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[jarndyceheir]

Richard has had a rough couple of days. After finding out that the woman he loves might have a son, named after him, which may or may not be his, and the debacle that was Valetine's Day, Richard was thoroughly rattled, and perturbed at himself for being so

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[starsandtales]

"My lord, are you looking for something in particular?"

Meleth only means to help, but her way of appearing silently, suddenly, between the shelves can be somewhat disturbing, especially if you are not expecting to be approached.

[jarndyceheir]

Richard is startled, but polite. "Thank you, miss, I was mostly just browsing. I do hope I'm not intruding in any way?"

[starsandtales]

"No, you are not." A smile. "The library is for everyone, after all. Only - you seemed a little lost."

[jarndyceheir]

"Ah. Well, that could be because I'm not entirely certain what it is I am looking for." He smiles a little. "I had hoped something would simply accost me, but so far no luck in that department."

[starsandtales]

"I might be able to help you," she says with a slight smile. "Self-proclaimed, perhaps, but I am the librarian of this place. Are there any interests you might want to read about?"

[jarndyceheir]

"Ah. Well...I doubt there would be much about London inheritance law in 1850. Perhaps something on learning a new language?" He looks a bit awkward. "I'm afraid I'm mainly looking for a way to occupy my mind, since I appear to be here for the foreseeable future."

[starsandtales]

She answers almost without hesitation, but with another smile. "Indeed there is a whole stack, it appeared not too long ago. Some weeks. Perhaps, if you are a new arrival, you brought the books with you."

Meleth leads him through the library even as she is talking, she finds the right shelf in the still rather empty English law subsection. "Here they are. Of course I can also show you where to find learning kits for languages, or, if you would prefer that, I could teach you."

[jarndyceheir]

"That is very generous of you." Richard's eyes take a bit of a strange light as he gazes on the law books, but it is gone as he turns back to her, mood clearly a bit improved. "I would be honored, though I would not wish to impose, Miss... Do forgive me, I'm afraid I've missed your name."

[starsandtales]

"In fact, my lord, you did not miss it. I failed to introduce myself... my apologies." She curtsies. "Meleth of Gondolin, at your service."
A blush spreads over her cheeks. "Although I... there are two languages only that I could teach, and they are of little worth in this place, unless you seek to have dealings with the other Eldar - and most of them speak English, too."

[jarndyceheir]

He half bows. "I am afraid I must confess, I have not heard of the Eldar. What language do they speak?"

[starsandtales]

"Oh." Her eyes close briefly, the blush on her cheeks deepens. "I should not assume everyone was familiar with my people. Again I must apologize. The Eldar... I... it... in your language we would be called Elves, a quick smile, "though we are nothing like the pictures painted of us in mortal fairytales. There are many elven languages, but Sindarin and Quenya are those most frequently spoken. Though I... it... that will not be of much help for you, I suppose."

[jarndyceheir]

"I...I did not mean to offend, Miss Meleth. Please, forgive me. I was not necessarily looking for a language for utilitarian reasons, but I wouldn't wish to put you to any sort of trouble."

[starsandtales]

"It is just... just Meleth. It... there is nothing to apologize for, my lord." Meleth's earlier composure is obviously gone, but now that she made the offer she is determined to go through with it, unless he tells her no.
"It is no trouble. I... I thought that was what you would have wanted, but if not... my offer still stands. Would... would you like to learn it?"

[jarndyceheir]

"If you would like to teach it, I would be honored." He smiles, though he is a bit uncertain as to whether or not he has offended.

[starsandtales]

Her smile should be answer enough to that. "And I would be honored to have such an eager student. Will you give me a day's time to prepare? Teaching a language differs greatly from merely speaking it," she tries to explain. "I could of course provide you with a Sindarin text and teach it to you, but for the beginning more structure would be useful... Shall we meet again tomorrow?"

[jarndyceheir]

"That would be quite agreeable, Mi- Meleth," he corrects himself. "Whatever time is most convenient for you. I have no other current engagements."