[Amanaduial the archer]

Aman glanced openly at the hobbit's foot for the first time, being as now he had brought it up as she couldn't be counted as being rude. Or...not as rude, anyway. She winced slightly at it - the hankerchief was rapidly being soaked through with blood, and she could see the swelling underneath.

"Good gracious, whatever did you do to it?!" she exclaimed, but not too loudly - the hobbit already seemed quite embarassed enough without any more attention being attracted to his injury. She held up a hand as he blushed even further, twisting his hands slightly. "No, wait - it doesn't matter. I shall get you someone to look at that directly."

Half turning, Aman stopped herself suddenly and turned back to the hobbit. "Sorry, sir, but may I just ask your name? So I know what to call you by."

"M-my name?" the hobbit stammered, as if the question was the most unusual on earth. Realising the absurdity of his pause, a fresh wave of blushing overtook him fervently and he replied quickly. "Cotton, miss. My name is t-Tom Cotton."

Aman smiled politely, pretending not to notice his pause, and bobbed her head slightly. "Right you are, Mister Cotton. I'll be back as soon as I can." Turning away, she finally allowed herself a little grin, although not an unkind one at the hobbit. Why, one would think she was the first Woman ever to be seen in the Shire!

Pushing open the swinging door into the kitchen, Aman waved aside the steam as Ruby opened one of the oven doors to take out a back of buns. Coughing and clearing the air in front of her with a few frantic waves, Aman peered through at the others in the kitchen - Ruby, one of the hobbit waitresses, and Cook. As Ruby was busy with her buns, she turned to Cook, looking over at the matronly hobbit who had positioned herself in the rocking chair wedged between one corner of the cupboards and the side of the oven, a few sheets of parchment on her lap. The Green Dragon's newly returned cook looked over her half-moon glasses at Aman in a scholarly fashion. "Good evening, Aman - what's the matter?"

Aman grinned. "Ms Bunce, have you seen Uien? There's a delightfully absurd little fellow in the Common Room who may need her help."