The Green Dragon - Part 2

[Elladan Peredhil]

Rirrym slipped behind a small partition to change for bed. When he returned, he discovered Cromthal already curled up and, by the sounds of the deep, steady breathing, fast asleep.

He took a minute to look over the room -- Cromthal was right, it was more than large enough for two people to sleep comfortably. It had a homely feel to it, and he could well imagine himself being comfortable there for weeks on end.

The bed looked comfortable, but he decided he'd rather spend his first night sleeping in a rocking chair with his feet propped up against a small footstool. This certainly beats sleeping out in the cold on the back of a horse... he mused as he made himself comfortable, proping a pillow behind his head. It was then that he looked at the nightstand beside the bed which held a lit lantern. Perhaps I should turn down the light for the night...

With a sigh and a stretch, Rirrym tip-toed across the creaky floorboards and pulled a couple of blankets from a small cupboard, draping one over Cromthal to keep him warm through the night and taking the other one to use for himself. With an exhaling breath aimed at the flame, darkness descended upon the room and Rym remained where he was for a few moments to allow his eyes to adjust.

Even allowing time for his eyes to adjust didn't seem to help him as he still managed to stub his toe on the edge of the bed, leaving tiny stars appearing in front of his vision as pain seared up his leg, leaving him hopping on the spot. Curses... he thought to himself as he tried to hold his tongue to prevent himself from screaming a few obsenities out loud. I hope Cromthal was right and he really is a heavy sleeper. I'd hate to wake him up now, after he was looking so tired... Luckily for him, Cromthal had been true to his word when he had said he did not wake easily. Eventually the pain dulled enough to allow him to hobble across the room towards the rocking chair to settle for the night. His toe would probably be black and blue in the morning, but right now he was too exhausted to care.

Just before sleep took him, he whispered to his companion: "Good night, Cromthal. May you have pleasant dreams until you wake tomorrow morning."