[JennyHallu]

Losse shook his hand with a sunny grin that quickly turned to a scowl. "It would be easier to just 'borrow' the money," she grumbled, half to herself. "Not to mention the horse...but you'll never agree to that, will you?" A warning look on Farael's face was all the answer she needed, and she quickly threw up her hands, protesting. "Fine! fine! I'll be good. But it won't be as fast, and it won't be as much fun."

She scooped up her money, slipping it deftly back into her purse and tying it to her belt with the same intricate knot Farael had used earlier. "But another partner means splitting the returns yet another direction." She pouted prettily for a moment, brows furrowed in thought. She wondered what he would do, later, probably much later, when he found out she had never had any intention of giving up her hobby...completely. I'll have to keep my hand in, or I'll lose the skills...and who knows when it might come in handy?

"What about that Elvish friend of yours? She's got plenty, I know, but all her folk are leaving, aren't they? Off into the West and such, like in the old stories. She won't have need of it in the Uttermost West, will she now? Maybe she'd be willing to help us, in honor of your friendship and memory and all that, and if she would, well, she'll have no need of a successful business or an Inn in Gondor, will she? Do you think it's worth asking her?" She paused momentarily, remembering the seeming romance between the two, and wondered if she'd had a good idea or not...but pushed the thought aside. This was the best she could come up with.