[littlemanpoet]

"May I join you? I believe you would speak with me." It was Mithalwen, the Elf woman Uien had hoped to find.

Uien smiled. "Yes, please, sit with us," she said in Sindarin. She switched to Common tongue to say, "Have you eaten yet?"

"No." Mithalwen sat across from Uien, the Man on her left.

Falowik looked up at her not without a little awe in his face, for he had not understood the Elf woman's speech, but had been moved by it; not quite the same way it moved him when Uien spoke that way, but only by a small measure. There was something about her that was outside his ken; something in the music of her speech that brought unbidden thoughts of wind and sea, blue sky and grey shores. He stared openly, lost in the moment.

The Elf woman took little notice of the rude Man, but exchanged searching, not unfriendly gazes.

Falowik felt far beyond his depth.

After a few moments, Uien sighed and said, "Nor have we. Let us break our fast together."

Falowik wondered what communication had passed between the two Elves in that gaze.

"I did not sense you in the inn moments ago," Uien said.

"I was in the yard cleaning. What do you wish to speak with me about?"

"I had thought to learn from whom I had heard of the handfasting; but it was not you. And we are kindred, though our peoples are severed by time and fate."