[piosenniel]

Pio heard the small, tired voice of Elanor saying exactly what she was feeling. 'Go on to bed, Elanor. You've done a good days work just in these last few hours of the night.' She saw the Hobbit sigh with relief and trudge toward the staircase to the rooms above.

Her shoulders slumped when she heard Pio call her name, just as she put her foot on the first step. 'Oh no, not another fallen visitor to the Inn. I just can't bear it!' But all the Elf wanted was for her to show Beruthiel and Laurie to their rooms. Elanor gave them each a lighted candle to take up stairs with them and motioned for them to follow her.

Pio made another pot of sweet spice tea and went to the table where Cami sat, her eyes dreamy from the potions of the Mannish healers. 'It doesn't really take away the pain does it.' she said to her friend as she sat down and propped her legs on on a chair seat. 'It just makes you not really care that you're hurting.' She poured a cup of hot tea for her friend and pushed the pot of honey toward her, along with a small plate of jame filled scones.

It was comfortable, sitting there, with Cami. They had been friends for so long that often they finished each others' thoughts, or could sit in silence for long whiles without the urge to chatter at each other.

'I miss Bird.' said Pio softly. 'I wish she could have stayed a little while longer.' She sipped slowly on her drink. 'She's gone to Sheetrock, you know. A little known village somewhere out east.'

Eruantalon had come up silently to the table and stood near. 'May I help you?' said the Elf, looking at him over the rim of her cup. He wanted a room for the night, but Pio had just given the last to the two women who had gone upstairs with Elanor.

'It's a fair night, Sir. Come I have a place you can stay snug and warm and there will be no charge.' She bade him gather up his pack and bedroll and took him out to the stable and up to the hayloft.

Mounding the hay as if it were a mattress, she threw several clean horse blankets over it, and helped him lay out his bedroll. She positioned a small crate near the head of his bed, and left him a small lantern for his use. 'Be very careful, sir.' she warned him. 'Do not go to sleep with the lantern still lit. I would not have the stable burned down and find you done to a crisp tomorrow morning.'

With a word of good-night to him, she climbed back down the ladder, and went back inside to sit with Cami. They watched the scenes and faces in the embers of the dying fire, remembering things long past.

[ January 03, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]