[Envinyatar]

Ruby and Buttercup had plucked every last grain of salt from the kitchen floor. Derufin, a grin on his face, saluted them, and hung up his apron on the peg by the pantry door. ‘Your turn, ladies! I’ve done my stint as kitchen help – there are chores to be seen to in my stable.’ He shook his finger at the two Hobbits. ‘Don’t go getting all addle-pated over that Falco fellow. Cook is a little on edge tonight, what Miz Aman gone off her so-called errand, and the story that one of our guests is definitely missing and may be dead.’

Buttercup looked at Ruby, a sly look on her face. ‘Go on,’ she whispered, ‘tell him.’ Derufin cocked an eye at the two smirking Hobbits. ‘I’m not deaf, ladies. I heard you. Now spill it! Tell me what?’

Ruby ground her foot into the floor, then spoke softly. ‘It seems so trivial when you think that poor Mister Eodwine might be lying murdered somewhere . . .’ Buttercup looked shamefaced herself and nodded her head. But then her face brightened and she nudged Ruby in the side. ‘Go on! A bit of interesting news will do us all good.’

Derufin sat down at the table, drumming his fingers on it as he waited for one or the other to speak. Finally, Ruby sat down followed closely by Buttercup. ‘Well,’ she began . . . then she proceeded to tell him of her interesting ‘talk’ with the new guest, Beren. ‘More of an inquisition, really,’ she went on. ‘He asked a lot of questions about Miz Aman and . . .’ her voice trailed off, and Buttercup nudged her again. Derufin leaned forward. ‘And what?’

‘And he asked if she was married!’ piped in Buttercup. Ruby glared at her, but Buttercup just shrugged her shoulders and looked at Derufin for his reaction. It was not what she expected. He sat back in his chair, grinning, then laughed out loud. ‘Oh that is a brave, brave man! And especially if he thinks our Innkeeper is some blushing young maiden to be bowled over by a little charm and a ready smile.’ He chuckled and slapped the table with his hand, startling the two Hobbits. ‘Mistress Piosenniel told me a tale or two about her good friend. It will take a man of some mettle to win the heart of our fair Aman.’

Now it was the Hobbits’ turn to raise their brows at him. ‘Well we think he’s a nice young man. And it’s a shame Miz Aman hasn’t any suitors. It can’t be all that different with the Big Folk. Surely she would want one.’ They nodded their heads to each other, and Derufin detected a certain romantic gleam in their eyes.

‘Ladies,’ he said, getting up from his chair and heading for the door, ‘were I you, I would rein in any thoughts about playing the matchmaker. Especially since no one has asked you to do so.’

As soon as he’d left, Buttercup hmmmphed! at his admonition. ‘he’s just jealous – he doesn’t have a lady to swoon over or to fuss over him.’ Her eyes brightened, and Ruby nodded her head, knowing exactly what she was going to say.

‘After we fix up Miz Aman – he’s next!’

'Who's next? and for what?' came the booming voice from the entry way to the Common Room. 'Have you two nothing to do but sit and gossip? The next round of guests need to be seen to, and look at the dishes - they're piling up ladies! Better hop to it.'

Cook's voice marshalled them into action. Ruby sprang up and headed for the Common Room to see who needed what. Buttercup sighed and tied her apron about her. The dishes - she always got stuck with the dishes . . .