[Huan]

He’d come north to Bree from Lond Daer Enedh, a once great harbour of his people. Now its ancient ruins were but a fading reminder of the welcoming haven it once had been for the ships of Westernesse. Anyopâ had followed the example of his brothers and left home when he was thirty to explore the lands north. He knew in due time he would return to his family holding and turn his hand to the family business. Colors and shapes from the places he visited would then be woven into the settings he designed for the jewels his brothers crafted. He would marry, and have many sons. They would learn the craft from him and then leave, themselves, for a while . . . keeping the tradition and passing it on.

But this was his time. And now his travels brought him west on The Great Road, into the green, rolling lands of the Shire. At the Floating Log, he’d made the acquaintance of a merchant dealing in herbs and spices. The Halfling was a garrulous fellow and the miles flew by as he pointed out the sights along the way. There were a number of stops at various little places off the track, with goods exchanged for other items which were in turn exchanged at other places for other things . . . ‘mathoms’, a new word he’d learned, these objects were often called. It was rare, he found, that coin was exchanged for what the merchant offered.

The rain had begun this day, as soon as they’d set out. It was after noon, now, and the Halfling and man sat hunched over on the seat of the cart, their cloaks pulled tight about them, wide-brimmed hats keeping the drops from their chilled faces. Soon they came to Bywater and were even now turning down the muddy path to The Green Dragon Inn. The merchant pulled up to the stable. He seemed to be a familiar face there, as the stableman, a young Halfling called Meriadoc called to him by name and took the reins, talking low to the ponies as he held them still while the two got down.

Anyopâ and his companion headed in to the Inn, pausing briefly on the verandah to shake the water from their cloaks and hats. ‘Get us a seat,’ the merchant said, nodding toward a table by the crackling fire. ‘I’ll find us some food and drink.’ Anyopâ’s gaze took in the occupants in the great room. What a myriad of people! He sat down to wait for the Halfling, letting the snatches of conversations, the rustle of clothes, the scuff of boots and bare feet on the wooden floor and the swirl of colors and shapes wash over him in a welcoming arrangement of sight and sound.