[Nerindel]

Léspheria had witnessed Silvanis entering the inn supporting a southern woman she had seen around the inn, a small hobbit woman was almost running to keep up with the rangers long strides. Léspheria had been too busy to give any aid and was glad when she saw Vanwe had gone with them.

But as she continued with her work, doubts crept into her mind, Vanwe had told her that she was from the south, which Léspheria had found most strange and if indeed she was, she may not know of her inherent gifts. She also remembered how uncomfortable the young Elven woman had been around Both Silvanis and the southern woman, it had almost seemed as though she feared them.

Oh! she thought as all the piece of the puzzle that was Vanwe clicked together in her mind. She immediately stopped what she was doing and rushed to the kitchen pushing passed the gathered Hobbits.

"Cook! do you have any thyme in your store?" she asked politely. "Of course I do! Why?" she asked raising a puzzled eye brow. "One of the guests has injured themselves" she quickly went on. "I need the thyme..." "for tea" the Hobbit woman finished for her, Lesperia nodded profusely. "I'll make the tea and you get that box down from up there" she said pointing to an average sized box that sat on the middle shelf next to the door. As Léspheria got the box she could see it was full of various dressings and strappings. She turned back to the hobbit woman to see her pouring the tea into a large mug, "here you go, Now make sure your patient drinks it all" she said waggling a stubby finger at her. Léspheria smiled taking the mug and box she rushed to Benia's room stopping only to check what room the woman was in.

She reached the room to see Vanwe tending the woman's swollen ankle, She nodded approvingly, It seemed the elf had some knowledge of her gifts after all. She watched from the door as the elven woman then told the Silvanis and the hobbit woman what else would be required.

She knocked the open door and entered the room, "I thought you might need this" she said pressing the tea into Benia's hands. The sweet smell of the thyme filled the room.

"Now cook said to be sure that you drink it all" she said smiling warmly at the southern woman. She then sat carefully on the end of the bed and examined the woman's ankle, "A fine job you have done she said turning to Vanwe with a knowing smile.

She then searched through the wooden box for the appropriate strapping, once she found what she was looking for, she turned again to Vanwe and Silvanis. She noticed that The elven woman had started to slowly back out of the room. Oh! No! you don't she thought to herself, "Vanwe, Silvanis I shall need your help to raise..." She pause as she remembered she didn't know the woman's name. "Benia" the hobbit woman added for her. "Thank you" she smiled appreciatively. "Yes, I will need you help to raise Benia's leg so I can apply the strapping".

Vanwe hesitated for a second then nodding she walked over to do as she was asked, Silvanis nodded and walked over without hesitation, as they reached the bed she turned to Gilly and whispered "You may want to take her hand this may hurt a little." Gilly nodded and went to take her friends hand.

Léspheria then looked between Vanwe and Silvanis as they stood opposite each other with their hands under Benia's leg ready to lift it when she gave the word. Vanwe's head was bent to avoid Silvanis's gaze, but Léspheria could see no malice or ill intent in the southern mans face. She had already guessed that an elf in the south lands of Harad would not have had an easy life, but the way the elven woman acted around these southern travellers lead her to believe that she was running away from someone or something and that she feared to be found.

She rummaged in the small herb satchel that hung from her silver dress belt. she pulled out a medium sized leaf and unwrapping it the others could see a disgusting looking brown paste, which smelled worse than it looked. Seeing the others wrinkling their noses, she laughed "Do not worry, I promise you the smell will not linger and it will take down the swelling", Benia nodded dubiously.

As Léspheria gently rubbed the paste onto the swelling the vile smell instantly subsided as she had promised, then with a nod Vanwe and Silvanis gently lifted Benia'a leg and together they applied the strapping.

As Silvanis and Vanwe lowered the woman's leg back down apon the bed, she quickly wrapped the unused paste back up in the leave and returned it to her satchel.

"Now! what Exactly has been happening here!" She asked, Shooting them each with a look that told them that she wished nothing to be omitted. She gave Vanwe and Silvanis a longer look than the others, giving the elven woman the clear indication that she had guessed what she feared.

Lespheria could clearly see that neither southern held any ill will towards the elven woman and if she was hiding from someone or something from her past it would be better for her if she asked this pair to keep her where about to themselves. She believed that they both would honour her request. She had spoken with Silvanis on her first night at the inn and had found him to be well natured and honourable and as for the southern woman... well she was friends with a hobbit woman and hobbits were known to be very choosy with whom they made friends. 'Hobbits are very good judges of character,' an old hobbit man who had lived in Rivendell for a time had once told her.

As she waited for them to reply she walked over to close the door so that they would have privacy to speak openly. But as she reached the door she saw the disfigured ranger she had served earlier, he was watching the room intently. 'Now what is his part in these peoples lives' she thought to herself. The ranger did not now look as friendly as he had earlier. So she nodded smiling pleasantly, then shut the door and turn to the other waiting patiently for them to begin.

[ June 18, 2003: Message edited by: Nerindel ]