[VanimaEdhel]

OOC: Let me see if I can jump in here without messing you guys up...well: here goes...

Estelarion had begged Menelduliniel to stay out of trouble. He truly had begged her, which drove him mad. She had heeded his warning, though, much to his surprise, and had not said a word for a long time. She had not spoken to anyone, as a matter of fact. That almost worried him, because she was always speaking of something. He watched her as she sat next to him at the bar of the Inn.

He didn't really know where the others had gone. He didn't really care either: he was tired of travelling. He was also tired of acting as guardian to Meneli. She was only 100 years younger than he was: that should not have made all that difference. But, she was so naive for some reason.

It wasn't as if he had to watch over her anyway. Why did he feel this odd obligation to her? He should be able to leave her. But, somehow, he never could bring himself to do so.

Estelarion looked over at Menelduliniel again. She sat, quietly looking down into her drink. She had drunk so many drinks in this sitting...what was wrong? Estelarion cleared his throat, trying to get Menelduliniel to look up, but she didn't.

[{(<*> )}]

Menelduliniel sat, absorbed in her own thoughts. It had not been Estelarion's begging that had kept her out of trouble at all. It had been all Menelduliniel. She was...she didn't know. She felt weird. And lonely. Yes, she definitely felt lonely.

But why should she feel lonely?

At that point, Estelarion cleared his throat next to her. She flinched into her drink, annoyed that he disturbed her thoughts. He probably wanted her to look up. She didn't feel like talking, though.

She drained her cup. This had been what: her 8th? Maybe 9th. Who knew...who cared?

She drained a final cup...a 9th or 10th...then decided she should go to bed. Where had the others gone? She and Estelarion had been separated from the others after the first ajourn in the meeting they had all had with the Rangers. That's when Estelarion took her aside and begged her. Then, after they had spoken for a while, they had gone back and couldn't find anyone. So: they had passed their time here at the bar...and in their room, dozing.

Menelduliniel got up and noticed Estelarion arise behind her. She grimaced as she saw that he planned to follow her. She didn't even know where she was thinking over going.

She and Estelarion made their way up the stairs. At the top, she wheeled around to face Estelarion, surprising him and making him almost lose his balance. He clutched the banister and steadied himself.

"Where are the others?" Menelduliniel said, in an even voice.

"Do you think I would know?" Estelarion said, trying to keep an even voice, but getting more frustrated with Menelduliniel's mood swings, "I have been with you this whole time!"

"Do not shout!" Menelduliniel hissed at him, even though he was speaking as quietly as she.

Estelarion had finally had enough of Menelduliniel. And his ribs still hurt, too...

Estelarion took Menelduliniel none-too-gently by the arms, and pushed her into their room. He held both her arms and looked into her face.

"Okay: tell me: what is wrong with you?" Estelarion hissed at Menelduliniel, who refused to look at Estelarion, "I have done nothing but guard you and protect you this whole time! Do you think that is all I desire to do? Do you think I have no other obligations?"

Estelarion let go of Menelduliniel's left arm and lifted her chin to make her look into his furious face. She looked back at him coldly.

"Then why do you not leave?" Menelduliniel answered, without expression in her face.

"Because...because..." Estelarion breathed heavily, trying to think of the answer. Finally, he released her, pushing her away. "I just cannot. I do not know why."

Estelarion sat on the bed and clenched his teeth. Menelduliniel sat down next to him.

"I'm not ignoring you, you know, Estel," Menelduliniel said quietly, "I just need to think about some things."

"You should have just told me that before," Estelarion said gently.

He arose from the bed and lay down on the other one.

"I think we both need time to think at some point soon," Estelarion said, looking at the ceiling. He paused for a second, then sat up and continued, "But we do not know where the others have gone. We should go downstairs and ask around. I am sure the innkeeper knows. And if he does not, we may find one of them wandering around down there."

Menelduliniel got up off the bed and pulled Estelarion up to his feet.

"Let us go then," she said. Both exited quietly and went down the stairs to look for the others...

OOC: Was that okay? I read what I missed, but still I'm not 100% sure where everyone is. If there's something wrong, let me know and I'll change it.