[Imladris]

Lira only dimly heard Esgallhugwen and it was only some time after the elf left that Lira came to herself and realized that she had been decidedly rude. Blushing crimson, she finished labeling the bottle that she had been absently holding in her hand for who knew how long, rose, and fetched a bowl of soup.

The inn was full of hungry tenants and Lira made her way slowly through the crowd. A wooden bowl in her hands, she waited her turn to be served. The soup had chunks of vegetables in it, and was strongly flavored with herbs. Lira smiled as she tasted it with her tongue. The Lady Esgallhugwen was a very good cook in deed.

Sniffing deeply, she shivered in delight at the delicious fragrance as she wandered outside looking for Esgallhugwen. She found her beside the stable, looking wistfully at the sky. The dark cloak no longer hung about her, and her dress fluttered lightly in the wind. Her aubern hair glittered like jewels in the sun and strands of loose hair drifted from her face, trailing in the wake of the passing breeze. "Mellon," she said, "the soup is good." She looked admiringly at the elf, glad that she had finally disrobed of her forbidding cloak and hood. "You look beautiful, Mellon," she said softly as she stroked her aubern hair. "No longer hide in the shadows. You are more becoming in the light of the day."