[piosenniel]

Heading back to the kitchen

Cook was more than happy to let the Elf see to the herbs he mentioned. ‘I’ve many of them,’ she told him. ‘I use them myself for treating the ailments that happen at the Inn. ‘But some of those I think you’ll have to look for in the wooded areas south of here. I could speak to Granny Oldbuck about them. The woods border on her little parcel of land. We often trade herbs. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. Might even pry the recipe out of you for your tea.’

The flask was unstoppered and more of the tea Cook had brought with her was poured into their cups. And the talk turned in earnest to gardening. Though, Cook noted it was her that did most of the talking with Lithmîrë making a few responses when prompted. From what she could gather, he’d spent most of his life cultivating fields and growing plants and in places that seemed none too hospitable for such pursuits. Or so she gleaned from the few brief descriptions he let fall. Still, he was a good listener and he didn’t seem to mind as she bragged a bit about her own accomplishments.

She wondered how he had gotten his injuries, but he seemed the sort that was best left to come round to the telling of that sort of tale by himself. ‘Bit like a hedgehog, he is. Curl up in a tight little ball to protect his soft underbelly; spiky bristles coming to his defense if he’s poked at too much.’

The sun had moved a few finger lengths west as their conversation wound down to a close. Cook excused herself, saying she needed to get back to the kitchen. the last touches on the supper meal would need to be done. He helped her load her basket back up and saw her to the entrance to the bower.

‘Come by the kitchen later for your evening meal, if you will. Be glad to have you. I should know from Granny Oldbuck by then if those herbs you need are near her.’

Cook trotted off, stopping once to wave at him as he stood watching her go.