[Envinyatar]

Two questioners at once! Now, who to answer first. 'Your pardon, Mistress Piosenniel,' he said, nodding his head at her. 'but that is a long story, and my throat is still dry from a long day on the road. Will your curiosity keep until the morrow?' He sipped his ale thoughtfully. 'Oh, I have been rude, have I not! My name is Derufin.'

Derufin smiled as she acknowledged his apology. 'I will tell you this - Once, it would have been said I ran from sorrows, but now am I pulled toward joy.'

He turned his attention to Sarah, standing with two pipes in her hand and a bulging pouch of aromatic leaf. 'Is that Old Toby?' he asked, taking the offered pouch and sniffing deeply. 'No, it's Southlinch, isn't it? From Bree, as I recall.'

He took a pipe and tamped a bowlful of pipeweed into it. Plucking a straw from the small whisk broom sitting on the bar, he caught the flame from the small candle lantern to his right and lit the pipe, drawing deeply on it. 'Ah! Now that is good! I thank you, Mistress Sarah for the generous gift.'

He pointed with his pipe stem to a nearby table. 'Come sit awhile with me.' he invited, raising his brows in question. She nodded her assent, and he led her to the table, pulling out the chair for her, and bade her sit. Seating himself with a weary sigh, he propped his road worn boots on an empty chair. 'Would you like something to drink?' He called the serving girl to the table, and waited while Sarah gave her request.

'Tell me,' he said, a half smile creasing his face, 'what brings a fair lass like you to The Green Dragon?' His eyes gleamed in an impish manner, 'Except, of course, for the fine company one finds here!'

He raised his pint to her, taking a long drink, as she composed her answer.

[ January 11, 2003: Message edited by: Envinyatar ]