[Envinyatar]

Now there’s a diversion for this already skewed day thought Cook, looking up from her lists, quill poised over the entry ‘cinnamon’. A rare southron spice. It was best to keep ahead on the supply, since the supply depended on either the mercy of the seas or the mercy of the still untamed eastern lands.

She laid the quill carefully on its rest and wiped her inky fingers on the hem of her apron. The list she secured in the metal box on the shelf beneath the bar top. Launching her short frame from the tall barstool, she landed without incident on the floor and walked over to where the Elf stood. He looked as if her were ready to launch into another loud request for food, and she yanked on the hem of his tunic to draw his attention.

‘My good sir,’ she began, standing back apace so that he might see her more easily. ‘We Hobbits are small but we hear the same as any. No need to bellow out for help, like some miner lost in a cave. Just motion one of the servers over, and she’ll be happy to accommodate you.’

She nodded to the chair, indicating he should seat himself. ‘Vinca Bunce, in fact, at your service. What would you like to eat, and what can I have the girl bring you to drink?’ She motioned Ruby over with a wave of her hand.

‘And will you be staying,’ she asked, noting his slender bag. ‘Or are you just passing through . . .?’