[Elora]

"Of course," Uien replied to Falowik with a warm smile. A man of his word. Hers was not the only light of the path that stretched before her feet. It was mingled and golden. She drew the pack closed, securing the tie and slinging it back over one shoulder, measuring carefully her next words.

"Only one thing would I ask of you, Laurëatan." Falowik stilled, the midday light gilding his features. "Will you not use my name? Uien is not as contestable as Fair One." She smiled shyly at her request, Falowik somewhat surprised. His brow furrowed as he examined her face carefully.

"If I have caused offence with Fair-," he replied. Uien shook her head, placing a reassuring hand upon his arm as she returned his earnest gaze with her own clear eyes.

"I would hear how it sounds in your voice," she said shyly, flushing somewhat with her confession. "Please, it would please me greatly" she added. Falowik was silent for a moment, long enough for Uien to wonder if somehow she had again offended him. Then came what she wanted to hear.

"Uien," Falowik said, slowly at first as though tasting the sounds of her name. A smile blossomed on her face at the sound of his voice in her name. "Uien," he repeated, a smile of his own growing as he saw her respond. She closed her eyes and let it resonate within her mind.

"Yes," she sighed as her eyes drifted open again, her touch still resting on Falowik's arm. He took her hand up in his own, wrapping his strong hands around it and studied it. What he made of it, Uien could only guess at, for her hands had long ago left the idle pasttimes of her youth and had been set to the purpose of surviving for long years. Yet, as he studied, the years melted away and it was as she remembered.

Around them the trees swayed softly, the sky flawless and blue overhead. Time stretched infinitely in that moment. There was only the thrum of her heart, the sure warmth and strength of his hands held in subtle control around her own and the fairness of his face, his voice and his spirit that looked back at her through his eyes. The breeze tugged at her hair, lifting it back from her face.

Uien herself found drawn closer, a tide carried her and without struggle she followed. Further and deeper into the time that stretched around them, into the man that stood before her. The longing was in his eyes, and her own. She watched him wrestle with it. Then again his voice rumbled through her.

"The roof," Falowik murmured. A man of his word.

"The roof," Uien echoed. Falowik released her hand and stepped back as if to regain his balance. She could still feel the warmth of his fingers upon her own. "A fine roofer's assistant I would be to cause you to tarry," she said regretfully.

"Derufin keeps his store of tools and timber at the back of the stables. Likely he is there already." Falowik glanced at the stables and nodded. The pair pulled themselves to make for the stables, Uien's memory singing with that eternal moment. They found the stablemaster sorting through shingles at the back of the stables. Uien, recalling the somewhat tempestuous nature of her departure from the table, had new cause to flush as they approached.

Derufin glanced up, looking from Falowik to Uien. "Falowik would like to see what can be done before the search leaves," Uien explained as the stablemaster straightened.

"There's more than enough to keep us busy until then," he said. His alert eyes moved over Uien's cloak and pack. "Are you sure you will be able to keep your focus and balance" he inquired of Uien. Her flare of temper in defense of Falowik had him wondering if it was wise to send her up. Afterall, if Falco walked out Uien could well decide to rain some loose shingles upon the Shiriff's head. Derufin was not to know that Uien was as likely to charge headfirst into the fray in defense of those dear to her as the Sun was to rise in the East each day.

Uien, however, mistook the question as something else. Her glance towards Falowik said much of what she thought her friend was getting at by way of distraction. "I'm perfectly able to assist," she confirmed, setting her pack down and laying her cloak over it to demonstrate her readiness. By the time she had straightened smoothly once more, she caught only the last glimpse of a fond, if somewhat exasperate smile.

"Right then," Derufin said, "Cook's right keen to see the attic roof mended after our lunch." He placed a meaningful emphasis on the the last word. Uien showed no sign of repentance. Stubborn pride shone in her eyes but she made no reply. Falwoik watched the exchange keenly, his questions building. Once the matter of tools, ladders shingles and roofing tacks were sorted out, Derufin fell silent.

As they collected the gathered materials and equipment, Uien and Falowik were not left to wonder long about what the other man mulled over. The three made their way to the inn to set up the ladder. As Falowik was testing it to ensure it was securely in place, Derufin broke his quiet musing.

"Remember now Uien," he said, "Try not to throw anything at Falco from the roof. He is the Shiriff in these parts and I doubt he'd thank you for a handful of shingle tacks in his rump." Uien looked sharply at Derufin who was smiling merrily at her.

"I doubt he'd notice the tacks, perceptive as the Shiriff has proved himself to be." Uien's reply was replete with dry sarcasm. She raised a single brow, to which Derufin held up his hands in open surrender, smile still in place. Uien turned then to Falowik, the jar of tacks in question amongst the other material she carried.

"After you," she said smoothly, as though they were ascending to a feast or ball. Curious as Falowik must be, Uien was not entirely sure how to explain her sudden fire of her defense. Now, at the base of a ladder which they were to climb to shingle a roof was not the likely place. Perhaps, atop, with the calm of the countryside far below them, she could find a way if he asked.