathic, like Galadriel?”

Her face suddenly grew grave and she sucked in a quick breath telling him it was exactly what she meant. “I assumed you knew!”

“No, I didn’t and I can assure you, my brothers don’t either.”

“Oh, please don’t tell anyone!” she pleaded. “Aura is very particular in who she trusts with the information. She would be quite upset if she found out I told you!” She dropped her eyes from him and said, “She never told me you didn’t know.”

“And just how badly would you like to keep me quiet on this matter?”

She looked rather defeated. “You wouldn’t really tell anyone, would you?”

“I won’t say a word, if you do me two favors,” he said with a sly grin.

She tilted her head, fluttering her lashes, immediately making his leggings uncomfortable around him and dropped the tone of her voice. “What would they be, my lord?”

“I would like you to first, tell me your name, so I might write an ode to your beauty during my off time at the fences.”

“It is Yavannea,” she said, giggling. “And what is your second favor, love?”

‘Love, she called me love,’ he mused. ‘Perhaps it was something she called everyone. She said she lived in Imladris for a time and they did have a way all to themselves.’ As soon as he got over the shock of her endearment...if it was an endearment at all, he said, “My second request would be for you to honor me with a kiss.”

She seemed to consider this carefully. “A kiss? For such a valiant and noble warrior? I can think of many gifts more befitting.”

“Ah, yet I can think of none that would bring me more pleasure.”

She walked around Celeborn’s desk and stood facing him, letting him feel the heat from her body and smell the sweetness of elanor upon her hair. She tilted her head, ever so slightly, looked him in the eyes and whispered, “Then you have never felt true pleasure, my lord.”

His body could have been no more heated if someone lit him afire. Her words set his very soul ablaze and as her lips were about to meet his, in what he imagined would be the most erotic kiss of his life, Haldir came in, summoning him. With a great sigh, he grabbed her shoulders, aware that if he let her kiss him now, he would never be able to pull away. Instead, he pressed his lips to her ear and in as soft a voice as he could, he said, “Perhaps you could grant the request upon my return, lirimaer?”

“Gladly, love,” she said with a sultry look, making him ache for her.

He reluctantly walked to Haldir and then headed down the stairway of the city with her image scorched in his mind. ‘Yavannea was her name. Yavannea.’ He had repeated her beautiful name in his thoughts a thousand times, since. He also thought of the kiss that never was. How inviting her lips were. How her eyes fluttered shut in sweet anticipation. How she did not hesitate, at all. A bold and beautiful she-elf who looked to be frail and unapproachable; there were certainly not many of those.

Rúmil shook himself of the thoughts as the bathwater began to cool and sank deeper into the tub to wash his hair. “I’ll get that kiss today.”

**********

Walking the length of the main stairway to the library, many ellethin greeted him, as usual. After the excitement on the border, he was not in the mood for talking, but could have easily gone to any one of their beds and felt much better within a few hours. Instead, he was cordial with them, but kept walking, holding only one she-elf’s image in his mind, today.

At the top of the stairs, he took a deep anticipating breath, and entered only to be a little surprised and very disappointed when met by Galadriel. “Mae Govannen, Rúmil,” she said with a grin. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

He walked to her and gave her a great hug. “My lady, you owe me nothing and I owe you everything.”

“Rúmil, you were always my favorite!” she exclaimed giving him another warm smile. “But you already know that, don’t you?”

“I know I was when I was the only one in the room,” he said laughing and the comment made her laugh as well.

“Perhaps you’re right, but I’ll never say for sure.” She went back to putting scrolls away for Celeborn. “What is it you need from me today?”

“Actually, I was hoping I might find Yavannea here, she was supposed to do me a favor.”

“Oh, then I’m sorry. She left a few days after you went on duty, though Celeborn was particularly unhappy about it. She was summoned to read several scrolls Thranduil came across in a cavern near his home,” she said and then looked to him seeing the great disappointment upon his face. “Fear not my son, she’ll return shortly. I believe she’ll be back well before the solstice.”

He sighed. “A month seems a bit longer when you’re waiting for something,” he muttered. Her leaving the city had not occurred to him, and to hear she was in Mirkwood with the lustiest elf he knew, shot pangs of jealousy throughout his heart. Until then, he did not realize he might actually have feelings for her. No, the idea was silly. He knew nothing about her, only her name. Why would he care what she did or with whom she did it?

