[Elora]

By the time Vanwe had gathered herself, fetched the sawhorses and trestles and set them up as per Cami's specific and detailed requests, the sun had sunk a little into the West. She deliberately kept her mind blank, for dark thoughts lingered despite the time she had spent huddled by the well. Vanwe stood back, casting a final perusing glance over the trestles to be sure it was as Cami would wish. Her hope was to get at least one thing right today. With a small sigh, she collected two extra saw horses and returned them to their place. A quick bypass to collect the crane from the table in the stable and Vanwe was heading back towards the inn.

Her feet were a little heavy, and became moreso, as she realised she had a lot of accounting to do and nothing that vaguely resembled a reasonable explanation. Her mind turned not for the first time to Benia, wondering how she was faring after the healing that had tumbled so much out of where Vanwe had safely locked it away. As she set her foot upon the lower step, she mused that at least her back was not raw from the beating that usually accompanied "Elvish sorcery". It brought a fey smile to briefly illuminate her grave face.

By the time she had stepped in through the door, the smile had faded as her mind turned to business ahead of her. Aman would likely know where she had disappeared to after promising to return with cloths. Lespheria would also be wanting some answers. She had to speak with Silvanis, and see Benia also. As for the Ranger, Vanwe's mind darted away. Rangers were dangerous for the likes of her. Elessar had a good reason to be so keen to bring her mother to justice, as did her own kindred. Vanwe had learnt that Rangers, like soldiers and even the Elves of Mirkwood, were to be avoided.

She would do exactly that, she decided, and avoid the new Ranger. A quick glance around the commonroom did not show him to even still be present, but Rangers could hide as well as she. Her instincts were all she had ever had, and they'd gotten her this far. Vanwe hung onto that as she made for the bar, missing in the crowd Cami and Derufin as she quietly slipped through the people. Vanwe was good at being quiet too.

A check behind the bar revealed the stack of neatly folded cloths had been moved, and Vanwe moved into the kitchen to check the pantry. All sorts of things were kept in the pantry, something she had noticed the day before. Neatly managing to avoid tripping anyone over, Vanwe stepped into the pantry and cast about.

"There you are!"

Vanwe jumped as she spun, finding Cook standing with her hands on her hips. Vanwe opened her mouth to explain her presence, and was forestalled.

"Only this morning we were speaking about the importance of meals. Don't think to make excuses to me, Missy. You're not the only one who has been skipping."

Cook secured Vanwe's wrist and soon had plucked her out of the pantry.

"To think," she clucked as she guided Vanwe to the table and sat her down firmly, "that even Elves would skip a meal and then sneak into my Pantry!"

"I'm no thief!"

Cook turned, surprise painted on her features at the passion in Vanwe's denial. Vanwe herself blushed at the loudness of her voice. When she spoke, which was not often, it was rarely so forcefully. Vanwe's gaze dropped to her lap.

"I'm not," she repeated more softly in her usual manner.
"There now, noone said you were, young lady. But come to mention it, what were you doing in my Pantry?"
"I was looking for some clean cloths I said I would fetch from Aman," Vanwe said to her lap. Cook crossed her arms and considered the odd maiden, too wan and thin by any standard, Elf or no.

"Well, there you have it. Did you find any behind the honey you were reaching for," Cook asked, humour tickling her voice as she turned away to see what little remained from lunch.

"No," replied Vanwe, this time speaking to the table she'd been sat at. Cook soon populated the table to which Vanwe had taken to talking to with what she had found.

"Aye, no surprise that Vanwe. There are none in here. Aman had Cami fetch them a good hour ago when you had disappeared. Now, where do you think you're going?"

Cook fixed Vanwe with a stern glare as she pushed up from her seat.

"Aman-"
"Also missed lunch and will have to answer to me just like you are now. Sit down and eat, Missy. You can sort everything else out later."

Vanwe sat and Cook pushed the dish towards her, filled with bread, cheeses, pickles and even a bright apple. She sighed, placed some cheese on a slice of bread and dutifully ate. Cook nodded in satisfaction and returned to the preparations for the evening, occassionally checking that Vanwe was still eating. As she drained a earthen mug of cool water, Cook smiled in satisfaction.

"There now, nothing is quite so troubling on a full stomach, is it?"

Vanwe learnt quickly. It did not do to argue with Cook.
"No," she dutifully said, gathered the dishes and set them in the warm soapy water to wash them.

"Then smile, Missy, smile," came Cook's reply as she shooed Vanwe back out of the kitchen. Vanwe did her best, lips faintly curving for Cook, and found herself back in the buzzing commonroom. Her smile lapsed and her face again took on a saddened cast. Cook was wrong. Somethings were always bad, well fed or not. With renewed intent to simply avoid the Ranger, Vanwe again combed the room to see if any of the people she had resolved to face were present.