[Nerindel]

Before Ædhral’s companion had the opportunity to reply Finnian gently interrupted laying a hand on her shoulder, “I’m sorry to intrude,” he smiled apologetically, “But I need your assistance, I would have asked Kannah but she already seems to have her hands full” he whispered indicating a table of young farm hands who had stopped in for a quick lunch and were shouting several orders at once at the dry humoured serving women.

He then indicated a stout short fellow sitting across the way, “Our guest is hungry and I need you to take his order while I see to his room.” “A Dwarf!” Ædhral nodded grinning with the light of intrigue in her soft brown eyes, Finnian laughed as he recognised the look “Aye it tis.” Remembering her guest she turned and apologized “I just have to see to this guest then I shall be back,” she promised. The stranger nodded, “I am not going anywhere and will still be here once your chores are done,” he smiled understandingly and with an appreciative nod, she rose and went to attend the Taverns new guest.

“Anything I can get you?” she smiled pleasantly. “Ah yes! I’d like some ale! A good ale, and some cheese!” the dwarf replied licking his lips in anticipation, a small smile appearing on his bearded face. “Anything else sir?” she asked writing his order on the small note book she had taken from her apron pocket. “Ah…no. That’s it for now, Adaral?” the dwarf answered taking a guess at her name. Ædhral looked up surprised, after speaking with the dark cloaked stranger the dwarves innocent stab at her name had startled her, but seeing the dwarf’s hopeful smile she laughed. “Close guess! The name’s Ædhral. One moment, and I’ll be back with your order!” she smiled warmly, then taking her leave she headed towards the kitchen.

Pushing through the two way door, she saw cook bent over the stone sink scrubbing out the large soup pot, muttering incessantly to herself, “Why do I bother, really, I tell you I make all this lovely food and not one of them can make the effort to show up on time, I know that they are always busy and that the customers should come first. But I tell you what use will they be to anyone if they all get sick with starvation!”

“We won’t starve,” Ædhral grinned as she reached for the cheese and took a knife to cut a large slice for the dwarf. Cook jumped startled that she was not alone as she had thought. “I’m sure the others will be along just as soon as they can get away,” Ædhral smiled reassuringly. “I know,” Cook sighed, “But I promised Bethberry that I would make sure the young lad Andhan ate properly while she was away to keep up his strength you know!”

“I know,” Ædhral smiled sympathetically, “But I’m sure Rochadan will have him here soon, perhaps little Sallie is having a late nap and their just waiting for her to wake.”

“Ah, perhaps you are right, you know me no patience at all, but if he doesn’t appear soon we will be having words, mark me, it will not do to have children missing meal times.” cook sighed, taking the pot from the sink and setting it upside down on the draining board.

“Rochadan is a good father and I’m sure he has a good reason for being late,” Ædhral said in the stable masters defence. Then plating the ewes cheese that cook was famous for making she again pushed through the door to the common room.

Stopping at the bar she set down the plate only long enough to fill a tankard of their finest ale, then with plate and tankard in hand she returned to the dwarf. “I hope you enjoy” she smiled setting the cheese and ale before him. “I’m sure I will” the dwarf grinned lifting the tankard and taking a large draw. “Very fine indeed!” he laughed wiping the froth from his beard with the back of his hand. “I’m glad it is to your liking sir, will there be anything else?”

“No that will be all for now, thanks…. But perhaps you would humour me with your company for awhile if your chores will allow,” he asked indicating the empty seat across from him.

“Oh, erm…” Ædhral fumbled looking between the dwarf and the stranger who patiently waited her return, she didn’t wish to seem rude to either one.