[mark12_30]

LinGalad cleared his throat while Endereth was considering Avery's question. Endereth raised one eyebrow.

"That man," LinGalad gestured with his drink, "is watching us, but trying to act as if he's not."

Endereth shrugged. "So go talk to him."

LinGalad's eyes popped. "Me?"

"You introduced yourself to me, didn't you?" Avery said, bemused.

LinGalad cleared his throat, set his drink down, got out of his chair, and nervously approached the strange man. "Good evening, sir."

Kalir looked puzzled, glanced behind himself, and realised the elf meant him. "Hello. Good evening."

LinGalad stared, not knowing what to say next. Kalir shifted in his seat and stared back. Finally, LinGalad looked back at Endereth, who was laughing, and LinGalad began to laugh too.

"What's so funny?" Kalir snapped, feeling self-conscious.

"My lack of social skills, " LinGalad replied, chuckling. "I've already offended several people without meaning to. I hope I haven't offended you too. What would a man say next?"

"I don't know, " Kalir shrugged. "How about, Join us for a drink?"

LinGalad blinked. "Join you and who else?"

Kalir gave him a blank look. "I meant, if you wanted to know what to say next--"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, of course, you've left the subject out of the sentence again, and I am to understand that it is implied. My mistake. Er, may I ask your name?"

"Kalir."

"And my name is LinGalad. And now, good Kalir, would you care to join me and my newfound companions for a drink?"

"All right, " said Kalir, actually none too sure about this clueless elf, but his curiosity helped him out of his chair. "And how do you know that I am good?"

LinGalad stopped in his tracks, and a look of consternation crossed his face. "Yes, I did forget to ask about that, didn't I?"

Endereth bent double with laughter, and LinGalad smiled, blushed, and laughed. "Well, perhaps if Endereth is laughing, then she is not overly worried about your moral character at the moment. You are good, aren't you? I do hope you are."

Endereth laughed so hard she ran out of air; Avery was half bemused and half stunned. Ajada was busy taking notes, thinking that LinGalad's naivete was a clever method of hiding some sinister plot. And Radagast simply sighed, hoping that it would not take too much time or effort or mentoring for this silly young elf to adjust to the hard, cold and puzzling world of men.

Kalir looked around. "Hello. My name is Kalir..."

[ May 11, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]