Niniel smiled shyly at the newcomer. Soronume had called her Lady Elwen. Did that mean the elf was nobility? Hopefully not. Niniel had no idea how to act with her if she was noble. She envied the beautiful woman, who was so familiar with Soronume.
Not that Niniel was unnattractive herself. Her hair was long and thick, a rich mahogany brown. Her face was heart-shaped and perpetually melancholy. Her lambent blue eyes sparkled, but the glitter seemed to be unshed tears rather than merriment.
She was almost grateful to Soronume for intervening, for she had no longer any idea what she would say to the omnicheerful Hapman. Indeed, she found him somewhat overwhelming. Soronume's gentle smile was soothing, Hapman's wide grin was almost frightening. At least to Niniel, who expected cruelty from the stronger as a matter of course. And Hapman was, indeed most men were, much stronger than the petite Niniel.
She slid into the seat that Soronume held out for her and smiled again. This time, her smile held more relief than nervousness. Elwen had welcomed her as Soronume had. Niniel's fears of being shunned by the people in the inn were slowly dying.
[ May 13, 2003: Message edited by: Tinuviel of Denton ]
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