Now that the two friends were once again alone after the rush of the events of the morning, Gilly felt free to question Benia more closely.
“I see you were trying to sneak off without saying good-bye,” she said nodding toward Benia’s luggage with a grin. She lifted the leather bag and began to full the empty portion with the dry goods and sundries Benia had bought in the morning.
“You know I wouldn’t do that unless there was no other option available to me. But it seems you are pushing me out now, my friend, packing me up like this.”
“A place for everything and everything in its place.” Gilly held up an apple battered by the fall the desert woman had suffered. “No, I think we had better sort out your bruises first before you try dodging them rangers. You can’t be hopping over no hedgerows with that ankle!” She set the apple down again.
“But I must if there is no help for it,” Benia explained. “I have business to attend to beyond the Shire, and am expected there, else I should send a messenger.
“Do not dismiss the idea of a messenger yet. I feel you'd be a good deal safer in the inn than traveling alone, despite the rangers’ attention here. The one is most troubling though Silvanis seems decent enough.”
“Apparently Silvanis is trusted by the King,” Benia smiled, “so I expect he should meet a hobbit’s standards!”
Gilly picked up the tray of empty soup dishes, “I don’t know about that Miss Benia. He seems to have passed up Miss Vinca’s mushroom soup, but I should give him a second chance, eh? I’ll just take our empty dishes back now and see if I can deliver his. If he can stomach the cold soup I will know his manners are not just polish on a bad apple.... No am not that cruel,” she said laughing and backing out the door. “Even I can’t stomach cold mushroom soup!”
The hobbit turned around to see Silvanis seated at a table with the scarred ranger. Feeling suddenly very weak she wanted to retreat again to Benia’s rooms. This was too much. But remembering Léspheria’s counsel she made her way down the stairs, inwardly trying to steel herself against a feeling of hopelessness. Act normal even when you don’t feel so, she thought.
The stairs ended, and within a few paces she was the dread table. Summoning up the best good-natured voice she could manage she placed the soup before Silvanis quickly lest they she her trembling hand. “Here Mr. Silvanis. You forgot your soup, I’m afraid it has gone cold.” Gilly couldn’t bring herself to look at him but stared rather at the scarred yet handsome features of his companion at the table. I’m headed for the kitchen is there anything I can get for you?”
The unruffed stranger leveled his gaze at her and grinned with one side of his face.
"No, not at the moment, thank you."
Gilly sensing she was unwelcome picked up the empty tankard and hurried to the kitchen. Ach! Where is Myrtle when you need her! she thought. It need to know what those rascals are discussing.
[ June 25, 2003: Message edited by: Hilde Bracegirdle ]
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