[Amanaduial the archer]

Aman felt an air of slight hopelessness settle on her as she realised she probably couldn't respond without either lying or causing offence. And Aman had never particularly liked lying...

"I'm afraid I cannot return your affections, Bredan," she blurted out. "My heart...belongs to another."

There was an awkward silence between the pair of them. Aman felt quite as startled as Bredan's face suggested he was. So now both of them were rather in a dilemma: the Gondorian had poured out his feelings and been put down, and Aman had to work out who exactly this mystery lover of hers was.

The fact there wasn't one simply made things a little more complicated at her end.

Bredan's face hardened suddenly and Aman saw his hand move towards his sword as his eyes darkened and he turned to scan the Common Room stormily. "Who? Who is this man who holds your heart? I will..." With horror, Aman saw his eyes settle on Eodwine, who still sat in at the crowded table by the fire, his eyes shining as he told his stories from far and wide.

"No!" Aman dived hastily forward, grabbing Bredan's arm, then hoping it would come across as a gently placatory hand. A brawl was all she needed really, . "I mean...no, Bredan, please - he is not here."

Oh, isn't he? Well, that's a start, I suppose...at least you won't have to start professing undying love to Eodwine, the poor man would probably be a little confused, to say the least...

"Oh? Then who is he, this....man?" Bredan spat, his hand still on his belt, but apparently distracted by Aman's hand. Suddenly realisation seemed to dawn on his face and a sort of resignation settled there. "It is he, isn't it?"

"...He?" Aman replied gently, genuinely mystified.

"This...Snaveling character, the one who left yesterday," Bredan replied, sighing as he turned towards the bar again, apparently calmer now. He rested his hand upon Aman's, then looked up at her, deep brown eyes looking into her own. "But he has gone, Aman, and while he has gone...?" he let the comment turn into a question and gave a small, cheeky grin, winking. Aman's eyebrows shot up and she laughed quietly, unable to help herself, then shook her head, looking down, as if it was a regretfu gesture.

"I'm sorry, Bredan," she replied softly. The Gondorian's eyes remained on hers, then he sighed again and removed his hand, looking away around the room once more.

"I suspected as much, Aman," he admitted, sadly, then sighed again. Aman felt slightly guilty at lying - but not so much that she would take it back. Maybe more could have happened as it could with anyone, but...I don't know this man...I know, in fact, remarkably little, so I do not regret what is not a lie.

"If...if you'll excuse me, Master Bredan," she replied, in an attempt to escape the awkward situation. Slipping around the bar, she hurried outside before he could gather himself and protest, heading for the stables where she had seen Uien slip away to - maybe a less confusing situation may await there...