[Nurumaiel]

Robin looked around, trying to find someone she recognized, but there were so many in the room it was quite impossible. Sighing, she looked over at Dinodas, who was looking at all the elves.

"Elves don't come often to the Shire," he said quietly to Robin. "Not that I don't mind them. Indeed, I enjoy elves sometimes more than hobbits, but it is strange to see so many of them in the Green Dragon."

"What about dwarves?" asked Robin. "And men? The only that would ever come to the Green Dragon in older times were hobbits. I don't mind any of them, but..."

She glanced quickly around to make sure no one was listening, then whispered, "They make me uneasy. They can't be hear just for a pint. There are other inns closer to their homes for that. They must be here for a purpose, and I wonder what it could be."

"You didn't seem too worried when Nurumaiel and Firramer arrived," remarked Dinodas.

"We know them. We don't know these other men and elves and dwarves."

Dinodas smiled at her. "You must have been having nightmares, Robin," he said. "Any other time you would have been overjoyed to see so many other races here. Ah well."

"I'm going to catch a breath of fresh air," said Robin, abruptly changing the subject. How did Dinodas know she had been having nightmares? "There are so many people in here it's getting rather stuffy. Do you want to come?"

"Sorry, but I haven't finished my ale yet," replied Dinodas. Truth to tell, he had finished his ale, but, always being a teaser, wanted Robin to go out in the dark alone. "Don't get lost!" he said cheerfully as she made her way towards the door.

Robin stepped outside and took a few deep breaths. She did not move for awhile, half dreading going back into the inn. If Dinodas had not been inside waiting for her, she would have gone right home. After all, it was late and she was tired. She almost decided to go home in spite of Dinodas, but at that moment she heard the sound of hooves.

In the dim light Robin could make out a slender rider on a grey horse approaching the inn. "An elf," the hobbit lass whispered, feeling once again uneasy. "But what's wrong with me? I'm usually not afraid of elves... it must have been that nightmare."

The elf, for indeed it was an elf, slowed his or her horse gradually until he stood still, and then dismounted.

The elf was tall, with long dark hair that fell to her waist, and dark eyes full of wisdom. She was clad in a simple brown riding dress, but she walked proudly and gracefully. A young hobbit lad came out of the stable and took her horse, and she smiled gently at him. Looking around her as she moved towards the door of the inn, she saw Robin, half hiding in the shadows.

"Come out, little hobbit," the elf said kindly, and Robin stepped out. "Tell me, what is your name?"

"Robin Brandybuck," replied Robin. "If you don't mind me asking, what's yours?"

"Lindelot, you may call me," the elf replied. "This is the Green Dragon inn, is it not?"

"Yes," said Robin, and suddenly found herself smiling, once again at ease. "Won't you come in?"

She led Lindelot into the inn and asked what she would have to drink.

"I need nothing, hobbit maid," Lindelot answered, smiling softly, "but a chair to rest my weary limbs, and perhaps another elf to speak with."

"You'll find many an elf here tonight," said Robin. "But I thought elves couldn't be weary?"

"They may be weary, maid," Lindelot said, her face gentle and sad. "Be it weary of heart or weary of the land in which they live."

And is that why you're passing through the Shire? thought Robin, but did not dare to say it aloud. Smiling farewell to the elf, she went back to Dinodas.