[Amanaduial the archer]

Aman smiled politely at the man who said he had known Bilbo. She had not known Bilbo - after all, he had sailed to the havens twelve years ago, and the Innkeeper was only in her twenties - but wished that she had - the Shire was full of right characters, so for Bilbo to have stood out so much must have made him really something.

Serving the strange, chilled looking woman with a plate of the venison to accompany the highly spiked drink that Ruby had given her, guessing the woman would appreciate it. A glittering glance from a pair of eyes as green as Aman's own startled Aman as they flicked up from the woman's hands to the Innkeeper's face, and for a moment the woman seemed surprised.

"Eat it," the Innkeeper commanded. "Looks like you need some good food in you."

"I..."

"The food isn't expensive, don't worry, and we can find another way to settle the debt - and, I'm sure, some of the other problems you may have." Aman regarded the woman, and was impressed when she returned the look. "What's your name?"

Before the woman could answer, a shriek came from the other side of the room, and the sound of a heated debate. Looking over the heads of the customers, Aman was alarmed to see Hawthorne at the centre of it, along with a soaked and bedraggled looking woman...and mayor Samwise himself. Murmuring a few words that would blister a horse's ears, Aman excused herself apologetically from the company of the woman at the bar and darted across the lively and noisy room as quickly as she could.

By the time she arrived, the kerfuffle appeared to be over. Catching the last of it as she arrived on the Inn's porch, Aman smiled politely as the hobbit-woman turned to look at her and inclined her head to the likeable Mayor, who currently looked rather worried. "Master Gamgee, Miss..."

"My name is Dandelion, miss. You would be the Innkeeper?"

"Aye, I'm Aman."

Dandelion pursed her lips and looked at Aman critically before nodding at something, as if fulfilling a report. "Aye. Well, I'm the companion and maid of Miz Hawthorne there," she inclined at head back into the Inn. "And...well, look, you and I shall have words tomorrow, if that's ok - see, I have to be getting back with Master Samwise now."

Aman nodded, impressed by this woman's competent, business-like air. "If you wish - I shall wait for it with interest. Good afternoon to both of you."

After exchanging goodbyes with Samwise and Dandelion, Aman came back into the hot Inn and, after scanning the room, nipped across to Hawthorne. Politely taking hold of the hobbit lass's elbow, she coughed slightly, and the hobbit turned, her smile fading as a worried look replaced it, frankly looking as if she thought Aman would fire her on the spot. The rohirrim Innkeeper grinned slightly at the expression. "Good grief, don't look so worried my dear. But may I ask what that little episode was?"