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Old 05-20-2003, 09:47 PM   #143
Nurumaiel
Vice of Twilight
 
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: on a mountain
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Nurumaiel has just left Hobbiton.
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An Elf maiden stood on the road, looking at the inn in front of her with a bewildered expression on her face. The Seventh Star was the name painted near the door. The sound of merry music and singing drew her closer, and, looking through the window, she saw that some were dancing. Taking a deep breath, the Elf looked down at her white dress and silently scolded herself for wearing so light-colored a garment. Dirt and streaks of mud clearly showed all over her clothing, and she dreaded entering the inn. Yet an idea passed swiftly through her head, and a pleasant smile came to her face.

Turning away from the door, she went back to the road where her gray mare, Menethon, was waiting for her. Reaching into one of the saddlebags, she produced a long dark cloak, warm, but of light material. She threw it over her shoulders and pulled it so it fully covered her dress. She need not suffer the humiliation of entering the inn so dirty and disheveled.

She strode forward slowly and her mare followed her. She was still hesitant to enter the inn. She was shy by nature, and afraid of meeting new friends. And what old friends of hers would be in Gondor? Well, first things must come first. A young lad approached her, holding out his hand towards Menethon, murmuring something about caring for her horse. Smiling kindly at him, she thanked him and watched as the mare was led away. So there went the last one she knew in this place. But then again, she was certain the innkeeper wouldn't take too kindly to her bringing a horse into the inn, especially such a fiery-tempered one as Menethon!

Laying her hand on the door to the inn, she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. She had felt this very same way when she had first gone to The White Horse in Rohan. A little afraid, afraid of meeting new people, worried that she should make a bad impression, worried also that she might make a fool of herself as the 'bad Elf' or the 'foolish Elf.' But that hadn't happened, so why should it happen here. Indeed, it had always been her impression that Gondor was tamer than Rohan, though she had never been to the former until now.

Taking one more deep, long-drawn and long-released breath, she turned the handle and pushed open the door. She was surprised to find herself calling out cheerfully, "Hello!" and even more surprised to hear others greeting her, though she knew no one. Or did she? A young woman with flaming red hair and a familiar face turned to her. Nuru stared at her for a moment, then gasped out, "Rie!" Her former smile returning to her face, she laughed with delight as she looked at her old aquaintance. Here at least was one friend.
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