[Umwë]

”Good evening, sir, can I get you anything?” a voice behind him said. Tom turned around and saw that it was the Innkeeper, Aman, herself with a smile on her lips. He jumped up but blushed, he had never spoken to anyone of the Big Folks before, and he had hard to find the right words.

“Well, hrm, n-nothing, every thing i-is just fin, t-thank you!” He got quiet for a second and looked down at his feet. He noticed that his wound was still bleeding. He tried to hide it by putting his left foot in front of his right. He looked up at Aman again and he thought it felt like his face was burning. Oh, why do I always blush, he thought and then took a deep breath and said very fast “After all a room for the night could be nice! If that’s.. possible... m’lady!” He blushed again and looked at Aman.

For the first time in his whole life he actually spoke to one of the Big Folks. He was so excited about that he jumped up and down a little of exitment, he hoped she didn’t notice that. He had already made the whole situation very embarrassing for him. He also hoped she wouldn’t laugh or get insulted for his bad manners.

After all she smiled to him so it couldn’t be that bad. Tom relaxed and felt that he didn’t blush anymore and he started to smile too. He felt much better now after all, except for his foot. Suddenly it began to stung in his foot. It still bled quite much. He hissed a muffled Ouch as he put a hand over his mouth. He slowly moved backwards and sat down in the chair. He pinched his eyes and when he opened them he could barely see. His gaze was blurred of tears. “M-maybe something that could h-help my foot, p-please, m’lady” he said and felt how he blushed a little again. Hope it won't get infected!