“Yes, and so does a few hours,” Galadriel said, looking back to the parchment. “Have you been to see how Lorinaura is doing?”

“I thought I would come here first to give Hal a chance to wake on his own. He’s rather grumpy when he first gets up...especially when I wake him.” He grinned a little.

“Yes, I remember,” she laughed. “Perhaps if you tried simply knocking on the door, instead of pouring cold water over him, you may fare better!”

“You are always so wise, my lady,” he said with just a hint of sarcasm.

She laughed a little and then her face grew solemn. “Inform me when she stirs; she’ll need to be healed further.”

“I’ll stay there until she wakes and then come to get you,” he told her, kissing her on the cheek. “You know, it truly pains me to think of someone so beautiful, as my naneth.”

She grinned and her face turned fiery red, “Oh, go on! Get out of here!”

“As you wish, my lady,” he began, “But know this: if you had not raised me, I would do everything I could, to steal you away from Celeborn!”

“Rúmil!” she said feigning exasperation, “Go check on your sister!”

He walked out the door and followed the stairs to Lorinaura’s house still chuckling a little, wondering if Galadriel knew how much he truly appreciated her and Celeborn. On his way down the short distance, he saw Orophin sprinting up the stairs, no doubt going to the kitchens. “Phin!” he yelled, getting a very annoyed look thrown his way.

“Did you just get in?” Orophin asked, yet Rúmil saw he had no real interest in the answer.

“Yes. Is there anything I should be aware of before I go see Aura?”

“I’ll tell you what I told Galadriel earlier. She started screaming last night and even kicked Hal.”

“Kicked him? Where?”

Orophin winced and shook his head. “Dear brother, you do not want to know!”

“Oh! Gods, is he alright?”

“After catching his breath he climbed in bed with her and held her down so I could get close enough to put her under a sleeping spell.” He grinned at the memory. “You will never believe what she said to me while she slept.”

“What?”

“She told me she was not my sister,” he stated triumphantly. “Until then, I did not realize how much I had missed her.”

“I’ve never met anyone who could take us on like she did,” Rúmil said with much admiration. “She’s truly one of a kind.”

“Listen, I would really like to stay and chat, but I am only out of the house on a short reprieve to try to round up some food from the kitchens. You know I usually don’t go out within the first few days after a long patrol.”

Rúmil waved him on, headed back up the stairs, and knocked on his sister’s door. When he heard Haldir bid him to enter, he poked his head in. “The Lady sent me to ask how she fares. Orophin went to her last evening and spoke of the sleeping spell Lorinaura forced him to use.” With a grin, he asked, “Did she really say she wasn’t his sister?”

Haldir snorted a small laugh. “Aye. She certainly did and it was like music to both of our ears at the time.”

“Then she truly has not changed since we last saw her!”

“I am sure that’s not the case. She’s been gone a very long time. I received few letters from her and wrote only once or twice. I know the three of us have changed greatly and can only assume she has as well.”

Rúmil mulled it over and then nodded in agreement. “Well, either way, I’m glad she’s here now.” He took a bite of the melon Haldir handed him and pulled some bread off the tray. “The bodies were burned as you requested and I brought Lindar back with me.”

“Oh? Why? I thought he wanted to stay at the borders for another week?”

“He told me he was only there because we were,” said Rúmil with a grin. “He seems to think he is lacking the skills necessary to take his trials right now.” He sat on the couch and took another bit of melon.

“What do you think?” Haldir asked, rather interested in why Rúmil was taking this young ellon under his wing.

“I have seen his healing abilities and his sword play, but I have not seen him shoot. I told him I would be on the range to assess him. In the meantime, I need to speak with Celeborn regarding his test. Lindar says he should be ready in a few weeks, so I think I shall tell Celeborn two. It should be plenty of time for me to teach him everything he’ll need to know.”

“So you won’t leave it up to Eärlan, I take it.” Haldir muttered. He stiffened, his ears perking as if he heard something from the bedroom and then relaxed again.

“Though Eärlan is a fine warrior, his instruction leaves a lot to be desired. He is more worried about impressing you than teaching his pupil. It’s almost as if he feels guilty. Perhaps he has said or done something against you.”

