[Amanaduial the archer]

In the field not far from the Inn, a figure clad in a simple dress fawn dress with it's sleeves rolled up in the bright warmth of the sun shut the gate and attached the first of the three hay nets she was holding to one side of the gate. The horses greeted her with small whinnies, approaching from wherever they had been grazing and nuzzling at her shoulders, chest and hair, which was lightened now from being outside so much. She petted them in return, smiling fondly at their recognition and attached the other two hay nets before she turned her attention to them, especially to the splendid mare, its dark and silver hair shining in the sunlight, the white coming through from underneath like the crest of a wave. It was the parts of the day like these that the Innkeeper had come to love - she was always the one to feed to horses in the morning, and often at night as well, and a makeshift shelter had been made for them in one corner by some kind-hearted individuals. Most were used to being outside often though, and were glad to be outside.

Aman ran her fingers over the especially silky fur of Rochfalmar's nose and lips, smiling lightly as she rested her forehead against hers, then she let the horse go back to its breakfast. Turning, she squinted against the bright early morning sun, shading her green eyes with a hand to look at the Inn, where the helpers were already coming in. She smiled, then looked wistfully back at the horses and ponies, wishing she could linger longer with them; she had forgotten how much she loved spending so much time with them. But no - the Inn workers had been so dedicated, and the Innkeeper intended to keep up her own work in leading them on, tiring though it was - Aman had decided right at the very start of the work that it simply wouldn't do for Cook and Derufin, and Zimzi, to get back and be greeted with a burnt down wreck of a building where their beloved Inn had been. And certainly, it did not resemble any sort of burnt down wreck any more; by mid morning every day for the past week, the strange scaffolding structure outlining the site had been a hive of activity as the hobbits, elves and men flocked back in, either from their own burrows and homes, even as far out as Brandy Hall, from the homes and burrows of kind gentlehobbits who had agreed to give some hospitality for a while in place of the Inn, or from where many of the others were camped out in the stables.

Hauling the tub of oats over the gate from where she had left them on the other side, safe from the prying, nibbling lips of the horses and ponies, she let them clatter satisfyingly into the trough to one side and stepped bach hastily as the horses rushed gleefully towards it. Slipping out of the gate again, she indulged in a few last, wistful pats, then returned back to the Inn yard.

"Good morning, Aman."
"G'mornin, Miss."
"'Morning, Miz Aman."
"Good day, Aman - glorious morning, isn't it?"

Aman replied to each of the greetings politely and warmly, nodding and smiling as she met and greeted each of the folk who had been so kind and helpful over the past few days, even those who had no reason to. As she passed the place where she Inn steps had been (and would be placed again), she saw Ruby already awake, lighting a few fires and humming to herself as she busied herself getting breakfasts ready. The hobbit lass looked up as the Innkeeper passed and smiled. "Morning, Aman - been with the horses?"

"Aye, as ever," came the reply. "Is Buttercup here yet?" She referred to the second hobbit waitress, who had been staying with her sister not far away so as to leave more space in the barn.

"Mmm hmm, 'saw her a few moments ago - she'll be out in a minute, don't you worry."

Aman smiled gratefully and continued on into the large, spacious ex-stables, where many people of all types were either sleeping or just waking up, each now settled in their own corner or space, their salvaged belongings either packed in bags near their pallets or mattresses, or spread around them. The Innkeeper's own bed was laid out in the loft above, along with a few others, including Ruby's and Hawthorne's, although the second hobbit had not been entirely keen at first on laying hers out there. Aman felt sorry for her, despite her initial frustration and disbelief that the Brandybuck lass had actually burnt down the Inn; Hawthorne had been shattered, and Aman had the feeling that she felt she had had one chance at a job and had messed up. But to give her her due, she had worked as hard as the best of the workers, and the Innkeeper had actually had to tell her to slow down a few times so she didn't damage herself. She was attempting to prove herself, and was certainly working at least hard enough.

However, early mornings apparently weren't her strong point.

"Good morning, Hawthorne," Aman said softly, smiling as she entered via the step ladder. The hobbit, who had been dozing, jerked awake and smiled sheepishly at the Innkeeper.