May Bracegurtle watched the elf maid with almond eyes. She moved quite fluidly, as if in a dance, her bow and arrows strapped to her back. She was quite unlike the chubby short hobbit lass that May was, and she felt a prick of jealousy toward the elf. The Stranger (Nuinyulma), ate gradually, her hair long and luxurious. It was wavy, unlike May's redish cork screw curls that fell to her shoulders.
May had been sent by her mother to fetch her father and brothers at the inn. When she arrived, she found they had already left and were making their way home. May lingered, however, watching the elf with curious eyes. Being just 20 years of age, May was obsessed with the outside world. She had a restlessness in her, her older brother would say, that could not be grounded.
May watched as the elf finished up her food in the corner, than proceeded to go to her room. Skirting the view of the bar maids and other guests, the little hobbit followed the beautiful elf as quietly as possible.
The elf came to her room that she had been given in exchange for a few coins and closed the door. May guessed that she was probably going to sleep. Hoping that her mother would not mind her being late for dinner, and praying that she would not get in too much trouble, May waited outside the elf's door. She was determined to meet this stranger.
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