[Elora]

Uien could sense the building of something in the scent of the early dawn air. Perhaps a storm, she commented to herself, and nothing darker. The evening before had proved an eventful one. Uien was overjoyed with those who had stepped forward and offered their assistance in finding Eodwine. She hoped that Falowik would as pleased as she.

Lira, Esgallhugwen, Lumiel, Nuinyulma all had made genuine offers, and Uien had earlier despaired of finding anyone. She'd risen early this day, filled with renewed vigour and hope. The horses had been seen to already, Uien all industrious activity after her neglect of the evening before. Her first thought had been of Falowik, as had been her last the evening before. Was he well? How did he fare?

She had sensed the storm in the air and hoped that it was not something else. A light shiver danced beneath her skin before she managed to get a rein on her thoughts. Falowik was well. He was a wanderer, skilled in survival. She shook her musings from her and bent her attention back to her task. She had yet to see Derufin and so waited for the Stablemaster so that they could speak.

Her hands were not idle though, swiftly weaving much like Uien's mind in the early morning. The herbs and plants she had gathered with Falowik the day before had to be separated, prepared and readied. She cleaned off dirt and stray material, tied and wove stems and supple branches together and proceeded to tie to a rafter where they would not be in the way. The scent of clean herbs filled the stable as she worked in a corner out of reach of hungry horses and ponies and not in the way of Derufin or Beren as well.

She hummed softly as she worked. It was a melody of the road, one she had heard her kin sing as they departed for the havens and one that had been sung around her when she herself had set off with a heavy heart. It rose and fell sweetly, a warding and well wishing for a road safe from darkness and despair and she sang it for Falowik, who was on a road far from where she stood.

Her thoughts ever and again circled. She was engrossed in her task so much that Falco Boffin's arrival was nearly unnoted by her.

"What's this business of yours then, Mizz Uien?" Uien managed to turn, a bundle of calendula in her hands, in time to face Falco and his question.

"You refer to the search party," she inquired, reminding herself that it would be better to have the Shiriff working with her. Falco cocked a brow but bit back his reponse about Elves playing the fool. Of course she knew what it was about.

"When do you think you might add a Ranger, or a warrior?"

"Those that have stepped forward have shown bravery not yet glimpsed in others," Uien returned. "They are not incapable of defending themselves." Still, Uien had to admit that a Ranger or tracker or warrior would be a wonderful addition to make. Perhaps a doughty warrior.

"I suppose you have a Great Hero tucked away somewhere then," Falco said as he noted Uien's thoughtful mien.

"Alas, I do not, Shiriff. Do you know of one?" Her question was genuine, yet Falco suspected some sort of Elvish mockery, the light, swift and fleeting kind they were so good at.

"You'll not find a Great Hero willing to do something as ordinary as finding a missing messenger, Mizz Uien, well we both know it. Not unless you have a great deal of silver tucked away." He took in her appearance and came to his conclusion.

"A fine company of Big folk you may have, but it will be me that finds the ones to get this done. Sensible hobbits who can slip quietly about without a fuss... Let me know if you find your hero. I'd pay a pretty penny to see 'im." Falco nodded with great satisfaction at his quip, tucked his thumbs into his braces and strode away.

Uien shifted the calendula in her hands. "I'll take any help that I can get, Shirrif," she said quietly to the stable, "provided that it is offered in good heart. I think, though, that you have already met a brave man who could be the hero you seek."

With a quiet smile, Uien returned to her task of hanging the herbs to dry a little so that they would keep longer on the journey.