[littlemanpoet]

"Falowik Stonewort, is that you?" Falowik started and turned to look. A man stood, having pushed back his chair, just two tables over. Falowik could not remember having seen the man before, but it was clear that the man recognized him. From Bree? The settlement at Evendim? Not likely - he would remember that! Must be from Bree, he supposed, and more than twelve years ago.

Uien and Falowik exchanged a quick glance; Uien's look was of curiosity. Falowik shrugged to her and turned.

It was a noisy table, and Falowik pitched his untried voice higher and louder than he was used to doing. "Yes, it is I, Falowik. Forgive me, friend, except for this past month, I have been in the wilds for twelve years. I wish I could say that I remember you!"
*********
"Psh, good sir, a rest?" said Aman, fair Innkeeperess from Rohan. "You are near bursting with news! To let you impart it to me - indeed, to all of us - well, I would merely be doing you a favour. Come, good sirs and madams, tell us of your adventures since you vanished those months ago?"

Eodwine started at Aman, agape. "Has it been months? I was afraid it was so. I lost track of the time." Eodwine looked about at the hubbub of servers and old acquaintances becking and calling from here and there, and smiled at the chaos. "You may recall that I rode west out of town."

Aman nodded. "And your horse came back without you not three days hence!"

"Aye. Lucky for me my steed has such good sense! Not to mention the fine caretaking of this fine inn!"

At this point Ruby and Buttercup bustled out with the fixings for supper, and started making the rounds of the seven hungry and thirsty adventurors.

"It may be told now-" Eodwine called out over the bustle, but Aman raised a hand and laughed.

"Hold your tale for a little while, Master Eodwine, and be served. I'm sure that the whole great room will want to hear this tale in a short while."

Eodwine bowed and smiled, sitting down. "As you wish, Lady Aman."
*******
Falco grinned. Ah, it was good to have all this bustle about again! There came the two serving lasses from the kitchen, ready with good stew and strong drink! They both had high color in their pretty faces, and Falco beamed at them. Buttercup was trying to keep up with the other. What was her name? Ah, yes, Ruby! Just like the color in her cheeks! Falco smiled at her, and well this was a good day, was getting a smile back! Ruby had big eyes!

"Greetings, fair lass! It is good to see you again! You look as well as ever I have seen!"

"Thank you, Mr. Boffin, kind of you to say so." Ruby smiled and laid a bowl and spoon before him, and ladeled out the stew.

"Now don't be talking so formal with me, Ruby, you must call me Falco." What was that? Falco sniffed something pleasant on the air. It was Ruby, sweet as you please. "It's good to be back among good food, great ale, and fair faces!"

Ruby moved on to Uien, still smiling. "Oh, you are so full of talk, Falco, as you always have been!" Her charming eyes bounced from her task to his eyes.

"I've a bowl of hot stew to keep my mouth busy for a little while, but my eyes will be following you, pretty Ruby!"

"Tch! Such talk!" Ruby giggled, and moved to serve Falowik.

Gorby said to Anson, "Fancy that! She passes right by you and me though we're closer to the kitchen, and serves old Falco here first!"

Anson nodded glumly. "It looks like we'll have to settle for the dregs tonight."

"Now mind your words!" Ruby said from across the table. "There are no dregs of any kind at the Green Dragon! You'll get as good as any other here, and most like better than what you can get back home! Just a minute longer and I'll be over to you!"

"Forgive my hasty words!" Anson grinned. He was rewarded with the plunk of a big mug from Buttercup's hand, and brown ale poured before his wide eyes and growing smile. "My thanks, lass!"

Buttercup smiled and moved on to Gorby.

Finëwen sat and watched everything in silence. What did any of this have to do with her? She did not know. But she had told Eodwine that she would travel with him to Rohan. Why not? There was nothing else for her, a human raised in Imladris, with no desire to return there. She wished that she could join in the mirth of the rest of them, but felt that she had not really been a part of them at any time, no matter what they said to assure her. She sighed and accepted the bowl of stew placed before her. It smelled good, and she realized that she had an appetite.