The Green Dragon Inn - Part 3

[piosenniel]

Welcome Back to the Green Dragon Inn!

We had run out of pages on the second page of the topic. But here we are again.

Carry on, Shirelings!

[ June 12, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Everdawn]

Aeryn still was amazed at the creatures she had seen in the Inn. "Tiqaundel," she began. "My mother, she is from Lothlorien, have you by any chance been there?" she asked hopefully.

"I unfortunatly travelled far out of it's way to get here, something which I regret greatly." She smiled.

[ March 09, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[astarielle]

SAVED for reworked post.

[ March 09, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Artalwen]

Save for reworked post

[ March 09, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

NOTE:

Please be familiar with the first topic listed in the Shire - The Red Book of Westmarch.

A primary rule for posting in the Shire is:

Each post must be at least 2 paragraphs long and each paragraph must be a minimum of 2 sentences.

Please make your posts more descriptive -show us how well you can write!

~~~~~ Piosenniel, Shire Moderator ~~~~~

[Durelin]

"Good evening, madam, woman of the fairest and wisest race of the immortal firstborn," he began to the innkeep. He was much suprised to find she was not only female, but an elf. "I am happy to receive such welcome! My thanks, a mug or two is sufficient to keep a traveller on his feet for the last few hours of the day!" he paused for a moment with a fatigued grin on his face.

"You would like to hear of my travels?" he continued, still smiling, as he always was. "Well, before I begin a long wind of events and places and interesting encounters, I would like to ask your name, if I may know it."

"Of course, of course you may know my name!" the innkeep replied, "Piosenniel, though most call me Pio."

"Well thank you, Lady Piosenniel! I will call you Pio so that there is more room in my speech for details on my interesting tale." The Great Krysello chukled, "Well, some is interesting, most is most definetly not. But, I will tell you all the same, adding some color to the parts that are a dull black and white."

He stopped again, clearing his throught in a deliberate manner. "I was born far up in the northeast of this Middle Earth, in a small, small village that had no real name, but we called it the Land of Elenic's. Elenic was my father, and he though himself as a pioneer, travelling north, leading a group of people, and settling up in this northern area. I never knew much about him, for he died when I was a young lad. But, I enjoyed the snows and got an excellent arm, but of course everyone else did too, and I always said something to-- well, really somethings-- to make them furious, and their anger would persuade them to throw things at me. And those things were not always soft, powdery snow. There was this one lass I used to--" the entertainer stopped suddenly and his eyes went wide in a sort of suprise.

"Well, I say, you look a bit worse for wear! No wonder," he cried, looking like a little old woman fretting over a sick child, "months pregnant and bustling about in this inn, serving food and drinks and cleaning! Well, my life stroy can wait for tomorrow, you should really be getting to bed! And I will save a show for tomorrow, I think."

At that, he picked up his ale and went to sit at a table in the corner of the common room leaving the poor innkeep, Pio, to stare in amazement. It was true, the Great Krysello was never at a loss for words.

[piosenniel]

'Oh no, you cannot escape me so easily, Master Storyteller!' she thought to herself, as he turned and walked away. 'You have piqued my interest now, and I could not possibly sleep.'

She called for Prim to come take over her duties,and followed the Great Krysello to his table, a mug of sweetspice tea in her hand. He looked up in mild surprise and made to stand at her approach.

'Please, sit!' she urged him, seating herself and pulling up a nearby chair to prop her feet on. She took a drink of her tea, savoring its pleasant taste. Over the rim of her mug, she could see him looking at her, silent for the moment.

Pio set her mug carefully on the table with a satisfied sigh, and squirmed a little in her seat to find a more comfortable position. She smiled impishly at him as she drummed her fingers on the table.

'Now about the snow and that one lass,' she prompted him, her grey eyes full on his, 'you have my attention - please, continue . . .'

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

"My name is Morwyn, and I also come from Rohan" the young woman answered Sara. She smiled, but she was obviously tired. "I am here in search of new people and places..." She was cautious, not sure how much to reveal to Sara. She smiled again.

"It's so good to meet you, Morwyn" Sara said to her, holding out a hand. Morwyn took her hand, but just then a hobbit woman hurried up to her to say that there was a room ready for her, and that someone called Hob was going to take care of her horse.

"I'll see you in the morning Sara..." she called to the girl, as Buttercup led her up the stairs. Once in her room she yawned loudly, then sighed with relief to be alone in a dark, quiet place. She wanted to talk more with this other girl from Rohan, Sara, but first she needed a long sleep...

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[Elfhelm]

"Well, my orignal plan was to inform the rangers I would be meeting about the warg-rider party that I have been tracking for the last fortnight. However, now I will also tell them of a missing Dunadan, and my suspicions that there is something wrong in the Northlands that we do not know about," said Talendur after some thought. "I am sure that you grow weary of me telling you of my concerns over and over again, but there must surely be something wrong!"

After his statement, Talendur eased back in his chair and said no more for a while. He finished his eggs, and asked the waitress to bring a pot of coffee to the rangers' table. Then, he addressed both of the Dunedain saying: "Perhaps we could go down to the Bywater Pool later today to relax. Seldom do the rangers have that opportunity. But right now, I would like to here more about you right now Aerandir. Since last night you have only had a brief time to recount experiences, and all of the conversation has been about me. Is your mother well, and have you seen your father recently?"

[Balin]

Balin came into the inn a late night and asked for a room.
He had been riding his pony the whole day and was very tired.
He sat down and had a ale.

He felt very lonely that night, the other guests at the inn had already go into their rooms to have some rest.

Then another dwarf came in and sat down beside Balin.
"Your late, Derin..", said Balin, a bit annoyed.
"Yes, Im sorry for that", Derin said slowly.
"Isnt your brother Merin coming too?", Balin asked.
"Oh yes, hes just talking to the roomservice. The rooms we orderd is taken by elves!!"
"Dont be to hard to the elves. Its probably just a missunderstanding."
"Its no rooms available for you...Im really sorry", they heard the roomserviceman say to Merin.
Balin got a bit angry when he heard that.
He pushed away Merin and said; "Im sorry, but we ORDERD the rooms!"
"And who are you, little dwarf", the roomserviceman said and was getting a bit annoyed.
"I am Balin Lightningteeth, and this is my friends Derin and Merin. We have orderd rooms and we DEMAND rooms right now!"
"Yes, yes! I will see what I can do, little masters.", he said.

The roomserviceman got them a room to share.
Balin got angry but Merin stopped him from syaing something stupid.
After the nights troubles they felt very tired and fell asleep immediatley.

The next morning they walked down to have some breakfast and saw that the elves that got their orderd rooms were sitting and laughinng and made fun of Balin and his temperament to the roomserviceman.
Balin got so mad he just walked down to the first elf and was trying to hit him in the face but Merin and Derin stopped him.
"You damn elves!!", Balin shouted.
And I dont know if the elves got scared for Balin or something but they just raised from their charis and walked away.

Balin looked mad after them.
"Calm down Balin", Derin said.
They sat down and got breakfast.
But then a little hobbit came in and looked have walked a lot.
He walked right on to the bardisk, got an ale, and sat down beside Balin.
"Hello little friend", Balin said. "May I ask where you are from?"

[piosenniel]

Just a reminder: All fights shoud be kept out of the Inn, and preferably out of the courtyard, too. Save the battling for your RPG's please.

Piosenniel, Shire Moderator

[Gimli Elffriend]

"Im Cedric Brandybuck from Buckland", the hobbit answerd Balin.
"And who are you?"
"Im Balin Lightningteeth from Erebor, and this is my companinons, Merin and Derin.", Balin answerd.
"So Cedric what are you doing around here?", Balin asked.
"Oh..Ehm..Im on a little "adventure" on myself...", Cedric said, "And what about you?"
"We are on an errand to Hobbiton, we are meeting some friends there.", Balin said.

They sat talking about memorys and the dwarves were telling news and tales from the East that the hobbit never heard before.
Then the elves that did upset Balin came in.
They sat down a few table form them.
They were whispering on their language to each other.
Balin got more angry at them and started talk about "stupid elves" at the dwarven langugage, Khuzdul.
Cedric didnt understand so he sat quiet and just watched.
"Merin! I suggest we are heading for Hobbiton right now! Im sick and tired of those elves!", Balin said in Khuzdul.
Merin and Derin walked out and prepared their horses and Balin said to Cedric on the common speach; "We are heading for Hobbiton now. If you want some adventures you may come with us but you have to decide right here and now."
"Im coming with you! If its ok! I really want to get adventures! My own adventures are so boring, actually thats why Im here.
I left Buckland and my relatives cause they thought I didnt got any 'hobbit sense'...", Cedric said and felt sad.
"I see...", Balin said slowly, "then lets not waste any time!"

[Gimli Elffriend]

Balin and company has been away on they errand and havent been seen at the Green Dragon Inn for a year.
One day at the Inn a dwarf came in.
He had a long red beard. It was twinned.
He got a got e great helm on his head and was also wearing a heavy ringmail and letherboots. He got a big sword and a small axe in his belt.
He removed hes helm and walked over to the bardisk and got a ale.
It was Balin.
Everyone sat down beside him and wanted to hear all about his adventures, but Balin didnt say anything.
A few moments later a hobbit came in.
It was Cedric. He sat down beside Balin.

They just sat for a very long time until Balin finally said; "We got to hobbiton.
And stayed there for a while with a friend of mine... After that we were heading back to Erebor, but we should pass by Buckland to leave Cedric there and continue to Erebor."
Cedric looked down at his ale.
Balin continued talking; "But it didnt end as we hoped. The weather was getting bad and we couldnt hold are course. We were lost until we met a stranger that told us that we were 10 miles from Gondor. Merin and Derin got so tired that they started go to the East to Erebor, but I followed Cedric so he would get back safe to Buckland.
So we heade north and got lucky enough until we got to cross a old forest.
We thought it was no trouble waiting for us in the forest but we were attacked by serveral foresttrolls!
It was a had battle, but they caught us."

Balin turned around and looked out of the window and Cedric continued the story; "They hanged us in trees upside-down and Balin got a small knife to cut the ropes with.
We were lucky cause a few trolls just left to get some mushrooms, (probably to cook us with), and when we got down we slayed the trolls and got away safely.
But we was lost...We were lost in the forest for about a month whitout food."
"But how did you make it then?" a tall man whit a brown beard asked excited.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami bought four flagons of ale over from the bar, setting three of them down in front of Balin and his companions Merin and Derin. Then she gave the smallest one to the hobbit Cedric. She could see they were in the middle of telling a long tale about all their adventures.

"Now where have I seen you before? You look very familar to me." Cami stared straight at Cedric, and wondered how he came to be friends with a group of dwarves who looked to be wandering adventurers.

[Maegaladiel]

An odd half-smile crossed Nahai's face as she watched the drama play out between the incoming dwarves and a group of elves. Spending most of her time alone, she did not witness such events firsthand very often, but she had heard that such things occured. People hating other people because of their race... unfortunately she was all too familiar with that scenario.

Being a skin-changer, Nahai was viewed as an oddity--no, a freak--among the other, more 'normal' races of Middle Earth. She had spent most of her life alone, away from all of them to avoid such annoyances, but still she faced the discrimination whenever she made contact with others. Therefore, she never told anyone of her true identity. Well, with the possible exception of Enlothien.

He was a rogue elf, an assasin. Enlothien was one of the first people to try to make conversation with her in the Green Dragon, and the first person other than her uncle Beorn who actually seemed to accept her for who she was. Then, as quickly as he had appeared, he left her sitting here at the bar. She told herself that she would see him again someday, but in her heart she knew that she couldn't be sure.

Pushing such thoughts back into the deep recesses of her memory, Nahai turned her attention to the remnants of her ale. Sloshing the few drops back and forth in her glass, she looked back at the people in the inn. Maybe she could have a stroke of luck and find someone else to talk to. Two people in one visit. Imagine. Maybe she could find another Enlothien--Blast! That name again. She gave the memory another stubborn shove back and focused on the dwarves, elves, and men that populated the Green Dragon.

[Carlas]

Mimosa Sandyman and her brother Hugo walked into the inn out of the rain that had just started falling about a half hour ago, covering the earth in puddles. Hugo walked over to the bar immediatly to order some ale, but Mimosa(or Mimi as her friends and family liked to call her), sat down at a table near the fire, letting it warm her water drenched skin.

Hugo walked back holding two large mugs of ale and sat down beside his sister smiling. She did not return his smile, but frowned at him as she took the ale silently.

"I told you we should not have stayed at that other inn for so long! We are going to be terribly late now, especially with this rain falling like it is!" She took a sip of her ale and looked straight into the fireplace.

"Oh, Hanna won't mind, she's a patient lass!"

"But it is her first child!" Mimosa nearly yelled. "And I so want to see little Marroc II! This means so much to me!" She said, leaning forward with her hand on her cheek.

Hugo sighed, leaning back in his chair. He did know how much this ment to his sister. To see the child named after the one she had lost.

[Aerandir Carnesir]

Aerandir paused for a few moments. He didn't like to talk about his family very much. It was a very hard subject for him most of the time. He finally said,"If you didn't hear my conversation with Rave last night, I'll be willing to tell all of it, but now is not the time.

In short, My father was an elf-warrior from Mirkwood named Olwe Carnesir. He fought in the battle of the five armies. He saved my mother, who is from Gondor, from a band of goblins.

A few years after I was born, we were going down the Anduin to Minas Tirith when we were ambushed by orcs. My father gave his life to save my mother and I from them.

When I became of age, I started training in swords, bows, and survival. The stuff necessary to be a Ranger. I have also been thouroughly trained in cross-bows."

Aerandir took a small cross-bow out of his pack and showed it to the other rangers. He said,"Many times has this cross-bow saved me. When you're out of arrows or a bow just won't do, that is when you will be extra glad to have a cross-bow. You can load it, cock it, and have it ready for whenever you need it. You'll be gald that someone has a cross-bow when we go to Bree.

Talendur, what is your life story? You've been so busy answering my questions, you haven't told me about your family, and what you've done to get you where you are now." The waitress brought the Rangers their coffee, and they drank most of it very quickly.

[ March 10, 2003: Message edited by: Aerandir Carnesir ]

[ March 11, 2003: Message edited by: Aerandir Carnesir ]

[Durelin]

The Great Krysello was quite amazed to find someone who seemed to enjoy his endless chatter, his uncanny way of telling an entire biography to all whom asked to know of his travels. He was sure they got too much more than they had asked for. This elf was sitting down at his table to hear his life-long tale. He hadn't expected an interest from anyone in the events of his life, most enjoyed the dramatically stretched fantastical adventures of long dead heroes of old, or completely fictitious ones.

"Well, I am always filled with joy when I have an eager audience," he said grinning, "I am more used to reluctant audiences when it comes to my idle talk of my trivial travels..." He stopped and stared for a moment, reminiscing, thinking of all the things that had happened to him or around him. Krysello was surprised to find how interesting those events actually were.

"Now," he continued, "where was I? Oh, yes, the lass, yes, well, I used to fancy this lass and I used to follow her around sometimes, trying to work up the courage to speak with her. You see, this was a very pretty lass, and of course all the lads saw that, and they were all normal lads, unlike me, trained with the sword and bow and fist fighting and wrestling with the others all the time. My father taught me a bit of swordsmanship, but after he began teaching me that, he decided not to bother with the bow and arrow. And, eventually, he stopped trying to train me with a blade, even before he died when I was twelve. After that, well, my mother wasn't going to bother finding someone to teach me weaponry, and she had always loved lore so. She wrote her own tales and songs and poetry sometimes, and she always encouraged me to sing. So, instead of slashing with a sword, I read books and wrote. Mother tutored me and I was considered 'soft', of course."

The Great Krysello paused for a moment as if catching his breath, then he chuckled under his breath and said, "A thousand apologies, m'lady, I rambled on a bit more than I should have, now I will get back to the lass..." He cleared his throat and continued once again, "One day, when I had finally plucked up the courage, I followed her from far behind and then, suddenly, she disappeared. Well, she seemed to. She had hid behind a large pile of snow, and in my naiv-ness, I did not realize it. She then pelted me with large pieces of ice like large stones. She had to be the best aim in the village because every one of those stones of ice hit me in the face. Needless to say, I didn't bother talking to this lass and found her a bit uglier than before."

"I ran home with welts all over my face, made very red and puffy by the cold. My mother also had an interest in the study of herbs and healing, so I felt that I was safe from any more pain. But, telling her the truth of how I received the welts -- as the honest young man that I was," Krysello stopped to grin mischievously. "Well, she was not happy for she said that I had been horribly rude to follow a lady like that, and for a punishment, she refused to care for my welts, saying they would heal, in time, on their own. That was a day that sticks out clearly in my mind. Welts are the nastiest, most treacherous, most hideous forms of injury come from the deepest, darkest, bloodiest and muddiest pits of the Forsaken Lands!" Exclaiming this in a loud, furious voice, the 'great' entertainer rose to his feet, then coming to his conclusion with a short, grunting "humph!" he sat down once again, staring at Pio.

Calmed once again, the blond Krysello continued, "When I turned 17, my mother died during the harsh winter of that year. With no one left, and a desire to escape the small, and in my mind, boring village, I left to travel the lands. Since I was a skilled sort of minstrel, I had dreams of travelling to the White City, working my way up to a bard, hoping to perform before the Steward. But, destiny led me to meet a strange old man, just outside the Old Forest, and found immediately that I absolutely loved him like a grandfather. So, when I discovered he was travelling southeast also, I was eager to travel with him, and was extremely excited to find that he would be happy to have my company. His name was Nevyn, and he appeared as an herbman, but as I traveled with him, I discovered that there was much more to him. I concluded that he was a magician, possibly even a wizard. When I revealed that I knew this, old Nevyn said, almost immediately, that I was worthy of studying the dweomer-craft. He said that it had to be fate that made us meet on such a empty path."

Once again, the Great Krysello cleared his throat and wet it with a swig of ale. "Now, I was completely taken aback by this, of course, but I was also bewildered in an excited sort of way. I had always dreamed of becoming like the sorcerers in the old tales, and finding that I could, I was dancing with glee. But, I also thought of the seriousness of this. This was a very complex craft and I had to be determined not to give up and not to treat it as a game. I promised myself this so that I could learn the vast knowledge of the wizarding world. I lived with Nevyn for six years, studying and studying lore, languages, and dweomer. Then, Nevyn told me that I had to learn on my own, that the ability to accomplish, achieve, and learn completely alone was an immeasurably important thing. So, I traveled off on my own, but not without a large number of books and notes, all given to me by the old wizard. With those and the dangers and challenges life and the land brings, I have learned much. Now, thirteen years later, I am a much more achieved minstrel, performer, man, loremaster -- actually more of a lore apprentice, I do not think I have reached the height of master -- and I have become much more of a magician, closer to a wizard, though still far away."

Another sip of ale, and Krysello was off again, "Oh! I have forgotten an important matter, what I did during the War of the Ring. Well, I though of becoming a soldier, for I felt a need to serve in this war since it was a war over Middle-earth. But, I had the calling of my services to become a healer. My path was to Gondor the entire time, so, when the great siege on Minas Tirith began, I was there to be a healer. I was mainly a healer to the women and children and those too old to fight, but when there were so many wounded, I helped there also. Then, I watched from a far distance as the true king received his throne and joined in on some celebrating. But, soon I left to wandering once again. Travelling from inn to inn, marketplace to marketplace, and sometimes performing at parties in people's homes. Besides that, nothing more has happened to me, until I found my way here and met a beautiful elfin maiden who would listen to my chatter."

Grinning broadly, the entertainer swigged down the last of his ale. "Actually, I recently have found -- after some significant digging -- prophecies from during the War of the Ring. They truly are interesting..." His mind wandering, Krysello stared idly at the tavern room wall, then snapped to attention. "Forgive me for engrossing my thoughts into the prophecies of the Lady of Light, I find that I stray into deep though at most untimely times. Well," he said taking a deep breath, slowing himself down. "How did you like my little tale? A bit confusing I'm sure, I haven't gotten all the details in order yet..."

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn came down the stairs slowly, still a little hesitant and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She had combed the tangles from her shoulderlength brown hair, but her clothes were still rumpled from traveling. She sighed heavily. She didn't mind being dirty and unsettled. She'd done it often enough before, but it had been a while... She didn't let herself think about Rohan. Not yet. It's fields and valleys started to flood her mind, but she shut her eyes tight against the memory, and continued into the common room.

She looked around the room for the girl, Sara, that she had met the night before, but she didn't seem to be there. So walking over to the bar, Morwyn ordered ale and stood for a moment, looking at the people in the inn. A group of Dwarves with a hobbit occupied one corner. In another section of the room several elves looked deep in their own conversation. She kept scanning the room. An oddly dressed blond man caught her eye, but he seemed to be telling his life story (rather loudly and flamboyantly) to an elf lady who looked as though she belonged there. Morwyn thought this must be Piosenniel, the innkeeper. The only other occupant of the room was a woman, sitting by herself with an odd expression on her face. Morwyn studied this woman for a moment, then took a seat near her. She wasn't sure if the woman was looking for company and she didn't want to intrude. She'd just wait for Sara....

[ March 10, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[Maiden of the Sky]

Sara was glad to know that Morwyn was from Rohan as well, it felt strange since it seemed that they were the only people from that area.While Morwyn had gone to her room and rested, Sara looked around the inn. There were far more elves here than Sara had imagined. She had always been in awe of the elves and had never really met one before, but Sara was content being by herself for a while.

She felt bored so went outside to admire the scenery. The Shire really was a beautiful place and she felt so refreshed as she breathed in the cool air.

Going back inside she saw Morwyn sitting patiently at the bar and went over to her.

"Good morning! Have you been up long? I was outside enjoying the fresh air, it is so lovely and peaceful here."

[Everdawn]

Umbria had been sitting up in her room by the window all day and all of the night. Bebberyn came in. "M'lady, I sorry to say, but I am wanted back in Dol Amroth now, and I though I would entrust you to the keep of the rangers, Alaemas and Dolenmar have given me their word you will be safe."

"Very well" she replied in a distant voice. "I will be returning soon, but something of me is held here." Bebberyn bowed to Umbria and left the inn. He saw Alaemas and Dolenmar outside.

"going so soon lad?" Dolenmar remarked. "sadly yes" Bebberyn said laughing. "Which means we look return Elfsun now?" Alaemas asked. Bebberyn nodded and with that he rode off.

"What now?" Alaemas turned to Dolenmar as they went back inside the Inn. "Do we find Elfsun now? I can't see Aeryn, though she blends in well and with this crowd, I wouldnt be surprised if we dont find her for some time." Dolenmar laughed.

------

Aeryn was still sitting at the table with her new friends. And her pale eyes gazed at the dwarves in wonder. "Look" she said excitedly, "dwarves! and many! I know my people have had trouble with them before, but never have I seen one. You can imagine, not many stray into Gondor, or any elven realm I suppose."

[Pim Baggins]

A hobbit lad named Pim sat down a few seats from Morwyn and Sara at the bardisk.
Pim didnt say anything until he got his ale he orderd.

"Your not from anywhere around?", he asked Sara.
"Ehm...No...Im from Rohan. And who are you little halfling?", she said.
"I am Pim Baggins from Hobbiton.
I was here seeing some of my relatives.", he answerd.
"So what are you Big Folks doing here?", Pim asked Sara and Morwyn.

[Happy Hobbit]

Ferri, or Ferdibrand Baggins that was his real name, got into the Inn and had an ale.
He weared a darkgreen jacket with a white shirt under with goldmarkings and brown shorts. In hes belt he got a sword in hobbitsize.
He was sitting there alone and was looking for someone to talk to.

He saw a few dwarves sitting and tell some tales about the adventures they had made.
Ferri was the only hobbit at the inn and with all the Big People around he felt very lonely and small.

He thought he was gonna stay here for the night and have a little 'vacation'.
It was very late and he felt tired and thought he was felling asleep when someone came in.

[Maegaladiel]

Nahai watched with interest as the people in the Green Dragon talked among themselves. A blond man was happily telling his life story with great enthusiasm to the innkeeper Piosenniel. The three dwarves and the hobbit were conversing in one corner of the room, and a group of elves in another.

A woman sat beside her for a moment, and was then accompanied by another woman, followed shortly by a hobbit. She listened to them speak, but not wanting to intrude on their conversation, remained silent.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn was relieved when Sara came into the common room. After telling Sara she hadn't been there too long and ordering food they started to talk. Their conversation was a little awkward, as Morwyn was hesitant to talk about her home, but she reminisced for a while with Sara anyway. Smiling she answered a question from a young hobbit sitting a few seats down.

"My name is Morwyn and I come from Rohan. I no longer have a home to stay in there, so I travelled this way looking for new places and new people."

The hobbit, Pim, and Sara were looking at her curiously, so Morwyn went on, "My husband was killed in a riding accident, and a few months later our baby daughter, Freya, died of a fever." She swallowed hard. Her two companions looked at her sympathetically, but she looked away, determined to change the subject.

