[Strider]

“Enchanted,” the newcomer replied to Miss Brown’s cordial welcome, “It would please me greatly if you would bring me a bit of hot water.” He was soft-spoken, his voice low, melodious, and laden with a faint lilt which suggested that Westron was not his first spoken tongue. His eyes were bright, almost excited as they scrutinized the hobbit lass, for it had been some time since the ellon had rested his gaze upon one of her kind for long years had passed since he had ridden this far north or indeed so far from home.

Smiling earnestly at Ruby, he paused before turning his attention towards pulling his cloak over a lithe shoulder and loosening the laces of his tall leather boots. Fingers worked deftly and languidly, gray gaze wandering across the colorful medley of the inn’s guests. When he happened upon a pair of curious eyes, he offered an urbane smile. To those of his kind he nodded in silent greeting, a truer, less reserved grin raising the corners of his mouth.