Randir frowned. That cheeky grin of hers did not sit well with him. He had the sneaking suspicion that Meg was laughing; somewhere inside her head where he couldn't catch her and be offended. Well, two could play that game, he decided. Looking at the elf with a solemn, innocent expression, he said, "Of course I joined her in Rivendell, fair lady. I am not often in Ithilen, and why should I travel to her aid, with a warrior such as yourself to protect her?"
Randir dropped the innocent expression and watched Megilien, his face blank. She was irritated, that much he knew. He saw that she was also confused, unable to bring an immediate end to his lies, though she obviously knew them to be such. It unnerved him, however, that he was still able to detect something of private laughter behind her eyes; as if she knew something he didn't.
With a mental laugh of his own, Randir adopted innocence once more. If she was so intent on his lies, he would tell her the truth. "As to my business, why, at the moment, I'm sitting here and listening to you." He accepted her icy glare with a smile, knowing he had irritated her again and enjoying the knowledge. Finally, Megilien spoke. Her tone was as cold as her gaze, which had wavered in the slightest. "Though what you are hiding I cannot tell, other things come easier to my mind. Randir, you are lying."
Randir pushed his chair back from the table and stood. He looked at Megilien sternly, all innocence gone from his expression. "Yes. I am lying. As are you, Megilien, if you will think back over your last words. Now, if you don't mind, I am off to bed. It is near noon, and I have not slept since the sun rose two days ago. Men require more sleep than elves, I understand, but surely you are tired as well. It it a long journey from--" He stopped, gazing at her. "Rivendell." He finished, a slight smile on his face. He turned and began to walk away.
[ August 02, 2003: Message edited by: Arestevana ]
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