Leaning closer to Sara she pointed to the woman sitting by herself. "She looks alone." The two women stood up and introduced themselves.

"I am Morwyn of Rohan, and this is Sara, and Pim Baggins. Would you like to join us?"

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[piosenniel]

“ . . . But, soon I left to wandering once again. Traveling from inn to inn, marketplace to marketplace, and sometimes performing at parties in people's homes. Besides that, nothing more has happened to me, until I found my way here and met a beautiful elfin maiden who would listen to my chatter."

‘. . . beautiful Elven maiden!’ Pio laughed out loud at this statement. ‘Good sir, you flatter me. I am no maiden, as you can see by this great belly of mine.’ She cradled the twins with her arms, both of whom were quite awake now, and noting with great interest the images from the stories that formed in their mother’s mind. ‘And as for beautiful, best be careful that my husband does not hear you, lest he think you try to steal me from him.’ She smiled impishly, and winked at the now sputtering Krysello.

She clapped him soundly on the back as he coughed, and poured him a glass of chilled wine to ease his throat, dry from the effort of so much talking. When he had collected himself, she asked him several questions concerning points in his stories which had particularly caught her attention.

‘Tell me more of this Nevyn with whom you studied, Krysello. Who was his teacher?’ She leaned toward him, pitching her voice low for his ears only. ‘Did he ever travel in the South lands or far to the East. Or for that matter have you?’ She leaned back in her chair taking a drink from her glass. ‘And if so, did you hear any stories concerning shape-changers?’

Pio watched him carefully, sifting his reaction to this question. Her old friend Birdland and she were delving into the history of the shape-changers, tracing their origins and customs. Anything she could glean from this wanderer she would carefully note in her journal, and then discuss it with Bird on one of her infrequent journeys to the Shire.

[Durelin]

"Nevyn? Well, there's really little I can tell you about him. He was amazingly light on his feet for such an old man. Graceful and poised, yet he was covered in wrinkles and age spots. He still stood tall though, the old conjurer, and there was an air about him of nobility, like the presence of a great King, but he looked his part: an old wandering herbman. I did not find anything out about his past or his travels, but I believe he is, or was one of the few that were left of the Dunedain. But, whenever I asked him of anything of his life, he became stark and gloomy, and a bit angry with me. Let me tell you, when that man is moody, he is as fearsome as the Balrog of Morgoth."

Krysello stopped to smile fondly at the memory of the old man. "Yes, he was an interesting character. I understand when one does not wish to share personal information, though it seems that I wouldn't care in the least about that. He know that magicians aren't supposed to speak of their powers, but I have very few and I have always known elves to acknowledge magic."

Then the blond entertainer frowned, is forehead creased in deep thought. "As to your question of shape-changers," he began, "Well, I dug deep into the files of a library, searching for texts on the Haradrim, when I came across manuscript on these shape-changers or shape-shifters, whatever you'd like to call them. Now, I was suprised to find them, the only problem was that age had taken its toll upon it, and most of the writing was illegible, to say the least. But, I deciphered as much as I could. The man, 'Guphalin the Wanderer' as his name is recorded, said that their changes of shape are usually humanoid, though they can change into most any shape, but non-human-like shapes can be painful for them to shift into. The basic shape for them is humanoid, of course, but they are unique in many ways, with no eyes. He compared them to bats, but said that he could not be sure that that is a proper comparison considering that they flee at the sight of any humans. He had to study them from hiding behind bushes and boulders, so his research is most definitly questionable. The final thing I read was that this Guphalin speculated on them not needing food, only water, but, one doesn't know for sure. I'm afraid I could not decipher the rest of the text."

Krysello stopped again, looking grim, as if his inability was a crime, "Of course, the owner of the manuscript informed me that his son had spilt a tankard of ale on it..." He paused, looking at Pio with an apologetic expression, "I do not know if I have helped you any. Actually, I have been hoping to travel south, and learn about the Haradrim, since I have been researching them, so, if I do, I will look on shape-changers for you, and return to this inn as soon as I can. I have fallen in love with the Shire, anyway. I just might study hobbit lore next..."

His mind bouncing from one thing to another, Krysello jumped back to the shape-changers, "Hum," he grunted, "well, there seems to be another thing I read about theses shape-shifters...my memory has been getting worse by the day. Well, maybe it will come to me after another ale. Of course, I'll pay for this one."

[ March 16, 2003: Message edited by: Durelin ]

[Maegaladiel]

For a moment, Nahai looked slightly suprised. It wasn't often that anybody bothered to ask her to join them. But then again, these people didn't know who, or rather WHAT, she was. She smiled.

"Aye, I would," she said "Thank you." she added, remembering her manners.

"My name is Nahai, daughter of the Lady Silhinui," she continued, pushing a strand of red-gold hair behind her ear. "Pleased to meet you all." Her green eyes flicked momentarily from face to face before falling back to her plate of food. "I'm here searching for adventure..." Her gaze hardened for a split second as memories of her past flashed before her. "...Among other things." As quickly as it came, the anger in her emerald eyes melted away, and she smiled again.

"What brings you three to the Shire?" She had heard Lady Morwyn's recount of her adventures, but didn't want to say that she had been eavesdropping on their conversation, lest she offend them. Setting her ale down on the bar, she waited for them to reply.

Suddenly, Nahai's ears picked up a snip of conversation between the innkeeper Piosenniel and the blond storyteller. The elven woman had asked about shape-shifters. Nahai could tell Pio a thing or two about shape-changers that she probably wouldn't learn in any book, but that would mean she would risk revealing her identity. And Valar knows what might happen after that. Well, it would be interesting to hear what her loud friend had to say about their almost forgotten race. How would he describe them? As savages? Murderers? Inhuman monsters? She had heard those words describing her kind thousands of times before. She made a mental note to keep an ear on that conversation.

[ March 11, 2003: Message edited by: Maegaladiel ]

[the real findorfin]

He entered quietly, the cloak held loosly around his shoulders by an elvish clasp. He looked around slowly, remembering. The place had the same sounds, the same tables, the same smells. He searched across the floor for a second, before finding what he had been looking for, the hole in the floorboard! It was still there.

He sat at a nearby table, thinking over it all. Then he had met an elven lady, and an elf, Anuion. But now he was alone again. He sighed, memories of long ago.

He roused himself from his melancholy state and rose from the chair. He crossed the room in several strides and called out the on duty bartender, "ho my friend, a bottle of your finest white."

The bartender searched around underneath the bar for a couple of seconds before bringing out a bottle and a glass.
"I'm afraid that will be twenty gold coins, sir elf," the bartender said.

"No matter!" he replied, and sprinkled the twenty golden circles across the bar. "It is worth it just to sit and remember the past."

He took up the bottle and returned to his seat. He opened the bottle and poured his first glass. Taking a sip, he relaxed and gazed around the room again. To his left and further ahead, the bench where she had laid, and top his right in the far corner, the table that they had shared. If only she was there now.

He sighed and took another sip. Fin had returned.

[Huntress]

Huntress had been sitting alone for some time now, watching people entering the inn and a few leaving. Most were all in there groups talking and chatting as though long time friends. Huntress looked down into her drink, she heard the door open and looked up sharply, a man was entering the inn this in itself was not unuseual but her eyes were drawn to the elven clasp that secured his cloak. AS she watched she saw him examin the floor and then take a seat on his own.

In a way he reminded her of herself when she had first arrived, alone and sad looking in a way. Huntress could tell he was remebering by the way his eyes seemed to glaze over, he also seemed to examin the room without seeing it and the fact he had hardly touched the glass of wine in front of him. She shifted slightly in her seat unsure whether or not to go over, as a Ranger it wasn't something she usueally did but her talking to Rave had helped her see the other side of herslef.

She would go over, fear gripped her she made sure her black hair coverd her ears flattening it slightly. In one fluid motion she rose from her seat and faced the direction of the man.She hopped she wouldn't be turned away, Huntress pushed her way through the people and finally stood oposite the man at first he didn't see her but he looked at her suddenly.

"Hi, I was wondering if anyone was sitting there." Huntress said indicating the spare chair by the stranger
As she said this she brushed the hair that was shadowing her green eyes, but as she did so she accidentlly moved the hair revealing her elven ears,

"Oh By the way I'm Huntress." she fianally said introducing herself and waiting nervously for an answer.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Elwing stepped nervously into the Green Dragon Inn. She was known in her part of the Shire as the Horse-Maiden, because of her love for horses. She had never been to the Green Dragon before, and she was wary of the others in the inn.

A man brushed against her back, and she jerked, startled. She pulled her deep blue cloak further around herself and stepped up to the bar hesitantly. Ordering herself a drink, she took it to a nearby vacant table and sat down, still looking about warily. As she took a sip of her drink, a man stumbled up and said "I've never seen the likes of you around here before. Wot's your name?"

She answered, "I am Elwing, and..well, I come from a different part of the Shire. I-I have decided to come here and see how it is. I have never been in this part before."

The man looked at her suspiciously and nodded, saying "Well, you look alright. Stay out of trouble and you won't be bothered."

Elwing sat in thought for a few moments, wondering what the man meant by his last few words. She took another sip of her drink and called the bartender over to order a bite of cheese and bread. As she scanned the inn, she spotted another hobbit, this one a lad. He was also sitting alone. Wondering if she should go and have a chat with him, Elwing took a bite of her bread.

[ March 11, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Not wanting to discuss her past in any great depth, Morwyn simply repeated what she had told Pim and Sara earlier. "I am from Rohan, but I have come here in search of new companions and adventures." She twirled a strand of hair around one finger. "My family in Rohan is all dead, there is nothing left there."

Nahai nodded, but didn't look like the news was a surprise, Morwyn suspected that she had overheard the conversation before, but she didn't mind. She was fascinated by this woman with the wide green eyes and the mysterious face. "Where are you from Lady Nahai?" she asked curiously, but she didn't really expect an answer.

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[Maiden of the Sky]

Sara was taken aback by Morwyn's reply. She felt so sorry for her, Sara had thought she'd been through some hard times but nothing compared to Morwyn's story. Morwyn looked away, obviously uncomfortable and Sara couldn't blame her.

Pim, the halfling had joined them, as well as Nahai. Sara couldn't quite put her finger on where she was from, she looked human but there was something about her that made Sara doubt her guess.

Morwyn, as if reading her thoughts asked Nahai where she was from and Sara waited, curious to hear her reply.

[Happy Hobbit]

Ferri that was sitting alone saw a woman looking at him.
She was also alone and he was thinking maybe to talk to her.

He walked over to the woman and sat down beside her.
She didnt say anything but after a while he said; "I am Ferdibrand Baggins from Hobbiton.
But please call me Ferri.
I have never seen you around here. Who are you?"
"I am Elwing. Also knowd as the Horse Maiden.
No, Im not from The Shire.", she answerd.
"But where are you from then?", Ferri asked.

[Arien]

It had been a month or two, she couldn't remember now. Like evryday she got up, and drew herself a bath then went down to the common room had breakfast and went out. This morning was no different, she sat in the Inn drinking her pint of ale, and eating bread and butter. Then she left the Inn and went out to the to a wood to do target practice. Today was clear and bright, hobbits wee laughing and she could hear the sound of many hoves arrive at the Inn. She drew dack her arrow and hit the target on the tree dead centre, she did this a couple more times and the went to collet them.

As she pulled each arrow out of the tree Mylasia sighed, she was now a common face at the Inn, and she had spoken with many a traveller. But on her mind there Niamh always was, she was there. Mylasia had no desire to leave for she knew Niamh would return eventually. She place the arrows back into her quiver and headed to the inn.

[Maegaladiel]

Nahai felt sorry for Lady Morwyn, painfully aware of how close it rang to her own life story. Now Morwyn, Sara, and Pim all looked at Nahai, waiting for her answer. She spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully.

"I come from Mirkwood," she replied. "Although recently I've been travelling around a lot." It wasn't a lie. The Carrock, her uncle Beorn's house (her childhood home), and her own dwelling all were in or near Mirkwood. With her brown pants, green tunic and cape, she was even dressed like the wood elves that lived in the forest, but the resemblance ended there. She lacked the surreal beauty and delicate pointed ears shared by the ancient immortal race, and she had always felt that something about her face made her look...well...unhuman. Which wasn't far off from the truth.

She turned to Sara and the hobbit.

"And where do you two come from, if I may be so bold as to ask?"

[Arien]

Mylasia entered the Inn. Once again like alway the smell of pipe weed and ale doused the inside of the bar area and a grey smoke lingered just below the ceiling. She proceeded to walk down to her normal place near the rear of the bar area. She chose this spot because it had and overview of the whole bar, and had a clear eye path to the door. Oft she had watched the door for hours on end, whe Niamh had first left. But now those hours were shorter, and sometimes she never looked at the door. Mylasia found it hard to admit but her hope was slightly failing.

Maybe she should not of told Niamh the truth, maybe she should have left it alone and not given in so easily. Mylaisa, stroked her long black hair thoughtfully as she daydreamed. Her red dress flowed to the floor and her eyes were always on the door. For she was now lonely again and she waited, waited for someone to speak to her.

[Elfhelm]

Talendur took a long swig of coffee before beginning. "My life story is long and you would soon grow bored. A brief summary of it would suit you better." As he said those words, Aerandir and Pervasaion leaned forward to listen.

"My mother died giving birth to me, and I have no memory of her," Talendur began. My father Berenor, a descendant of King Araphant who once ruled Arnor, was the one who raised me. Berenor was one of the best rangers there was, also, he was a personal friend of the King Elessar. At a young age, I was already learning the arts of war from my father. He trained me in the use of the longsword—my choice weapon—and the bow, which I also excelled at.

. “By the time I was in my teens, I could perform all of the crafts of the rangers better than any other of my age. I could tread almost as soundlessly as a hobbit, run like a horse of Rohan, track orcs for many days, and fight like a cornered animal. I even bettered some elves with the bow, and beat experienced rangers in sword-fights. Life was good for me then, and my father was very proud.

“Then things changed the day I turned 16. My father, seven other Dunedain and I were journeying near the woody western slopes of the Misty Mountains near Dunland. Berenor had gone scouting that morning, but by late afternoon, he was not back. I remembered that I was not worried about him, perhaps only a little nervous. By nightfall, he was still not back, and then our party of rangers began to believe something was wrong. Then, the ranger on watch said that he could barely hear many people slowly moving through the wood.

“At once, we were set upon by a band of marauders. They were criminals and outlaws from all over Eriador, and they fought savagely to capture food and supplies. Immediately the watch and two other rangers were cut down in the fury of the attack, and the five that remained formed a circle and fought off their opponents from all sides. Our number dwindled to four, then three, and finally there was only a veteran warrior named Ostoher and I left. The ruthless outlaws plundered our Dunedain camp while others kept Ostoher and I engaged. As they fought, a huge outlaw wielding a pike came at my undefended back. Ostoher leapt in front of him and took the force of the blow before slaying the outlaw with his sword. Then, just as quickly as they had appeared, they were gone, and I remembered hearing the marauders dashing hard through the woods to get away. They had successfully destroyed the Dunedain campsite, but at a cost of 15 lives of their men.

“I tended Ostoher's wound, but he knew it was fatal. Before he died, Ostoher made me promise to watch out for his son, who was two years younger than I was. Even at that moment, I felt extreme guilt that Ostoher was dying because he saved me. I made the promise to make sure his son did not get into any trouble, and thus I ended up looking after Sulohtar—the exact opposite of his father. Sulohtar is not honorable, wise or enduring like Ostoher had been. He is moody, foolish, hot-tempered and a complainer. However, I still feel guilty for causing his father’s death, so I always treat him respectfully, no matter how he responds in return. Then Ostoher died, and I was alone in the wood with no food or shelter.

“After the horrible battle, I remained waiting for my father at the campsite, but he never returned. To this day 10 years later, I still have not seen him. "Perhaps he is dead," I sometimes think, but I have not given up searching for my lost father.

“Deciding that Berenor would not return, I began to walk northwards, for the marauders had taken our horses as well. Nasty gashes were bleeding badly from my right arm and side, so when I finally walked into a Dunlending village a few hours later, I collapsed. The Dunlendings cared for me and even gave me a steed of the Rohirrim after I was well again. That mare was the mother of my current mount Caranduial, and she served me well for many years before goblin arrows brought about her death. Since that day long ago, I have sworn and oath to find out my father's fate. Searching, always searching for my father, while supervising a moody, self-centered teen. Life is so much harder than it used to be. My father was my closest kinsman as well as my friend. If I find that he is dead, I will certainly vow to hunt down and slay all of those who killed him. If he is alive, I will be a happy man.”

Talendur ended his narrative, and took another long swig, for he had talked himself dry. “It going to be a nice day today,” he remarked casually before becoming silent once more.

[Carlas]

Mimosa and her brother Hugo sat silently by the fire, sipping quietly on their ale. Mimosa looked away from Hugo into the heart of the crackling fire, trying not to make eye contact. She was in a horrible mood, but the warmth from the fire prickled against her skin and helped her to calm down.

Mimosa was only half finished her ale when her brother got up to go check the horses and wagon. He could be out there for hours, he always takes his time, even when it is important! She sighed and looked into her mug at the ale sloshing around at the bottom. He had always hated to do things too quickly, which sometimes came in handy. Rushing things never helped anyone, he used to say(and still did).

Mimosa stood up and walked over to the counter, almost slipping on the water that had gathered on the floor and ordered some bread. She had not had much to eat and was terribly famished, though she had forgotten after getting angry with Hugo. She walked back to the table trying not to step into any puddles, and ate silently, watching the flames from the fire skip happily about infront of her.

[ March 12, 2003: Message edited by: Carlas ]

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Elwing fidgeted nervously, hesitating to answer. Why had she lied? It was a bad habit of hers. Whenever she was nervous or in the midst of strangers, she lied like there was no tomorrow.

"I-I'm terribly sorry, but I am from the Shire. From far off. You see, whenever I am nervous or among strangers, I start to lie. I am so sorry," she finished, twirling a strand of golden hair around her hobbit ear.

Ferri nodded. "I see. It's alright. Everyone gets nervous at times. But what are you doing way out here at the Green Dragon?"

"I was riding all day today, and I decided to rest up here before I began to journey back," Elwing replied, shifting her weight. Her bow peeked out from under her blue cloak. Ferri was taken aback by this. He asked, "You are an archer?"

Elwing sighed. "Yes...the only one in my part of the Shire. People look upon me as...well, 'eccentric' you might say. I stand alone in my archery. Are you a swordsman?"

"Aye," Ferri replied. Elwing nodded in approval and took another swig from her mug. Yet another young hobbit, this a lass, sitting alone by the fire caught her eye as well. Elwing motioned for Ferri to follow her, and made her way over to the hobbit.

"Excuse me, miss. But may we sit here as well?" Elwing asked, gesturing to the bench. She glanced at Ferri and waited for an answer.

[ March 12, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]

[Frodess]

"Never have I crossed the paths of Lothlorien," said Tiquandel, serious for the first time since Champignonne had known him. "I have always wanted to meet Galadriel of the golden hair, for I have heard of her beauty and grace. But alas! It is so far!"

He sighed, almost imperceptively. It was a bittersweet sadness that reamined in his heart.

[Aerandir Carnesir]

Aerandir sat in silence. He then said,"Wow, Talendur, amazing story...But, I've heard it somewhere before. Maybe you told it to other rangers and I overheard. Forgive me for making you tell it again. Anyhow, Where is Sulohtar? Why didn't he come with you to Bree? He may not show it, Talendur, but what you are doing for him and Ostoher is changing his life. He'll find his way someday.

Phervasaion, Talendur and I have been so pre-occupied with our own matters that you haven't told me anything about yourself. Please forgive us. What is your life story, and what have you been doing up to this point?"

[Frodo Baggins]

"Well, different yes, but I wasn't totally without contact from my mother and father. they visited me and I visited them often. It's just that I was closer to my master." Cromthal continued.

"Oh goodnessm Rirrym! Don't you think it's about time we got something to eat? It's nearly time for dinner. After which I want to see if the inkeeper will lend me an old tub to dye this linen."

As they walked toward the common room, Cromthal hummed a tune softly, absorbed in his own thoughts.

"Do you Bards always sing?" Asked Rirrym.

"Hm? Well, when the masters select us, they look for those with the most spirit and the biggest imaginations. They look for dreamers. They say we Bards are born with a song in our hearts and can sing before we can speak. Music is a part of us and we usually walk daily with it on our lips or in our hearts." Cromthal replied.

After a bit more small talk, they sat down to chicken, rice, bread and some fruit, with a goodly amount of ale. As Cromthal reached for the container of butter he accidentally knocked it to the floor. Fortuanately it wasn't full enough to get any on the floor. Blushing at his foolishness he bent down to pick it up and smacked his forehead on the edge of the table in the process. As he set the butter back on the table he held his head in his hand for a few moments, then looked at Rirrym.

"You can still pull out of this partnership, I'm afraid I am a bit to accident prone to be in the wild."

[Happy Hobbit]

The young hobbit lass said slowly;" Ehhm...Well..Of course you can sit here."
"Thank you", Elwing said with a smile.
"And who are you?"
"I am Crystal Bolger", the hobbit lass answerd nervously.
"Pleased to meet you Crystal, I am Elwing and this is Ferri", Elwing said and ponited to Ferri.

Ferri shaked Crystals hand and smiled.
They all orderd a pint and started telling tales they heard.
After a while Crystal asked Ferri; "I've seen you before...But I dont know where...?"
"Hrm...Im Ferdibrand Baggins from Hobbiton.", Ferri answerd.
Crystal fingerd on her pint and thinked.
"Oh, yes!", she finally said, "You are a cousin to Frodo Baggins huh?"
"Yes, how did you know...?", Ferri asked confused.
"Oh, I saw you with him about 2 weeka ago", Crystal said.
"But tell me Elwing, are you from around here too?", Crystal asked.

[Everdawn]

Aeryn smiled at Talendur from across the table. "forgive me, Talendur, but it seems like you are lonley, i can tell by your voice. You know what! I think you need to hear a story. And Aeryn of Golden tells the best stories, now..."

she said thinking, "fact or fiction?" she asked the table.

-----

Alaemas hit Dolenmar on the shoulder. "rangers" he said. Dolenmar turned around to see the group of rangers. "from the north?" he asked.

"Cant tell, perhaps. Or if they are from the south, we have been away from civilisation for too long." he laughed. "perhaps they are here on the same business we were here on." Dolenmar said facing Alaemas. "perhaps."

----

Umbria was sitting by the window in her room, one subject played through her mind. Was she still alive? The daughter she had concieved eighteen years prior.

Under emmence strain of her eternal guilt, she had sent her half elven daughter away to Minas Tirith to live with the father that she had no feelings for. His name was Aroden, and he had died shortly after her birth, in battle.

Umbria had known this, though her daughter she was told, had died from fever. Could the rangers have truth in saying she was alive? Umbria still sat pondering.

[Lyra Greenleaf]

"Well?" Ellie tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for Drago to speak. He gulped, and turned away. What did I do? wondered Ellie.

"If you're not speaking to me, then I shall go and talk to Champignonne" said Ellie, practically shouting at him.

Inwardly fuming she walked back over to the table. Talk? He doesn't want to talk, he wants to stand there and listen to me talk! He wants me to forgive him! Well, if he does he'll have to give me a good reason. I thought we were getting along really well, but obviously not.

She sat down in her place, absentmindedly shoving one of the new arrivals.
"Sorry" she said moodily.

[Phervasaion]

"There is a lot that has happened in my life not all of which is interesting but i shall tell you some," said Phervasaion as he took a breath to begin his story. "Well my mother was called Evoyn and my father was called Pherdur whom i respected as a Father and a Ranger."

"He tought me most of my skills with my two handed sword which is my prefered weapon, and i had some lessons off a friend with a bow. Most of my child years of life were peaceful as i learned the skills of bieng a Ranger, Until oneday there was a supprise orc attack on my village and a few Rangers incuding my father stopped behind to try and stop the orcs. I wanted to stop with them and fight but my father told me to stop with my mother and protect her and i new i had to."

"So the villagers and a few other Rangers fled the village, It was then at least three days till we made it to the next village and there i waited for my fathers return. Later only a few of the Rangers that were protecting the village returned, my father was not among them and one and one of his friends approached me and told me he had bien killed protecting the village. My fathers friend then put his hand underneath his cloak and pulled out my fathers sword and said my fathers last request was for me two have this," Phervasaion then showed the other Rangers the sword which was very well made "I have kept the sword all my life and will never part with it."

"After my fathers death i remained with my mother whom i also loved very much and i spent many years with her. In that time i was still putting my Ranger skills to the test and going out on camps with my friends. Not long ago my mother died and after this i left the village with my friend Hiardur, and as you Know i eventually ended up here,"

Phervasaion then ended his story and took a deep breath...

