Bront said:
"I don't know, but he just couldn't bring himself to look at me or Fang. It was strange."
Scarlet suppresses a giggle, obvious only to Oirhandir.
Once more a vision of Fang and Hellen flashed through Oirhandir's mind. No wonder the mayor couldn't look the two of them in the eye, if he was thinking what the elf thought he'd be thinking. Feeling Scarlet shuddering beside him in a valiant effort to contain her own mirth, Oirhandir became acutely aware of the absurdity of the entire situation. He could picture the scene playing out in front of the mayor:
"Hellen, my dear, could I ask a small favor of Your Holiness? I need someone to safeguard the honor of my daughter, Daphnie, for a few...oh...oh, please
excuse me, I...oh, begging your pardon, Your Holiness...I, uh, nevermindandthankyouforthehonorofthisaudiencebest wishestoyourcompanionI'llbeonmywayGoodDay!"
Oirhandir found himself struggling to maintain his own composure. Scarlet meeting his eyes with hers proved to be his undoing as the two elves began twittering like a pair of birds. As he gasped for breath, he attempted an apology.
"Forgive me, Hellen, but sometimes His Honor can be so stiff..." Oirhandir and Scarlet collapsed again in spasms of laughter.
Fang chuckled along, too, not really understanding the joke but comprehending that it probably had something to do with someone's pooper, which was always funny.
After a few moments, the elves regained their composure to the point where they could address their companions directly.
Bront said:
Oirhandir has a nagging memory about the Mayor returning to the Sherrif's office in the morning after going to see Hellen...
"Forgive me", said the bard as he composed himself enough to adopt a serious tone. Suddenly a puzzled look crossed his face. He stared at Hellen, stuggling to speak before his gaze became uncomfortable. Then turning quizzical, he asked,
"Hellen, I recall that His Honor sought you out at mid-morning, right after the happy announcement was made. Did he not tell you of the wedding then? I can't understand why he would wait until afternoon to break the news, especially since the errand he said he'd beg of you dealt with Daphnie."
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