|
The two women chatted pleasantly about the inn and the town itself, but always they came back to the subject of the inn and it staff and the young southern woman soon came to realise that the inn was more to Ædhral than the mere place of her employment, it was her home and her family. As they spoke, the serving girl kept a careful eye on the stable master’s daughter, smiling warmly each time the little girl squealed with laughter and delight.
It was not long before Rochadan returned the chard chest balanced upon his broad shoulders, “I wasn’t sure if you wanted the chest taken straight to our guest or if you wish to see what we had first?” The Stable master grinned, setting the chest down before them.
“Well it hasn’t been opened in sometime perhaps it would be wise to take a look inside first,” Ædhral shrugged. Then snapping the catches back they slowly opened the lid, even little Sallie stopped her play, curious to see what was inside. To their surprise the clothing within still looked in good condition, Ædhral pulled out a bright orange shirt and wrinkled her nose in disguised at the ghastly brightness of the fabric.
“I can see why that might have been left behind!” Kellan laughed, Rochadan nodded his head in agreement and Ædhral could already hear the dry sarcastic remarks the garment would receive from Kannah if she saw it worn in public, quickly she banished it to the bottom of the pile.
“What bout dis one?” Sallie smiled brushing her little hand over the soft fabric of a forest green tunic; Ædhral carefully lifted it out of the chest.
“Oh yes, I agree that looks very fine,” Kellan smiled.
“Yes, very fitting for an elf and the right size too I think!” Ædhral winked, holding the tunic up against the stable master who was roughly the same height as the elf. “Yes very fetching indeed,” she smiled playfully.
“Well that might be so, but if our guest is not to cause a stir he will be needing pants as well,” The stable master blustered hiding the deepening of his cheeks as he delved into the chest. Ædhral suppressed a snigger as she helped to find a pair without holes or faded with age. Finally, with the help of Kellan and little Sallie they found a dark pair of pants with green stitching and a good pair of walking boots that looked like they might fit the elf.
With the garments in hand, she thanked Rochadan and Kellan for their help.
“What bout us!” Sallie pouted pulling on Ædhral's skirts.
“How could I ever forget my best helper and her friend," she grinned, "Come to the kitchen after dinner and I may have a nice surprise for you both!” she whispered with a wink as she bent down to kiss the child’s head affectionately. Then after stroking Grimm’s shaggy coat she returned to the inn.
As she ascended the stairs to the guest quarters her stomach knotted, she hoped the elf had not noticed her embarrassment and that Finian had not said anything about it, but she did hope the young innkeeper was still there so she could excuse herself promptly, before embarrassing herself more. Reaching the door she knocked politely and waited for someone to answer.
|