[Envinyatar]

It had been several weeks since Derufin had been at the Inn. His wanderings had taken him to the Emyn Beraid and a bit beyond, to Mithlond. But the White Towers were deserted and only looked out to an empty sea. And at the Havens, no fair ships were docked nor none seen coming or going from the Gulf of Lhun.

It was a melancholy journey, doing nothing to lift the sadness pushed safe behind his calm grey eyes. And now here he was, walking back up the same dusty path to the great green doors of the Dragon. He paused, hand on the handle, and thinking better of it, went back down the steps and turned his steps toward the stable.

A brief rest, and a wash up, then he would brave the cheerful atmosphere of the inn.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

"Oh, I am from a different part of the Shire, Crystal," answered Elwing.

"What is your last name?" asked Crystal "I don't believe I have one." "Why not?" she persisted.

"Well...you see, I live alone in a wooded part of the Shire. I have no close family. I have been alone since I could remember, when Elves rescued me from certain death. That is how I got my name: Elwing, Star-spray in Elvish. I-I.." she faltered and looked down quickly at her ale. She felt several pangs of sadness as she thought of her dark past. She couldn't remember much; just dark, cold forest and Elves, beautiful Elves.

Gently Ferri asked, "Elwing? Are you alright?" She shook herself out of her reverie and said quietly, "I think I'm going to journey home now. It was lovely meeting you, Ferri, and you, Crystal," and before she could stop herself, she said "Namarie, nin mellon." Shaking her head, she apologized, embarassed. "I'm sorry. I meant farewell, my friends."

Ferri and Crystal bade her farewell as she hurried out of the inn, eyes misting. Her heart ached. Why did she always have to do that? She always got teary when talking of her past. As she prepared her pony Gil-collo for the ride home, she made her decision. She would only go to her home to get provisions. She would then journey somewhere else -she didn't know yet- to begin a new life.

[ March 13, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]

[Ten'oio]

"Nice day, isn't it?" asked Inwe, stealing a sip of Aerandir's ale.
"Hello Talendur, Phervasaion." She took a seat, smiling all the while. She awoke early in the morning, and somehow ended up in the stables. While visiting with Aerandir's horse, she spoke many thoughts aloud; about her father, brother, and about home.

Even though she had placed her home far behind her, she still worried about her family. Her father was growing old, and couldn't care for himself anymore. Thoughts of her father had wandered into her mind often lately; thoughts of her brother too. He came of age days before she left home. No longer could he care for their father. He was even too feeble minded to care for himself anyways. Someday she would get see her father again, she just hoped it wouldn't be his last.

"So when do we leave for Bree?" asked Inwe, trying to steer her mind in a different direction.

[Elladan Peredhil]

Rirrym smiled. "Nothing doing... I'm somewhat accident prone myself -- within minutes of arriving here I'd already hit my knee against the table over there." He pointed to the table he had been sitting at when Cromthal first arrived at the inn. "And I managed to stub my toe later that evening. I'm actually somewhat surprised that I haven't done anything yet today."

Cromthal laughed at this and Rym took another swig of ale. "They certainly give you large portions here, I'll grant them that..." Rirrym said while patting his belly. "I don't think I'll be able to eat for a month after this meal is finished."

After they finished with their meal, Cromthal asked Pio if it was possible to borrow a tin tub. At first, Pio gave him a strange look, but once he explained it's purpose, she was more than willing to oblige. Rirrym walked up behind Cromthal, reaching around to lay down the plates they had just finished eating from. "I'd be interested in seeing how you dye your outfit. Do you use special herbs to make the color stay true?"

[piosenniel]

Pio showed Cromthal where there was a small metal wash tub. 'You will need to wash out the cobwebs. I don't think we have used it for quite a while.'

She pointed to a small bare spot of dirt not too distant from the kitchen. 'You can put the tub there. Cook always has hot water on the hob, and you can use it for your purposes. Here is a line you can string between those two saplings over there - to hang your clothes on.'

Pio turned to walk back to the Inn, then paused and walked back to where Cromthal stood sluicing the webs and dirt from the tub with water from the pump. 'Almost forgot. Here is a bottle of white vinegar. You can use it to set the colors into the cloth. Leave it in until the clothes are dried, then rinse them in cool water and dry them again.'

[Everdawn]

Aeryn mooved over to let Ellie back in to sit at the table, and putting her dirty cloak under the table. "not at all" she smiled Ellie, who was obvoiusly angry.

"Are you ok?" She asked now concearned. "Here" Aeryn said handing her a new cup of coffee. "Always makes me feel better, you know, The medicine Woman in Minas Tirith makes the best coffee" she said looking at the celing as in thought.

[the real findorfin]

Fin was remeniscing further, taking another sip of his wine, when he noticed a figure now stood beside him. He looked up to see a ravishingly attractive lady stood their.

"Hi, I was wondering if anyone was sitting there, she asked. She brushed her hair aside and Fin noticed the slight points of elvish ears. Ah, so we are both elves then!She hid them again quickly and he decided not to comment.

"Hello, my lady," he greeted, "please, be my guest." He motioned for her to sit.

She sat and looked at him, "Oh, by the way, I'm Huntress."

Fin laughed heartily, "Not you real name I daresay, but it matters not. I am Fin, traveller and friend of many."

"You have an air of someone who has been here before?" she asked, leaning forward on her arms, her green eyes shining brightly.

"What beauitful eyes," Fin thought, mesmerised for a second.

"Aye, I have been to this place. And a happy time it was too." He proceeded to retell his tale and Huntress was laughing when he told her of his and Donlammenion's dramatiation, where Don had ended up denting the floor with his sword.

"So that is why you checked the floorboard when you entered?" she asked, still giggling.

"You are observant," he said, smiling as she blushed. "You have been watching me?"

"Um.." she mumbled.

He laughed again, "I take it as an honour. For one as lovely as you to take notice of me is great praise indeed."

He took another sip of wine, finishing the glass and suddenly rose. He strode quickly over to the bar and got another glass, then returned to where Huntress sat.
He poured two glasses and gave one to her. He raised his, saying, "a toast, to new acquaintances."

[ March 14, 2003: Message edited by: the real findorfin ]

[Happy Hobbit]

Ferri was confused and wondering about Elwing for just leaving like that.
He was worried that it was something he said or did.
Crystal were going off home, but Ferri stayed at the inn. He sat alone that evening but didnt see anyone to talk to.
He talked to the Inkeeper about news from the east.
After that he walked up the stairs to his room and fell a sleep.

Next day he felt much better than before.
He walked down to eat his breakfast. It was very early in the morning so it wasnt many awaken.
It was just three others tha was eating.
He looked around in the common room to see if there were anyone that he maybe could talk to.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Smiling at the others, Morwyn excused herself from the conversation and slipped outside to check on her horse, Leófa. She slipped into the stable and rubbed her palm against his dark coat. She had always relied on the horse for comfort and companionship and she felt guilty for having left him alone for these last few days.

"Mmm... sorry I didn't bring a brush out my friend." She muttered as her fingers found dirt and burrs in his thick tail. She picked at the knot with her fingers, leaning close to the horse and smelling him.

The last day or so had been hard for her. She felt kinship with the Rohirrim girl, Sara, but still... she was cautious to have already told her so much... And Sara hadn't given her much information in return. The other woman, Nahai was a mystery to her. She agreed with Sara's whispered guess that there was something not entirely human about the shape of her face. Morwyn thought they might have much in common, she was obviously looking for something...

As Morwyn's fingers picked out the last of the burrs from Leófa's thick black tail, she felt his warm horsey lips tickling the back of her neck. Laughing she spun around and playfully slapped his nose. The horse gave her an innocent look. She laughed harder. "My hair is not for eating!" She imagined that Leófa looked contrite.

Suddenly serious Morwyn shook her head, "I spend too much time with the horse..." Giving him one last caress with her hand she left the stable and turned to go back into the inn.

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[PoWa]

A dwarf named Fili walked straight into the the inn and over to the bardisk. He had a ale and sat down in the common room. He was very tirsty after the long trip with his pony.

He was looking for someone to talk to but it was a late evening and it was just a few that still were awake.
He was very bored and was looking down in his ale.

[Nurumaiel]

Don sobbed quietly into her hands, trying not to wake the little children. She had been convinced that Rie was her friend, but now she had been betrayed.

"As soon as those hobbits come back up for their children I'll run away and never come back," she said fiercely. "Maybe then Rie will regret she went off with that person. And I hate that person even worse than I hate Rie! I hope her brother finds her and drags her home and locks her up in a cold, dark dungeon!"

"You must understand, darling, that you're not the only person in Rie's life," said a low voice at the door.

Don looked up, startled, to see Robin standing at the door. A huge sob shook her. "But she's the only person in my life!"

"And I'm sure she knows how much you love her, and will return that love." Robin took Don in her arms. "Little one, don't you want more friends besides Rie?"

"No."

"So when she's busy you won't be alone?"

"No..."

"To have someone to turn to when Rie is with a person?" A little smile came to Robin's lips.

"Yes...."

"Then you must accept Rie having other friends. Do you know what, little one?"

"What?"

"The more friends she has, the more friends you'll have. Do you know why? Because she'll want you to meet all her friends."

Don smiled. "I have to go find Rie," she said, jumping from Robin's arms and dashing out the door. "Thank you!"

[Maiden of the Sky]

Sara had been busy elsewhere and hadn't been paying attention until Morwyn had excused herself. When she came back Sara finally replied to their questions.

"Well," She sighed, "I grew up in Edoras where I lived with my mother and father, for a while. He was a noble in the King's court and he would often travel to Minas Tirith. When I turned 15 my father was accused of plotting against the king and was banished from Edoras. My father went to live in Minas Tirith where he had friends who could help him. After a while I went to live in Minas Tirith with my father. When I was old enough I ran away and came here."

Sara looked away and closed her eyes, she remembered those days. It was so hard when it was just her and her mother. Sara hadn't told them of how badly she had been treated after her father was banished. Everyone had known about it and treated her like dirt, even though she was so young. "Put it behind you, thats why you cam here" She thought and slowly looked back at the others.

[ March 14, 2003: Message edited by: Maiden of the Sky ]

[Arien]

It was now nearly midnight, well from what Mylasia could tell and just a few people were about the Inn. Her dark eyes strayed across the room to a new face in the Inn. He was a dwarf, he had not been here recently, for otherwise Mylasia would have seen him or at least known his name. She went up to the bar and asked for a drink of water, then she slowly made her way across to where the dwarf was sat.

“Hello, may I sit with you?” she asked politely, smiling. “ My name is Mylasia, and what might yours be?” she said as she sat.

“It is Fili.” he replied.

[Orual]

OOC: Nuranar is busy, so our Rie/Luinien and Talômi/Tarondo conversations are on hold until further notice. For the time being, Rie and Talômi will be wandering about the Inn.
====================

Rie had been up in her room for a while, busy writing letters that she'd probably never send. She was terrible at keeping diaries, but if she pretended that she had an obligation to keep someone else in the know, she was much more faithful about writing. All of her letters were to Talômi.

Finally she put her quill up, and blew gently on the cream-coloured parchment to dry the ink. She folded the pages and put it with the rest of her collection, and prepared to go downstairs. She'd been away from the common room too long.

She skipped down the stairs, nearly tripping once or twice but catching herself. She didn't see many familiar faces, and suddenly felt a little uneasy. Where was Don? She hadn't seen her in a while. "She's probably off talking to somebody. It won't be bad for her to get to know some other people...she's always so isolated."

But that thought didn't keep Rie from looking.

[dragoneyes]

The door of the Inn opened once more and in hopped two hobbits, one smaller with lighter hair, the other of a larger build. The surveyed the inhabitants of the Inn, not failing to be amazed by the variety of species that were there. It was like this last time they had come there, though they were less well travelled then. Lately they had been going to pubs and Inns elsewhere in the Shire, they had only just been passing by the familiar door when they thought they might check in, just for old times sake (and a drink of course). The larger of the two headed strait towards a table ready to slump strait down onto a chair, he'd been up since quite early this morning and was tired. "Where are you going Hal?" The other enquired, "I'm not getting you a drink! You have to get your own!" Hal paused at a chair, longing to rest on it, but he could da that after he got a drink, which he also found that he needed.

Hal made his way over to the bar and stood next to his friend, whose name happened to be Gaddy. He ordered his drink, as did Gaddy and then turned back to go to the chair he had previously been intent on sitting in, only to find that it had been occupied in the time it had taken him to get a drink. There were no other spare chairs, apart from those at tables already occupied by other people, none of whom seemed to be hobbits, those tables were completely full.

"Well done Gaddy!" said Hal indignantly "You've lost us our seats!"
"O, there'll be more! said Gaddy rolling his eyes, "Yes, I know they'll be more, but that's not the point, the point is, when will there be more?" Gaddy pushed Hal, "It's not my fault you wanted a drink!"
"Yes, but it's your fault you wouldn't get me one, and don't push me!" said Hal, pushing back. These small pushing contests often occured between the two of them, all in the name of fun but they often got a little out af hand as this one was now, with one particularly large push, Gaddy put Hal off balance and sent him stumbling back into one of the other patrons, an elf by the look of him. This elf had been holding a gless of wine, which Hal had knocked, spilling it across the table. Hal turned towards the elf and began apologising up to him, many a time, while Gaddy stood back, trying to hold in his laughter, though not having much success.

The elf looked down at Hal and tried to assure him that he was fine and that there was no point crying over spilt wine. Hal insisted that he got another drink, but the elf said that tey already had a bottle but Hal couldn't do nothing, he felt so silly. He would at least clean up the mess he'd made. He turned towards Gaddy, who was now doubled up, looking as though he might burst with laughter, "Gaddy," he said slyly, "Do you have you handkercheif on you?" Gaddy was unable to say anything and so he just nodded and pointed to his top pocket.

Hal walked over to him and took out the Handkercheif, Gaddy looking as though he was unable to do anything for him self, and walked back to the table and started to mop up the wine with it. Gaddy realised this all to late and the smile fell from his face, though he was still breathless from laughing, "Hal! That's my best one! Don't use it to wipe up wine! That'll never come out!" He tried to grab it back from Hal, but he continues to wipe it up with a smug smile on his face until it was all gone. He gave the sopping wet handkercheif back to Gaddy, who held it by the corner and looked at the ruined piece of material, thinking how those stains would never come out.

Hal looked once more around the room and spied no more empty seats, so he turned to the two elves seated at the table, "Would you mind if my friend and I sat here?"
"No, of course not!" came the reply. Hal placed what he had saved of his drink on the table and seated himself at the table, Gaddy following suit, laying the sodden handkercheif down next to him. "I am Halwon, Hal for short and my friend here is Gadbard, Gaddy for short," said Hal, "pleased to meet you both." He continued, smiling at the two Elves seated infront of him.

[Kates Frodo Temp]

Elhor stood, leaning against the wall. There was so much to take in! But there seemed to be no one like him. No one in the whole bustling, crowded place, except…

There, there was a watcher, a listener, an outsider, but not by choice. No, she did not desire the life of the patient bystander. Good! Someone was talking to her now. She had someone to share with. A friend. Elhor ground his teeth; he didn’t need that. He could be alone. It didn’t bother him.

He listened carefully to the conversation, not ashamed to pry. Nahai. A pretty name, for a pretty lady. He hoped she fared well with her new friends. Hoped she would be better off than he was. Alone.

[Maegaladiel]

Nahai listened to Sara's story with great sympathy. So many sad tales. Funny that they all found their way into the Green Dragon.

Suddenly her sharp eyes caught sight of someone watching her. A wave of paranoia caught her, but as she looked at his face, it receded. He was alone. Like she was. A lonely island in a sea of happy people conversing among each other.

She turned back to Sara.

"Lady," she began, "Would you mind greatly if I asked that gentleman to join us?" Not waiting for an answer, Nahai rose from the bar and walked over to the mysterious stranger.

"Sir," she asked meekly, "would you care to join us?" She smiled warmly.

[PoWa]

Fili saw a young hobbit lad sitting alone.
He did really like hobbits. They were fun to talk to.

He looked a little bit nervous at the hobbit, and when the hobbit looked up at him he looked down in his ale again.

[ March 15, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[Arien]

As she sat down, the door went again this time a cloaked figure entered. Mylasia knew that she must hide, she said bye to the dwarf sitting next to her and casually walked to her room. The assasin had hi face to the bar and was asking questions hopefully the bar maid would tell him nothing. Mylasia went into her room and locked to door. She drew the curtains slightly a nd peered out. It was just him then, she could only see one horse. He was just a scout then. She saw him come out of the Inn and ride off into the dark night.

Mylasia was relieved and fell back onto her bed. She sighed, and then got into bed. She knew that she wouldnt sleep, but there was no harm in trying.

[Everdawn]

Aeryn now grew thirsty. "Hold that thought" she said and passed Ellie and left the table in search of the bar. She decided against taking her cloak and bag to the bar with her.

She was usually untrustworthy of thieves, but since she was in the Shire, she decided that a thief here would be as likely as a wraith being in the Minas Tirith library. She brushed her snow hair over her shoulders and re-adjusted the necklace, a sign of Lothlorien, of where her mother was kin, which hung low around her neck and strode across the room, at the same time looking out for the Rangers who she was supposed to meet.

She stopped at a far end of the bar, no one seemed to be serving her. She noticed a mirror which hung on the wall behind the bar. She stared into it. Suddenly a feeling of unrest crept into her bones. "what are you doing here Aeryn" she thought to herself, "what were you thinking coming this far north? Trusting rangers, and strange rangers."

She sighed "Papa, if only you were here, you could tell me what i was in for." she turned her back away from the mirror and stood waiting.

[Lyra Greenleaf]

"Not at all" replied the Elf. "Are you ok?"
Nervous, Ellie just nodded.

"Here" she said, passing Ellie a cup of strong smelling coffee. "Always makes me feel better, you know, The medicine Woman in Minas Tirith makes the best coffee"

"Thank you" whispered Ellie shyly, with a small smile. There was a pause. She seems nice thought Ellie and she must have had a really exciting life. Not like me. She sighed wistfully.

"What's Minas Tirith like?" asked Ellie curiously, but the Elf merely smiled.
"Hold that thought"

She just left! She ignored me! Ellie fumed quietly. There's no reason for an Elf to be interested in a Hobbit, to be sure, but why talk if she didn't want a response?

She sighed again, and took a sip of coffee. For the second time Ellie began to choke, but less violently than before. With a few coughs she felt better.

Hmm- not bad! she thought, and took another sip.

[Huntress]

Huntress smiled and raised her glass,
"Yes to new acquaintances." As she savoured the taste of her wine Huntress realised, that she could not remeber ever laughing like that.
"I'm glad I did decied to watch you, I've managed to make one of the best acquaintances of my life." and she giggled slightly feeling shy and slightly uncombfortable. What is wrong with me she thought and she found her self looking at Fin.

It was then she made the quickest and most drastic decision of her life.

"Farothwen." she said Fin looked up at her startled,

"Pardon?" he said looking slightly confused,

"Farothwen its my name, my real name I mean." she felt herslef blush, she haddn't told anyone that in a long time it shook her slightly. She lowerd her eyes looking into the wine, while her fingers played with a strand of her hair and she bit her lower lip.

[PoWa]

He sat down beside the hobbit lad and had a pint.
He said; "Well met, stranger! And who are you?"
"I-I am Odo Gamwich from Longbottom.", the hobbit said nervously, "and you are?"
"Im Fili Bloodeyes from Erebor at your service.", Fili answerd gently and removed his blue cape.
"Oh, your dwarves are always to service..?", said Odo smiling.
"Hahaha! Oh yes we are. We serve young nice hobbits and maybe some pretty elves.", Fili said with a laugh.

They sat taletelling the whole evening until a stranger came into the inn.
He removed he cape and looked around in the inn.
He talked to the innkeeper and said something that they couldnt hear.
He sat down a few meters from them and looked down in the table.
"Hm, many strangers out at the roads in these days", whisperd Fili to Odo.
"Yes, strange people that doesnt talk or show their faces. Its very dark times", Odo said.
They looked at the stranger and noticed his ears. It was a elf.

[Arien]

Thankfully it was now morn. Mylasia had woken up to the sound of birds singing at her window. This was one of the things she loved about the Shire, it was so carefree and the darkness that had gripped her with fear last night had past and now it was all right. She donned her white dress, the one the same a Niamh’s and brushed her long black hair. The birds continued to sing a joyful song outside and she could now hear again the Hobbits going about their business.

She laughed at a group of young Hobbits playing just out side the Inn. She watched them for a while and thought of the days when Niamh and herself used to play under the hot sun of Harad under the close eyes of their loving parents.

Mylasia was jolted out of her trail of thought by a knock at the door. Who could it be? She thought. She ran to the door half expecting it to be Niamh, but her hopes were dashed as she opened it to see one of the hobbit lasses that worked at the bar.

“Sorry, Miss Mylasia, I didn’t mean to interrupt but your breakfast is ready!”

“Oh thank you,” she said and she followed the hobbit down to the common room, and took her place at her usual seat and tucked in to he breakfast.

[PoWa]

It was morning and Fili walked down to the common room for breakfast.
He took a plate and looked out for someone to sit with. He saw a woman sitting alone and thought sit dwon beside her and maybe talk a little.
He walked over and asked; "My lady, may I sit here?"
"Oh, of course", she answerd.

"Well met", Fili said, "And what are your name, my lady?"
"Im Mylasia.", she said slowly. "And you are, master dwarf?"
"Im Fili Bloodeyes from Erebor on a little trip. I have been here for a long time. But I have never seen you before. Where are you from?", Fili said.

[ March 15, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[Arien]

“Ahh, now that is an interesting question.” She paused and smiled at the dwarf, she would tell him some but not all of her past. He looked friendly, but…..she was still fragile from the previous night. “I am from Harad.” The dwarf looked a little taken aback. “Yes I am, my mother was of the Haradrim, Vadwati was her name. And my Father was and elf, of Lothlorien. And he was called Lithelen.”

She waited to see what the dwarf thought. Many that she had talked to had left her in a hurry on some urgent need. But Mylasia hoped Fili would not. She waited for a reply.

[PoWa]

"Oh...I see...", Fili said with new interest in the woman, "Well...", he said and looked away, "I guess many has left you behind cause of your background.".

Fili felt that he said something stupid and siad; "Im so sorry.", and looked down in his ale embarresd, "So what are you doing around?
Do you live around here?"

[Arien]

Mylasia laughed, “ Don’t feel sorry for me! Feel sorry for the people who have left me, they are the ones who need to learn more about this world. Many have come and gone, but I only bother to remember those who are kind and courteous in their ways. You master dwarf seem certainly to be one of those people!!!”

“Why thank you” , he replied.

“Now, I don’t live here. But I have lodged at this inn nigh on 2 months. I came here with my sister ……” her voice faltered, “…… her name is Niamh. But she has gone some where and I am waiting for her to return.” Tears filled her deep dark eyes, how could she cry. She must be strong. “You see she left without notice, I and I don’t know when she will return.”

[PoWa]

Fili felt that hes mood lowed and said; "I-I am sorry to hear that..."

Mylaisa was shaking of sadness and Fili said; "Im sure she will return." Fili said with new mood, "Dont you have any other family than your sister?"
Fili had another bite of some chicken he orderd.
He waited for Mylaisa for say something.

[Arien]

“Family is not a good subject for me! But I will tell you what has happened, I see trust in you eyes!”

She drew a deep breath and began. “As you know my mother Vadwati was of the Haradrim, she was a princess, stunning, allowed to rule over her own village, Penal. She was kind and generous to the people in her village and in turn they loved her, and they swore to never betray her. It had been many years since my grandfather Boodoo, a barbaric warlord, had visited our mother for he trusted her and saw no need to.

"One day a stranger wondered into the village, badly wounded from battle and near death. The healer healed his wounds and brought him back to full health. He was introduced to my mother, and he praised her for her kindness and said that there was a gross misunderstanding of how the Haradrim lived. Mymother said there was not, she was an exception. The stranger told of where he came from, Lothlorien, he was an elf captured in battle and left for slaughter by his enemies in Harad.

"My mother and he fell in love, and married without the consent of mothers father and my father gave up his immortality for her.
Now they lived happily and had two children, Niamhand I. The village was remote and everyone promised not to tell Boodoo, for they also feared for their lives. But there was a traitor in the village, and they went and told Boodoo, he came and slew everyone in the village, and my mother. He said she had betrayed him and that, no child of his would ever love the enemy especially one that didnt not worship the dark lord.

"While this was going on my father was leading us to the North, us upon Roman, our horse and him upon Fibro, he lead us to the boarders of Harad then he left us. He told me to take care of Niamh and to keep riding, never to stop for more than 2 days.
And we hadn’t until now. Since Niamh left.”

She stopped, she had just told Fili one of her darkest secrets. What would he see in her?

[ March 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[PoWa]

Fili looked interested at her and said; "Hm, what a amazing story! Now when I trust I can tell you a little about my background."

He took another bite of his chicken and said; "I was born in Erebor. In the deep tunnels of the mountain."

I never met my mother but my father, Mili, took care of me and we lived happily as father and son in many years. Until he died after a hard battle in the outside of Erebor when goblins attacked." Fili sighed and a tear fell down.

"I-I saw my father die...After that I left Erebor hoping that I could forgot my sorrow for a while and get over him. Thats why Im hear." Fili tok another bite of the chicken and looked down in the table to cover his tears.

