[Orual]

Talmérië sat back in her chair and looked around the room, shedding her heavy cloak as the fire warmed her. Once again she gazed around the room, and was deep in her own thoughts when a voice interrupted her reverie.

"Talmérië, is it not?" Rie startled, whipping her head around. She smiled, half in surprise and half in delight at a companion, when she saw a lovely Elf, who Rie thought had been called Piosenniel, next to her. She opened her mouth to reply, but was not allowed the time. "Mind if I join you for a moment?" Rie shook her head and again opened her mouth, but Pio was too much like Rie herself, and began speaking cheerfully. Finally, she invited Rie to speak of her travels, an invitation which Rie was in no mind to deny. A willing victim!

"Gladly, my lady," Rie answered, raising her mug in reply. "Though I fear that my stories may not be as interesting as those of other patrons, for I have come here seeking my first true adventure. But I shall do my best.

"As I have said, my father is Almarien of the Rangers, and my older brothers, as well as my twin brother, are Rangers as well. My two younger brothers will be, when they come of age. Alas for a lady among so many lords!" Rie laughed, but her eyes suggested that the laughter wasn't entirely sincere. "My mother is a metalworker, and she provides my father and brothers with their armor. I am expected by my family to follow in her tradition, for the women of my family--and there have been few enough, for my father's line has been blessed with sons--have near always found their places in the forge. There's been the occasional healer, but for the greater part they have been metalworkers. So I spent the greater part of my teen-age years in the forge with my mother, but my heart was never there." She laughed again, this time a little bitterly. "Instead of dreaming that some day I'd make a fine mail-shirt, I dreamt that some day I'd wear one, like my father and brothers. I practice with my twin, because we are of much the same skill, but I grew up knowing that I would never be able to follow him into battle."

Rie broke off, taking a sip of her ale and staring sullenly into the fire for a moment. She then looked up, and smiled apologetically. "My apologies, lady, I am drifting off again. It is a habit.

"Finally, earlier this year, I decided that all the great heroes didn't become heroes by sitting around waiting for their father's permission. They did something about it. So I did: I left. Yes, I ran away, is it not sad? Among a warrior's family I had to run away to be a warrior. I don't doubt that once I accomplish some great deed my father will be proud of me, but I expect that if I return without accomplishing anything he'll be terribly disappointed. That's my fix, lady...I have to find some deed to do before I return home, but who will take on a runaway girl on any quest of importance? But I will stop worrying you with my own problems. That, though, is the story of my own life. My trip here from my home was not overlong, nor was it particularly dangerous, though I did spot some Wargs leaving as I neared this place. My closest brush with danger, was that. I do not believe that my father would count that among the great deeds of my fore-fathers!"

Once more Rie laughed, this time sincerely. Her eyes looked like a weight had been taken off her shoulders, and she was even sitting straighter. "Many thanks for listening to me, lady, though my tale wasn't as epic as some. Hopefully that will change. Now, what news of the Shire? For I love this land and would dearly love to hear more of it."