“Good morning, gentlemen!“ Annawyn greeted Halasan and Haleg with a professional smile; only the latter noticed the slight twinkle in the corner of her eyes and answered with a lopsided grin. A pretty, rather shy young woman stood beside her at a table upon which bolts of various coloured fabrics were spread. She glanced apprehensively at the two burly men.
“You really think the blue?” she asked nervously.
“Yes,” the seamstress gently answered. “It matches your eyes perfectly.”
“Well then…” her voice trailed away.
“I shall let you know when it is ready for a fitting,” Annawyn said, escorting her to the door. Haleg held it open helpfully. After it closed behind the customer, she sighed. “I should be thankful that she comes without her dragon of a mother now that she is married, but she is not yet used to making her own decisions. I thought we would never finish. Now, let me see what I can do about your garments.”
She led the men to an adjoining room where various clothing hung or lay folded on shelves. With an appraising glance at Halasan’s stature, she reached for a linen shirt. “Your breeches could use a cleaning, but they are sturdy. You will not need new ones yet; perhaps a jacket to wear instead of a cloak, now that it is getting warmer…” She handed him the garments, noticing his absent look concernedly.
“As for you,” she turned to Haleg, “I have something that should survive until your next visit, if you do not stay away too many years.” She gave him a light brown shirt of soft, supple leather and darker, sturdier leather breeches. He started to protest, but she brushed his words aside with an impatient gesture. “I cannot do much to help you otherwise, but this I can and will. Now, while you try those on, I will repair the cut in your shirt,” she added to Halasan.
“But what about my daughter?” he asked.
“One thing after another,” she answered. “You cannot ride about the countryside seeking her in rags.”
When she came back with the darned shirt a few minutes later, both men had donned their new garments and greeted her somewhat self-consciously. Her critical eyes looked up and down, then she nodded approvingly. “It will do,” she said, motioning them to nearby chairs.
“And Catrina?” Halasan’s tormented eyes pleaded for reassurance, or at least for information.
“They have left Edoras,” she spoke in low tones. “But I found out that they went to the blacksmith, Tunar Estomer, before leaving. He may have news of the direction they have taken. You should seek him first.”
Halasan turned to his new friend. “Do you know where I can find this blacksmith?”
Haleg nodded. “I will take you there.”
° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° °
Outside of the shop, Elenna stood arguing with Azariah. “It was your idea to follow them; now you won’t let me go inside? It would not be the first time I have come here as a customer.”
Just then the door opened hastily; Halasan and Haleg hurried out and nearly ran into the two of them. Astonished, Haleg asked, “What are you doing here?”
Almost defiantly, Elenna answered, “I need clothing suitable for the journey, Azariah says.”
“Well, you have come to the right place for that. We already have ours and are leaving soon,” the axeman said.
“But where will you be going?” Azariah asked.
“That we will know after we have seen the blacksmith, I hope,” answered Halasan.
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'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth.. .'
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