“While Eärlan does not concern me, we have watched Lindar since he was a small elfling. I was the one who told his mother of his father’s death. If he wants to be a warden, then I’ll have no one taking the opportunity from him.” He sat on the other end of the couch and relaxed a moment.

“I think he’ll rival any of us,” Rúmil said glancing away in deep thought and then looking to Haldir again. “He asked me who the beautiful elleth, you carried away, was. He didn’t have time to discuss it with any of the wardens. In fact, they all seemed to think you carried an Orc to the city.”

“Interesting,” he said, a little taken aback. “Now, why in Arda would they think I’d bring one of those filthy creatures here?”

“I cannot say. Perhaps we need to have Lindar teach them to be a bit more aware of their surroundings,” he answered in jest. “I think he has been given some gift by the Valar to compensate for his father’s passing.”

Haldir stood, walking back to the table and his head turned toward the bedroom door. Rúmil heard something rustling, as well, and then a crash. Haldir immediately rushed into the room and, in his usual firm voice, shouted, “No! Stay where you are!”

Rúmil started toward the door and glanced into the bedroom at Haldir, once more, to see he looked greatly relieved. When he stepped onto the landing, he pointed up the stairway, telling Haldir he was going to retrieve Galadriel. Rúmil heard Lorinaura weakly say his older brother’s name and then pulled the door shut. He ran to the library, smiling.

Galadriel was still reading the parchment he found her with earlier. “My lady, she’s awake!” he yelled, trying desperately to restrain himself, but the sheer joy of hearing Lorinaura’s voice again took most of his self control from him.

Galadriel closed her eyes for a few moments and Rúmil figured she was informing Celeborn of the glad tidings. In a rush, she took Rúmil’s hand and they made their way to Lorinaura’s house, unobstructed. She lightly rapped on the door, but did not wait for a response as she slipped inside and headed toward the bedroom.

Following her, Rúmil heard low murmurs and saw Haldir rise from the bed as Galadriel stepped into the room. The moment Galadriel touched her, he could see the pain lift from Lorinaura’s face. The dim, healing glow surrounding the Lady’s hands spilled onto his sister’s wounds as soft incantations were whispered until at last the injuries were vanished entirely.

“You may sit now, child,” said the Lady in a kind, mild voice.

Rúmil could see Galadriel kept a questioning gaze. “They must be speaking to one another,” he whispered to himself, and then smiled, musing about how glad he was Yavannea told him all she did in their brief conversation.

“How do you feel, sister?” asked Rúmil.

Lorinaura rose up from the bed and felt her shoulder. “Better, but achy. Like I’ve been trampled by an oliphaunt,” she replied, giving him a labored smile.

Galadriel placed several pillows behind her back and sat beside her on the bed. “Good. Now, can you remember anything that happened to you?”

“Mendolir and I left Imladris two weeks ago with three of Elrond’s top guards. A large party of Orcs overtook us. There were just too many of them. The guards were ripped to pieces while they were still alive.” She began to sob. “They were eaten.”

She looked to Haldir and Rúmil with tears still in her eyes. “Mendolir was badly wounded but still he protected me. Even when they were pulling him apart, he was trying to protect me. Eventually they came for me.” She hung her head, looking at her hands, up to Galadriel and then back down to her hands.

“Do you think we could have a moment alone?” Galadriel asked him and Haldir.

They both bowed, heeding her request and then left the room closing the door behind them.

“What do you think she is saying that she would not want us to hear?” Rúmil asked.

Haldir shrugged his shoulders, sat down in the chair and stared at the tray of food. Rúmil tossed him an apple, causing his older brother to smile slightly and sat beside him on the couch eating one, himself. “Well, what ever it is, I don’t think she told us all of her story. She did not mention how she was shot by the arrow or her other wounds.”

“Where is Orophin?” Haldir inquired after a long silence.

“He’s at his house; Katarwë was most happy to see him so soon. She thought he would be gone until the end of the week.”

“Oh, yes,” Haldir murmured, staring at the wall, deep in thought.

“Celeborn should be here soon, I think Galadriel called for him as we were leaving the library.” Rúmil had never seen his brother like this, before. He actually seemed nervous and tense.

“Are you alright?” he asked. “Phin told me Aura kicked you last night.”

“She didn’t mean to. She was having a nightmare. It was nothing.”

“Well, she looks much better today than last I saw her. I’ll be anxious to hear what happened to her, but from the way she lowered her eyes from Galadriel, I don’t think she’ll be speaking of it any time soon.”

