Mardath grinned at the uptight elf. "Calm down, Soronume. I meant ye no harm. So, ye're Soronume, she's Elwen, who're the rest of ye?"
Niniel shyly slid a little farther away from this loud stranger. He seemed harmless enough, but he was far too...exuberant for her liking. She thought he could have asked first, rather than seating himself without a by-your-leave.
Mardath didn't seem to notice her reaction, though he had come to the table because of her. He absently lit up a pipe and turned to Dorelnar, "And ye would be?"
"Dorelnar."
"Dorelnar. Rolls easy off the tongue. Na like Mardath. Tha's a name I'd na wish on me worst enemy. Sounds a bit devilish, think ye, Soronume?" He grinned, and wondered if the fellow even knew how to smile.
Niniel blushed a bit, and half hoped that the stranger would go away. Unconsciously, she was leaning toward Soronume, like a flower follows the sun. Mardath's coarseness of manner only emphasized the innate grace and charm possessed by Soronume. Besides, Mardath was too big, too loud, and too...uncouth for her liking. He was too much like the rowdy bandits among whom she'd hidden for a few years.
Finally, he noticed her reaction, and to whom she was looking. He chuckled silently. So, it was that way, was't? Well, mayhap she could lighten him up a bit. Teach him to laugh. Though, she didn't look like much of a one for laughter herself. More like one for tears.
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