[Huan]

‘You sound as if you might need a hot cuppa and a ready ear.’

Emlin smiled and took a seat at the kitchen table. He watched the Halfling bustle about the room gathering up mugs, a plate of cookies, the honey jar, and a small pitcher of rich cream.

He found himself hungry after his long walk and took one of the nut studded cookies without much prompting. ‘Delicious!’ he mumbled round a mouthful of crumbs. She poured the good, strong tea into each mug and at his nod followed it with a generous pouring of cream.

‘Tis a new thing I’ve learned I like,’ he said as he swirled his spoon about in the milky-colored brew. He reached for the honey and put in a generous spoonful of it. ‘And with good Shire honey, too!’ He took a long swallow of the steaming brew. ‘Ahhhh! Good Shire tea.’ He reached for another cookie.

They made small talk for a leisurely while. She talking about her gardens and the Inn; he about his travels with the little group of Players who were staying at the Dragon. The sort of talk done between people who did not wish to speak of any deeper or more personal things. At least he did not wish at the moment to speak of them.

About Miz Bunce, he could not be so sure . . .