[ March 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Arien]

"So we both know the sadness of loss! It is hard, but eventually it gets easier, as your heart lightens." Mylasia sipped her tea, Fili seemed to be a trustworthy dwarf and she ws glad of it. For if an assin found her.....she couldnt bare the thought. But for now she was okay.

The Inn started to fill and they had not spoken for a good few minuets. Then Mylasia said, " so is that all you travel for, and where have you been so far?"

[ March 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[PoWa]

"Oh, sometimes my feets says to me; 'Now you have been everywhere in the world, lets go home!!', but my hearts says its a long road left. I have been in Lorien, Rivendell and Gondor.", he said with a smile.

"They are really nice in Rivendell. Usually Im not very impressed about the elves, but sometimes they are amazing creatures."
"Oh they really are.", Mylasia said smiling back.

"But all they way from Harad...Where have you been before you got here?", Fili asked.
The common room was nearly full and many guests were talking since almost everyone now was awake.

[ March 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Arien]

"Well, Gondor, Rohan, all over Arnor, Ithilien, Rivindell and Mikwood. But never to Lothlorien....never.." Well this was going well she kept reminding herself of things she didnt want reminding of!

"Harad, it barren, a waste land, tribes men wil rip you apart. But my mothers village now, any one was welcome. You were treated as royalty!"

[ March 15, 2003: Message edited by: Arien ]

[PoWa]

Fili orderd another pint and said;"Oh! I never been in Mirkwood!
In Lorien they gave me a home for a while and they even let me see Galadriel!
She was so beautiful I just stand there and watched with open mouth."

Fili felt much better when they didnt talk about backgrounds and sadness about life.
Mylasia looked happy to.
"So how was Mirkwood then?", he asked Mylasia

[Arien]

"Mirkwood, is wonderful. It has so much memory and history. It has seen so much evil but is still amazing. And the halls of Thranduil are beauty beyond words!" she sighed, "But alas we could not tarry there unless we whished to be found. But let us not think of sad times!"

She combed back her hair with her hand and looked a Fili. "We nearly visited Erebor, but that place was watched, what a shame I could not have been there!"

[ March 15, 2003: Message edited by: Arien ]

[PoWa]

Fili smiled and said; "I must show you it some day." He took another bite of his chicken when a woman came intot he Inn.
She had a black cape and didnt show her face.
She just walked through and sat down beside them.
She removed her cape and Fili noticed a scar like a cross over her left eye.

"And who are you, miss...?", Fili said.
The woman opened her mouth to say something but didnt say anything and instead she was quiet staring at Mylasia.
Who was she?

[ March 16, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[Arien]

Mylasia would have loved to go to Erebor, but it was too risky. That place was guarded heavily, though she did not want to say this to the dwarf.

"Would you excuse me master dwarf while I go and get a drink?"

"Why certainly!! Could you get me an ale while you are up there?"

Mylasia smiled, nodded her head and made her way to the bar. She ordered her drinks and the came to sit back down next to Fili.

"Thank you." he said politely just before taking a sip from the ale. They sat for another hour or so discussing life about the Shire. As this topic of conversation drew to a close a woman came and sat down next to them.

"Hello! And who might you be?" said Fili. They both smiled and waited for and answer. Then Mylasia realised that she was staring at her. It made her feel very uncomfortable.

"Fili! We have talked all day now. I need to out to the woods and have target practice with my bow. For if I will forget if I do not!" and with that she got up and left.

"Fili!" she shouted from the door, "Dont worry I will be back in good time, wait for me if you wish!"

[ March 16, 2003: Message edited by: Arien ]

[piosenniel]

Please note that short, chatty style posts are not encouraged in the Green Dragon, or in any RPG on the Downs.

See Rule # 3 in the Red Book of Westmarch:


3. Chat-style abbreviations are not allowed. For example, say "How are you today?" not "How r u 2day". Short chat-style posts which encourage other players to post in a chatty style are also not allowed. Be descriptive, and try not to use a lot of dialog.

There is a fun place on the Downs for chatting with friends. Just click on the gold colored link below and follow the directions:

CHAT (http://www.barrowdowns.com/Chat.asp?Size=)

Thanks! Piosenniel, Shire Moderator

[Nurumaiel]

It was just as Rie stepped into the common room that Don came galloping down the stairs like a wild horse. The eyebrows of those who were walking up the stairs raised in amusement, and some in annoyance. For those who glared at her as she passed she made faces at.

As she stepped into the common room Dinodas immediately went to her. "I saw a woman with red hair over there," he said, pointing in the direction Rie was.

A huge smile came to Don's face and she hurried forward. She pulled on Rie's dress and glared angrily at her. "I hate you so much that I love you too much!" she said, and threw her arms around her dear friend.

[Orual]

Rie played absent-mindedly with the wide sleeves of her dress as she glanced about the room. She nodded to a few people that she recognized, then resumed her search for Don. She had hardly spotted the girl before she was set upon.

"D--" Rie began, but was cut off by Don's cry of "I hate you so much that I love you too much!" That silenced Rie for a while, and then Don threw her arms around her. Rie reciprocated, and they stood there for a moment. Finally Rie held Don at arms' length, and looked her squarely in the eyes with a mixture of affection, bemusement, and concern.

"It's not that I ever mind you hugging me," Rie said, quite matter-of-factly, "but might I ask why you hate me now? And maybe even what I can do to make it up to you?"

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

When Morwyn slipped back into the inn it was just in time to hear Nahai's comment. "Sir," she asked meekly, "would you care to join us?" She walked back over to the little group, curiously eyeing the man Nahai had spoken to. He was leaning against the wall studying the crowd intently.

As she reached the table and sat down she gave an apologetic smile to Sara. "I had forgotten my horse," she explained. Shaking her head and laughing at herself she continued, "he has been my only friend for many months now, and gets somewhat offended if I neglect him too long." Sara smiled at that comment.

Morwyn felt as though she had missed something important in the conversation. Before Nahai had a chance to return she asked Sara quickly, "What was said while I was outside?" She traced the wooden grain of the table with her fingertips as she spoke. She felt she had been horribly rude in leaving, but had needed the chance to reflect.

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[Nurumaiel]

"I hate you because you went off with that person," said Don. She tried to frown, but the grin came back. "But I don't hate you anymore, Rie. Or maybe I do. Either way, I just love you so much!" She hugged her friend again.

Rie stared down at her, puzzled. Sometimes children did say things that made no sense.

"Rie, can you tell me all about that person?" Don asked, taking the woman's hand and dragging her to a table. "Then I'll tell you all about the two hobbits I met today!"

[Barodir]

A large bearded man stepped into the Green Dragon. He was clad in new but dirty red and black garments, hooded, and had a sword and shield with him. However, knowing the rules of the inn, he removed the weapons and left them by the door.

It had been quite some time since he had been to the Green Dragon. The man had already had an encounter here some time ago with a theif who had stolen artifacts from the realm of Minas Tirith. He had spent the night here, and knew it would be rude not to return when he promised so.

The man looked about at the faces of the people in the common room. Many new faces, and some old. He was not here to meet new people, though. He needed a holiday, and it only made sense to return to the Shire, where he was well taken care of after being severly wounded. And this time, he knew to mind his manners.

The man took a seat by the fireplace and pulled out a pipe. But before smoking it, the man removed his hood. He smiled as he sat back and smoked, for Barodir, son of Barodel, and loyal guard of the White City, has returned!

[Arien]

It had been a few hours now, and Mylasia walked back into the Inn. She put her bow in her room then cam down to the bar.

"Tea please", she asked the hobbit lass.

"Here you go Miss Mylasia, careful it’s hot!" she said as she handed it the counter. Mylasia thanked her and looked around to see if she could see Fili. But alas he was gone. Mylasia sighed, he was one of the few who were friendly. The Inn was now packed and all tables were taken so Mylasia made her way over to the fire. Only one lone person sat there, it was a man. She sat down and took a long drink of her tea and looked in to the crackling fire. Mylasia didn’t want to say anything, he might be one of those people. She sat in silence.

[Everdawn]

Aeryn of Golden still stood waiting to be served at the bar. She caught a glimpse of a man who looked very familliar to her, who had just seated by the fire. "Ive seen him before, perhaps in Minas Tirith, i cannot remember."

she thought to herself. She plucked up the courage to go and find the answer.

She walked up to his chair where he was smoking his pipe. "Do I know you?" She said. "I do not mean to be intrusive, but you look very familliar to me."

[Arien]

She was lost in her thoughts, she stared blankly at the fire. Like so many times before she searched her mind, for a fragment of a clue to where Niamh had gone. She left after she had told her the truth about their past. But what had she said, and what was the reason for her leaving?

Mylasia lay back in the comfy chair, the stranger beside her was still silent and behind her she could hear the loud hum of daily Inn life. As she took another drink fron the cup in her lap a maiden approched the man who sat beside her. Mylasia smiled at her and she did so back. Then the maiden started to talk to the man.

"Do I know you?" She said. "I do not mean to be intrusive, but you look very familliar to me."

He made no answer, Mylasia waited to see what he said.

[Barodir]

"Do I know you? I do not mean to be intrusive, but you look very familliar to me."

A woman had come up to Barodir as he sat in thought. The woman seemed to know who he was, but Barodir did not know her. Then again, he didn't know many people out of Gondor. Even in Gondor, he stuck to himself and his family, who still remained in Minas Tirith.

"You may or may not know me. I am a guard of the White City, and many do not know me. I would be happy to tell you who I am though." he said in response. He was much more courteous than his previous stay in the Inn. He had all of his burdens lifted and was on a holiday away from it all: work, family, life itself. He was in the process of becoming a new man. It seemed that faith had found him and he had shed his old ways.

"I am Barodir, son of Barodel of Minas Tirith. I am a guard of the City and am on holiday." He was as polite as he could be, dispite sounding a bit angry. He had a natural sense that made him sound irratble, even in being happy.

Realizing that he may scare the womn away, he asked in an peaceful way "Please, what is your name, and explain to me how you know me, or someone like me?" He then waited for a reply from the woman.

[Eressië Ailin]

Luin sped on into the night, dark cloak flying behind her, searching for an inn, or anywhere warm to spend the night. She was used to sleeping in the Wild, it had never really bothered her; but she greatly longed for a proper bed. Her parents often refered to beds as a rarity, for they often spent their time in the Wild. 'Noro lim, Thalion,' she whispered to her horse. Luin rode on, for hours that seemed endless, when she spottted a light in the distance. 'Ah! Hospitality at last!' she cried, but only to herself. She beckoned Thalion to stop near the stables. After dismounting and putting Thalion in one of the stalls, Luin walked into the Inn.

She saw a sign that read:

The Green Dragon Inn
The Shire

'The Green Dragon? The Shire? How did I end up here? Where,' she asked herself, 'is here?' Luin sighed. 'Oh well. I might, at least, be able to find some comfort in these strange parts.'

Luin looked around the Inn, and saw, much to her delight, that she was not surrounded by only Elves! There were Men, and Dwarves! The Dwarves didn't please the rest of her kin too much, but she didn't mind them. 'A hunted man often wearies of distrust and longs for friendship,' her uncle would always say. But what surprised Luin even more than the Elves and Men, were the Hobbits! Ever since the War of the Ring, Luin had wanted to meet one of these Halflings. 'Perhaps,' she thought, 'I'll go talk to one of them after I get a drink.' Luin made her way over to the bar, and waited patiently for someone to take her order.

[ March 16, 2003: Message edited by: Eressië Ailin ]

[PoWa]

The young hobbit lad Cotman Cotton walked into the Inn and sat down in a comfy chair in front of the fireplace.
There were two others sitting beside him, a strange man and a woman.

After a while he was sitting there he got thirsty and raised from the chair and took a drink in the bar.
When he got back someone from the Big People was sitting were he sat.
- Excuse me, sir, but I was sitting there before you, Cotman said gently.
The man just turned around and looked down on the little hobbit and laughed and then turned back and ignored him.
Cotman felt embarrased and angry at the man.
He didnt care about him, so he just walked away from him and orderd another drink and sat a while in the bar to maybe talk to someone.

He sat very lonely and it was just the innkeeper that talked. Cotman was just listening.
Then he interrupted the innkeeper and said;
- Im sorry, but Im very tired and need my daily rest, and smiled at the innkeeper.
He raised from the bardisk and looked around in the room for someone to talk to.

[Arien]

Mylasia sat by the warm fire, still lost in her thoughts. She now gazed out of the window, night was closing in. She then remembered Fili would still be waiting for her! She left her seat and looked around the Inn and saw him sitting at the same table as before. She brushed past a few elves and maded her way to him.

"Ah, you are back!" laughed the dwarf, it seemed to Mylasia that he had had quite a few ales while she was gone.

"Indeed I am", and she sat down opposite him.

"And how was target practice?"

"Brillient, no actually it was quite boring, I got all the shots right its just, Ive done it so many times......but hey if I dont practice I wont remember!"

[PoWa]

- Hahaha, no I get your point, Fili laughed.
"Oh my gosh, he got too much ale", Mylasia thinked.
- Ehh, Fili, I dont think you should drink anymore, Mylasia said carefully.
- Hahahaha, why not??, the dwarf said annoyed.
Then the innkeeper came and took Filis ale, cause the keeper had noticed Filis drinking the night.
Fili walked outside and cleaned himself up with cold water in a barrel.

When he reutrned, now freshed up and not so drunk, Mylasia was still there.
- Im really sorry for my bad behaviour, Fili said a bit embarresd.

[piosenniel]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOTICE OF NEW RPG OPENING ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Manardariel and Orual invite you to participate in their new RPG: Quest for the Ainareg.

Come to the discussion thread for the game, see what characters are needed, and create one you can play in the game.

***************************** HAVE FUN! ~~~~~ PIO *****************************

[Everdawn]

Aeryn smiled. "Of course, you're Barodel's son" she said, pulling up a footstool.
"you have been to the Houses of Healing." she brushed the dust off her worn tunic.

"oh!, im Aeryn, my father was Aroden and my mother was Umbria, an elf who dwells in Dol Amroth. Though, somehow, i earned the name of Aeryn of Golden. My father I think, gave it to me. I live in the houses, my father is dead, I am the apprentice to the medicine woman. Its a modest living, but i like it all the same. I will be eighteen in a week and that will make me able to finish my apprentiship" she paused.

"what brings you so far north, friend?"

[PoWa]

A cold night, a strange person comes into the Inn. He was very short and thin.
He weard a brown cape with golden markings.
He also had a little sword in the belt.
He sits dwon and smokes some weed and was staring in the frieplace when a hobbit lass servant asked; - Excuse me, sir, do you want anything?, she said gently.
The man slowly looked up at here and said;
- Just a cup of tea, thank you.

The hobbit lass didnt see his face but in some strange reason she could see him smiling.
When she returned with the tea she asked;
- Do you want a room for tonight, sir...?
- You can call me Tristan, he answerd her, and, yes, I would really like to have a room for tonight.
When the servant looked down she saw that he was a hobbit.
- Oh, so you are a hobbit huh?, she asked him and smiled.
Now he'd removed his cape and she saw that he had brown curly hair with green eyes.
- Yes I am a hobbit, he said, so I would like to get my room in hobbitsize.
- Yes of course, mr. Tristan, she said gently, - But dont you got any last name?
- Yes its Cotton, Tristan Cotton.
- Ok mr. Cotton, we will make your room ready for tonight, thank you.

Tristan looked around for someone to talk to.

[the real findorfin]

Fin was taken aback by Huntress' confession of her name. he was deeply honoured. He was about to respond when a hobbit fell toward him. Wine accompanied the halfling and Fin found himself covered. Farothwen laughed as Fin cried out.
The Hobbits tried to clean him up and Fin could not help but see the funny side. When they eventually asked to sit, he was laughing and he hoped they now felt at ease.
"It is only a set of clothes, my hobbit aquaintances," he stated.
When they told him their names, Fin's memory was prodded and he was taken back to his first visit to the Green Dragon.
"I believe we have met?" he cried.
"Us?" Gaddy asked.
"Yes, it was the time when Bullroarer was in here."
"I remember," shouted Hal, happily.
"That makes a change," Gaddy muttered.
"Well, let me introduce you to my new acquaintance," Fin offered, "meet...Huntress."

She smiled affectionately as he used her pseudonym and he smiled back, winking.

"So, I was just about to ask where you are headed, my dear," he continued, "and you, Gaddy and Hal, what brings you here."

[Eressië Ailin]

Luin pulled back the hood on her cloak, and flipped her long, dark brown, almost black hair. In doing so, she revealed her pointed, obviously Elven ears. When Luin realized this, her crystal blue eyes instantly changed to a piercing, stone grey.

'Would you like anything to drink?' she heard a voice ask. However, Luin took no notice of the bartender, as she was lost in her own thoughts. 'Excuse me, miss, but would you like a drink?' the bartender asked for a second (or maybe a third) time.

Luin suddenly snapped out of her own world. 'A drink? Some red wine would be great.' She thought for a moment. 'Could you tell me how I can get a room in this place?'

'If it's a room you're seeking, it'd be best to talk to Piosenniel, or just Pio for short. But first, may I ask your name?'

'My name? What does she need that for?' Luin hesitated. 'Some call me Mae,' she said quietly, remembering her lost friend.

'Mae?' the bartender inquired. 'That doesn't sound like any Elvish name I've ever heard.'

'Mae's just a nickname,' Luin said, lying through her teeth. 'My full name is Maelinya.'

'Very well, then. I'll have that wine coming right up. In the meantime, you might want to find Piosenniel.'

Luin got up, and started her search for this 'Pio.'

[Aerandir Carnesir]

"Hullo Inwe! How'd you sleep?" said Aerandir. "We thought you would never wake. We were going to go down to the Bywater pool today. I'm not much of a person for water, but I wouldn't mind going down to the pool and rest there for a while."

Aerandir suddenly had a memory of his childhood. It was very dark, and he saw the Anduin. He heard screaming, and he then saw his father fighting orcs.

His memory went farther. He saw his Uncle Nilhirion with Aerandir and then training and teaching him the ways of the Rangers.

Nilhirion gave Aerandir Olwe's sword, Elenaur, Starfire, the elvish blade. It looks much like a Numenorean sword, but has the elvish characteristics of shining blue and being as light as an eagle's feather. It has runes on it which say, "Aa' i'Carnesir ya kola sina hyanda onaya i'val en'edain ar'edhil." It translates as: "May the Carnesir who carries this blade be given the power of Men and Elves."

Aerandir remembered his uncle very well. He was still alive, and was a high ranking Ranger. Aerandir had gone with Nilhirion to the North, and became a ranger because of his uncle's influence.

Olwe's last dying words to Nilhirion were, "Take care of Aerandir. Teach him to be strong and righteous, but teach him to be humble and compassionate. Be a father to him as I would have been, but don't let him forget me."

Aerandir thought those over for a while, but before he could get emotional, he said,"Well, since everyone is here, lets go down to the Bywater pool and relax, and make good of this fine day!"

[Eressië Ailin]

'It certainly would have helped if she gave me a description of Pio!' Luin thought, as she searched for the innkeeper. She had everywhere for anyone who might be Piosenniel. 'Where is she? I really need a room for tonight.'

Luin became more and more desperate as the minutes passed. 'By the time I find her, they surely will be out of rooms!' Suddenly, she bumped into a strange Man who was talking to an Elf maiden. 'I am ever so sorry,' Luin mumbled. 'I suppose I didn't see you, for I was looking the the innkeeper, Piosenniel. Have you seen her?'

'You have no reason to be sorry,' the man chuckled. 'I am used to not being seen. And as for Pio, she left not too long ago. She won't be back until late. By the way, I'm Barodir. I was about to tell Aeryn, here, why I'm up in these parts. Would you care to listen?'

'No thank you. I think I'll just go sit at the bar. But if I need a good tale, I'll know where to come!' Luin laughed airily. But the laugh was hollow, she knew it in her heart. It had been a long time since she had ever truly laughed.

'Wait!' Barodir called. 'I don't believe I caught your name!'

'Call me Mae,' Luin replied, now more comfortable, since she had found a suitable name.

[Zoko Siman]

"Jamsway Siman I am," he said to the bartender, "But I prefer Jams if you will."

Startled, the bartender turned around in a hurrry to see a little hobbit of the shire who had managed to climb up on to the bar stool.

"What can I get for yeh, uhh.. Jams you said?"

Reaching into his pocket the hobbit started pulling out a peice of paper with something scribbled on it. But, being as that the chair was as elavated as it was, and Jams, not being the most elegant of hobbits, he lost his balance and soon enough, there lay a hobbit, ripe for stepping on.

For a moment, Jams lay stunned, thinking, "my my, I dont think I've EVER fallen off a chair that high before." And for that instant he just lay there, looking up at all the tall people, the elves, the humans, even the drunken dwarf at the tables seemed massive to him."

"Hey, you down there. Get up off my floor before some one steps on you!"

Reluctantly Jams sat up and this time, went around the bar and spoke to the man.

"Dear sir, as I was about to be saying before my little accident there. I could use a special blend for myself. I've got a headache you can't shake a stick at and I could use some 'special blend', if you follow me."

He handed the paper to the bar keep. Eyeing it over the keep raised his eyebrow. "You sure you can handle this? I don't think even the most reckless dwarf could handle this foul brew."

"Aye, I can take it." Jams replied starting to get impatient. "Now, if you don't mind, I'll be at the bar--" he turned, remembering the stool indicent, "actully, come to think of it, I'll be sitting by the fire."

[PoWa]

While Tristan sat in the bar he saw a lonely man sitting in a chair in front of the fireplace.
He thought he maybe could talk to him.
So he walked over and sat down beside the man.

- Well met, stranger, Tristan said gently to the man.
The man looked at him and Tristan waited for an answer.

[The Ruling Ring]

Drago shook himself, startled at Ellie's sudden exclamation.

"Ellie--!" he managed, just she turned and headed swiftly back to the table. She didn't hear him.

"Oh, wonderfully well done there, Drago," he mumbled to himself. "You're a real gifted conversationalist, aren't you? It's no wonder you've so many friends."

Shaking his head again, Drago looked across the room, to where Ellie sat, talking to an Elf. Suddenly, the tall one rose, leaving an empty space beside Ellie. Perhaps now was his chance...

Drago strode over to the table just in time to hear Ellie coughing as she attempted to imbibe something from a mug.

"Ellie," he muttered as she regained her breath.

[ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: The Ruling Ring ]

[PoWa]

An afternoon at the inn a man came in.
He was wearing a darkgreen cape and a sword in the belt.
He didnt remove his cape when he got in so they couldnt see his face.
He followed the rule to leave your weapons beside the door but he did keep a little knife in his left boot.

He sat down in a comfy chair in front of the fire place and took up a pipe and started smoking some weed.
Many of the rest folks in the inn thought he was strange but one person showed up and sat down beside him in another chair.

[PoWa]

The person didnt say anything.
He thought the person was extremly boring so he looked around in the room to see if anyone was sitting alone except him.

He saw a lonely woman sitting in a corner.
He raised from his chair and walked over to her.
He said; - G'day my lady! Such a wonderful afternoon. And who might you be?

[Arien]

Mylasia was startled to see the man. She didnt expect anyone else to speak to her. She was delayed in her actions and stared for a while. Then when the man said hello again she reacted.

"Hello sir" she said wearily, it wasnt such a good day, apart from meeting Fili. It was a normal day, just normal, nothing extraordinary was going to happen."My name is Mylasia."

He sat down next to her, she could not see his face clearly as her was shrouded in a darkgreen cloak. Now she had realised her mistake, she had told him her name. He could very well be a spy. She kicked herself for not being more alert. But she decided to continue the conversation.

"And what is your name?"

[PoWa]

- My name is Ramak. Im from Rohan, he said gently.
He removed hes cape and looked at Mylasia.
- You look scared, he said confused, Im not dangerous. Im just a lonely wanderer. I left Rohan 2 years ago.

Mylasia looked at him as she was expecting something.
- So..., Ramak said, where are you from then?

[Arien]

Mylasia was not sure she trusted him, she would be safer to use her normally allaby. Snd she reminded herself not to procrastinate on the subjet of family and homes too long.

Memories had been stirred, too many to her liking for one day at least. She looked at Ramak, she still did not trust him, he had told her that he was not dangerous but that wasnt enough for Mylasia. She kept her eyes on him, he had no weapons on him taht she could see but...

"Gondor", she lied., "Gondor."

[PoWa]

"Oh, Gondor...", Ramak said, "
Gondor is beautiful. I've been there many times.
But they cant beat our horses in Rohan."

Ramak stared in Mylasias eyes and she looked away.
He looked down in teh table for a while.

"So, what are you doing around here?", he asked suddenly.

[Arien]

"No, indeed the horses of Rohan....",well this was going well. What was he goping to ask next? Could she come outside and fight and if he won he got to take her back to BooDoo? Could he just tell he Niamh was dead?.....Wait she was totally jumping to conclusions here, he could be a very good kind hearted man for all she knew. But still she hesitated.

"What are you doing here?" Oh great!!! what was she going to say to that, she pondered for a moment.

"Visiting a friend", she replied. Now she had got herself into a web of lies but it ws better than revealing herself to some spy. But why was she thinking that, he probably was not a spy. Her mind was a battle ground, one side wanted him to be evil, the other good. She was getting more fustrated with herself. But she contiued to keep a calm face.

"I am here visiting a hobbit friend, and you?"

[ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: Arien ]

[PoWa]

"Im a ranger.", he said,
"Im just here to eat some food and rest for the night. I havent been sleeping inside a house for 7 months. And thats for ceratin."

Ramak thought the woman was really mystic.
She didnt say so much, and was always looking scared and upset.

"Is something bothering you?", Ramak said.

[ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[Arien]

Mylasia smiled, "Everything is fine, I have no troubles....that you need know of."

He looked slightly taken aback and ofended. Mylasia felt guilty, it was not like her to put some one off like that , but well. It was too hard for her to think properly right now, her head was hurting alot. She wondered why, she also felt extreamly sleepy. She closed her eyes, and then slowly opened them.

"Are you sure that you are alright", he asked with more concern in hs voice.

"I am....." Mylasia closed her eyes.

