[Amanaduial the archer]

Aman woke with the sunlight softly warming her eyelids, even through the closed curtains. As she got up, she could hear the birds singing cheerfully, and the sound of the horses shifting in the yard, neighing softly and moving around. The sound of quiet, smooth singing sweetened the morning air even further, and Aman smiled, taking a moment to just look out over the yard before she got dressed.

Coming down the stairs, Aman saw that some of the Inn's earlier risers and new arrivals already in the Common Room. Cami would no doubt already be up- the efficient hobbit was always up before Aman, a point on which she delighted in teasing the Innkeeper about. Aman was certain she was getting better though- she certainly wasn't the lie-in-until-noon Aman that she had been before at any rate, no matter how much she might like to be. Something about thin curtains- the way Aman's bed lay, the early morning light woke her early but pleasantly. Certainly there were worse methods of waking up- she remembered with a rose-tinted glassed induced smile how she had been woken up often when training horses for the Rohirrim; generally a bucket of water or a cold, wet face cloth was used.

The woman walked briskly into the kitchen to see that Cami wasn't yet there, but Cook was, standing over the kettle and a sizzling saucepan, and so was Derufin, slumped over the table in a most un-characteristic manner.

"Morning Cook," she greeted Vinca cheerfully. "Morning Der- vala in an ale-house, what happened to you?"

The red-eyed Derufin sniffed, looking miserable and more than a little sheepish. "Not a vala, just me. Please, no lectures," he added quickly, holding up a hand, then wincing as he rose his voice. "I'm just going to sit over my tea- thankyou, by the way Cook- and feel sorry for myself." Saying so, he closed his eyes again and took another gulp of the tea. Cook placed a small shot-glass of powder in front of him with a thump, her lips pursed disapprovingly. "Thankyou, Cook." The sheepish reply came.

Cook turned to Aman. "Seems our stable master was at the ale."

"Mistake!" Came the hasty reply. Aman laughed. "Well, do you feel well enough to do some work?"

One suspicious, red eye took in Aman. "Does it involve lots of noise?"

"Probably not."

"Probably not? Oh, that'll do. What did you have in mind?"

Aman smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Derufin. The attic needs clearing- its more than a one person job, take my word for it. Have you seen it?"

Derufin nearly coughed up his tea as he turned quickly on Aman, then winced as a headache struck once more, before turning a baleful, shocked gaze on her. "The attic? Its a jungle!"

Aman smiled, all wide, innocent eyes. "A jungle? Oh, just think of it as a challenge. Come on, I want to get started before Cami is up. Have you had breakfast?"

Derufin opened his mouth, but Cook got there first. "No he hasnt, and neither have you, Miz Aman. Or Vanwe. Seems to be becominga trend. Go and fetch her in, would you Aman, there's a dear."

Aman nodded, but couldnt help murmering to Derufin as she passed. "Fancy stomaching a bacon butty, Derufin?"

Leaving the shuddering man behind, Aman went out to find Vanwe.