[Amanaduial the archer]

Please note: It is now DAY in the Shire - late morning - breakfast is still being served

_____________________________________________


Aman woke later than she should have done, due to having been awokened last night by Vanwe's low, scared moan. The sound had brought up memories in Aman's mind which caused some rather odd dreams...which had given way to more pleasant dreams....

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Aman rubbed her eyes and tried to remember the precise dreams, but she could only conjure up one particular face. A sheepishly smiling face, attached to a body of rather tattered clothes, rubbing his head ruefully....

Shaking her head and getting up, the Innkeeper of the Green Dragon dressed quickly and swept her hair back into the usual bun, before pausing as she caught her reflection in the long mirror which usually remained ignored at one side of the room. She looked at herself carefully and, thoughtfully, removed her hands from her hair, letting it cascade in a nut brown waterfall over her shoulders as she shook her head slightly to fix the parting more, so her fine hair framed her pale face and bright, green eyes. For a moment she simply surveyed herself in the mirror thoughtfully...before the grating sound of a chair or something being scraped back pulled her to her senses. She jerked slightly, as if awakening from a dream, and looked away from the mirror as if embarrassed. But she couldn't help lingering for a moment, wondering whether her hair was better up or down, before sweeping aside such foolishness and pulling it back up into the bun, loosing a few strands at the front so they hung lightly and casually around her face.

Stepping out into the Inn from her room, Aman glanced guiltily to see whether anyone else had noticed her lateness, but from Cami's smile, it didn't seem that she had slept for too much longer, and the hobbit didn't seem to mind. Breathing a small sigh of relief and returning the smile, Aman turned into the bar...and bumped straight into the owner of the rueful face in her dream.

Beren stepped back quickly, nodding good morning to Aman. "Sorry, Miss Aman, I wasm't looking and...anyway, good morning." He seemed to almost visibly remember his manners and added the last bit. Aman returned the slightly bashful smile, pushing away the blush that had started (it only tended to show at the tips and sides of her ears and the back of her neck) and wished Beren a good morning in return. It was only Derufin, watching from one side, who noticed that the bashful smiles matched each other.

Aman realised belatedly that they were both behind the bar and sent a puzzled look to Beren.

"Ah, I was....Derufin just said I may as well help out a bit."

"Aye, as you seemed to be...otherwise preoccupied." Derufin's grin spoke volumes and Aman wondered for a fleeting second whether the stablemaster could indeed read her mind. She glared at him and he excused himself quickly, although the smile did not remove itself. Ruby, clearing a table, seemed to have something stuck in her eye and was evidently trying to blink it out, before she scurried into the kitchen after Derufin.

Aman smiled politely at Beren, served a newcomer to the bar, then went into the kitchen after the others to get her breakfast. Funnily enough, the talking mysteriously stopped as she entered...

[ July 28, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]