[Maeggaladiel]

Torlo Hillburrow shouldered his pack and stood. He had tarried here long enough; Marigold would be expecting him at her party. In higher spirits than he had arrived in, Torlo left the Inn.

He turned around and stifled a yell, finding himself face-to-face with a huge, wolfy-looking dog. The mutt wagged his tail and licked Torlo's face, finding it the same height as his silvery muzzle.

"Arrow," commanded a voice from behind him. "Leave that poor fellow alone!" Arrow, as the dog seemed to be named, whined once but obeyed. The voice had come from a woman seated on a brown horse.

"Sorry about that," she said apologetically. "Arrow can't help himself sometimes." Torlo nodded, too shaken to speak. I'm safer back home! he thought as he walked away.

"Now look what you've done," the woman scolded, brushing a strand of brown hair from her face that had come free of her thick braid. Arrow didn't seem to mind the fact that he had practically shaken the lunch from the unfortunate halfling.

Arrow's ears pricked up, hearing the sound of music. It was coming from an inn, The Green Dragon, it seemed. He looked up at his mistress, pleading with his black eyes to stop for something to eat.

"I just fed you this morning," the woman grumbled, but the smell of roasting meat was making her own stomach rumble. She sighed.

"You're quite spoiled, for a guard dog," she said with a laugh. "But I'll stop for lunch, just this once. Then we're back on the road." The dog let out an excited yelp and bounded to the door in a whir of silvery puppy energy.

Eleniel (for this was the woman's name) led her horse into the stable and removed its heavy pack saddle. Its strange assortment of contents rattled noisily inside.

"Rest a while, friend." she told the horse. The beast sighed as the weighty saddle was removed, glad to comply.

Eleniel entered the inn, taking in the music and merriment. Arrow had already made himself at home, trotting here and their and licking unsuspecting patrons. She snapped her fingers and the dog bounded to her.

"Hello," she said to the inkeeper at the bar. "Fine day, is it not? Allow me to introduce myslef: I am Eleniel Goodchild of Laketown, purveyer of fine merchandise from across Middle Earth. Could I buy something to eat for myself and my canine companion? He eats anything." she said, remembering the leather glove that mysteriously disapeared two nights ago.