Outside the inn, the sound of hooves clattered up the road, cutting through the still night. The stars were bright overhead and the air cool as a small, brown horse walked wearily up to the stone inn. The Green Dragon the rider read on the sign. She was dressed all in white, but her garments were stained and her shoulders slumped; it was obvious she had been traveling for some time.
"This looks like a suitable place to rest for awhile, my sweet Nell. Thank you for bearing me so patiently this far." The lady in white dismounted and patted her steed fondly on the neck.
After leading her horse to the stables, she returned to the door of the inn and paused before entering. Tired as she was, there was something hesitant in her manner. Perhaps timidness kept her back, or fear, but she soon recovered and bravely pushed the door open... just in time to see a small brown-haired hobbit yelling at an elf seated nearby. She stepped back involuntarily and wondered if she had perhaps made a mistake in stopping here...
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