[Elora]

Uien blew gently at the shavings and pulled back to see what her carving had revealed. Ah yes, there is one petal, she thought. She had been surprised to find in this wood memory of that flower. It evoked memories sweet and sorrowful both. She stroked the newly shaped petal lightly, aware that there were horses approaching. They drew up outside of the stables. Uien sheathed her knife and set down the newly begun carving. She'd finish the mallorn flower later, when she had a moment.

Standing, the fragrant wood shavings falling from her lap, Uien went to see to the horses that had been left by the stables by the most recent arrivals to the inn. She emerged smoothing her hair back from her face and stopped where she stood. One horse she knew in particular, for she had spoken with it. Uien glanced about, looking for the man who rode it. Falowik was nowhere to be seen.

Faster, Uien drew near the horse he had riden and whispered to it. The horse flicked his ears and snorted in greeting, nudging her shoulder gently. Uien's face cleared as she learnt that the horse had returned with the rider he had set out with, her heart lightening from it's sudden weight. With a sigh of relief, Uien set about breaking the Inn's speed record for tending horses.

She had grain out and water filled for all three at a blistering pace. That done, she all but dashed across the yard to the inn and was still brushing off her hands as she entered the common room. Her eyes scanned the crowd impatiently, roving and searching. She found the one she had been looking for standing through the crowd with two Hobbits. One was Doderic, which she recognised from the night before, the other she did not know.

Uien saw Falowik look about him at the crowd. He found her as she was weaving through the throngs of people. Her eyes were perhaps as bright as her heart that he was well and returned so soon. Her skirts were still swaying around her as she stood before Falowik as Doderic struck up business.

"Ah, there you are Miss Uien. Difficult to spot you amongst so many Elves today. Have you recruited amongst your kindred?"

Before she could answer, they were joined by another who had spotted Falowik's arrived.

"She did try, I'll give her that," Falco Boffin allowed generously, favouring her with a pleased smile. "She had three, in total as of last night. But it seems two of them have thought better of an Elvish riding jaunt and have since left."

"Oh, that is unfortunate," Doderic replied. Uien felt the strongest urge to stamp on Falco Boffin's curly haired toes at the moment. Instead, she inclined her head and demurred as gracefully as she could.

"'Tis true that three did answer the call to search. Two have since had graver business yet to see to and I do not begrudge them that. One still remains." Uien's gaze returned to Falowik's then, patent regret within her eyes.

"I am sorry I could not do better," she finished. There was more she wanted to say, much more, but for now it sat within her. Falco continued his attempt at largess as far as she was concerned.

"Well, you did your best, like as not. Such things really are better left to those professionals who know their business." Uien really did like Falco better when he was being openly peverse.

"I have been able to arrange supplies and mounts for those that remain willing to set out. The horses were not cheap, but they'll serve well. There is sufficient coin to see us a good way down the road."

The hobbit unknown to Uien looked her up and down. Some curled wood shavings clung to her skirts still. All in all, she hardly looked to have the means to so much as purchase a loaf of stale bread. Uien said nothing of what she had parted with. Gorbadoc said nothing of his surprise. His expression was eloquent enough.

"Maybe we should find a table,' he suggested instead. The tables were fast filling for the evening rush and so they took his suggestion and seated themselves nearby. The three hobbits fell into a fast paced discussion of doings as they sat, who was where, which relations were about what business and anything else that seemed to fall within their interest.

That left Uien and Falowik to their own devices. Uien clasped her hands on the table lest she reach across for him now. Instead, she contented herself to drink in the sight of him.

"How do you fare, Laurëatan?"