“Perhaps not,” Haldir muttered.

His brother was not in a conversing mood this morning, but he was also not saying to hush, so Rúmil took it as a sign to continue. “I met a friend of hers in the library before we left for the fences last. Her name was Yavannea.”

“Oh, the frail little historian?” he said, still staring at the wall.

“Yes. She knew Lorinaura. They worked together in Imladris. Galadriel said she was summoned by Thranduil to transcribe something for him, but would be back before the solstice,” he mentioned. “I think I’ll ask her for a date.”

“Sounds nice.” Haldir nodded, his eyes vacant and Rúmil knew his mind was in the other room.

“Yes, perhaps by then you and Aura will have bound and had three elflings of your own,” Rúmil stated with a smile.

“Perhaps,” said Haldir.

“And then we can take a tour of Mordor. Maybe the lava will overflow from Mount Doom and we can all go swimming.”

“Maybe,” replied Haldir. “Sounds nice.”

When he started to laugh, Haldir finally looked as if he pulled himself out of a trance, “What?” he bellowed, seeming rather annoyed and then stood quickly as he heard Galadriel open the bedroom door. “Is everything alright?”

“It is now; she’s asking for you. Will you stay here for a few days while she regains her strength?” asked the Lady.

“Only your direct order could drag me from her, my lady,” Haldir said and then blushed.

Ah ha. Rúmil thought there had been something between them, but when she left for Rivendell and Haldir did not protest, he pushed the idea aside as silly. Now, seeing Hal’s reaction to the Lady’s request, he saw his eldest brother did indeed love her. When she left...that was when Hal started being so unbearable to live with. Yes...he became hard and impatient with things he had always been easy going about. Well, just maybe Lorinaura can straighten him out. Already she made him blush...and she was not even in the room.

“Well in that case, it is my direct order to have you here. Go to her now, but don’t ask her questions about her ordeal unless she prompts you.” She turned to Rúmil, motioned him to the door, and then looked back over her shoulder. “Oh, Haldir?”

“Yes, Galadriel?”

“No matter what she asks, answer as honestly as you possibly can. Much of her recovery depends upon your truthfulness.”

“Of course, my lady,” Haldir responded and then slipped into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

“Shall we?” Rúmil opened the door for Galadriel.

“Thank you, Rúmil. All you have done has been much appreciated,” she said just loud enough for the four off duty wardens, descending the stairs, to hear.

“It was my pleasure. May I escort you back to the library?”

“Nay, it won’t be necessary. Go rest, you are weary from patrol and travel. I’ll send Celeborn to your house for your meeting. I assume you want to speak of your apprentices.”

“Thank you, My Lady. I bid you farewell,” he said as he kissed her on the cheek, smelling the nephredil upon her hair. “Mmmm...If you had not changed my diapers...”

“Oh, Rúmil, go make an elleth your own age blush. Even if I hadn’t been the one who raised you, I am too old,” she stated with a smirk, obviously flattered.

Of the three boys she raised, Rúmil was the only one who said such things. Though his comments were purely in jest, he knew she loved him being so flirtatious. Haldir was much too serious about some debt he thought he owed her for raising them and Orophin, well...Orophin truly thought of her as his mother and sadly did not remember their real parents. Rúmil was just the right age when he went to live with her and contrary to what he always says when teasing her, he knew he was much too old for diapers by the time his parents left.

“Perhaps I will and when you become jealous, don’t say I didn’t give you a fair chance,” he laughed. He loved when he could make her blush. It was rather empowering to be able to use mere innuendo to elicit such a grand reaction from this wise and knowing being. He did it every chance he got and he knew deep down; she loved him all the more for it.

She leaned to him pulling him into a hug and whispered in his ear, “Be careful what you wish for, my brave and playful warrior; it may come true.”

Now it was his turn to blush as she let go and headed back to the library. He stood there for a moment realizing it would take a very special elleth to catch his eye after flirting with such a bold she-elf...and then having her flirt back.

“Rúmil, you shall just have to find a playful and daring elleth of your own,” he mused aloud. Until then, he would play with them all.

Once down the stairs, he turned from the city looking along the path leading to the Northern fences. He considered the Northern border his domain, as he and his brothers were normally there for the better part of their duty. They went to the South, a few weeks ago, after much complaining of the conditions in which Eärlan kept the talans. It was a good thing they took the extra herbs with them to stock the Marchwarden talan’s chest. He hated to think of what might have happened to Lorinaura if they had not.

