Falowik took a sip of malty ale, licked his lips, and turned to Uien.
"A light has come out of the night
and given warmth where all was cold;
fair Uien-" He looked up at the beamed ceiling, grinning, and looked into her eyes.
"-fair Uien's beauty fills my sight,
her heart more true than can be told.
"I need practice," Falowik grinned.
"You made it just now!"
"No, I've been working it out the whole time we walked around the pasture fence. Rhyming's a hard task!"
She sipped her watered wine and laid her hand upon his arm. What she felt was in her eyes. Falowik place his hand over hers. He could not keep the happiness from filling his cheeks with a smile. He looked around the common room, steadied by the solidity of her hand.
"See that hooded man over yonder? The tall one?" Falowik nodded. "Sitting with the whittling Elf maiden? They are new here; wanderers, think you?" Uien nodded, glancing at the two Falowik mentioned, though her eyes spent far more time watching him. "Maybe we would do well to learn of them and see if they might have a mind to go hunting in the Hills of Evendim?"
"That seems well, Laurëatan."
"In a little while, then. I'd stay here with just you and me for a while yet."
The front door opened with more force than usual, and in strode a Hobbit who looked as grim and purposeful as any that Falowik had seen. The Hobbit stopped Ruby.
"I'm looking for Falowik the Wanderer. Is he here?"
"Yes, Master..." she left the question hanging between them.
"Brandybuck. Doderic Brandybuck to you. The Master of Buckland has sent me. Is the Man here?"
Ruby pointed toward Falowik and Uien. "Would you have a drink, Master Brandybuck?"
"Thanks, but I've no time, more's the pity." Doderic Brandybuck covered the small distance from the middle of the room to their table.
"Are you Falowik?" The Hobbit was direct and business like, at least.
"Yes, I am."
"The Master of Buckland has sent for you. He asks that you come with me at once."
"What would he with me?" Falowik asked.
"You know of the Man of Rohan, Master Eodwine, a servant of the Master's good friend, the King of Rohan. He wants the news straight from you, he bade me tell you, for he intends to set about Master Eodwine's rescue more quickly than the locals are likely to." Doderic gave a measuring glance over Falco Boffin's way, who was busy with an ale and studiously ignoring their table. He turned back to Falowik. "Can you come, now?"
"But-" Uien started. Falowik rose, his ale less than half finished. Her hand slipped from his arm.
"I can come." Falowik turned to Uien. "I must do this, fair one!" He would not speak so freely before the Hobbit as he had under the stars. He hoped that his eyes said all he needed. If I am all that you believe me to be, then I must do this.
"Have you a pony or horse?" Doderic asked.
"Nay, I do not. I do not ride."
"You must now, for the Master would speak with you yet this night. I'll have a word with the Innkeeper or stablemaster and return in a moment." With that, Doderic moved away from them to accost the nearest of the Inn's crew.
Falowik sat back down and turned to Uien again, sure that she would have something to say about this turn of events.
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