What was wrong? She did not know. Her head was hurting so much, it felt as though it was going to expload. Suddenly the noise in the Inn became ten times louder, it got hotter. Very hot, she felt so light headed.

But it was ok now, she ws outside the Inn, and look it was Niamh riding up upon Roman. She was back! And beside her were her Father and mother, they were happy, happy.....very happy........

[PoWa]

"Miss Mylasia!!", Ramak screamed when Mylasia just faited.
He carried out Mylasia and took up a small herb that he got in his pocket.
It was a special herb for faiting and headache. He held it up under her nose so she could breathe it in.
Suddenly she woke up.
Ramak looked concerned at her and said; "What happened to you..?!"

Then she faited again and he picked up some more
herbs.
After a while she could almost walk by herself and when they sat down in front of the fireplace Ramak asked again; What happened?"

[ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[Phervasaion]

The three Rangers and Inwe then made their way to the door of the inn. Once they got out Phervasaion said "when did you say we would be leaving for Bree Talendur?"

"There are some things that i must sort out before we leave so i need to know," Phervasaion was still puffing on his pipe as he awaited an answer from Talendur.

[Kates Frodo Temp]

"Hello!" Elhor was getting used to the strange sights and sounds. "I would love to join you! Thank you so very much!"

The relief showed in his large, expressive eyes. Nahai could now see he was only a boy, tall for his age, but certainly not older than 16. He straightened, looking about once more, out of habit.

"What is your name?"

[Huntress]

Where was she headed now that was a question, one she was ready to admit she didn't know the answer to herself. Maybe if she began at the begining it would be easir. She looked at the two hobbits waiting for her answer and then her eyes moved to Fin a smile played on her lips as she caught site of the wine staine, making up her mind she leant forward head on her hands and began.

"This isn't something i've talked to many people about, infact i've prefered to keep it hidden but since coming here the things that have happend and the people I've met." Here she paused and smiled warmly at Fin who was listening intently.
"Well they've made me change my mind. I apologies now if the story isn't that good but i'm not used to telling it, My earliest memory is a sad one, I was traveling with my parents to where i'm not sure and where we came from I don't know either but what I do remember is them my parents I mean, my mother had colouring much like my own her eyes were the same green her hair was a lighter brown but my father had the black hair like mine,there are other things but there blurry now." Without meaning to Huntress stoped speaking but when she noticed the silence jumped back into action.

"It was the morning I think, when someone came out of the woods just ahead of us, but nobody was worried my parents knew him, But...but they should have been worried, He murdered my family right infront of me the only reason he didn't kill me was because as luck would have it a group of nomads were traveling through the area they had heard the shouting and come to investigate, the murderer got away and I was left alone no family just my Fathers sword and my Mothers bow the person that had killed them however had left the permernant memory of his face in my mind." This time Huntress stopped due to the bitterness that had risen in her voice. She looked at her companions once again, the Hobbits were fully enrolled in the story while Fin looked at her with a cetain amount of concern. Once she was sure her anger wouldn't be a problem she began again.

"Well after that I stayed for a short time with the nomads and then I moved on, I was trained by those I stayed with untill I met with a Ranger who taught me all he knew. After he died I felt ready to do what I had always planned to hunt down the murderer of my parents and avenge them. So I became a Ranger it was a good cover for me when your looking like I was. Well the Ranger part was I had to keep the fact I was a elf hidden." The two hobbits looked at her shocked they themselves hadn't realised she was an elf, Fin however hadn't made the slightest indication of been shocked but Huntress had realised earlier that Fin probably knew she was elven and she also realised that without meaning to she was only really talking to Fin.

"So why are you now in the Shire did you find the person that killed your parents." It was one of the Hobbits, Huntress looked at the hobbit and felt coldness grip her heart as she answered.

"No, the trail has gone cold I may never find him, I'll always remember his face but I may never find him.......I decided instead that maybe it would be better if I made some time for my own kind." Her eyes flashed towards Fin for a second before returning to the Gaddy and Hal.
"Try and find out where I come from, see if anyone remembers my parents and why we were travelling. So it may not explain exactly where i'm going but I don't know myself."

She sat back not dareing to look up it had been harder than she thought to tell that story, now all she could do was wait for a reaction.

[excheeto]

Violet Boffin slumped in the inn,dusting her feet off at the entrance before entering,heading towards her familiar spot at the table by the door.

She was noticably weary,but rolled her shoulders back,sitting up straight with her head raised up.She showed a pleasant,though sunburnt and freckled face.She ran her hands through her two tight,messy brown braids.She then dusted the sand from her grass stained yellow dress and blue apron before smiling towards the bar."one ale please"she said in a weeping voice"and a good hobbit room,if you have one".She bowed her chin to her chest"I hope I'm not here too long"she whispered,then rolling her head back,she quietly sighed"what will I do now?"

[ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: excheeto ]

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn smiled at the boy, Elhor, for he was, at a closer look, quite young. She didn't know quite who his last question was addressed to, since he seemed to be looking at the whole group as he spoke, but since nobody else seemed to be answering she cleared her throat.

"My name is Morwyn, of the Rohirrim." she gestured toward her companions, "this is Sara, also of Rohan; and the Lady Nahai, who, I believe hails from Rhovanion, near the edge of Mirkwood."

She was comfortable, the warm food and ale had cheered her up and she was ready for long conversation and storytelling. She took a smooth pointed stick from her pocket and twisted her hair back from her face, poking the stick through it to keep it in place. Settling down she rested her elbows on the tabletop and listened.

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[Eressië Ailin]

Luin took her seat back at the bar. 'Oh! Mae! I almost forgot!' The bartender handed Luin her drink. 'Here's that wine you ordered.' Luin drank deeply. 'Are you going to pay for that?' she asked impatiently.

'Oh! Right!' Luin spread out a few gold coins.

'Thank you,' she said, counting the change. 'Did I mention that Pio left? I don't know when she's coming back, but she's been gone for quite some time.'

'And it would have saved quite a bit of time if you would have told me this earlier!' 'I do believe you forgot to mention that Pio was gone,' said Luin, grinding her teeth. 'Could you tell me when she gets back? I'll be over...' Luin paused. '...there.' She pointed at a nearby group of three women and a small boy. I do hope some one over there can tell a good tale or two. As long as it's not me. Luin wasn't sure whether or not she was ready to reveal her true identity yet.

Of course, it wasn't likely that anyone had followed her from Mirkwood or Rivendell. But if they had... It wouldn't be the hardest thing in Middle-Earth to do. Thalion, indeed, was a swift beast, but his hooves certainly did not fall as lightly as Shadowfax's. Luin didn't want to think about it.

Instead, she stood up, took her drink, and went over to the group she had pointed to. Luin smiled at the boy, his name was Elhor, and asked one of the women (her name was Morwyn, or something similar) if she might join. 'May I sit with you? I don't know if I would be able to contribute much to a conversation, for my study is of the birds, beasts, and trees.'

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn looked up at the young woman who had spoken. "Aye" she said merrily, laughing as she spoke. "please, do join us."

Sara chimed in, "yes, please do!" After a round of introductions the woman, who had introduced herself as Mae, took a seat at the table. Morwyn looked at her closely, her delicate facial features and sharp blue eyes told her that this woman was elven, or at least half-elven.

"The trees, beasts and birds?" Morwyn asked her, "are you a healer?"

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[PoWa]

Eothilion was riding fast. So fast his horse Salomo could.
He stopped outside The Green Dragon Inn. He havent been there before so he took Salomo to the stables and wlaked in.
He followed the rules and left his weapon in a corner beside the door. He sat down in the bar and had an ale.

After a few ales he got tired and talked to the innkeeper and asked for a room to sleep that night.
"Ok, may I please get your name, sir?", the innkeeper said gently.
"Eothilion Fastrider, son of Eothalion.", he said very shortly.
"Ok, mr. Fastrider, you got room number 36, and here is the key", the innkeeper said.

The next morning he walked down and looked around for somewhere to sit and eat some breakfast. He saw some dwarves taht were telling tales and stories from Erebor.
He wasnt very impressed by dwarfs, he thought they were greedy and selfish.
It was quiet empty, but it was early in the morning and the most people was still sleeping.
He sat dwon at a empty table and started eating. More and more people dropped in to eat breakfast and Jochim hoped someone was going to sit down beside him.

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[ March 20, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[Arien]

Mylasia thanked the man who had helped her and departed to her room for the evening.

Her head was still hurting, it was throbbing violently and she was still hot. She ran over to the windows and flung them open, the cold night air filling her lungs, warm tears fell down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes and stared at the sky, she could not handle staying here any longer, she had to find Niamh. She went and laid down on her bed and closed her eyes.

She would go to sleep for a little while, and then decide what to do, where to go. Her throat was really dry, maybe she was ill. She drifted off in to a dream. The curtains of the window swayed gently in the night breeze. The moon was high and bright in the sky all was calm and silent.

[PoWa]

Eothilion raised from his chair and sat down in one of the comfy chairs in the common room.
He was smoking some pipeweed and staring into the fire.

He was wondering what to do next. Should he left The Green Dragon and get back to Rohan or stay for a while.
While he was sitting there he didnt notice a strange person that sat down beside him.

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[ March 20, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[dragoneyes]

Hal and Gaddy looked at each other, wide-eyed. Neither of them had expected such a tale of woe. "Well," said Gaddy, never liking these awkward silences nor the feeling of sadness that now lingered in the air. "I can't say that we have a story quite to match yours miss Huntress, but as you asked Fin, I shall tell." He took a small sip of his drink before starting on his rather short tale in comparison. "We were out looking for adventure," Hal interrupted with a snort, "Looking for adventure? I intend to be home for harvest this year thankyou very much!"
"Very well," continued Gaddy, "I was out looking for adventure and Hal here was tagging along." Hal snorted once more and Gaddy turned to him, none too pleased with all these interruptions. "What is it now?" he asked "Oh nothing," said Hal, "It was just last time I looked you had a child due in a few months."

Gaddy rolled his eyes, Hal was doing this just to spoil his story. "Fine then, I was looking for a very quick adventure-"
"And a drink." interrupted Hal once more, but Gaddy just ignored him this time. "-with Hal here. I thought back to where we had gotten our first adventure and I remembered this place. It has good beer too, which is never a bad thing!" He took another swig of his drink. Hal eyed his friend with a hint of dissaproval. "Yes," he said somewhat unsure "That's our um... story. So we've told you ours Fin sir, now what of yours?"

[Barodir]

"What brings you so far north, friend?"

Barodir sat and thought for a moment. He had come for holiday, but he did not feel that he had to explain his actions before the decision to take the vacation. To explain his tale would be a great story, but Barodir did not like to tell them. He was a better listener.

So he said "I am on holiday from a difficult mission. I will tell you about the mission in due time, but I grow weary now. It was a long day, and I wish to rest, if you do not mind. I hate to be rude, but I must leave you. I'll discuss it and more later. Goodbye!"

With that, Barodir got up and went to the desk/bar. He got a room key and went to a room to lie in a bed for a while. When he got to his room, he realized that there were old blood stains on the floor. He then realized that this was the same room that he was put in after his near-fatal injury. He laughed at this and lay himself onto the bed. As he thought of the memories from this place and his mission, he slid into a peaceful slumber...

[Maegaladiel]

Nahai smiled politely at the elven-looking woman and the boy Elhor who had joined them.

"I am called Nahai, daughter of the Lady Silhinui. Lady Morwyn is correct in her introductions, as I am from the edge of Mirkwood." she said in answer to Elhor's question. Living most of her life alone, she was unaccustomed to speaking to such a large group. Strangely, she didn’t feel half as uncomfortable as she usually did when placed in such situations. Maybe the trip to the Green Dragon was a better idea than she thought. In fact, she almost felt that she fit in, that she was part of their world. But that could never be. She knew she could never truly be accepted in the worlds of men and elves. Not necessarily because of WHO she was, but WHAT she was. She could travel to the ends of the earth, but she could never get away from herself.

Somehow she felt as though Elhor had shared something of the same experience. She thought she could see it in his eyes when she first caught him looking at her, alone in the corner. Perhaps not something of the same exact nature, but she did recognize the look of loneliness when she saw it. Oh yes, she recognized it all too well.

And then there was the blue-eyed woman. She looked elven, perhaps half-elven. Nahai wanted to know her story as well. Morwyn and Sara’s tales had both been sad, and she suspected Elhor’s to be the same. But she was unsure about this fair lady with deep blue eyes. She leaned forward, waiting for her to reply to Morwyn’s inquiry.

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: Maegaladiel ]

[GaladrieloftheOlden]

Elirien stepped into the inn, looking around over the heads of those already inside, being a tall enough Elf to do so, and seeing how many of the folk inside were hobbits. She wondered who owned the place, but, after looking around in vain for a few minutes and not seeing anything that might give her a clue, she sighed and sat down at an empty table in the corner. She did not speak to anyone, only listened to the lulling sound of conversation around her, sometimes rising to a roar, sometimes fading to a murmur, but always there. Always there....

Elirien realized that somebody was trying to wake her before her mind had even registered that she was asleep. She sprang up quickly, murmuring apologies to the woman who had just nudged her awake. "I am...err....sorry. Could I have a room here, please?" The woman gave a bubbling laugh. "Oh, I'm not the one you might ask. I was only thinking you may be wanting to get up now, seeing as you'd been asleep here for a few hours now, and on a wooden bench that mustn't be too comfortable. Oh, if you do want a room, you ask her. And, glancing back for a moment with a smile, the woman dissapeared again into the crowd. Elirien sighed, and began to make her way through to the other woman, keeping her mind on not bumping into anyone, but still wondering why she had come here in the first place.

[ March 20, 2003: Message edited by: GaladrieloftheOlden ]

[Eressië Ailin]

'A healer? Me?' Luin nearly laughed out loud. 'I may know a bit about herbs, but I am certainly no healer! Now, my mother, she was what you might call a healer. She taught me evrything I know before...' Luin's voice trailed off.

'Is everything alright, Mae?' Morwyn asked.

'Now you've done it,' Luin scolded herself. 'You can't even introduce yourself without talking about your family, and you can't talk about your family without choking on your own tears!' Luin swallowed. 'She died. Lassëa died when I was still young.'

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: Eressië Ailin ]

[Orual]

Rie allowed herself to be guided to a table by Don, who was in quite a strange mood. At least she didn't seem angry--or, rather, she couldn't keep herself angry. It was kind of funny. Don would scowl, then suddenly she was the sweetness and light with a huge smile on her face. It confused Rie a little bit, but she was basically relieved that Don wasn't really so mad at her.

Rie got both of them some water to drink, and sat back down. "Okay, Don, let's talk, and really talk. However, my mother always said that all talking started with a truth. I must admit that I'm a little confused, so let's start with a truth from you: what person are you talking about?"

[Nurumaiel]

Don's face wrinkled up and her eyebrows came together, looking like she was concentrating very hard. "Well, I don't know his name, but you talked together, and you went off with him, and..."

Her voice trailed off. She was hardly paying attention when Rie had left, so she didn't know what had happened, only that someone had 'stolen' Rie.

Stop thinking foolish things like that she scolded herself. Rie has a right to make friends.

"Well," the hobbit girl said slowly, trying to make her memory work, "we were sitting at a table together, eating or something, and..." There was a blank in her mind right there. "But it was a man, I think... I think... Don't you remember? His name was... something."

Suddenly Don remembered what had occured after Rie had left. "Rie, do you know what? After you left - " she knew that saying 'abandoned' would be a lie " - with that person, whatever his name was, a man came up to me, and asked where you had gone. I didn't tell him, of course, because I was suspicious, and then he told me that he was your - "

Don stopped abruptly and turned pale. Her eyes grew wide as she stared up at Rie. She couldn't tell Rie who it was. She couldn't.

* * *

Dinodas was nearly startled out of his wits when he saw Halwon Cotton and Gadbard Boffin, his two old friends, sitting with an Elf and talking. It was hard to resist the urge of running up and flinging his arms about them.

With great restraint, and trying to calm the pounding in his heart, he approached the table they were sitting at. A sly smile coming to his face, he walked behind the two, and, putting a finger to his lips, winked at the Elf and woman across the table from the two hobbits, quite oblivious of their old friend standing behind them. Grinning, Dinodas settled back to listen to the conversation, and wait for the time when Gaddy and Hal would turn around.

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]

[excheeto]

Violet finished her drink,listening to bits and pieces of the conversations.
"Adventures and travels!"she muttered,"why do they think they need to go so far to lose thier home?....well,at least I need not to lose the Shire,that would be too much".
She felt around her pockets for the keys to her room before going up the stairs.
She easily found her room,she had used it before on her trips to Bree,and liked the view from the large window.Opening the door,she turned the flame up on the oil lamp on the dresser.
"OH...oh...oohhhh..."She stared at the dark trail of blood,her eyes leading her to a rumpled figure on the bed.Tiptoeing towards the head,she lifted a pillow and stared into the face of one of the big people.
"Excuse me sir"she whispered,then lightly shook him by the shoulder"sir?"she shook him harder without as much as a stir.
Still staring into the face,she slowly stepped away from the bed.Staring at the bloodtrail,she dropped the pillow and began to scream.

[ March 21, 2003: Message edited by: excheeto ]

[Frodo Baggins]

"She certainly was not joking about the cobwebs" said Cromthal as he finished scrubbing the left-over presence of spiders. Filling the Tub part of the way with colder water from the water pump and then disappeared inside. He emerged a few moments later nearly dragging a large kettle of water.
"Rirrym...*gasp*..heavy...help" he panted.

"Oh Cromthal! Let me help you. Here." Rirrym helped Cromthal fill the tub about halfway with the hot water. Cromthal carefully measured out some vinegar and put it in the water and then slowly dropped the linen in the water.

"Rirrym, Have I ever told you the Gondorians and the Brehon may be realted?" Cromthal asked. Rirrym shokk his head.

"Ah. Well, the legend goes that My people come from an unfortunate shipwrecked pary of Numenoreans that were stranded on the shores of Middle-earth long before the rebellion against the Valar. They were helped by the elves and settled finally in the north of Eriador, where we are today. Shall I tell you of how I was pulled rom the water by Mithrandir? You said you wnated to hear that story." Cromthal said all this as he put the saffron in the water bit by bit and storred it slowly with a long stick.

[Orual]

Oh! Don was talking about Derufin. She was mad about that? All it had been was going out to fix the roof for Pio. Rie began to grin, and prepared to explain, when Don suddenly broke off of her explanation. "...told me that he was your--" she ended, then stopped and looked up at Rie with what appeared to the redhead to be a mixture of horror, fright, anticipation and, somehow, maybe pity.

"He was my what?" Rie urged, but Don refused to answer. "Don, he was my what? My friend? My blood rival? My father? My twin?" She laughed at this last one. "Like Talômi would ever come to find me. Don, I'd like to know, but if you don't want to tell me that's all right, I guess."

She kept a flippant air, but secretly she was disturbed by Don's sudden distress. They were generally so open with each other, and it kind of scared her to have Don snap shut like this. Something was wrong.

But part of their friendship, Rie knew, was mutual trust. And if Rie didn't trust Don to know when she had to keep a secret, there was no trust, and therefore no friendship. So she slapped her brightest smile onto her face, and turned her thoughts back to the present and to Don. "All right, which first--my time with Derufin, or your friends?"

[Everdawn]

Aeryn smiled as she watched Barodir walk up to his room. She shrugged and walked back to her table with a glass of wine. She slid in beside Ellie once again.

"I have seen someone of my own land!" she remarked before turning back to her new friends. "now, where were we?"

[piosenniel]

************************** NOTICE OF A NEW RPG OPENING ************************


The discussion thread is now open for: ~~~~~ RECLAIMING THE CITY RPG ~~~~~


Come see the new game owned by The Ruling Ring. Pick a character, write a bio for it.


*********************************** HAVE FUN! ***********************************

[the real findorfin]

"Mine," Fin began, "mine begins here, funnily enough. It may have been after you two had left, but a friend of mine, Donlammenion came here." He turned his head to Huntress.

"It was with him that we damaged the floor slightly!"

"He turned back to the hobbits, "we stayed for the evening, but afterwards, Don revealed his true purpose for finding me. Of that I cannot say other than it involved the dark powers but I can thankfully admit that we were, for our part, successful. We parted company a few days ago and, with much free time ahead of me, decided to return here. This place was good to me." He finished, and drank some more of his wine.

[ March 20, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[stuart]

Stuart

Please check your PM's (Private Messages) by clicking on the gold words 'my profile' at the upper right of the screen.

smilies/biggrin.gif

[ March 20, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[PoWa]

Eothilion turned around in the armchair and looked at the little hobbit lad that sat down next to him in an armchair. He said gently and smiling at the hobbit; "Greetings, little halfling."
"G'day, sir.", the hobbit said and smiled back, "Who are you, and what brings you to The Shire?"
"I am Eothilion Fastrider from Rohan. I am a soldier from there. What brings me here is my business.", Eothilion said.
"I see...", the hobbit said suspicious, "Anyway..I am Polo Burrows. I am actually from the North Moors, but I am here to visit a old friend of mine."

They were talking alot about tales they have heard and Eothilion telled many news from Rohan. They both orderd ales and were smoking pipeweed. After a very long chat they broke up when Polo was going back to his friend. Once again Eothilion was sitting alone in the bar. He was hoping for someone to sit down with him.

[ March 21, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[Kates Frodo Temp]

Elhor looked cautiously at the ladies. He felt strange, dreamy. Without thought or effort, he began to speak. He did not know what he was saying, and thought he must have fallen asleep. The others, however, heard him loud and clear, and were shocked at the shy, passive, boy's words.

I am what I am: child of Nahar, wolfkin, bear cousin, brother to the graceful hind. A whisper on the wind, a shimmer on the water, a silent stone, a green shoot. Elvin, starsearcher, Mortal, mighty ruler, beast, gracious protector, lover of the green and growing things. Changeful as the four winds, endless as the blue sky, restless as an ocean wave, mighty as the flooded river, cunning as the dancing shadow. Traveler, lonely, wandering. All this, I am, and more. As you see me, so will I be; as you picture me, so will I become. I am what you make of me, no more, and no less. I will never forget those whom I name as friends, nor ever will they forget me who dare to call me "enemy." FEAR! Yes, fear and be silent, for the destruction that comes is as a whirlwind, and leaves none it intended to kill. And know, then, that this is the end of fear: that you have looked upon me, and yet live!

[Nurumaiel]

"Is that his name? Then Derufin. Afterwards I'll tell you about the two hobbits I met." Don was looking at the ground. The pale had left her face and now she was a bright red. She was so glad Rie hadn't made her tell who it had been, but...

Rie opened her mouth to speak, but Don interrupted, "Rie, do you really want me to tell you who it was? No matter who it was? Even if it were your worst enemy?"

[Maegaladiel]

Nahai looked at the boy, momentarilly stunned. A moment earlier, he was silent, listening as Mae told her short, sad tale. The next, his eyes grew dim and he began to speak, as though in a dream. He didn't even appear to know what he was saying.

"Are you alright?" she asked tentatively. The words of his terrifying and beautiful speech echoed in her mind. Who was he? Bear cousin. Wolfkin. Elven. Mortal. All had been mentioned by him, but none of the titles seemed to fit. Changeful as the four winds. Endless as the blue sky. Nahai was intrigued by this child with the large lonely eyes.

His poetic speech confirmed her guesses: He was different. Just like her.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn's eyes snapped open as Elhor began to speak. His words captivated her, but she didn't understand the meaning of them, the poetry he was speaking mesmerised her, yet she was somehow afraid. More than fear, however, she realized that his words were filled with sadness.

Nervously, she pulled the smooth stick from her hair, anxious to busy her hands, and began to turn it between her fingers. Her suddenly freed brown hair tumbled down to her shoulders, but she didn't move to straighten it.

She'd noticed Nahai. As Morwyn looked at Nahai she watched the woman's face change from disbelief to kinship. A small smile formed on Nahai's face as Elhor spoke. She glanced back and forth rapidly between the faces of the woman and the boy, unsure of what was going on. One thing she was certain of, however, Nahai understood what this boy was saying.

Morwyn glanced over at Sara, but the girl's face was lowered and covered by her hair, she looked uncomfortable. She then glanced at Mae, wondering what the elven girl would think of Elhor's statement. Mae was watching, wrapped up in the sadness of Elhor's words.

As the boy finished speaking she continued to gaze at him, in rapt silence, then looked to Nahai to break the tension.

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[Eressië Ailin]

Luin turned her head towards the small boy, shocked. 'Did those words come from him? They were so powerful and commanding, so unlikely to come from a mere youth. His words... they couldn't have been his own. Almost as if it was poetry,' Luin mused. The boy was stll standing there, oblivious to everyone's reactions to what he had just said. 'Didn't he just claim to be Elven and mortal? I don't think he's realized what he has said! He looks like he's still in a trance.' Luin studied the faces of the people around her. They were all in shock, like her. Except for Nahai. She looked at him in amazment and wonder. As if she had understood every word that he had just spoken. And most of all, there was respect in her eyes.

