[Elora]

So much and so little indeed, Uien mused as Falowik spoke. An impatience fluttered through her like a summer rain storm, quickly rising and passing. She would happily beg leave of the Hobbits, indeed the world, if only to have the chance to speak as her heart wished to. To do so would be intemperate and hasty and Falowik, she had learnt this much, was a man of discreet privacy. She would not cheapen their moments with desperate haste.

However, Uien was not beyond the pull of her thoughts and emotions. At Falowik's questions, her lips curved into a soft smile that perhaps was not so discreet and her eyes were warm.

"Better, now," she said with subtle emphasis on her meaning. Something hung behind Falowik's words that she could not quite understand. She looked briefly down at her hands and unwound them from where they clasped before her on the table. No barriers, not with her love and not between her love.

"Much better now," she reaffirmed and looked up into Falowik's face once more.

"Don't see why she's so pleased," Falco commented as he noted the clear pleasure of her expression as she gazed upon Falowik. Uien merely raised a brow and bit her tongue. There was a great deal that perhaps the Shirrif did not see, but pointing it out now would not aid any of them, Falowik least of all.

"I am pleased you have returned well and so soon, with more aid what is more. I have been looking to your return before you had even faded into the night." That last statement was meant for Falowik also. There was much more she had to say to him and he her, if she guessed correctly.

"We returned as quickly as we may," Doderic assured her.

"I take it that the Master of Buckland has committed aid to this venture," Uien inquired. Doderic nodded, Gorby mirroring his cousin's response and adding, "He's sent out a notice that any who would aid are to gather at the Prancing Pony as soon as they may. Provisions, horses all are to be supplied."

Falco snorted in laughter, "Generous as ever... I take it you'll be keen to sell back your horse then, Uien, for that Dwarvish trinket you traded." At that Uien's brow furrowed once more and she took issue.

"I regret it not at all. What value a trinket or mathom when set against a man's life?" Or love, she added to herself and looking back to Falowik.

"Though I hope otherwise, it may be that we will become grateful of the extra mounts and supplies when alone in the wilds. A cleverly designed Dwarvish brooch will be of little comfort if we starve whilst admiring it's beauty."

Never mind that she'd sell the dress off her own back if it came to it, for love of Falowik. "When do we set out tomorrow," she asked, her hand moving across the table to establish some nearness to Falowik of its own accord, discretion and propriety irrelevant to it.

"As early as can be," Doderic suggested. Conversation turned to negotiations over first and second breakfasts soon after that. Falco was strongly advocating first and second breakfasts were to be had at a table, as proper. Doderic was advocating a brief first breakfast and not hint of a second breakfast. Gorby ventured a first breakfast at a table and a second upon the road, but neither Falco nor Doderic paid him any attention.

In that space, Uien dared reach the final distance to brush Falowil's fingers with her own. The warmth of his skin on her fingertips was like a sigh rushing through her and she smiled into his face. Falowik watched her hand, caught in that moment.