Falowik colored mightily, standing between Zimzi and Derufin as if they made a threesome! The jewel on his chest was warm, but he did not wish to learn who was thinking of whom at the moment. He took a deep breath, faced Derufin, and said, "You shall have all the time you want with your bride later, my friend, but for this dance, she is mine." Derufin's eyes positively jumped open; a slow grin followed. Falowik placed his forearm upon Derufin's chest and leaned him back a step, facing Zimzi again, who was trying hard not to burst out laughing at her husband's expense.
"Hah!" Derufin grinned. "I'm off to Uien, then, and you shall have to win her back from me!"
The music picked up its pace and the dancers slipped back into the rhythm, smiling to see an old hobbit with the wee lass, matching step to step.
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