Luin didn't know if any of these people could be trusted. Especially Elhor and Nahai. But she knew they would find out anyhow, so she decided that it was better that they should find out then, not later. Luin breathed deeply. 'I'm sorry that I've lied to all of you,' she said, abruptly breaking the silence. 'My true name is Luin. Please, do not be angry with me. It took me a while to decide whether you were friends or foes.' She eyed Elhor cautiously. 'And with some of you, I am still deciding.'

[ March 20, 2003: Message edited by: Eressië Ailin ]

[PoWa]

Eothilion raised from his chair. He guessed he couldt hide anymore. He was returning to Rohan and to his destiny and maybe death.

He walked outside the inn. Grabbed his sword and took his horse, Salomo, out from the stable.
He was riding south and didnt knew if he would ever return to the inn...

[ March 21, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[Maegaladiel]

Nahai's eyebrows raised. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

"Pleased to meet you, Luin." She said with slight amusement. "It seems as though we all have a few secrets we are keeping from each other." Herself included.

Nahai had a nagging suspicion that her face had given away some strange emotion when Elhor spoke, as everyone was throwing her questioning glances. They probably trusted her even less, not that she blamed them. Maybe she should tell them...

"I'm not quite as I seem, either," she began slowly. How to approach this..? Biting her lip, she lost her courage and stopped talking. She was making a fool of herself. She didn't want to lose her new friends, but she didn't like keeping secrets from them. Feeling their eyes boring into her, she averted her gaze and was silent. Now I've gone and done it... she thought.

"But it's of no real importance." she finished. It sounded stupid, but it was easier to say than "Hi there, I'm a shape shifter and I can become a bear at will. Wanna be friends?" Instead she turned her attention back to Elhor, who was still in his trance.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn's eyes flashed across the faces of Nahai, Elhor, and Luin in turn. The revelation of "Mae's" true name didn't surprise her. The name Mae didn't fit this woman, it seemed to be somehow wrong for her. Luin suited her much better, the girl with the crystal blue eyes. And if her mother's name had been Lassea... Morwyn no longer doubted her guess that the woman was at least half elven.

Nahai's reaction was harder to judge. Something about her suggested that she was trying to hold people at arm's length, Morwyn would normally consider that a signal that the woman was untrustworthy, but Nahai? She bit her lip uncertainly, she thought all that had been said was true. She liked Nahai, that was all there was to it. A small smile hovered around her lips, as she made up her mind. Trust, until they're proven untrustworthy. She dobuted herself for a moment, it could be a dangerous concession. But at least this time it was a concession Morwyn was willing to make.

Elhor, Morwyn was less certain about. The boy seemed lonely, but his words had been frightening. What had he said? What had he called himself? Child of Nahar? The name was familiar. Morwyn pondered it for a while. A horse, Nahar was a great horse of legend. The woman of Rohan smiled, no wonder she'd recognized it! But Elhor, was he calling himself a horse? She frowned. The same non-human look lingered in his features as in Nahai's. Secrets. she thought, we all seem to have a few. She thought of her own, pushed it to the back of her mind.

She'd reserve judgement about Elhor, she decided, wait till she'd known him a little longer. Her curious eyes rested on his face, which was beginning to lose its cloudy look.

[ March 21, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[Aeden]

It was a cool evening. And the Green Dragon inn was now in Éden's sight, he had ridden all the way from the western realm of Enedwäth. A young man of 23, of average height and green of eye, dismounted his horse, tied it up and entered the inn.

"Ah, im not as out of place as I had thought." he said to himself, looking about the inn. His eyes caught glance of a snow haired girl sitting at a table beside an elf and some hobbits. "could it be?" he gasped.

He leaned against the wall and watched her. "She is the most beautiful creature ive ever seen." He laughed. "still enticing, after all this time, Aeryn of Golden's light touches the coldest of hearts." He began to make his way over to her.
He tapped her on the shoulder.

[Everdawn]

Aeryn could feel eyes watching her, the next second she was tapped on the shoulder. She turned around with fright. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Éden! is that really you! its been too long" she smiled.

"im sorry, i shan't be long" she apologised with her table and left. "come, we must talk." she said.

[Aeden]

Éden agreed. Aeryn lead him to a table by the window.

"I come here on my way to the Wild Lands, there has been talk of rouge people, I wish to see it for myself.Its been a long time since our meetings in Minas Tirith, Do you remember?" He placed his cloak on the chair.

[Everdawn]

"how could I forget, you teased me so much. You even put ink in my hair once!" Aeryn sat at the table. "And more" she thought to herself.

"You are going to the Wild Lands?... you always were crazy Éden, but this boarders on insanity. Minas Tirith..." She trailed off.

"Two years, it has been two years since you left, and I was always left wondering, why did you not say goodbye?" her eyes now looked straight into Éden's eyes. She could feel an eerie feeling of unrest in him.

[Orual]

"My worst enemy?" Rie put her water aside and leaned forward, staring in confusion at Don. She didn't, as far as she knew, have a worst enemy. She looked down for a moment, recalling all of the people she knew and wondering who would introduce himself as "Talmérië's Worst Enemy."

But Don really seemed distressed. Her face had drained of colour, then flushed violently to red. "Well, Don, I mean, yeah," Rie stammered, "I guess I'd like to know. I don't think I have any worst enemies, but I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to know that he or she was here, so I could protect myself. But if it's upsetting you so much--"

Rie broke off. It probably wasn't the telling that was upsetting Don, she realized, so much as the holding back. Whatever she was about to say would upset Rie, but she probably needed to say it. Rie probably needed to know it. It frightened Rie a little bit, but she nodded slowly. "Yes. Yes, Don, I'd like to know, even if it was my worst enemy."

[PoWa]

The little hobbit entered the inn and left his sword by the door and sat down in the bar. He orderd a ale and smoked some pipeweed. "So where are you from, young halfling?", the innkeeper asked.
"I am Ferdinand Cotton from Bywater outside Hobbiton.", he said, "I want a room for the night."
"A room in hobbitsize, sir?", the innkeeper said.
"Yes, please", Ferri said gently.

He saw a few dwarves talking very loudly about treasures and adventures, but the hobbit wasnt interesting the dwarves business so he looked around for someone of the Big People. They used to be nice to him.

[Artalwen]

The front door opened, and a tall elf stepped into the inn. The hood of the elf's cloak was up over the head, so only the eyes of the elf could be seen. The bright green eyes roamed around the room, seeing who was and wasn't here. The elf wasn't sure if anyone was familiar, it had been so long since the last visit.

The elf pulled the hood down, revealing the long, shiny black hair. She took off her cloak and hung it on a nearby rack. Glancing around to make sure she wouldn't run into anyone, she slowly made her way to an elf table and sat down. A forgotten book happened to be placed on the table, so she picked it up, glanced at the cover, and opened it to begin reading.

[Nurumaiel]

"Well... it wasn't your worst enemy, but I don't think you'll be happy." Don looked worried, yet desperate to tell.

Rie was puzzled. If it wasn't her worst enemy (she didn't have one, anyway), she couldn't think of anyone who would make her unhappy by coming to the Inn.

Don took three deep breaths, then plunged forward, her eyes on Rie the whole time. "He said he was your brother... your twin."

[Beruthiel]

An elf rode quietly up the path. Her white horse glistened in the moon light and the elf was clad in beautifully embroided grey robes. The elf was young compared to the rest of her race though she had been through much over the past few years. Her grey eyes peered out from under her hood at the Green Dragon inn which was just up ahead.

She breathed in the fresh air and then dismounted her horse and whispered in its ear. The horse trotted away to the stables while the elf slowly walked to the door and pushed it open. The inn was busy and the lady was surprised to see other elves and men as well as halflings. They were all taling and chatting happily but the elf felt alone. She took down her hood to reveal her long brown hair and pointy ears. Not sure what to do she sat down at an empty seat, wondering why she had come here in the first place.

[ March 23, 2003: Message edited by: Beruthiel ]

[PoWa]

Thalision saw the young elf come intot he inn. It seemd to him that the elf was a bit confused. The elf sat down alone and Thalision raised from his chair and walked over to the table were the elf sat down.

Thalision sat down beside him and said gently with a smile; "Well met, stranger. Who are you? And what are you doing around here?"
Thalision looked at the elf and waited for an answer.

[Daniel Telcontar]

Another elf came into the room, and sat down by the fire. He ordered a meal, and chatted for a short while with the innkeeper.

Those listening discovered that although he had not been at the Green Dragon for several years, he was not new and knew his way around. He was eager to go on an adventure, and knew that the Green Dragon was the place to find it.

[ March 24, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Meoshi]

A thing, not unlike a small shadowy cloud, passed down the road, travelling East. Of old he would have left a trail of fear and dread, but he had lost that power, along with so many others he once had in the Elder Days. The figure within the cloud stopped and looked back for a moment. The moon was still hidden behind clouds to the West that night, its light hidden. Good, he thought. He hated the Moon. And he feared the West.

He was journeying from the Blue Mountains to the Misty, to find a deeper place to hide. He had few friends now, and growing fewer, as the Elves and Rangers hunted the last of the Orcs from the Blue Mountains. If they had known there was one of the Valaraukar there they would not have ended their hunt.

Up ahead a light shone in the windows of the Inn, and a noise came from within of voices. He knew from whom those voices came. "Elves!" he thought, and for a moment a few flames rose from within the shadows. "But nevertheless the dawn is near. I must find a place to hide before the coming of the day."

[ March 23, 2003: Message edited by: Meoshi ]

[Mauwurz]

Mauwurz comes lumbering in,barely able to stand on his feet he is that tired. The innkeeper see's him and shouts, "Don't cause any mischief"

Mauwurz gives him a dirty look and carries on walking. He walks up to the bar and looks over the menu for Drinks.

"I'll have the strongest thing you have and if it's not strong enoguh then I'll mix it with something else you hear"Mauwurz says leaning over the bar

"If it keeps you quiet. Just remember if you make any trouble at all you're out," Pio says seriously.

Pio's post

'We don't get many Orcs passing through the Shire.' Pio poured him a mug of thick, vile looking Orc spirits. Mauwurz leaned heavily against the edge of the bar, and downed the drink in one gulp.

'Another!' He slammed the empty mug down on the counter top. Pio arched her eyebrows at him, and held out her hand for some coin. 'The first drink is on the house,' she said evenly. 'The rest come out of your own pocket'

She eyed him closely giving him an impish grin. 'Show me your coin, and give me a "please" - then we shall do further business.'

[ March 24, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Beruthiel]

Well met, stranger. Who are you? And what are you doing around here?
The elf was quite surprised but happy that someone had come over to talk to her.

"I am Carnéfeniel of Lothlorien but you can call me Carné. I have been travelling for a while now, looking for adventure. Hopefully I'll find what I'm looking for..."

Carné looked away for a moment and then smiled back at the stranger. "And yourself? How is it you have come here?"

[ March 24, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[PoWa]

"Oh, I am just travelling around here...", Thalision said."Im a ranger. You can call me Thalision." He orderd another ale and took a bite from his chickenwings he had.

"Exactly what are you trying to find here..?", Thalision said and looked at a few hobbits that were laughing at something.

[Beruthiel]

"Oh well..." Carn stammered but to her relief Thalision had become distracted by some laughter from halflings.

She wasn't sure it was a good idea to tell Thalision about her true intentions of coming here. If he is a Ranger he may have heard of your company. Maybe he has news of them. She thought to herself.

Just then though, to Carne's horror an orc had come in and was sitting at the table. Her face went deathly pale. "Excuse me please Thalision." Her voice shaking. She ran outside quickly.

How is it. In all the places of the world, it just happens that an orc comes here! She muttered. Memories came rushing back to her, the thunder storm, the screeching of hundreds of orcs, all her family taken away. It was too much for her, she sat down on the ground, tears running down her cheeks silently.

[PoWa]

Thalision sat alone again and looked around. He was wondering if he scared the elf by saying that he was a ranger. He thought she'd hide something.

He felt very tired and was slumbering. He dreamed strange dream about elves and dwarves that fighted against each other.
He woke up by a horrible noise and looked around in the inn, but he just a saw a dwarf laughing.
He orderd another ale and waited for Carne to return.

[Mauwurz]

Mauwurz puts his hand into his pocket and pulls out several silver coins.He places them on the counter and walks away.
He walks over to where a hooded man is sitting alone,looking quite sad."What's the matter with you?"Mauwurz asks sneering.

[Daniel Telcontar]

"Hey orc, take it easy. You are lucky that you haven't been thrown out yet."

The orc eyed the elf suspiciously, but didn't think it worth the trouble to start a fight. The elf turned around and looked at the hooded man.

"Are you alright? My name is Aduchil, and you seem to need some company."

[Kates Frodo Temp]

Elhor looked around, able to see the crowd again. Many were staring at him, and he feared he must have said something foolish.

“I…I should go,” he blurted. But he made no move to do so. Instead, he looked at Nahai, who seemed like family to him already. “Please, my name is Elhor. Would you…be my friend?”

It was the single bravest action of the boy’s short life. "I must sound ridiculous! Why have they put up with me so far?"

Elhor had frightened himself now, and was reconsidering his actions. But there was no turning back!

[PoWa]

Ferdinand had been sitting quiet for a long time and looked at the orc when it suddenly raised and walked towards the elf and the man. Then a man came and threw the orc out of the inn. Strange he thought. Orcs had never been seen in The Shire for a long time. He couldnt imagine what would happen if they were up to make some plans of attacking Shire.

He now moved from his chair and sat down by the man that now was sitting alone. "Whats your name, and what are you doing around Shire, sir?", Ferdinand asked the man.
"My name is Thalision. Im a ranger and my business is not yours, young halfling!
Instead, you better whatch your tounge.", he whisperd to Ferdinand, "I guess your around so I dont mind about your business here, so I'll just ask fory our name?"
"Im Ferdinand Cotton, from Bywater, but please call me Ferri.", Ferri said, "Dont be mad, I just careful. See that orc! We have never seen any orc around here for a long time now."
"Oh, Its no problem, I aint mad.", Thalision smiled.
Ferri smiled back and said; "Wheres that elf?"
"I dont know", Thalision said, "I wonder if she even return..."
So they were talking alot while they were waiting for Carne.

[Mauwurz]

Mauwurz sees that the hooded man he was trying to talk to obviously doesn't like talking with Orcs.He walks over to the darkest corner and sits at the table.

He takes a drink of his very strong beverage and thinks to himself.
"I wonder if I had better get going soon,the hospitality here doesn't seem to be as good as usual.Nah I might stay for a bit see who I meet"He thinks in a miscehvious way.

He gulps down the last of his drink and looks around the dusty old room,he see's a few hobbits,elves and men all drinking there ale.
"Glad I'm not like them"He says quitely to himself.

[Carlas]

Myrtle Burrows walked down the path, kicking up dirt as she saw the sign for the Green Dragon swinging slightly in the breeze. She smiled happily and walked into the crowded inn. She looked about the small enclosure as she walked towards the ale stained bar.

After getting a small drink, Myrtle walked over to a small table at the edge of the room, where she seated herself, lifting her legs onto the chair next to her. She took a sip of her ale and sat back in her chair, smiling from ear to ear.

[Meoshi]

Daethaur walked through the door of the Inn. Men, Dwarves, and a funny little people he had never seen before were all over the room, chatting, drinking, and in more than one place sleeping. But they were outnumbered two to one by elves. There were elves everywhere, of all kinds.

He walked over to the fire, where there were very few people. A nice warm fire was always comfortable. He curled his whip up and tossed it into the fire; it had gone out again. He missed the times when it burned of its own accord.

Then he noticed why he had attracted so little attention form the Elves; they were watching an Orc by the bar, sitting alone. They probably thought he would attack at any moment. Daethaur rose out of the chair by the fire and walked over to the bar. "What brings you here?" He said.

[ March 25, 2003: Message edited by: Meoshi ]

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn raised her head at Elhor's surprising comment. She watched his frightened reaction as he realized what he'd just said. Morwyn narrowed her eyes. Why should asking for friendship be so frightening?

But one thing Morwyn had decided: if Nahai and Elhor were alike, and she would trust Nahai, then it was only fair to trust Elhor as well. His frightened look and pale cheeks struck her heart. She smiled at him hesitantly, as they all waited for Nahai's answer.

[Beruthiel]

Carne walked back to the inn wiping her face hurriedly. Look at you! she muttered as she saw her refelection in the window. You look terrible! She quickly tried to fix her hair some how and then pushed open the door. She looked around and saw that Thalision was joined by a halfling. The orc was still sitting at the bar and her eyes passed over him but she tried to ignore him. She saw another elf standing up by their table.

Thalision was chatting to the hobbit and this elf seemed alone so she decided to introduce herself. "Mae Govannen! I am Carnefeniel and who are you?" She asked the elf and waited for his reply.

[ March 25, 2003: Message edited by: Beruthiel ]

[Lutfiska]

An orc entered the room. First he was astonished of all the "free people" he saw. Dwarfs hobbits and even worse, elves. And then for the first time in his time in these lands he saw another orc.

He gave out a loud shout and went towards him. Speaking the common tounge he greeted the orc by these words: Well met kinsorc. My name is Globhûr the Mauler. Son of Ghazsnak the Mucous, chief of the tribe of Kham-Lûcar. What is your name and which tribe do you come from? he asked as he sat down by the orcs table.

[Meoshi]

Daethaur looked down the bar. The orc hadn't responded, and for good reason- another Orc had walked in. Tribe of Kham-Lucar, eh? He had no idea that any of those old scoundrels were still around.

He then became painfully aware that many of the Elves were staring at the bar, even more than before. Don't make any sudden movements, he thought, you don't want to provoke them. Daethaur's mind wandered to the last elf he had met- a great lord, with a blade that glowed like the Sun. He had barely escaped that battle alive. He tried to put it out of his mind.

"Barkeep", he said, putting some coins on the bar, "give me the hottest drink you have."

[Carlas]

Myrtle looked up at the odd creatures near the bar. They were quite grotesque, but they fasinated her. There were never creatures like these in the Shire, elves and dwarves came more and more often, but she had never seen the likes of these...she didn't even know what to call them, creatures, was the best she could come up with.

She moved down one chair to take a closer look. There were about the size of dwarves, though they looked nothing like them. She looked over at the other side of the room quickly and noticed that almost everyone was watching them. The elves and dwarves looked suspicious,and the hobbits looked frightened. She shook her head and looked back at the creatures, how odd they were...

[Elladan Peredhil]

Rirrym smiled. "Yes, I would still like to hear the story of how you came to be rescued from drowning by Gandalf. Perhaps it will help pass the time as we work on getting this garment dyed."

Cromthal nodded. "Aye, so it might." He took a stick the two had found below a tree that stood outside the inn earlier that day and draped the fabric over it before dunking it in the water. Rirrym watched intently as Cromthal swirled the garment in the water for a few moments before pulling it out. The dye was then added and the sheet placed back into the water.

[Everdawn]

Aeryn's eyes switched to see the orcs that were in the Inn. "Éden!.. orcs!" she was alarmed.

"What are Orcs doing in the shire! I was told this place was safe!" she remarked her eyes wide with surprise.

[Lutfiska]

The orc turned his head when he heard a voice saying "orc". He placed his hand on the axe and looked around suspiciously.

Suddenly he threw away a little hobbit from a close table and went up on the table. With a challenging voice he said: Yes I´m an orc. All who´s troubled by it stand before me and taste my axe.

[ March 26, 2003: Message edited by: Lutfiska ]

[Mauwurz]

SAVE for reworked post

[ March 26, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Beruthiel]

So many orcs had started to appear inside the inn. It was really scaring Carne now and she wasn't sure what to do. She stared at them and one had threatened another woman. Feeling very scared Carne tried to walk as silently as possible to the innkeeper to get a room.

Once she got her keys she ran upstairs, into her room and locked the door. The room was small but Carne didn't mind, it was better than other places she'd had to stay. She sat down on a chair by a desk, waiting for the commotion in the bar to die down a little.

[piosenniel]

Pio stepped out from behind the bar, her great sword drawn in her right hand, and in her left a long knife should she need it. She strode to where the Orcs stood and sighed as she brought the tips of her two blades to bear on them.

'Behave,' she bade them. 'As long as you are in the inn or on it's grounds . . . behave . . . or move on.'

'Share your stories, have a drink, but lay not a hand, claw, fang, or any weapon on a guest at the Inn - lest you face my swift and final retribution.'

She felt the terrible heat of the Balrog as he drew near. 'And that goes for you also, Valarauko,' she addressed him, turning so that the flat of her sword caught the reddish glow from off his fiery form.

The fine tracery of the Elven script on the blade blazed out, and the creatures of shadow trembled at the power wrought within it . . .

From tip to hilt the letters flowed, weaving their terrible message:

smilies/smile.gif 0==I~e~d~i~t~/~d~e~l~e~t~e~~> smilies/smile.gif

[ March 26, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Lutfiska]

SAVE

[ March 26, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Barodir]

Barodir woke up after a nice little nap. He sat and thought of some things, such as how his family was doing and so on. He decided he would write to them later.

He stood up and noticed his stomach was growling. "I forgot to eat before. It has been a day since I last ate. I'm starved!" He then headed downstairs to grap something to eat.

Upon making it downstairs, Barodir noticed an increase in the amount of people in the Inn. Along with the usual Hobbits, there were now all sorts of races: Elves, Dwarves, even Orcs! And, to his utter astonishment, a Balrog! It was if all of Middle Earth had sent representatives to this small Inn or something of the sort.

On reaction to these new creatures, Barodir placed his hand on his sheathed knife, redy to draw at the first sign of threat. "This should be interesting" he said to himself.

No sooner had he reached the bottom of the stairs, when he saw Pio, the Inn Keeper, threaten the Orcs and the Balrog with a sword of some kind. He was amazed at their recoil to the blade and Pio's threats.

"I guess it's a good thing that I listened to her last time I was here" he joked. He let go of the sheathed knife, knowing that he wouldn't need to fight knowing that such security was in place.

Not wanting to brew any more fighting in the inn, Barodir got some pipe-weed, his usual 5 slices of toast, and sat down by the fireplace.

Still, he could not shake the feeling of uneasiness knowing that the Orcs were savages who would fight even with warning. He eyed his knife again and decided to keep it ready to be used, just in case of the worse...

[ March 26, 2003: Message edited by: Barodir ]

[Frodo Baggins]

(OOC:this may take several posts Elladan, so feel free to interject between my posts)

Cromthal thought for a moment... "Where to begin... oh yes.."


*fade in*

Cromthal and Seargal came to the Baranduin. It was now swollen after a heavy rain. Cromthal hopped of his hirst and took a good look at the river.

"well, Seargal dear, I do not like the looks of the river. But we'd probab;ly be better to cross it now, because it loos as if the water may be rising." Cromthal said. He oftern talked to his horse, and he even seemed to listen.

Securing his provasions into waterticht sacks, Cromthal mounted Seargal once more and started off into the water. thought swift, the river didn't seem to hard to handle. Cromthal was but quite at ease by this. He was nervous at first, because he had very little experience with rivers, and he could in no way swim. All went well until they got close to the middle of the river.

The current became so strong and swift that even a strong horse like Seargal was having trouble staying upright. Sudenly the hirse tripped and stumbled into the water. Cromthal, unprepared fell off and into the water. Seargal got out of the water all right, but Cromthal was taken under by the curren and his saffron robe was torn from his slight frame leaving him with only the white linen shift he wore underneath. He only had just enought time to notice this before darkness took hold of him.

*****

[Maegaladiel]

Nahai looked at this boy before her in wonder. He seemed so lost now, as though he had no idea of what he had spoken only moments before. The great strength and power his voice had held had vanished, leaving only the frightened child sitting beside her. He was alone, in a strange place. And he asked her to be his friend.

This small gesture of trust, this tiny show of innocence and kinship touched Nahai. It was rare that anyone bothered to give her the time of day, let alone call her ‘friend’.

“I would be honored to be your friend, Master Elhor, if you’ll have me.” She said with a smile. Suddenly a pang of guilt struck her heart. He didn’t know her secret. She couldn’t lie to the boy any more. Taking a ragged breath, she looked Elhor in the eye.

“There is something you must know, however.” Nahai looked at everyone in the group. “There is something you all must know.” She paused, trying to think of the best way to approach the subject.

“I told you before that I am not what I seem. I did not lie. I am not truly of men, or of elves. Because of this, I have been hunted and feared my entire life. My parents were killed in front of me when I was but a child because of what they were. So forgive me if I seemed cold and untrustworthy when we first met. I can’t help but feel paranoid when I’m around people I do not know.” She stared at her hands. “To tell the truth, you’re some of the only people I’ve ever met who I feel I can trust. I’m sorry if I sound bitter, but my experiences with other people haven’t been pleasant ones.” For a split second, the others thought they could see tears rimming her emerald eyes as memories of the past pushed their way into her thoughts. She quickly blinked them back.

“I didn’t tell you earlier because,” she paused, “because I wanted you to see me as a person, not as a monster. I didn’t want you to fear me like everyone else does.” The tears returned as she remembered every scream of terror, every dirty and accusing stare, every harsh word and violent act that she had faced before. All because of what she was. Nahai dabbed her eyes with her sleeve. She was determined not to cry.

