The man stifled a yawn. He glanced to the clock and tucked away his book, realising it was late. From the inside pocket of his cloak, he pulled a pipe. The bartender pointed towards the door. He bowed his head and exited out the same door, lighting his pipe as he went. He had not walked far when he heard raised voices emitting from an alleyway. He dived into the shadows to listen, extinguishing his pipe.

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Lairiel growled. "I have no debts to pay. As I remember, you already forced me to repay them twelve years ago!"

"I decided I want more. Is that so hard to understand?" the man smirked and stepped towards her.

"bloody hell! Why can't you leave me alone! My step father is dead, so I owe you nothing!" she stood her ground, tensing. No way she would run away from this fool. He dove at her and she cursed, quickly sidestepping. The momentum caused his big body to stumble forward past her. She drew her sword, wielding it menacingly. "Try to touch me again, and I will kill you." she hissed. The man charged again, this time catching her cheek with a swiftly drawn blade.

She parried the attack, blocking and swinging against him. Soon, she had gained the offensive, and hacked away with skilled strikes and blows. She caught his sword and flung it away from him.

"No harm! No harm done!" he quickly raised his hands. "Just a bit of fun!"

"Fun?! You call wanting to man handle me and have your way with me fun?! No. No more! Leave me be, or you won't be more fortunate next time I see you." she snarled. She turned and began stalking away.

Satisfied that his help was not needed, he wandered off, happy to continue his midnight stroll. He lit his pipe, and puffed away delightedly. He cast a glance over his shoulder, just in time to see Lairiel emerge from the alleyway. He bowed his head casually.

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Lairiel stopped mid way as she was about to light her own pipe, then gave a brisk, curt nod to him before actually lighting it. She gratefully puffed on it and began to head back to the house, knowing Mariel was probably ready to murder her.

The man smiled faintly and contined on his way to the inn.

Morohtar had rose early and was busy in the kitchen. Bacon, sausages and eggs sizzled away on the stove. Morohtar was sat at the table with a pile of newspapers in front of. Each newspaper had been opened to the letting and buying pages. From what he had seen of Rohan, it was a good place to start a family. He wondered what Holly would think of such plans.

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Lairiel hesitated before slipping into the house, dark circles under her eyes and the cut on her cheek only now clotting. She didn't even look at Morohtar. She just slipped by and into the room she knew was hers.

Mariel sniffed the air as she gained consciousness. Then sniffed again, frowning. She hadn't made food...either Lairiel...she snorted at that idea. Lairiel didn't cook.

Morohtar stood and entered the kitchen. He placed the food on plates and added a glass of juice and a cup of coffee to each tray. He took a tray up to Mariel. A tray up to Holly and two trays up to the girls. He placed Lairiel's food in the stove for her to have when she was ready.

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Mariel thanked Morohtar profusely, and when she had finished thefood she went downstairs to where he was. "I have a question for you." she said, her eyes twinkling with barely controlled mischief.

Morohtar stepped away from has papers to take Mariel's plate. He turned to the sink and began to clean. "You may ask me anything," he said glancing over his shoulder. "Think of me as an open book."He raised his brow, quizzically.

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"Do you dance? And would you like to go out and havefun with Holly, the girls, and I?" she winked, sitting down adage watched him.

"I have not had the pleasure of learning how to dance in my lifetime, I'm afraid." He flashed his clawed hands. "I do know how to fight though," he rolled his eyes. "A night out does sound good though. I'm sure Lairiel would like it too."

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"Then we shall teach you to dance." Mariel said brightly. She glanced at the stairs. "Thing is...this is a masked ball. Lairiel has never been one for dancing or dresses or...fun." Mariel said bluntly, rolling her eyes. "Plus, she stinks. And it's impossible to get her into a bath." she patted Morohtar's shoulder. "I will go find some clothes for you in town today! Also a dress for Holly."

"Oh come now, Mariel," Morohtar laughed faintly. "I think a night out would do Lairiel just as much good as the rest of her. Wouldn't hurt to aske her." He turned and dried his hands on a towel. "Maybe you should take Holly into town. She's growing rather fond of you, you know. I'll work on Lairiel."

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Mariel raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "I'll go and fetch her." she made her way up the stairs to Holly's room and knocked softly on the door. "Holly?"

Lairiel sat by the open window, puffing away at her pipe, not even bothering to clean the dried blood off her face. "Damn...bloody, god forsaken damn." she shook her head, propping her feet up on the small ottoman.

Holly walked over to the bedroom door and held it open. "Morning Mariel," she smiled softly. Her brown hair had been washed and styled into curls. Her clothes were clean and freshly pressed. "What can I do for you?"

Morohtar made his way to Lairiel. "Lairiel?" He cleared his throat. "Can I talk to you?"

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Mariel'a face broke into a grin. "You look beautiful this morning, dear." she pulled Holly into a quick hug, then released her. "I was wondering if you would like to accompany me into town? We need to find you a dress."

Lairiel turned her head, gawking at him for a moment before scowling and turning her head away again. Her hair had grown back, and was long again. It fell in curtains around her face. Granted, they were greasy curtains. "What?" she snapped irritably.