[piosenniel]

The Elf looked up when Pio entered the room and considered her closely.

She looked at him coolly in return, no flicker of emotion betrayed her uneasy mind. Moving to a tall table set against the wall, she placed her purse upon it, arranging it strategically so that it seemed to survey the room. She turned back to track the movements of the Elf, but only the King and Mithadan remained speaking, heads close together, looking at a document before them.

She heard him move near her, though his steps were light. 'Well met, Master Elf!', she said aloud, turning to extend her hand toward him, more a gesture asking him to advance no further than of common courtesy.

Mithadan, had glanced her way on hearing her greeting and excusing himself from the King, strode her way to head off any confrontation.

'This is Khelek.', he said, indicating the Elf, who nodded his head in affirmation.

'And Khelek, this is the Lady Piosenniel, daughter of Elurìn the son of Dior, and great-great-granddaughter to Thingol Grey-cloak, Lord of Doriath.'

Khelek's eyes widened slightly for a brief moment. Recovering himself, he greeted her in the manner of his kind.

Mithadan excused himself, to finish his conversation with the King. Though before he left, he leaned close to her ear and asked that she not use the knife he knew she had somewhere about her to emphasize any points.

'Let us skip the niceties of first meetings.' she said to Khelek. 'Our time here is short,' she continued, indicating the companions, 'and since I see now that you are in the good graces of both the King and Mithadan, I should like to ask you some questions.'

Khelek perceived this to be more of the nature of a statement than a request, and indicated she should continue.

'First, who are you and from where do you come. Second how come you here inquiring of the hobrim - how is it that you know of them? Third, what is it you intend to do with the information that you find. Fourth, do you think to aid or hinder us.'

He made as if to answer, but she stopped him once again with her hand. 'Consider well your answers, Khelek. Come to the Lonely Star this evening and speak with us.'

She turned and walked quickly away from him toward the table where she had left her purse. It seemed to be emitting the occasional puff of smoke. She picked it up and hurried out the chamber door and down toward the gate to the city, leaving the elf staring after her in consternation.

'Is she always so abrupt?' he asked Child who had come up to him.

'Well, she is alway one to get right to the point of things.' said Child. 'Oh and speaking of getting to the point, since you have the ear of the King, will you be able to get us an interview with Faramir tomorrow?'

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]