There were several couples and some straggling elves meandering about the woods. One in particular was a pretty elleth to whom he was introduced a few years back. Her name was Isillyë and he had spoken with her several times in the past. Though he could not guess her age, she seemed rather young in attitude. She was also very reserved and not gifted with much common sense, but nice enough.

Haldir would have laughed at him. Long ago, his older brother took a rather aloof position. Apparently, to him, the intelligence of a female was inconsequential, if you did not speak to them, nor allow them to speak to you. He will never forget his words on the subject.

“Rúmil, while poetry is nice, it matters not what is said, if she is not ‘the one.’ If she is not the love of your life, then why speak at all. It is certainly not necessary or, for that matter, conducive to a few hours of relief.”

This was a theory Haldir tested every few months and Rúmil found himself feeling a little sorry for his older brother, judging him very lonely if he truly thought this. Although he could have almost every she-elf in the city, all in one night, if it was his wish, none of them gave Hal contentment. He always wondered why, until today. The way his brother ran to Lorinaura’s side and the way he was curled around her when Galadriel went into the bedroom was a drastic change in attitude for him.

“I guess he’ll be speaking now,” he muttered to himself and then thought, ‘Perhaps he will even want to use one of my poems.’ The thought made him laugh. Haldir reciting poetry, what a sight it would be!

Isillyë was sitting under a tree, reading a small book Rúmil recognized right away. ‘Perhaps she is not as unintelligent as I thought,’ he pondered as he looked up to the trees. After picking a hand full of elanor blooms, he started climbing a large mellyrn near the one beside Isillyë. Hopping from branch to branch, he stopped just above her head and began dropping a few petals at a time onto her book. For quite a while, she merely brushed them off, only to resume reading and then all of a sudden he saw her pick one up to study it, noticing it was not a bloom from the tree. She smirked and looked up to the branches to see a smiling Rúmil looking back.

At first, it seemed she expected it to be someone else, but he considered this a challenge and poured on the charm for which he was notorious. “Fair Isillyë, I trust you’re well?”

“I am,” she replied and then went back to her book.

“What is it you’re reading?”

“Rumil, do you plan to stay up there all afternoon or will you have the courtesy to come down here to speak with me?”

“I only awaited your invitation, my lady,” he said and leaped, landing only a few inches away from her. She flinched as if startled, yet he did not think she was. He held out his hand to her and she actually recoiled a bit.

“Your book, milady. What is its title?” he asked, perplexed as to why she was acting as if he were an Orc.

“I’m sure you’ve never heard of it. It’s a book of poetry by Lorin Rúphinhal.” She said the poets name in a reverent sigh and he almost laughed.

“He is my favorite writer. I have his complete works at home.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I cannot imagine why you find it so hard to believe!”

“I just never envisioned the Marchwarden’s Second reading poetry. In fact, I assumed you read nothing but maps and strategic plans.”

“What can I say? I’m well rounded,” he laughed as he sat down beside her. “The book you read, it is a collection of his work?” She nodded to him, still surprised. “Perhaps we could discuss the verses within, sometime?”

“What is it you are trying to ask?”

“Isillyë, I am not trying to ask anything, I am simply asking it. Would you like to join me for brunch tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. What would you have at this brunch? Where would it be held? Who else would join us?”

“I will have food and drink, by the Anduin and it would just be the two of us,” he stated trying to stifle a laugh, failing miserably and getting a glance full of daggers thrown at him. “You are certainly very leery of someone who has the complete trust of this realm’s Lord and Lady.”

“I suppose an elleth can never be too cautious of the company she keeps,” she said, her face still holding its grave overtone.

“I merely wanted your view on Lorin’s work. My only intentions were good conversation and to not eat alone.”

She looked to him as if she truly did not believe a word he said. “You called him by his first name, as if you know him personally?” she questioned, rather warily. “Have you met him?”

“Well, yes. I know him quite well,” he said with a grin.

“Then I will be here midday tomorrow. We can discuss it then, if you still want my company.”

He smiled. “Or, I suppose, if you still want mine.”

***********************************

lirimaer – lovely one
Mae Govannen – welcome
Naneth – Mother