The Elf woman called Vanwe distracted Falowik. She had drunk too much and her face was flushed with wine. Falowik was no student of people, but something in her moved him. Which he would never show if he knew what was good for him. He did not have the awe of Elves that plagued many Hobbits and other Men, so he watched her when he could steal a look. Her eyes told him that she remained deep within herself and let little of herself come to the fore. Except that the wine had loosened her, dangerously. He would protect her from herself if he had the right, of the foolhardiness, but it was no affair of his.
"It will be a beautiful sunset," she declared.
"Indeed it will," said Falowik. The words were out before he could stop them. She blinked. Falowik nodded with all the courtesy he could muster, trying to tell her with his eyes to take care for people are dangerous. Her returning smile seemed to say that she understood.
The Hobbit lass came and said it was a matter of honor with the Innkeeper from Rohan that Falowik eat for free. It made no sense. Honor? Honor was a mask hiding vengeance or worse. Still, he was hungry and thirsty. Maybe a few sips of the ale with the bowl of stew. It gave off a smell fit for a king's feast. As he ate, Derufin came to his point.
‘Where exactly did you find the satchel, Falowik? And what did it look like had happened - that it should be left there in that state.’ Derufin poured Falowik some more ale, even though the first cup was still almost full. Now to it. There's the payment this man's after. This Eodwine was his friend and he wants a story. It had better be good. Well, it'll be what was there whether he likes it or not. Falowik chose his words with care and described what he had seen. It was a place of hill and scrub and large rocks, and no path for horse or man except what one makes for oneself. The ground was covered in hoof prints and foot prints. Blood stained one rock and a broken knife lay near it. Off a few feet away had been the satchel.
"That is all that I know, Master Derufin."
The sound of a body falling to the floor distracted the two men. Derufin got up to help. In moments, the common room was ablur with people busy at caring for the collapsed woman, or asking questions they had no right to have answered. It was a dangerous moment. Suddenly horses screamed in the stables. Worse and worse. Falowik was safely at table and could not be suspected for any of the trouble, but he did not like the noise and chaos. He finished the last of the stew, took another gulp of ale, leaving most of it behind, and went out into the road. He needed to be away from people and trouble. The sun was lowering in the sky. He made for the west edge of town and found a lonely tree to sit beneath. He would wait until things died down. Maybe wait until someone, Derufin or that distrustful Hobbit, came looking.
[ August 14, 2003: Message edited by: littlemanpoet ]
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