[Nurumaiel]

Marigold's eyes flew up and a noticeable gasp burst from her lips before she could grasp the presence of mind to stop it. Oh, this was surely too much! It was enough for her that she had been able to meet the beautiful bride of yesterday, the one who had dried her tears and kissed her and gave her another cake. It was more than enough to be speaking with this Ranger (he must be a Ranger, even if he said he wasn't... didn't they like to keep it a secret, or something along those lines?) and waiting for his adventures (he had adventures, too, but perhaps modesty prevented him from telling of his heroic part). But for this beautiful woman to be standing before her... no, she wasn't a woman! It was not hard for Marigold to guess that by the maid's light-footed motions and easy grace, she must be an Elf.

These thoughts raced through her head, and for a moment she was thrown into great consternation. And then, recalling that these Elves and Men must receive no bad impression of Halfling hospitality, she stood and returned the curtsy, and though it was not nearly as graceful as that of the Elf's, she performed this well-known sign of courtesy with childish simplicity. And then, trying to keep the breathless tone out of her voice and mostly failing, she gestured to a chair. "Please, ma'am," she said, gazing up at the Elf with wide and earnest eyes, "sit down, and join us for as long as ever you please."