Gwaraent walked towards the Green Dragon Inn with a spring in his step, and a tune on his lips. His brisk journey of two days from Bree had been completed without event. The stars overhead shone their silvery light down upon him, and this lifted his heart even more. He had felt drawn to The Shire. He had set out from Bree, where he had spent a few days doing odd-jobs for the locals in return for food and shelter. He didn't ask for much in return, just enough for him to continue his journey to The Shire, and ultimately the Green Dragon Inn.
His heart was given another lift upon seeing the sign of the Inn, knowing his immediate goal had been completed. Initially he hadn’t intended of ending up at the Green Dragon Inn, but after meeting a few folk from Bree who had recommended it as a friendly and warm place to stay, he decided that it was the place to go.
Gwaraent stopped a few paces short of the entrance, and admired the Inn. Feeling proud of himself to have come this far, and on his own no less, his mother would have indeed been proud of him. For the first time since his journey, he felt a twinge of sadness. He missed the life he had a few years ago, but after his parents had died in his twenty-fourth year; he needed to prove to himself that he could make it on his own.
Forcing a smile on his lips, he plucked up the courage to stride forth into the Inn. Upon entering he felt the warmth of the roaring hearth, the smell of the many intoxicating beverages and saw the hazy cloud of smoke from the pipe-smokers. He felt as though this had always been his home.
Gwaraent, made his way towards an open spot at the bar. He smiled at the barkeep, his smile as always beaming with enthusiasm and hopefulness. After he finally got her attention, he politely asked for a room for the night, and a refreshing pint of local ale. Standing at the bar, he let his eyes roam over the people and the furnishings, with every passing second he felt more at home. He felt the need to sleep in a warm bed before he hassled the folks of the Inn with questions about work in the area.
With that he retired to his room for the night, and slipped into dreams of happiness and prosperity.
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