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Taking pity on the obviously flustered Dwarf Kara returned to the kitchen, hoping that Náin would recover the ease he had learnt with her over the weeks if she left him alone a short while. She had no idea why he was so befuddled this morning, he didn't appear to be overly tired or have had bad news of any kind.
As she hung up her apron, still musing on the mystery, she didn't fail to notice the curious glance sent her way by Frodides as the old cook took in the state of the garment. Kara met the gaze evenly, well aware that if Frodides didn't question her now she certainly would later.
"And what happened to you, girl? Give a guest too little for breakfast this morning? Or did the well dislike you taking water from it?"
The words were followed by laughter, as though she didn't much care what the answer was, but Kara had worked with her long enough now to know that she was very curious.
"It was an accident. I made one of the guests jump." She replied, not wanting to name Náin as the culprit in case Frodides confronted him about it.
"Oh? Shouldn't go sneaking up on those as aren't concentrating, or those concentrating too hard. Not everyone is as ready for the day as you or I when they wake up."
The piercing look still being given to her by Frodides gave Kara warning that this explanation did not suffice, and a longer and more detailed one would be demanded upon her return. But it seemed that the woman was willing to leave it be for now, knowing Kara had somewhere to be.
"Now, girl, I'll let you go in just a moment but first, had you thought as to what you were going to do for lunch?"
Kara had to admit that she hadn't. She'd heard of the iron stomachs of Dwarves and their ability to go without food for sometime, and had hoped that a big breakfast (for she had made sure Náin had received plenty of food that morning) and a large dinner would do for them both. It seemed though that Frodides didn't agree.
"Well you can't go missing meals, nor depriving guests of theirs. Take this."
She held up a small basket and placed it on the table in front of Kara. Opening it, she found rolls of bread, slices of meat and cheese and even small sweets.
"You'll have to manage your own water but this should see you through. Get that nice young Dwarf to carry it for you if you find it heavy, though a strong girl like you shouldn't have a problem."
"Thank you!" Kara was touched by the gesture and hugged Frodides in gratitude. The woman made a show of pushing her away and berating her for childish acts, but the twinkle in her eye and the smile she just couldn't keep off her face showed her pleasure.
Grabbing cloak and basket Kara hurried back out to Náin who was now standing by the door. She saw with dismay that his shoulders were slumped and his head down toward the floor. She wondered if perhaps he had changed his mind and did not wish to go, but as she neared he straightened up and by the time she reached him he appeared ready and willing to leave.
Noticing the basket she carried he held out a hand to take it, manners overtaking shyness for a moment. She handed it over without protest, not wanting him to mistake a refusal for a rejection when he seemed so sensitive this morning already.
They set off at a brisk pace, having decided to go into town first as Náin had not yet seen that, and it was the best place to start from as a circular route past many of the things Kara wanted to show him would lead them back to the Hall at last. As she had hoped the Dwarf did seem to be calmer than he had been before and was able to speak far more clearly, though not often. So far the journey had been conducted in relative silence. She just hoped he would find his voice again soon.
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