[Huan]

Rowan looked out the window, her attention drawn by the rising sounds of male voices. She stood up from her chair and crossed the short space to the window for a better view. ‘Look here!’ she said, motioning for Gil and the others to follow. ‘Looks to me as if we’re missing out on some sort of a party.’ She pointed to the casks and the fellows with mugs in their fists. ‘And isn’t that Emlin out there, tasting the wares himself.’

She laughed seeing him take a mouthful of beer. She knew he thought he might enjoy it – after all, all those others seemed to be. Fool Elf!!! Now, there he stood his cheeks bulging; his eyes, nearly bugged out. She could see the dilemma in his mind almost. Shall I be polite and swallow it? Or rid myself of the foul brew with one good spit. He was spared the decision as a Hobbit bearing an armful of mugs bumped into him, causing him to splutter and lose his mouthful.

The Hobbit was most apologetic, Rowan could see. And offered the Elf a hand up. He walked away shaking his head as the Elf, laughing loudly, waved him off.

‘C’mon, fellas!’ Rowan urged the others as she stepped quickly to the door. ‘Let’s go out and join the fun!’