[Envinyatar]

Morning came too soon for Derufin. Late into the night, he and Zimzi had talked, enjoying the small talk of close friends. There was an easiness between them, unhindered by their time apart. But night was gone now, and they parted, each to see to their own tasks. ‘Just two days,’ she had told him. ‘And my family will be here to celebrate with us.’ He had leaned in for a little kiss, but she pushed him back with a raised brow. ‘None of that, now! We promised Miz Amaranthas there would be no jiggery-pokery, as she put it.’ He’d made a forlorn face at her, barely concealing a smile as he did so. But she would not be turned from her promise.

With a sigh, and a glance at the quickly setting moon, Derufin took his leave. He stood and offered his hand to her, pulling her to her feet, and close to him. She shook her head and sent him on his way, saying wasn’t there a house to be finishing up for them? And surely he didn’t expect her to live in his dusty quarters in the Inn’s stable, did he? Gently put in his place by her reminders, he watched her as she walked the short way to the old Hobbit’s house. She turned once and waved to him before she went in. With another sigh he mounted his horse and rode back to the Inn.

And now here he was, back at the Inn, yawning over his cup of tea, his head lolling at times over his plate of eggs and toast.