[Saurreg]

Now this is unexpected, mused Ascasir to himself. Elven brows rising again.

Isilmë had stopped himself abruptly without a courteous word of leave-taking to the fair quendi and dropped himself heavily onto the chair. The goodly Galadhrim had turned his back on the confused elven maiden and was facing Ascasir again, who could see clearly that his newly-acquainted friend had mysteriously (and quite suddenly) lost his nerves. A disbelieving look was on Isilmë's face and Ascasir was sure that he was breathing alittle too quickly.

I wonder if all quendi males are having difficulties interacting with members of the fairer sex today, the Silvan wanderer thought to himself as he decided to aid Isilmë in resolving the awkward dilemma.

"If you would be so kind as to allow me, friend Isilmë," offered Ascasir.

Ascasir pushed his chair away from the table effortlessly over the lacquered wooden planks of the tavern floor, got up slowly and made his way to the lovely quendi. The closer he got, the more he was able to make out of the female elf's features.

If Aman the innkeeper was pretty, then this creation of illuvatar's was breathtakingly stunning. Ascasir had seen many other attractive elven females back at Eryn Lasgalen but none could match this sight before him. She was very slender and her simple wood-green garments clinged flatteringly over her feminine body. She was sitting but even then Ascasir could tell that she was tall, statuesque even. Her long lucious dark hair was carefully braided and thus shone brightly in the sunlight with the same lustre of black pearls, like the crystal clear waters of the Enchanted River reflecting quicksilver at night. Around her thin shapely neck, she wore a fine-wought chain that housed an emerald crystal, smartly fitted.

The elven female caught Ascasir looking at her and smiled shyly back with her bright-red lips. Bright piercing eyes met and Culcollo found himself momentarily sucking in his breath and attempting to avert her gaze. Isilmë's reason for floundering could be understood, easily understood.

Regaining his composure quickly, Ascasir stood across the elven lady's table and bowed courteously in a slow delibrate manner,

"Fair maiden whose eyes shine like black fire, Arien comes forth on this day to reward me for all my praises and prayers to Elbereth. For the sun rises today only to allow me a glimpse of you. I, Ascasir Culcollo of Eryn Lasgalen have finally seen beauty and am contented. But should I be so bold and undeserving to request that you grace the table I share with friend Isilmë with your sublime presence? I shall be more than exihilarated if you would consent to my unworthy request."