[Arry]

Annû was in the galley fixing himself a cup of hot tea when Rodhal wandered in. The boy’s face lit up when he saw the Elf, and he called out Annû’s name. ‘Well, look who’s here,’ said Annû, waving the boy closer. The Elf drew him close to his side with an arm about his shoulders, ruffling Rodhal’s hair as he asked the boy did he want a cup of tea, also. Rodhal nodded his head ‘yes’, asking if there were any honey left to sweeten it. Annû laughed, and brought out the big pot of honey in the cupboard. ‘You’ve as big a sweet-tooth as my brother!’ Rodhal watched with wide eyes as the Elf scooped up a heaping teaspoon of honey and stirred it into the tea.

‘Hey! Did I hear someone saying something bad about me?’ Carandû grumbled coming in through the entryway. He had just finished changing his clothes and was in the process of pulling a thick tunic over his head. Annû held out a mug of steaming tea to his brother, whose nose wrinkled in distaste as he took a sip. ‘Where’s the honey? You know I like two spoonsful!’ He helped himself to more sweetener, frowning as both Rodhal and Annû laughed. The joke explained, Carandû laughed, too, shaking his head at his brother.

‘Are you two busy right now?’ Rodhal asked, blowing on his tea to cool it.

‘Well, no, actually. Did you have something in mind?’ Annû said, pouring himself a little more tea.

‘My uncle would like to see you two. He told me so.’ Rodhal looked hopefully at the two Elves. ‘He’s still awake. I just saw him not too long ago.’

‘Pour another mug of tea, Annû,’ Carandû said, rustling through one of the cupboards. ‘We’ll bring Galhardir a cup and share some of these.’ Carandû pulled out a plate of nutbread slices from the back of the cupboard.

The three walked slowly back to Galhardir’s room, taking care not to spill the mugs of tea. Rodhal opened the door when they got there and peeked his head in. ‘Uncle,’ he said, a smile on his face, ‘look who’s come with me!’