[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel came down from her room. It was no use: she could not rest. No matter how she tried, she could not keep her mind on a solitary thought. Her thoughts wandered not only to beautiful fields, but to battles far off and other physical exertions. This inability to concentrate only haunted her when she had not exercised for a while. Menelduliniel looked, lamenting that it was evening. She wished she could run in the fields, but, these days, even in such an area as the Shire, Menelduliniel was wary of solitary night wanderings and avoided them when she could.

Menelduliniel sighed and looked around her. There was not a lot going on now, as it seemed that many had turned in for the night. Also, it seemed that everyone that remained was engrossed in conversation already. Out of the corner of her eye, however, Menelduliniel saw a man sitting alone, looking fairly resigned. Menelduliniel crossed over to the man.

"Suilad," Menelduliniel greeted in a friendly voice, sitting in a chair beside the big man, "What are you called?"

"I am Barak," Barak said, somewhat warily, "And yourself?"

"I am Menelduliniel," the Elf said, smiling, and extending her hand. Barak shook her hand.

Menelduliniel stayed in her seat and extracted conversation with the silent man, happy that she had something to do to occupy her mind in the long hours until she could even ponder resting.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Estelarion, noting Menelduliniel's departure, lay quietly in the dark for a while. His mind, too, was busy, but pondering what they should do next. They could begin a trip down south, but he did not know whether he felt like dealing with obstacles they would face on the way down in these dangerous times.

Finally, Estelarion could not stand the silence in the room either. He got up and silently slipped down the stairs. He saw Menelduliniel chatting with some man, looking foolishly happy. Estelarion sighed and went to the bar. He ordered an ale and made conversation with the bartender, asking about the area and the like, trying to keep himself occupied whilst his companion was busy with her new friend.