[Nurumaiel]

"Well!" said Nuru, sighing. "Breakfast is almost taken care of. Just one more platter of eggs to make, and then... I'm done! Until lunch, that is. Why am I even working here?" she added with a little groan, though not actually meaning it. There was nothing she'd rather be doing than helping Pio and the other innkeepers out in their busy job.

Just then a small head covered with brown curls appeared at the side of the door. "Is this a kitchen?" said a voice.

"Why, yes, it is," said Nuru, quite surprised.

"Good." A hobbit girl, looking no more than ten years of age, walked into the kitchen and approached Nurumaiel. "I'd like something to eat, please."

"All right," said Nuru, "but what's a young girl like yourself doing at an inn?"

"Is there anything wrong with it?" the girl said, looking defiant.

"That's up to your parents, I suppose," said Nuru. "But if I had a girl of your age I certainly wouldn't let her in an inn that can sometimes be dangerous."

"Well, I haven't any parents," said the hobbit girl. "And I'm not afraid of any danger. What kind of danger do you have here, anyway?"

"To tell you the truth, we don't have that much danger, though one man here came back pretty hurt."

The girl ignored that comment from Nuru and said, "I'd like some breakfast, please."

"First tell me your name," said Nuru in a demanding voice, but her eyes were sparkling.

"I don't need to tell you my name, because you're laughing inside and would give me breakfast anyway, but my name is Donnamira, though most just call me Don."

"Well, Don, here's your breakfast. But stay here in the kitchen. I don't know how safe it is for a girl of your young age in the common room."

"I could go out into the common room if I wanted to, but since you asked me not to I guess you won't." There was a pause, as if the girl was thinking over what she had just said. "Actually, if I had wanted to go to the common room I'd go whether you asked or not. But you seem nice enough so I'll just stay here."

Nuru was rather surprised at how rebellious this child was. A regular little queen, she thought. But what can I expect, her not being raised by anyone? After things quiet down here I'll see if I can get anything more out of her. For some reason I think Rie is going to get along really well with this young girl. It just seems like she's the type of girl Rie'd like... and Rie's the type of person Don would like.