Ryndil felt his way through the dark toward the fireplace in his room and soon had a fire going. It was a race to change out of his day clothes and into something to sleep in before the cold could grip him too harshly. He curled up in bed on his side and pulled the covers up around his neck, the soft sounds of the crackling fire fading to him as he welcomed this peaceful sleep after a long day's work. Suddenly a weight landed upon his shoulder from behind with a great thud and he jolted awake with a yelp as girlish giggling filled his ears.
He shifted to see a pair of eyes glittering with delight through a curtain of golden hair that fell down into his face.
"Good- heavens above! Niphredil!" he shouted, "What on earth?!"
"You forgot to lock your door!" she said, pulling her hair back as she erupted in another fit of giggling.
Ryndil groaned tiredly and put his face in the pillow.
"I miss you." Niphredil told him, finding a lull in her laughter.
"I miss you too, but please, I must go to sleep. Go to mother now, it is getting late."
"Oh, but it's early! And don't send me to mother. She's in such a sour mood."
"Niph, please. I am tired and I have to get up at dawn."
Niphredil huffed and lay down behind him, stubbornly clinging to his shoulder.
"...Who is that little boy you're healing?" she asked at length.
"He isn't a little boy." Ryndil began sluggishly with his eyes closed still, "He's a hobbit."
Niphredil sat up with jerk that shook the bed.
"A hobbit! Is he- is he one of the hobbits that everyone is talking about?"
"Yes. He... He did something very important. We all owe him quite a lot."
Niphredil sat for a moment gaping in silence and wonder. She clambered over Ryndil, who whimpered in tired protest, and got to the other side of the bed to lie down facing him.
"What is he like? What's his name?" she questioned.
"His name is Frodo. He's very kind. Intelligent, perceptive. He's a gentle soul, but incredibly resilient. He should not have been able to survive all that he's been through."
"Is he hurt very much?"
"Yes…" Ryndil said, opening his eyes, "Yes, very."
"But you'll heal him. You'll make him well, won't you?"
"I hope so, little flower." he replied with a sad smile, then inhaled sharply, "But I won't be of any use to him without rest. Go on, now."
Niphredil crashed onto him with another hug.
"Don't make me go. I'll be quiet!"
"No! You'll have your feet in my back! Go on, now!"
"Will I see you tomorrow?"
"We'll see."
She looked to the corner of the room sadly.
"Just go straight to bed. Mother won't bother you." he told her.
"She will find something to shout at me for, I'm certain."
"She is upset because of what happened with Hildir."
"That shouldn't make it right to shout at me."
"It doesn't. It doesn't at all."
Niphredil sighed and slunk off of the bed.
"Well... Goodnight. I hope the hobbit feels better soon." she told him.
"As do I. Sleep well. I love you."
Niphredil returned his sentiment and left him to his rest.