"My'lady," Soronume said, turning to face Niniel, "have you not more to tell us of yourself, as the lady Elwen earlier enquired?"
Niniel tried hard to smile, she really did. Crying was not something that she usually did so easily. It was very tempting to just walk away and spare herself the distrust that was certain to come once she revealed her trade. But that wouldn't be fair to either Soronume or Elwen. She swallowed hard and forced herself to look at Soronume.
"Yes. I--I am--by trade, I--I'm a thief." Before they could respond, she hurried to add, "I don't--I don't steal when--when I don't have--don't have to. I--I don't like to--to steal when the--when the person might--might be as badly off as--as I."
Neither Elwen nor Soronume said anything for a long moment. "If--if you want--if you want me to--to go away, I--I'll understand." She started to rise.
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