"How do you fare, Laurëatan?"
Falowik felt as if just the short time apart had caused a chasm that needed to be crossed with great care. Her bright eyes did much to span the chasm, for her heart was in them.
"Well enough," he replied, allowing a slight smile. Far better now that I see you again. But those words did not come to his mouth. "The Master of Buckland is a good man-" Falowik's eyes strayed to the three hobbits deep in talk. "-hobbit, if I'm any judge. He has sent Gorby, here, to be one of our party. Doderic, Gorby, and I are off to Bree as soon as Doderic deems we're ready. We wanted to come by here and see how your efforts were-" His report faded on his lips. She was giving her full attention to his words, but they were not worth her attention. There were other things he wished he could say.
He had begun to convince himself, while on the road, that she, an Elf of high birth, was too noble for him, a mere wanderer of a Man, that she deserved his adoration and courtesy, but her heart was too high to be given to him. So he had convinced himself in his mind, and he was sure that it was right to be so convinced. Meanwhile, the closer they came to Bywater, the more urgent became his need to see her again.
She waited in the silence he left while these thoughts rushed through his mind. A single line creased her brow.
"I am sorry," Falowik ventured, "I say so much and so little. It is good, aye," he nodded, "good to see you again." I felt half a man away from you. He would have said the words he thought before he had left Bywater for Buckland, but now he could not voice them. His need for her raged against his resolve.
"How do you fair, Uien?"
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