[Undómë]

She turned off the packed dirt road, taking the path that led up to the Inn’s door. Following close behind her was her older brother, Tindomion. He was astride his silver dapple, and leading her small grey palfrey along by the reins.

To either side of the track were grasses and low growing clover, their crimson heads bright in the early morning light. Patches of tiny white daisies mingled in among the plantings of cultivated flowers some one had scattered along the walk.

Teluyaviel stepped off the dirt path and onto the carpet of clover and grass. She paused for a moment a smile creasing the corners of her lips and slipped off her shoes. With a sigh, she wriggled her toes in the soft leaves and blossoms. Holding her shoes in one hand, she picked up the skirt of her dress with the other and made her way to the porch steps.

The light from the lanterns within showed that already a number of people had gathered in the front room and were busy breaking their fast. She hurried up the steps, pausing before the great wooden door. Her rust-brown skirt was a bit crumpled where she had held it in her hand and she smoothed it down, shaking the dirt from its hem. She combed the tangles of her long dark hair with a quick, practiced motion of her fingers, pinning it back with a tarnished silver clasp retrieved from the small leather pouch that hung at her belt. Her feet she slid back into her shoes, stamping them on the mat before the door to knock the dust from them.

‘Put this on, Telu!’ Her brother had already handed the horses to a sleepy-eyed stable boy and come softly up behind her. He slipped her grey cloak over her shoulders as he ushered her into the Inn.

The two stood blinking in the entry way, their eyes adjusting to the lower level of light. ‘There’s a table,’ her brother said, gesturing to one near the window. With a laugh, she shook her head, pointing to one nearer the fire. ‘Come, Tindo,’ she said taking his arm. ‘No need to sit at an out of the way table. Let’s sit with the others near the hearth.’