[Elora]

Uien had been distracted by the long look Esgallhugwen gave her as she emerged from the kitchen. Derufin's arrival took her by surprise, the tray relieved from her grip by his own certain and stronger grasp. "Thank you Derufin," she said as he asked her about dragon's feasts. He was smiling, and Uien blushed. Before she could admit to her ignorance about the finer culinary preferences of dragons, he was coaxing her back to the table. Her cheeks retained their delicate flush as she followed, watching Falowik as she approached.

She sat, accepted a plate from Derufin and did all she could to regain her composure. It seemed to slip through her fingers and prove her a fool at the most important moments, such as when she felt Falowik's glance brush past her. He surely must think her a fool, given what had passed already at the well. When Derufin made his suggestion, Uien blinked in surprise and waited for Falowik to immediately demur the proposition. Were she him, she would.

Roofer's Assistant! Uien stared at her plate, momentarily at a loss and preoccupied. Falowik surely would not wish her to assist. Perched upon a roof, it did not do well to have one who so irritated and angered you to assist. Derufin, when Uien glanced up at him, seemed rather pleased with himself at the solution. Falowik was busy thinking it over, throwing her a cautious glance.

Hoping to not simply confound matters further, Uien ventured a reply on the matter. "Gladly I will help, if that meets with Master Falowik's pleasure." Hope that this was so lit in her face as she nodded her acceptance. Internally, Uien reviewed what she knew of shingling. There had not been much call for that sort of craft in Lothlorien. She'd have to learn, and quickly too, in order to redeem herself. Falowik was gazing at the dragon's feast that Uien had assembled.

"What say you, Falowik," she prompted gently. "The view from the roof is breathtaking," she added with a smile. Derufin looked at her in askance.

"Been there recently, Uien," he asked, wondering why the Elf might possibly be climbing on Inn rooves. Uien shrugged lightly and handed the Stablemaster a piece of bread.

"The view from the hayloft is dazzling enough, Derufin. From the vantage of the roof it would be bewitching," she replied, then passing a piece of bread to set on Falowik's plate. Uien made a mental note to see if this was so. Imagine, so close to the stars at twilight... That would be a sight to see. She flashed a cheerful grin at Derufin and began to set out the cold roast beef on their plates. Provided it suited Falowik, the job could be a enjoyable one. Between the view and the opportunity to work with the golden haired Man, Uien's heart lifted. She could learn, and quickly if it came to it, about shingling and many other other things.

As she did swiftly contemplated, Uien noticed the movement of Esgallhugwen. She recalled the long look the other Elf had traded with her. She did not know quite what it meant. Did Esgallhugwen know something? Uien had turned to watch the other Elf leave in search of Beren, silently watchful and pensive. Ruby returned to the table with cider in three mugs, noticing Uien's long gaze. The Hobbit shook her head. First she was darting about the kitchen building a mountain of food, then she was sitting before her plate staring over her shoulder, lunch untouched.

It was all rather strange, but to Ruby Uien had rarely been straightforward. With a shake of her Hobbit head, Ruby departed once more. Uien turned back to the table as Falowik made his reply. Her face was bright with the hope that she could somehow redeem herself in his sights by proving herself of some use. If it was to be by shingling, then Uien would do all that she could in proving her value by that.