[starkat]

Gwenneth smiled as she returned to the cookies. The last batch had just come out of the oven and were cooling when Cook made up her mind and sent the crow out to help with the outside decorations.

The elf maid smiled. Momentarily lost in thought, Ginger had to tug on her sleeve to get her attention. "I am sorry Ginger. I did not mean for my mind to wander."

"That's alright. I just asked if you wanted to help ice the cookies. We can make the icing while we are waiting on the cookies to finish cooling."

"Alright."Gwenneth reached for a mixing bowl and then with a shy smile she turned to the Hobbit next to her. "Ginger, may I mix the yellow coloring? My mother taught me a special recipe. It is a little sweet though."

Cook broke in, "The sweeter the better! Hobbits enjoy sweet things."

"Yes, ma'am." Gwenneth reached over and picked up a small bag of very fine sugar. Ginger busied herself with mixing the green icing. Every so often Gwenneth could see her friend looking over at what she was doing. The elf began to hum as she worked.

After a few minutes, when Ginger was absorbed in mixing her own batch of icing, Gwenneth reached over and put a small dab of golden yellow icing on the back of her Hobbit friend's hand. Ginger did not notice at first until Gwenneth laughed softly. The Hobbit looked up at the elf in surprise. She retaliated with putting an extra spoonful of sugar in the elf's bowl. Suddenly the two heard an "Ahem" from Cook. They exchanged glances and quickly finished their icing.