[Lumiel]

As Finëwen spoke, Lumiel ran her finger along the side of her ale, drawing abstract images that she erased with her hand when Finëwen finished. She watched as the woman ordered another drink, this time an ale, but said nothing. Her own drink sat in front of her not even three-quarters empty.

"It seems a waste to just let it sit there..." she said more to herself than to anyone else. She had drunk all that she could stomach, and did not understand why anyone in their right minds would want such a thing. Thinking, an idea came to her and she stood up from her seat, the mug held up high in one hand. "Oy! This ale goes to any who carry a tune! Though among this lot, I think it might rot first!" she shouted above the noise of the crowd with a big grin on her face.

The offer of a free drink instantly caught the attention of many of the patrons, who scrambled to get in the better position for a song on the tops of tables and chairs and anywhere else they could find elevated space. Those who put forth the most effort were mostly young hobbits and a few young men and they laughed merrily as a few of those about to perform fell from their stations in a half-stupor. Finally, they organized amongst themselves a silently agreed upon song with one leader, a young hobbit with dark curly hair and warm brown eyes.

In a half-formed circle, they left space for Lumiel and she laughed as she went to join them. She cast a look back at Finëwen and motioned with one hand for her to join. Not waiting to see if Finëwen would join, she began clapping to the beat of the song. It didn't take her long to pick up on the songs for she had a quick memory when she put her mind to it. The group seemed to ignore the fact that she was an elf, perhaps because she seemed so young, maybe because she didn't seem to act like they thought an elf would, or maybe it was just because she had offered a free ale. Either way, there was a mutual friendliness amongst them and they laughed and sang and boasted of stories and great feats they had achieved (or so they said).

The time wore on and for a while Lumiel forgot herself. She also seemed to forget the hour. Finally realizing the time, she regretfully bade her newfound friends good night, hoping to see them again in the future. She was about to step away from the group and head towards her room when the leader from before, the dark-haired, brown-eyed hobbit, ran in front of her and stood defiantly with both hands on his hips. "Excuse me m'lady, but I can't let you pass. Not just yet anyway." he spoke with a serious tone and voice, and Lumiel looked back with confusion.

"I don't understand, what do you mean?" she asked.

"Well, you made a promise And though we be just humble hobbits, we have a sense of honor and we don't take kindly to those who show no honor, if you take my meaning." he went on. She tilted her head to show her lack of understanding. "The ale m'lady! The ale!" he exclaimed, his seriousness dissapating in the wake of warm, congenial grin as he laughed.

"Ah yes! I had forgotten, good sir, that I had indeed made such a promise. I never renege on my word, and I won't begin now. But the thing is, you see, one of your fellow honorable hobbits has drunk the ale I brought over there, and so I must give you something of equal worth." she said with all the eloquence she could manage in her mirth and put a hand to her chin as she thought.

A smile flashed across her face as an idea formulated in her head. Going down on one knee so that she was at the hobbit's level, she leaned forward and quickly gave him a peck on the cheek. Laughing girlishly, she skipped away, leaving a dumbfounded hobbit in her wake. Not one to be left in such a vulnerable position, the hobbit quickly came to his senses and called out, "Many thanks, m'lady, I got more than I bargained for! But, what is your name fair maiden?" he asked.

Pivoting on one foot at the sound of the hobbit's voice, she replied, "Lumiel Rovalhir, good sir hobbit. And yours?"

"Will. Will Branson." he added his last name to follow Lumiel's suit. "Will you join us again tomorrow for another round?" he asked hopefully.

"No, sir Will, but I may see you again. Good night." she answered as she turned one last time and headed down one of the wings to her own room. The hobbit named Will returned to his friends who gave him a queer look with sly grins and teased him. He took it good-naturedly and carried on with his fellow merry-makers. Back in her room, Lumiel took off her boots and cloak and laid them carefully by her bed. Folding down the sheets, the slipped between them and closed her eyes, falling into an elven sleep peculiar to her because of the human influence. She slept with her eyes closed, though her mind was quite awake. In her dreams, she laughed and played with the hobbit named Will, and she felt at home.