“I am a skin-changer. A Beorning, I believe they are called these days. In fact, Beorn is my uncle. It was he who raised me when my parents were murdered. Please forgive me for not telling you earlier.” Her eyes rested once more upon Elhor. “I will understand if you no longer want me as a friend.” There. It was out. Heaving a sigh of mixed relief and agitation, Nahai stared at her boots, waiting for a reply.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

A small smile played across Morwyn's lips as she listened to Nahai's words. She tried to stifle it, for fear that the green-eyed woman would take it as mocking her, but it wouldn't be stifled. Her intuitions about Nahai had been correct, she was somehow different, somehow other than human. The woman of Rohan always felt this small satisfaction when her guesses were confirmed. It meant she was observant, she was careful.

However, as the impact of the shape-changer's words hit her the smile faded. She contemplated Nahai's story carefully, but as strange and alien as her story sounded, underneath there was similarity, kinship even.

Morwyn breathed in deeply, "Lady Nahai," she began hesitantly, "there is much in your words that I do not understand. But there is also much there that I do know." she swallowed as memories pressed hard behind her eyes. "My family also is gone, my husband was killed far from home, but I held my baby daughter as she died. That loss I know. Hardship also I understand. This land is not easy to travel as a woman alone." she smiled grimly. "I have a sword, and I've used it many times." She stood, to reveal the short sword sheathed at her waist and pulled out a few inches of the bright steel.

"But what we have most in common," she continued, "is that neither of us can afford to throw away friendship when it is offered to us." She smiled. "All your words to me have been true, and all your actions, my friend." She looked at Nahai, whose green eyes looked even larger than usual and held out a hand across the table. The Lady of the Beornings took her hand, and smiled back at her.

Morwyn then turned to Elhor, whose large eyes had followed the whole conversation. "I also would extend friendship to you, if you would have it." She smiled at the boy as she waited for his answer.

[ March 27, 2003: Message edited by: Sophia the Thunder Mistress ]

[Kates Frodo Temp]

Elhor paled as he heard Nahai's words. Trembling, he looked at her, terror showing on his face.

He was not afraid of her. No, she could be trusted; he had known that since the first time he saw her. Nor did he fear for Nahai; Morwyn, he saw, would be faithful to her friend, no matter what.

The answerless questions whirled in his mind. Was this why his parents had feared for him? Was he one of them...the Beornings? They had let him leave without ever trying to stop him. Did they hate him? Or were they trying to protect him? His mother, if she was his mother, had said he had a "look." Nahai looked perfectly human. Maybe this had nothing to do with that night, and he was overreacting.

Someone was speaking to him, now, and he was answering. “I said I never desert my friends. Now I tell you this: I never break my word. Take courage; you are no longer alone.”

Elhor did not even try to determine where the words came from. The words he was saying seemed unimportant. It was what he felt that mattered. Nahai knew, even if she did not know she knew. She knew him; she could give him answers. She understood!

[Silmarien]

A green cloaked woman nervously entered the inn. Hoping no-one would recognize her she took a quick look around the room. She stiffened as she saw 2 orcs and great fiery creature. Well, she could go no further this evening.

She took down her hood to reveal her long silvery golden hair, from which she was taking her alias. 'No' she thought with releif 'no-one here will recognize me'. She was safe as possible for the moment.

"Could I have a cheese sandwich?" she asked the strong looking lady at the bar.

[Meoshi]

Daethaur moved ten seats further down the bar. Sitting next to orcs hadn't helped him much. Apparently he'd gotten blamed when they were acting up, they wouldn't mess around again, with the power of the Administrator's Blade in the hands of the barkeep. And his order still hadn't been filled. Ol' Melkor wasn't very bright to create orcs, he thought.

A golden haired elf sat down at the bar. Daethaur sensed a great power hidden within this elf, and moved another four seats over.

[Aeden]

"I have never known you to worry about anything Aeryn" Éden said turning his head to look at the orc who had come over to their table.

"But, you have nothing to fear, I am here now, and i will protect you." There was a look of searching in him. "Though, with so many rangers and other men here, any attempt of murder would be foolish."

[Lyra Greenleaf]

"Ellie!"
Ellie jumped violently at the voice in her ear, spilling some of her coffee on Drago's knee.

"Are you trying to startle me out of my skin?" she groused, mopping his leg with the edge of her cloak. He only smiled.
"I was having a peaceful drink and you-" she stopped, noticing that Drago seemed to be fighting back laughter.
"What?" she asked, hands on her hips.

[Kates Frodo Temp]

Elhor looked about, searching for something to distract him from the frightening thoughts.

Many new people, if they could be called "people", had entered the inn. They were strange folk he had never heard of before, even in tales.

He was not frightened, but others seemed to avoid them, and shuddered if they came near. The people of the Vale, his home, could hardly be called beautiful, and Elhor did not consider these strange, dark creatures to be too different from some men he had seen. To be sure, they were not the sort he would like to have as close friends, but why did everyone seem to shun them?

Elhor had compassion for those who were alone and unwanted, no matter whether he truly liked them or not. But Pio had not trusted them, so they were probably trouble-makers. Still, she had let them in.

He went up to one of the strange creatures, leaving his new-found friends. Maybe Morwyn would like to talk with Nahai for a while. It made sense that they would want to be alone.

“Hello, sir.”

"Why am I doing this?" he thought. It was against the boy’s nature! Shy and reclusive, he would not introduce himself even to someone he liked and trusted. He should leave the inn, now, without telling anyone. If not, he was bound to get in trouble this way. He couldn’t have friends! What had ever made him think he could?

[piosenniel]

Pio busied herself behind the bar. Tongs in hand, she was putting together the ingredients for one ‘Flaming Fires of Orodruin’. From the deep recesses of the shelves beneath the bar she had fished out the large, two handled bowl made of thick Dwarven steel – impervious to all caustic materials, or so she had been told by the tradesman. And from the locked box of the same metal she took the carefully separated ingredients for the drink, and stirred them in order into the waiting bowl. A pinch of ash from Anfauglith was the last of the dry ingredients . . . she held up the thick glass cruet to the light and watched the twisting shadowed fluid swirl within, as it fought to conceal itself . . . ten drops of oily water from the dried stream in Dor Daedeloth and the drink was ready. Dreadful smoke and flames spewed up from within as she hurried it to the table where Daethaur sat.

“Order up, Flame of Udûn!’ She set the drink down in front of the Balrog and leaned as close as she dared. ‘After this one, it’s ale, wine, tea or nothing, I fear. Singed myself making this one!’

Further on, at a solitary table, Pio set down a cheese sandwich, and a tall glass of sparkling cider in front of the woman with the silvery blond hair. ‘Don’t worry about them,’ she said, motioning toward the Shadow creatures. ‘They should stay in line as long as they are in the Inn.’

Her last stop was the boy, Elhor. She set a glass of cider in front of him and cautioned him to let the Orc take the first pass at conversation. ‘You never know what will offend them. Best you let them choose the subject.’ In front of the Orc she set down a half-pint.

Once more behind the bar, she wiped up the spill over from the Balrog’s drink. ‘Should have done this right away,’ she mused to herself, as she noted the etchings where the drops of liquid had lain.

Pio leaned on the bar, a mug of chilled wine in her hand and looked at the clientele tonight. ‘Should be an interesting mix,’ she thought to herself. ‘I wonder what brings the Orcs and Valrauko so far West. Unusual . . . perhaps, if I wait long enough they will tell their stories.’

[ March 28, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Carlas]

Myrtle sat watching the odd creatures from her small table at the other side of the room. It was slowly darkening outside, but she decided it wouldn't matter if she stayed much longer. It was not like anyone would notice she was gone, her family was always busy working at the small stable they owned. She had never really been interested in that sort of thing, and usually stayed home, or so that was what everyone thought. She would always sneak out and walk about the town, enjoying the thrill of not being caught.

She slipped of the small chair she had been sitting on, and walked over to the bar, watching the creatures from the corner of her eye. She waved over at the lady behind the counter and asked for some ale, though it was just an excuse to see the creatures up close. When the lady brought over her ale, Myrtle nodded politly and turned to see the creatures looking at her. They were frightening looking,but she wanted to know more about them, what they were, where they came from, and why were they here. So she took a seat at the bar and watched them silently from the corner of her eye.

[kittiewhirl1677]

Everybody in the inn turns to look at the door... there is a radiant and beautiful light shining from it. It slowly opens, and a wonderous creature enters. At first, she looks like a body of light. Then, slowly, everyone can make out the figure of a slender female.

Her hair, gently swaying, uncover her long, pointed ears. She is an elf.
She turns to the inkeeper, and says:
"Hello, I am Nybradiliel from Rivendell. I have come here to stay a night's rest."

[ March 28, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Kates Frodo Temp]

Orcs. So that's what they were. Elhor promised himself he would heed Pio's warning. The last thing he wanted to do was cause trouble for her! He decided to leave the strange creatures alone.

Maybe he would go and talk with Morwyn. But what would he say? Why should she be interested in him, anyway? Perhaps she would do the talking; the people at the Green Dragon seemed to be good at telling tales.

He loved to hear stories, and never once doubted the truth of the old lore told and sung in the halls of Delhor, Lord of the Vale. No other people he knew of could or would tell of past days like the people of the Vale. Cordethian was a rough language, though, and those who knew much of other lands said the stories lost much in the translation.

Some said that when Elves sang of great past deeds, it was like being there yourself. Of course, he wouldn't know, never having met an Elf. Or at least, he didn't think he had. Would he recognize one, even if he saw it? Probably not.

A cool, white light radiated from the door, and Elhor turned to stare. He was astonished by the glorious sight that met his eyes. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen! Perhaps this was an Elf! Such splendour of looks and manner was foreign to him. But why, he wondered, did she feel it necessary to shout an introduction to the whole room? The people here all seemed a bit forward to Elhor, but this was something entirely new to him.

Perhaps he was just unused to the customs of these strange people. Besides, it wasn't his place to criticize; let Pio handle her own inn. Elhor knew, though, that his first impressions were usually right. He would watch her closely, and if he was not right, very well. But if he was...

[kittiewhirl1677]

SAVE for reworked post

[ March 28, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[kittiewhirl1677]

Saved for reworked post

[ March 28, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Nurumaiel]

As the light shone from the door, Celebgaladhgwend, who was still at the inn, though mostly remaining hidden, turned her eyes for a brief moment to see an Elven woman step into the inn. If anyone had been near her, they might have seen her eyes grow hard, sternly watching every move the newcomer made, and they might have heard her low whisper, "Be it that it is not she."

Yet then her expression lightened, and a soft smile came to her face as she sunk once more into her dark corner. I suppose it would be considered a compliment, she thought as her eyes turned to watch each of the other Elves in turn, that I was afraid of this Elf because she bore such a strange resemblance to my mother. I can be certain that my mother is in the closest liking to an Elf of all mortals.

Laughter nearly escaped her as a new thought came to her mind. I can also be certain that any faithful and loving daughter or son would think so of their mother of the race of Man.

[Beruthiel]

Carne began to feel lonely in her small room. She pushed open her door gently and walked in silence to the inn. Looking around it seemed that everything had calmed down. A newcomer had come in, an elf! She smiled happy to know that she wasn't the only elf lady at the inn. Thalision had disappeared in the crowd. She sat down at an empty table and ordered a drink.

She noticed other guests who she hadn't seen before. A man was sitting in the corner, a boy and another lady were sitting at the bar as well as the orcs. She waited for her drink still watching the other guests.

[Silmarien]

The Lady was grateful for the sandwich, cider and reassurance from the land lady. There were number of people here. It seemed quite popular and almost friendly. An elf had just made a grand entrance and a young boy kept moving around. ‘A bit like me’ she thought with an alarmingly wry smile, for one of only 17 years.

Mm, this was a great cheese sandwich. She hadn’t had one since... No, she had to stop thinking about it so much. “Just find somewhere safe and then I can decide where to go from there.” She gasped. She hadn’t realized she had spoken. She took a deep drink from her cider and wondered if she had been heard.

[Envinyatar]

‘You have not had those babies yet?’

He grabbed her up in his great arms and swung her once around. Face flushed, her eyes laughing, she pushed him away to arms’ length as he sat her down gently on the worn wooden floor of the Common Room. Her eyes swept his figure from dusty boots to the dark locks held back from his face with a leather thong. Derufin laughed, a bright fresh sound against the clatter and noise of the Inn.

He had been gone a long time, some business to the West that had taken him far from the homey comforts of the Green Dragon. He had visited some old friends and found comfort in their words to him. He had made peace with some old ghosts and now his eyes looked less haunted as he watched the Elf move toward the bar to fetch him something to drink.

Derufin studied her closely, and a frown crept over his face. She looked tired, and her movements were slower than he remembered, though just as graceful in their own way. He strode quickly to the bar, reaching it before her. His hands pulled out a small bottle of chilled wine from its still familiar shelf and two glasses. Taking her elbow, he maneuvered both of them to a small table near the western window and sat her down. Pouring her a half glass of wine, cut with cold water from the Inn’s well, he held his own wine up to her in salute.

‘M'lady,’ he began, ‘here’s to the meeting of old friends once again!’ He drank deeply, then leaned in close, his voice dropping lower. ‘I’m here to stay for a while, now. What can I do to ease your burden until the wee ones come?’

[piosenniel]

NEW RPG DISCUSSION THREAD OPEN TO TAKE ON CHARACTERS

**************** ESCAPE FROM NURN RPG ****************

Game owners: Amanaduial the Archer and Brinniel

[Taurëien]

Suddenly a women entered the inn. She wear armour and on her shield you could see the white horse of Rohan. She had long blonde hair and she was tall as all riders of Rohan but she looked terrible she was dirty and she had wounds in her face and her hair was tangled. It looked like she had been sitting on a gorse for several days. People glared at her it was not every day you saw a female rider of rohan.

She was very calm and asked for a room and a stable place fore her horse Ambaron she said that her name were Taurëien. The woman in the bar said: Just sit down and rest my friend. I will find the manager you just wait here. Taurïen sat down in a corner to wait fore the woman to return.

************************************


Taurëien - please note I have edited your post into paragraphs.

Since you don't have your PM's (Private Messages) enabled, I will address this here:

First - Welcome to the Shire and Gaming at the Barrow Downs!

You need to read the first topic listed in the Shire forum: The Red Book of Westmarch. It gives all the rules for posting in the Shire.

Basic Rule: All posts must contain at least 2 paragraphs and each paragraph must have a minimum of 2 sentences. To make paragraphs on the Barrow Downs, double space between them, or they won't show up as distinct sections.

Also, you may, when you decide to join an actual Game, want to use your spell checker and write the posts in 'Word' first.

Thanks! Piosenniel, Shire Moderator

[ March 29, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Kates Frodo Temp]

“Just find somewhere safe and then I can decide where to go from there.”

Elhor started and looked about for the source of the voice. At first he thought he had spoken his own thought! Then he saw her. A pretty lady, she was; there were many of those here! More than in the Vale.

He remembered seeing her now: She had been frightened by the orcs, and Pio had said something to her. Now she seemed calm enough, except for the look that told Elhor she had not meant to speak aloud.

He smiled. She seemed out of place here, sitting alone, talking to herself. Almost like himself, wandering about without saying anything. Maybe they could travel together! But where would they go? Why would she go with him?

He laughed out loud. When had he last done that? Not since he was a baby, probably! Now he was all but rolling on the floor. There was no reason to laugh; he was lost and alone in what seemed another world! But it was a relief from the tension.

[piosenniel]

Taurëien

Please see my requests to you on your first post here in the Inn. ~~ Pio smilies/biggrin.gif

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn shook her head in disbelief. The things that went on in this inn. She scanned the room carefully when Elhor left. The dark creatures that were gathered in one corner made her shudder. She'd fought off orcs before. She glanced at Nahai, who looked troubled. She smiled, and asked Pio for another ale, as the inkeeper passed their table.

"Now for tales, my new friend?" she aked, cautiously. Now that Nahai had revealed her secret, Morwyn was more comfortable telling her stories, by comparison they were matters of jest. Nahai's eyes were following Elhor across the room.

Morwyn drew a deep breath and began to recount an incident from the road to the Green Dragon.

"I was travelling alone, one must always be careful." She began. "My horse is swift, but he is also valuable, and there are many dangerous men who would try to take him from a lone woman. As I rode north I met a small dark man with a scarred face. We met in a lonely place, and I was frightened. He spoke friendly words while pointing a dagger at me, and I rode with him for several days. At night I didn't sleep, but sat with my hand on Leofa's reins and my sword drawn. After two days I grew very tired. We were close to Bree at this point. And that night, I slept." her voice grew quiet. "I awoke to find the man with the scarred face searching my pockets. My pack was open and strewn about the ground. He'd taken my sword, and found the dagger in my sleeve. When I cursed at him he slapped me, threatened me. 'Women', he said, 'should never travel alone'." She paused and looked up at Nahai, to see if she was listening. She wondered if the shape-changer would have been frightened. Morwyn had been terrified. She guessed not, a bear has little to fear from a man with a dagger.

[piosenniel]

‘As a matter of fact, there is much you can do for me, Derufin.’ Pio sighed and leaned back in her chair, her feet propped on another she had pulled close. The twins were active today and she was uncomfortable, it seemed, in any position. She poured herself another small tot of wine, cut with much water and watched the pale red liquid swirl in her mug as she rocked it back and forth, mixing it.

‘The stable, I fear is in much disarray, since last you left it.’ He cocked an eyebrow at this statement, urging her to go on. ‘Our stableman has left, gone back to help on the family farm. And there is a paucity of willing lads to act as stableboy.’ She looked at the table of Orcs, the lone Balrog, the Elves, and the Shapechangers and chuckled. ‘You know how insular the good folk of the Shire are, Derufin. The fact that a Man, you, is here is trouble enough to them. But all these other exotic creatures have got the wind up their noses. The Hobbit folk have been staying away from the Green Dragon of late . . .’

[ March 29, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Silmarien]

The boy was looking at her. It seemed he had heard her speak. For a moment their eyes met and she thought she saw there understanding.

Then he burst into laughter, but it was not so much mirth as relief. Relief about what she wondered? He seemed like her, yet the way he was laughing she wondered why she knew that. It was things like this knowing that had gotten her into trouble in the first place. Yet thus far her intuitions had always been right. She knew this boy was trustworthy.

As his laughing died down she motioned him to the seat across from her. She trusted him but there were always others listening. So she said “My name is Silmarien.” With only the slightest hesitation. “How are you this evening?”

[Everdawn]

"I have been afraid plenty of times Éden!" Aeryn said. "Do you know why i am here?" Her sharp grey eyes narrowed. "I am finding my mother. Now if you excuse me, friend, I have business to attend to." Aeryn had finally spotted Alaemas and Dolenmar sitting near the fire.

"How long have you been here!" Dolenmar yelled surprised. "A very long time" Aeryn said. "And i have had time to shower, unlike the both of you." she said cheekily.

"Come now!" Alaemas said placing a hand on her shoulder. "We dont smell that much." Aeryn shuddered and then laughed. "Well i need to go upstairs anyway and get dressed in something different." She left them and began to ascend the stairs, her eyes were on her feet as she walked up the stairs. She bumped into something, her eyes rose, and she was met with what looked like a mirror image of herself.

Aeryn gasped. The other woman's jaw stiffened. The other woman, had the same long snow hair, the same height, complection, and the same icy cold grey eyes that Aeryn herself posessed. It was Umbria, her elven mother, whom she had seen few times and only from a distance.

There was a silence between them, as they stared at eachother. Then Umbria's voice spoke, deep and full of age, "You have come looking for me,and I am found." She said, her head high. "I need to talk to you, now ive found you, i have so much to say!" Aeryn managed to stammer. "mother-"
"dont call me that."

Umbria's eyes were hard, "if you must, follow me" she walked down the stairs, past Dolenmar and Alaemas, and sat down on a chair in one of the far corners of the room. "What have you to say to me?"

[Envinyatar]

‘And . . .’ he prompted her once again. A smile played about his lips, glad that she would ask him to stay. He looked away for a moment, his eyes darkening only briefly with the remembrance of another who was dear to him. He shook his head slightly, putting the memory from him, though the small faces of two children smiling up at him were harder to shut behind the mind’s doors.

He winced as Piosenniel looked sharply at him. Had she picked up some fleeting sadness from his thoughts? He rubbed his forehead, evading her questioning expression, and pretended a mild headache from the dust of the road and the heat of midsummer. He could see the amusement glint in her eyes at the clumsy way he sought to turn her attention. But, she played along, murmuring her sympathies and offering a healing powder for it should he wish it.

It was one of the things he cherished about this new friend he’d found. She could allow him his fictions and his evasions until he was ready to speak of them. And then, just as readily, she would listen without judgment . . .

[Orual]

For a very, very long time Rie sat staring at Don. Her green eyes were dispassionate, almost emotionless. She bit her lip and nodded slowly.

"Well," she said, as though it was a great philosophical statement. The meaning of the universe. "Well."

Talômi? Impossible. It was simply not possible. Well.

Her green eyes filled with tears, and one spilled down onto her lightly freckled cheek. She had been in the sun too long. Well, well, well.

"Don, I hardly know what to say." Well? Well. Rie could not find anything else to do, anything else to say. Her brain felt like it had spontaneously exploded, and all of her thinking was blown to bits. So she did the only thing she could think of.

She began to bawl.

[Nurumaiel]

Don cringed. "Oh, please, please, please, don't!" The cry seemed to be torn from her heart, and indeed it was. "I'm so sorry, Rie, I truly am! Please don't cry!"

Many eyes were on the pair, their attention being drawn by Rie's sobs and Don's loud and heartbroken voice. Rie, too blinded by her tears, did not see this, but Don did and her eyes flickered with realization.

"Rie, you have to stop crying," she whispered. "If you don't, your brother will be certain to find you. You're being so dreadfully loud."

Don hoped she hadn't spoken too harshly, but somehow she had to make Rie realize what she already had.

[Meoshi]

Daethaur sipped at the drink. It was surprisingly good, and he was pretty sure he had tasted a recipe like it before. A nice sulfur flavouring, given a thick kindling by dust from Anfauglith and lava from...well, he couldn't quite tell where the lava was from by the taste.

"Pio", he asked, as he had heard the barkeep called that by others, "Why do you have the ingredients for a drink that no one but a Balrog would want? Have others of my kind ever come through here before?"

[piosenniel]

Derufin had refused the offer of willowbark powder as she knew he would. Casual conversation flowed between them, shallow topics that held no threat of painful memories. He was skilful at this, as was she.

Her long years had taught her much of that strange habit of Men – to let a thing fester deeply, pushing it down into the recesses of their being until it ate at them and in the end consumed them. It was curious to her that those of so short a span of years would do this. Better to open a wound to the light and the clean, fresh air of the present. Let the healthy tissue fill back in until only a small scar is left as a mild remembrance of the pain.

Pio turned the conversation back to her immediate needs at the Inn. In less than a month it would be Loendë, Midyear’s Day. The twins would be born then, Mithadan would be arriving soon. Would Derufin consent to overseeing the stable duties, be the hostler as it were for the Inn. He had traveled much and the beasts ridden by some of the guests would be easier for him to accommodate than a Shire-bound Hobbit.

There was a small room, comfortable enough for one person, attached to the stable if he would like his privacy. Say the word, and she would have some of the lads in the Inn take one of the Man sized beds down the stairs and over to the stable quarters . . .

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Daethaur approached as Dreufin considered Pio’s offer. "Pio", he asked . . ., "Why do you have the ingredients for a drink that no one but a Balrog would want? Have others of my kind ever come through here before?"

Pio laughed in delight at the question. ‘Why, indeed? I was taught well by an old friend of mine to be ready for anything. So when a passing merchant from the far North hauled out a heavy Dwarven steel box, saying it might be something I would need one day, I took him at his word and bought it from him. And now look, it has turned out to be true.’

She directed the Balrog’s attention to a cross-stitched panel hanging over the mirror at the bar. In flowery, Elven script was neatly stitched, white threads against a black background:

No one can see all ends . . . *+* Ancalimon *+*

[Maegaladiel]

Nahai shook her head sympathetically. Poor Morwyn.

“Aye, men can be scum. They think women cannot fend for themselves. Obviously they do not know us well, do they?” She gave a wry smile, revealing the hilt of her own sword half-hidden by her cape. “Many people don’t think a Beorning has need of such a weapon, but I assure you, a bear’s shape has its limits.” She held up her right hand, wiggling her fingers.

“You see, opposable thumbs have their advantages. And sometimes fighting tooth-and-nail just isn’t enough.” Her hand slid to her sheathed sword, fingering its hilt while casting a glance at the table of strange creatures seated behind them. How did a group of orcs and a balrog find their way into the Green Dragon?

“I myself carry little of value with me, save this sword, and I rarely ride horses. However, men who don’t know my heritage are easily distracted by a lone woman traveler, and those who do know are usually more than eager to chase me away.” She shook her head again, remembering such instances. “Maybe they think I’m going to—I don’t know—eat their children or hunt their sheep or something. The truth is, I shudder to even think about eating any type of meat, and the only things I hunt are the men who murdered my parents.” Her eyes lowered. “Although I haven’t had much luck.” Clearing her throat in embarrassment, she looked back at Morwyn.

