[piosenniel]

Cook was not pleased to be interrupted by one of the servers and asked to go out to the Common Room. She was in the midst of supper preparations when the serving lass had come in telling her one of the Fair Folk had fallen through the Inn window and then managed to knock over a pint of ale on another customer’s table. ‘A Clumsy Elf?’ she snorted. Why today of all days, had such a one felt compelled to come to the Inn. The Innkeeper was gone for the day. Derufin was distracted, Ruby and Buttercup were still mooning over that Falco fellow – that left her to deal with daily bumps in the routine of the Inn that came up.

‘He wants something green to eat, you say?’ she asked, washing her hands, then wiping them on her apron. ‘Was he anymore specific than that?’ The server shook her head ‘no’. ‘Right, then – let’s go out and see to this Elf.’

She sailed through the kitchen door and into the Common Room, the server following close behind. Ruby, she saw, was cleaning up the glass with a broom and dustpan, and two of the locals had engaged the Elf in conversation as he sat at their table. They clutched their tankards firmly in their hands, as his hands gestured wildly, illustrating some point.

‘Morlathion, is it?!’ Cook asked, coming to stand beside him. She looked him up and down. ‘Vinca Bunce, here. I’m the Cook at the Inn. I understand you’ll be wanting lodging for a week – that will be a silver penny, by the way. And Ruby over there with the broom will see to getting your key and showing you to your room.’ Ruby nodded at him, saying she would bring the guest book for him to sign. ‘Our handyman, Derufin, can fix the window – you’ll have to square the cost with him. You’ll find he’s a fair man, I think.’

‘Now – about that “something green to eat” you requested. Supper will be out in an hour. There’s a cassoulet of green summer squash sliced thin and cooked with butter and dill and green onions. Is that what you’re meaning?’

She folded her arms across her chest, awaiting his answer . . .