Derufin was in the stable, grooming one of the horses with care. His face was unlined, his eyes distanct, as though his thoughts were far off. Upon hearing the footsteps of the Elf, Hobbit, and Man, Derufin faced them while continuing with his task. Uien introduced Doderic and Derufin to each other, and Doderic stated his business in his curt manner, though not without Hobbitish courtesy.
"So you have need of a horse for Falowik," Derufin mused. "All here are owned by guests of the Inn-" he paused "-save one, the chestnut charger there, the mount of Eodwine of Rohan."
"The very same...." Doderic mused. "Seeing as this is the only one, might we make use of him?"
"He is not mine to give," Derufin objected.
"Mayhap," said Uien, "the charger will tell us for himself what he wishes." She walked over to the horse as the three looked on with blank faces, the light of understanding flickering on in each one at a time, last in Doderic, who tipped his head in fascinated awe; Uien was the first Elf he'd seen, though he'd heard enough from the Master's tales.
Uien approached the charger and spoke calm words in a speech none of them knew. The charger raised his head from his food trough and watched her. His big brown eyes held the faintest fear, which vanished in a moment; his ears perked. Uien reached up and stroked his cheek, speaking to him in soft words all the while. Awareness of the other three came into the horse's eyes, and he gave a low rumble that Falowik did not understand in the least; it made him wary. He shuffled his feet. Uien turned to them, beaming.
"His name is Flít-haf; 'fleet of hoof'," she smiled. "He is willing to bear Falowik and me to Buckland."
"And you, assistant?" Derufin's brow rose.
"Falowik has never ridden horse before," she answered. "I can help Flíthaf and Falowik befriend each other, and the journey will go more quickly that way." Derufin still looked skeptical. "The need is urgent, Master Stableman! I ask to be released from my duty, for a short while."
"It could turn into a long while if you would go on this errand of rescue, Uien." Derufin had paused in his strokes. The horse beneath his touch stamped a hoof. Derufin patted the horse's side and continued the strokes.
"Uien," said Falowik, "I think that you should stay here, at least tonight; who else can recruit if we're both gone to Buckland? I do not trust Falco to the chore. If you will go on the rescue errand, so be it. But with a horse beneath me, I can be back tomorrow."
Doderic stamped his bare foot. "Time is escaping as we belabor this," he urged.
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