“Forgive me for interrupting your story. Please continue.” Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Elhor talking to a beautiful woman. Good. He seemed to be feeling more confident about himself. But had she scared him away with her confession? He had left right after she had revealed her true identity, and he had looked somewhat frightened. Had her Beorning heritage driven him away, as it did so many other people? She still did not know who Elhor really was; a selfish part of her had hoped he was a skin-changer like her, so that she wouldn’t be alone any more. But that was impossible. And why was such a young lad all alone in a strange place? Was he an orphan? A runaway? She doubted she would ever know.

Nahai silently wished him luck and happiness, wherever the road of life led him. Then she turned her attention back to Morwyn, waiting for her to speak.

[Envinyatar]

‘Ancalimon?’ Derufin looked expectantly at Piosenniel, but the Elf remained decidedly unforthcoming on the subject, repeating only that he was an old friend.

The Balrog had gone back to his drink, leaving in his wake the faint smell of sulfur and charred things best left unidentified. Derufin threw open the window to let in the clean smelling airs of the fair day. Sunlight streamed in, picking out the shapes of water drops beading on the side of the pitcher. Light as if from tiny diamonds played about the pitcher’s surface, casting the occasional brief rainbow on the table’s smooth surface.

Derufin drew his thick finger through the beads, and they puddled in random pools on the table. His eyes caught the sight of yet another guest riding up the path to the Inn. A Hobbit on a fat Shire pony. He stood up, smiling at Piosenniel.

‘Well, then! Here’s my first customer.’ He stretched, throwing the tired, tight feeling from his muscles. She looked at him, her brow furrowed, wondering what he was saying.

‘The stable, m’lady!’ He grinned and bowed to her. ‘Meet your new hostler and jack-of-all-trades!’ Derufin pushed his pack and cape toward her. ‘If you’ll have them brought to my quarters in the stable, along with that proper sized bed, I’ll go see to this fine Shire mount.’ Slapping the road dust from his breeches, he strode out the door, a welcoming smile on his face.

Derufin held the bridle of the pony as the Hobbit dismounted. He looked up at the Man, a skeptical look on his face.


‘Welcome to the Green Dragon Inn, my good Sir!’ came Derufin’s genial greeting. ‘I’m the stable’s new hostler.’ He took the reins from the speechless Hobbit. ‘Now if you’ll allow me, I will see that your pony is cared for while you slake your thirst on the Westfarthing’s finest brew!’

The Hobbit, shaking his head in amazement, watched as the Man clucked gently to the pony, urging him along to the stable with the promise of fresh hay and a crisp carrot.

[The Ruling Ring]

Drago blinked hard, trying unsucessfully to fend off the espression on his face.

"Nothing," he said quietly, looking back at Ellie. "I was just...curious. I wondered if you'd tell me more about the Smials."

He chanced a look at her face, as she thoughtfully wiped the liquid from her mouth.

[Lyra Greenleaf]

"No" replied Ellie suddenly. "I'm fed up of talking. You tell me about magic, and your family, and friends and everything. I want to know about you Drago!"

She settled back in her chair with a stubborn look on her face and folded her arms. I wonder what he's going to say? she thought. That is, if he ever gets around to saying anything!

[piosenniel]

Pio watched the entire scene taking place between the hesitant Hobbit and the Man. She held her breath, hoping the Hobbit would not go running after him with a shout of, ‘Hey, there’ll be no Big Folk manhandling my pony! Come back here, thief!’ She saw the Hobbit’s stance relax. And nodded, willing him to turn round and come into the Inn. He did, and she breathed out in relief.

Imagine the look of surprise on the unsuspecting Hobbit’s face, as the Innkeeper opened wide the door for him, ushering him in like a little King.

‘A table by the window, my friend!’ She pulled out the chair for him, and gave the table a hasty swipe with her ever present bar rag. Snapping her fingers, she caught the attention of a passing server. ‘A half pint, on the house, if you please for our customer. And a plate of Cook’s bread, sliced thick with ham, cheese and mustard. He looks hungry.’

The Hobbit, overwhelmed by his welcome to the local pub, squirmed in his seat at first with embarrassment. But the Innkeeper smiled down at him again in a friendly manner, and he relaxed. ‘Yes,’ he thought to himself. ‘I could get quite used to this!’

[Elladan Peredhil]

Rirrym listens attentively as Cromthal starts his tale, occasionally using his stick to swirl the cloth around in the metal tub. He looks down, smiling as he notices that the color is starting to take to the fabric.

He looks up at Cromthal's pale visage as his companion stops speaking for a moment. Cromthal was staring off into space as if he were temporarily lost in the memories of that day. Waving a hand in front of Cromthal's face to try and gain his attention, Rirrym laughs lightly as his friend jumps slightly. "What happened after that? Were you conscious when Gandalf pulled you from a watery grave?" he asks, curiosity getting the better of him.

[Frodo Baggins]

Cromthal blinked a few times as Rirrym caught his attention.

"Hmm? Well, there's a lot I don't remember that Mithrandir told me about when I was partially concious. He told me that he was wandering along the banks of the River when he saw my horse. He told me he knew a creature so magnificent could not be wild, plus she still had the baggage I had strapped to her. A few feet later he found the baggage pony. They moved away from him in such a way he said that he saw they wanted him to follow them. He said Seargal especially acted that way.

"He found me not far from the bank, draped over a tree trunk that had fallen into the water, half drowned. "Is this what you wanted me to find?" he asked Seargal. He dragged me, soaking wet and partially concious out of the cold water. He examined me, he said, and found I was alive, but just barely. He knew I was a man, but he wasn't sure from where until I later confirmed to him what I was.

"The first clear thing I remember was coughing up a trmendous amount of cold water. I remember I felt relly cold too. I think I remember someone's hand on me and speaking to me, but I can't remember what they said. After that everything went dark and I don't remember anymore.

"The next thing somewhat remember is lying on or in something warm, but I was in and out of conciousness for a while. I remember an arm under my head and giving me somethign to drink. It was warm, but what it was I don't remember. I slipped back into darkness after that."

Cromthal wasn't totally paying attention to what he was doing and slipped the end of his figer into the nearly boiling water. He drew it away with a short gasp and cursed in his own tongue under his breath.

[The Ruling Ring]

"Oh," he said nervously, grabbing a chair and sitting down nervously. "I see. Alright. Well...you already know that I went away with my friends, to learn magic. We'd heard tell of a wizard named Radagast the Brown, and we thought that we might find him, and ask him to teach us magic. I don't know why, really," he looked at the flames flickering reflection on the floor, then looked back up at Ellie. "Anyway, we never actually found him. Before we might have, we met Beoluin. He was a cleric, that's what he told me, and Ojo, Mergo, and Geriber. He thought we were nice, and since we'd had a terribly rough time already--Mergo was ill, you see, from all the travel, and we'd even ended up running from some wolves at a point, and losing almost everything we'd brought with us--Beoluin took pity on us. He took us into his dwelling, healed Mergo, rejuvenated all of us, and taught us all a bit of magic. It wasn't anything large, you know, just some things that might help get the chores done, and such. He told us that he would teach us more when he thought that we'd mastered what he'd already shown us, but he never did. And what's more, I don't think he meant to. Ojo, Mergo, Geriber and I escaped when he became a cruel master, but once we got back over the Misty Mountains, Mergo fell very ill again, and died," Drago was silent for a moment. "He was like a brother to me...after that, none of us really knew what to do. Geriber went off on his own and left Ojo and I, and I lost Ojo just outside of here, to another pub. He said he didn't feel like coming home."

Drago looked away from Ellie for a second, out the window. Taking a deep breath, he turned back to her nervously.

[Barodir]

Barodir sat in reflect for a moment or two. He sat and looked at the people that had entered the Inn in the last hour or so: Humans, Hobbits, and Elves. He smiled to see such diversity was accepted somewhere in Middle Earth.

He thought of his family, alone in Rohan somewhere. He wondered how lonely they were, and if they were in good health.

"I'll go check on them" he said. "I'll surprise them and go to them. Then maybe I'll bring them here."

With that, he stood and left the Inn, making sure to grab his weapons on the way. He turned, looked to see if he had forgotten anything or anyone, and, seeing nothing of interest, turned out the door to head for his family.

[Kates Frodo Temp]

I'm fine. What makes you think otherwise? Why do you care, anyway?" The harsh words came out before Elhor could bite them back. "I'm sorry. It's just that I don't like to...to attract attention. If you're alone, I don't mind talking."

He settled back in his chair; this was what he had wanted, wasn't it? To have someone just to sit and talk with? She could be trusted, Elhor knew. If he could only suppress his natural suspicion, the boy might grow to like his new surroundings.

[Orual]

Rie dried her eyes with the edge of her sleeve. She gasped for breath, then inhaled shakily. "You're right," she said, her voice still quaking. "You're right," she repeated more strongly. She pushed her hair behind her ear, pulled it back out, and twisted a lock around her finger. She wiped her eye with the heel of her hand again, then tilted her head and sighed. "You're sure it was Talômi, Don? Absolutely sure?"

***

She must not be here. The girl must have been wrong.

Talômi moped through the Inn, halfheartedly listening in to tales and songs, and poking at his supper with even less interest. Rie wasn't at the Green Dragon. He was at the wrong place. Surely the girl had not meant to mislead him, but he was wasting his time.

He picked up his head when he heard an agonized sob, but he could not find its source. It ended abruptly, and he went back to picking at his food. He was at the wrong place.

[Beruthiel]

Carnefeniel was alone. She had no one to talk to and was surrounded by strangers again. She didn't know what to do, everyone else was chatting to someone. She looked around again looking to see if anyone was alone like her but there wasn't.

Carne got up slowly and headed for the door. She hummed quietly to herself and then she walked over to the stables and found her horse, Tolfoloth. Carne smiled as she looked into his dark eyes. They reminded her of when she first found him.

It had been so long ago, when she was in Lothlorien. He had been wild then, no one was able to tame him. Carne was singing by the river and he came to her. He seemed to shine in the golden light and they had never been apart since.

The memories flashed through her mind. 'Those were the good times, weren't they Tolfoloth?' She stroked his long white mane and sat beside him.

[ April 01, 2003: Message edited by: Beruthiel ]

[PoWa]

Ferdinand was riding to the gate of Bree a late night. It was raining and Ferdinand was cold and hungry. He stayed outside the get. He knocked the gate and a man opened it. He said; "Welcome, young hobbit. I guess you'r staying at the inn tonight?"
"Yes, sir", Ferdinand said gently. He led his horse to the stable and gave it some food and fresh water. He walked over to the inn and sat down at the bardisk and ha an ale. He removed his darkgreen cape that had coverd his face. The other guests now saw that he was a hobbit whit green eyes and brown curly hair.

He sat alone and orderd some chicken. Chicken was his favourite meal. He looked around at the inn that was dark. It was just a few lights. He saw a few dwarves talking about gold and adventures and two elves that talked very fast and excited.

He saw a couple of chairs in front of a fireplace. When he got his chickenmeal he moved over to the chairs and sat down i one.
He saw someone sitting beside him.

[Silmarien]

“I’m so sorry” She said quietly. “I didn’t mean to pry. I do not wish to attract attention eitherpartly because I am alone”. Entirely alone that was her.

She wondered if she should tell him about her intuitions. Yes. “I felt instinctively that you were a trustable person, and in the same sort of circumstances as myself. Because of this I completely understand if you are suspicious. Would it help if I told you my story?”

Now it had come to it, she truly wished to earn this boys trust. She would tell all, in hope that he would be sure about her.

[Nurumaiel]

Don sighed with relief. She had been sure for a moment that Rie would attract so much attention that her brother would wander over to see what it was all about and see her.

"You're sure it was Talômi, Don? Absolutely sure?"

Don was rather shocked at Rie's question, but it made her sit back and think. "Yes, unless he was lying," she said. "He said that was his name."

"What do we do?"

Don's face screwed up in concentration. "Get to my room," she said. "He may ask someone if you were here, and that person, not knowing you were hiding from him, would tell."

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn's smile widened as Nahai revealed the sword beneath her cloak. She drew a deep breath to finish her story.

"Everything, turned out well, as it was. As the man leaned over me, he suddenly fell to his knees. I didn't dare move because his dagger was still pointed in my direction, but his face was twisted with pain. A few seconds later he fell with an arrow in his back."

Morwyn shook her head, remembering how silly she must have looked at the time.

"Not knowing where the arrow had come from, I moved as little as possible but reached over for my sword. As soon as I got my fingertips around the hilt I jumped to my feet and cried out to the woods that whoever had killed my captor must show themselves to me. When I jumped, my horse, Leofa, was frightened and ran into the woods. I heard laughter in the trees all around me, and I dropped my head. The trees in front of me parted and out stepped an elf garbed in green and brown."

Morwyn looked to see Nahai's reaction to this, Morwyn was both proud and embarrassed of the incident-- how many women could say they'd been rescued by elves, yet she had looked so foolish! Nahai's face remained rather expressionless.

"They were elves of a wandering company, journeying from the elven havens of Lindon to visit their kin in Rivendell. The leader of the group was called Elendor. He returned Leofa to me, after laughing a bit more and praising his speed. He then warned me of travelling alone, and advised me to practice with the bow. We travelled together as far as Bree even though it was out of their way." Morwyn sighed. "And thus it was I arrived here." She smiled broadly. "As a rule, however, I protect myself better than that." She laughed at herself, suddenly a little weary of the inn and ready for the road again. But she was not yet weary of company.

[Kates Frodo Temp]

"You and I are alike, as you say." Elhor told Silmarien. "I know what it is to keep secrets, and only wish to mind my own business. You are gracious to offer your company to me.

If you will tell me all, I will listen. It has been long since I could relax and talk with a friend, and I know you are a friend.
I want to hear your tale only if you can tell it to me fully, and without embellishment."

[ April 07, 2003: Message edited by: Kates Frodo Temp ]

[Celandine03]

The doors suddenly swung open and in came a hobbit, hardly a child to the eyes of the men. She was 20, however, and was on a journey to Rivendell to see Mr. Bilbo. He had been almost like a father to her as a child, and she loved him so.

She was no more than a day into her journey when a storm had diverted her. There were several towns along the way, but she knew no one there, and since Bywater was somewhat close to her home and had an inn, she chose to turn back and stay here.

She felt lonely and afraid. She was pretty shy and was surrounded by hobbits she didn't know. She sat down in a corner near the fireplace alone and observed the patrons.

[ April 25, 2003: Message edited by: Celandine03 ]

[PoWa]

A strange feeling got Ferri, that everyone abandoned him. He looked around. He sawa tall elf sit a few metres away. He looked back in the fire. Should he go to that elf and talk? No, he had never spoke to a elf before. But he really wanted to do that.

He suddenly raised and walked over to the elf. He sat down beside and the elf looked surprised at him. Ferri intriduced himself; "Greetings, master elf, I am Ferdinand Cotton. And who might you be?"

[ April 08, 2003: Message edited by: PoWa ]

[Everdawn]

Aeryn was speechless, she had waited eighteen years to have conference with her mother, and now was her chance, and she had no idea what she wanted to say. She stumbled for words, but found none.

Umbria bowed her head, "my, my, you do look like me, its almost as if-"
"You were looking into a mirror." Aeryn finished, finding her voice. "Precicly" her mother nodded. "I will answer your questions, I already know what they are, even if you do not." She paused.

"I will not lie to you, I had no feelings for your father. Aroden charmed me, that is all. And I will not hide from you my guilt, my husband, Augenden, was an elf, like me. And I will not lie and tell you that i am glad you are alive, as cruel as it sounds. But i am not. For all this time, i have had to live with it. I am an important woman in Dol Amroth, do you understand?"

Aeryn was in utter disbelief, she did not know what to say. She stared into her mothers eyes, and for a while not a word was spoken between them. And suddenly, like a light in the dark, Aeryn understood. It was not that her mother wished her dead, but rather that she feared that Aeryn would be the same as her. Umbria nodded. "I do not want you to repeat my mistakes." Aeryn leaned foward. "Whether you like it or not, we are the same. But i will not have the chance to be like you, I am mortal."

And so things that had waited to be said for a whole lifetime were said, and understood. "Now, I know what i have come here for, and I have found it. I wish you all the best child. Now I must go, Dol Amroth calls, from there, my path leads to Lorien and then to the havens." Umbria smiled.

It was no more than ten minutes, a fleeting moment in time, caught between the ages. And Aeryn felt her heart lift, as though she had shared a lifetime with her mother. "Thakyou" she said, as she watched Umbria turn and walk towards Alaemas and Dolenmar.

Now Aeryn stood in the middle of the hall, knowing not what to do next.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Aleia stepped jauntily into the Green Dragon Inn. Grinning at the innkeeper Piosenniel, she ordered a pint and leaned against the bar. Looking about the inn, she saw that not much had changed since she was last here. Aleia was in a good mood. Recently she had taken on a new identity and past, and so had her pony. She chuckled and ordered a bowl of stew. She had cast off all her old cares, along with her name, like a snake sheds its skin. She felt light and happy as a feather.

As she gazed about the Dragon, she recognized no faces. It seemed that everyone she had spoken to had gone off on their own paths. That was just as well, for she had changed her whole appearance, save her hair. It was as long and golden as ever. She would never cut it, she thought fiercely.

Aleia sipped her ale and took a bite of stew. It was good, better than some inns she had been in on the road. She thought that she would like to have a word with someone, or someone have a word with her. Sitting by oneself in an inn was terribly dull. But, then again, it gave one time to think. Aleia laughed to herself and brought her mug back up to her lips. How lovely it was to be back in the Shire at the Dragon!

[ April 05, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]

[Envinyatar]

The stable was in order, or as ordered as it was going to get for this day. Derufin stopped at the pump between the kitchen door and the stable and ran the water over his hands, sluicing the dirt off them before going in. He ran a cold handful over his face, taking the grime and sweat from it, then slicked back his hair. His hands could not help but feel the two days’ beard that stubbled his chin, and he smiled ruefully, wondering what sort of rogue she would take him for.

He grinned, rubbing the wetness from his hands on the thighs of his breeches, then strode through the door. His eyes, adjusting to the light, found her, there, behind the bar. Serving someone stew and refilling their tankard with a laugh.

‘Let me do that,’ he said, taking the mug from her. His hand pulled down handle with a practiced movement, and he slid the newly filled drink down the bar’s surface to the glad welcome of its thirsty owner’s hands. Five more were filled and sent off. Finally he pulled one for himself.

Mug in hand, he steered her by the elbow to a small table by the window. ‘Sit down, luv,’ he told her, pulling out the chair for her. His eyes glanced out at the stable, then turned back to her, searching her fair, smooth face for any signs of worry. Guileless, her grey eyes looked back at him.

‘When’s he coming to you then, m’lady? Surely he means to be here soon . . .’

[Orual]

Nobody turned to look at them as Rie hurried up to Don's room. It was probably unnecessary, but she threw the hood of her cloak over her conspicuous red hair. She didn't know if Don was going to join her, but she wanted to get out of the common room as soon as possible.

Still, she found herself looking back occasionally, and not at Don. If she was to tell herself the truth, she would have to admit that she was looking for her brother. His own red hair would allow her to find him quickly, but she did not see him.

The door clicked as she closed it behind her. She unclasped her cloak, folded it, and placed it on a chair. She sat on the floor by Don's bed, resting her head on it. Why was she running? Was she that afraid of returning to her old life? Or was she afraid of what Talômi would say, the accusing look in his eyes, his hurt voice? "Why did you abandon me? Why did you abandon your own twin?" She could hear his gentle voice, the voice that she always heard next to her during her childhood adventures, telling her to be careful and not to hurt herself, but also telling her that he would be beside her the whole time.

"Stop," she whispered, and grabbed Don's pillow to block the voice out. She wished that Talômi would stop talking inside her head. It was giving her a headache.

One tear ran down her face. She would have to figure something out, figure out if he was really here, and what she was supposed to do, or it would kill her.

[Rochelle]

The jolly hobbit entered the dimly lit hall of the Green Dragon. His dark curls bounced around his brow as he moved himself to an empty bench. Setting himself down he took a glance around. This place was bustling with activity.

He snorted, there was too much Took blood running through the veins of these hobbits that was for sure. The bartender brought him a half-pint and he wrapped his chubby fingers round it.

He chuckled to himself as his lips emerged from the drink covered in froth. "Ay, blessed is he who decided I was not to be of the wandering kind..." He took another sip of his ale, looking at all the many races that were present. "Sure are a lot of strange folk abroad..." He meant that in a nice way of course, for calling elves and dwarves strange could have disastrous results no doubt.

[Arawethiel]

Arawethiel slowly opened the door to the Green Dragon and stepped in. Any observer could tell she had had a rough journey. Her brown hair was tangled and full of little leaves as well as a few sticks. The brown cloak and dress she wore was covered with dirt and the garments looked as though they had been subject to many a thorn bush due to all of the little tears and holes in them. Hefting her heavy traveling bag, Arawethiel crossed the room to the bar.

Once there she let the bag fall with a clunk upon the floor and asked the bartender to send for the innkeeper. She was eager to secure a room for the night. While waiting Arawethiel sat and sipped an ale to soothe her parched throat. Her deep brown eyes glanced around the room and she noticed with surprise that some of the patrons at the Green Dragon were Elves. She wondered if perhaps other races frequented the Green Dragon if Elves stayed here.

Taking another drink from her ale, Arawethiel felt the weariness from her trip fully sinking in. She never imagined her feet could ever feel so sore. Hopefully the innkeeper would arrive soon so she could retire to her room. She sighed as she silently acknowledged her father's words before she began her trip. Traveling was indeed not as easy she thought it would be.

The state of her clothing was an annoying reminder of the many falls she had on her way to the Shire. She grimaced when she felt another thorn sticking into her side. Plucking it out with a wince she counted that as the 64th thorn she had had to remove since her last stumble into a pile of thorn bushes. Arawethiel could not believe the trouble she had went through just to get to the Shire, and it was the shortest trip. The thought of going to Rivendell made her shudder. "Why oh why," she moaned to herself, "did I decide to become a messenger?"

[ April 06, 2003: Message edited by: Arawethiel ]

[piosenniel]

‘Surely he means to be here soon . . .’

A brief shadow passed behind the dark pupils of her eyes. She blinked. Her dark lashes sweeping the clouds away, and a smile replaced the momentary doubt. ‘You need not worry.’

‘It’s hot tonight, do you not think so?’ She leaned on the window’s sill, head resting on her crossed arms. ‘If you would, please get me something to drink. Some sweet-spice tea with a spoonful of Gaffer Tolman’s honey, if you please.’ He grinned and rising, made a mock bow to her. ‘As you wish, m’lady.’

‘And Derufin, let it cool a little.’ She nodded her head in the direction of the spring house. ‘A little ice would be nice, kind sir.’

She watched him walk away and through the kitchen door, her shoulders slumping as he disappeared through them. ‘Of course he will be here. Why would he not?’

[ April 05, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Aleia saw a young hobbit step into the Inn. His dark curls were bouncy like his walk as he ordered a half-pint at the bar nearby. Aleia's heart leaped for joy. A chance to chat with a fellow hobbit! Mind you, he did not look of the wandering type like Aleia, but he did not seem to be ill-favoured.

Finishing her ale and meal, she stepped up to the hobbit. As she ordered another pint, Aleia was able to study him more closely. Yes, he seemed kind. She tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Do you mind if we have a chat? After all, to sit by oneself does get dull, sir. I am Aleia. What do you go by?"

[Maegaladiel]

Nahai half smiled. She didn’t want to offend Morwyn, though, so she quickly raised her hand to her mouth in a mock-cough.

“Rescued by elves?” she asked, “Many would be envious of your experience, Lady.” Her eyes wandered over to several of the elves that had entered the Inn. “They are a beautiful race, aren’t they?”

Then Nahai sighed, almost wistfully. “Beautiful and mysterious,” she answered herself, her eyes growing distant.

“You say you come from the borders of Mirkwood,” Morwyn prompted, “Have you ever met any of its elven inhabitants?” Nahai nodded absently. Oh yes, she had met elves. One in particular rarely left her thoughts…

“My own home is located within Mirkwood’s borders, so I occasionally hear them merrymaking or singing in the moonlight. I have met seldom few, as we all tend to keep a safe distance from each other, and my dwelling is not close to the Elvenking’s palace to observe them regularly. However, there was one…” her voice trailed off. She gave a little laugh. “I have never told anyone this tale, not even my uncle. But I think I should like to tell it to you, Morwyn. That is, if you’d like to hear it.” Her own trust of this human surprised her. She had only just met this courageous lady traveler, and here she was, ready to spill out her life’s story. Smiling at her own foolishness, she waited for Morwyn to reply.

*AUTHOR'S NOTE* Kates Frodo Temp, has Elhor been talking to Nahai these past few posts? I'm kinda lost, so sorry if he's not. I just don't know whether to respond or not. Thanks.
-Mae, the slightly disoriented.

[Everdawn]

Aeryn decided to pull up a seat at the bar. "well that was more than I had expected" she thought to herself. And absenly started drumming her fingers on the counter.

"Now I need something heavy to drink, and I shall drink lots, and i intend in getting still drunker before the night is out!" she said again to herself with a small laugh.

................

Umbria stepped over to the table where Alaemas and Dolenmar were sitting, and had been watching her reunion with her daughter. "I suppose you htink that was terribly funny do you?" she snapped. "not at all Lady Everdawn" Dolenmar frowned. "good, then you wont find it funny that I am leaving in the morning, and as Bebberyn said, you are to escort me as far as Dol Amroth. Goodnight" She went back up to her room.