Language Lesson

"Niniel, Niniel, wake up!" a girl's voice giggled excitedly from the doorway, causing her eyes to flutter open and her brow to furrow as she tried to recall the meaning of the words.

"Niniel, we have a surprise for you." another girl's voice added, making an effort to speak more slowly for Niniel's benefit.

"S-sur-pris?" Niniel choked the word out slowly and with difficulty, sitting up in bed and cocking her head to the side in confusion.

"Now, Thandis, we have not taught her 'surprise' yet."

"Oh yes, of course! Niniel, we have a treat for you."

"Ah..." Niniel murmured in understanding, climbing out of bed and joining the two apprentice healers by the doorway on unsteady legs, playing dreamily with the taller one's wavy auburn hair, making the girls laugh when she gasped as the lock curled around her fingers glinted fiery red in the morning sunlight.

"Come follow us to the kitchens, Niniel." the one with auburn hair invited, taking Niniel's hand and leading her down the hall, before turning to the other girl and marveling at a pace faster than their charge could yet comprehend, "It is amazing! She appears to have reached her majority, yet she acts as a newborn, marveling at the world full of new wonders around her, slowly learning our language. Perhaps the fever damaged her."

The other girl nodded in reply as they reached the kitchens, pushing aside the piece of plain linen covering a small basket to reveal a cluster of fresh muffins within.

Niniel's eyes widened, and she began to sniff the air with interest, almost like a little dog on the hunt.

The girl reached in and brought out a muffin, breaking it in half, allowing some of the heat to escape.

"For you," she offered, holding out a steaming half to Niniel, causing her eyes to widen even more.

"But...am I allowed?"

"Yes, Brandir said you could have some."

Niniel took the piece of soft muffin gingerly, bringing it to her mouth and taking a tentative nibble, watching the girls' faces to see if she was doing it right.

They nodded enthusiastically before each taking a muffin for themselves, giggling when Niniel gasped at the new and delicious taste.

"It is called a 'muffin'."

"M-muffin?"

"Yes."

"Niniel likes muffins."

This story is set shortly after Niniel(Nienor)has recovered from her fever upon being rescued by Turin, and is just being eased onto solid food again.

Niniel-Nienor

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!