The White Horse Inn, Act III

[Alaksoron]

Korik felt considerably refreshed after his bath. He drug a comb through his shoulder length hair and donned a black silk coat, buttoned to the throat and neatly pressed. Buckling his swordbelt over his coat, he went downstairs.

He had a seat at a corner table. Once he sat down, his dinner was promptly brought him. 'Still warm', he exulted wryly. He finished quickly, but he refrained from getting seconds. Wiping his mouth with a napkin, he ordered another ale. That he drained at one gulp.

He strode to the innkeeper and smiled "Would you kindly allow me too play my flute in your Common Room?"

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

Aylwen smiled warmly to the newcomer, and the prospect of new entertainment pleased her. "You are quite welcome to play whatever you wish in this inn, sir. It would be refreshing to hear new music and the sounds of a flute." Aylwen replied, gesturing with a sweep of her right arm to the entire Common Room. Politely excusing herself with a silent nod she proceeded to remove his cleaned plate and his two emptied mugs.

Morning had long gone, and noon quickly passed into late afternoon. The shadows changed directions, lengthened, and stretched to fit the needs of the bright sunlight. Aylwen set the dirty dishes down in the kitchen, looking out on the horizon in the window for a moment before turning away and returning to the Common Room.

-

Waiting did not come easy for It. On several occasions It had to keep Its companions from moving in haste or becoming impatient. They would eat, and it would be very soon.

Shaggy hair covered a strong, muscular body. A nose perfect for smelling prey was set about constantly barred teeth. Eyes meant for seeing in the darkness of night twinkled in the swiftly fading light. When they could sense the coming of night, It took the first daring step over a rushing creek, and the first step towards the quaint Inn that housed so many patrons and innocents.

Darkness would fall, and then they would have their meal.

[littlemanpoet]

After Eodwine had made the acquaintances of elf, old man and young man, he excused himself for food and drink. How had the day already worn to noontime? Apparently, his report at Meduseld had taken longer than he had thought!

He was served porridge and good East Emnet Ale, and made quick work of both. Ready to ask for seconds, he noticed a young man come in from an inside door, from the guest rooms, which Eodwine knew from memory. The man sat down at a corner table and enjoyed his meal in silence. Eodwine let the man finish and was about to go and offer greeting when he he overheard the man's conversation with Aylwen.

The man's name was Korik and he could play the flute! The flute was a Gondorian musical instrument known mostly among the nobility, a rather fancy piece of equipment held to the side. Eodwine was more familiar with the wood pipe and other such countrified instruments, played out in front. He walked over to the man named Korik.

"I greet you, Korik. I am Master Eodwine of the Gap." Eodwine offered his hand.

Korik stood and amiably returned his hand and greeting.

"Pardon me for eavesdropping, but I overheard that you play the flute. I play the lyre. Perhaps we could match tune to tune at whiles this day."

[Alaksoron]

Korik smiled at Eodwine. "My wife also plays the lyre. The lyre and flute sound truly lovely in harmony." Still talking, he made his way to the front of the common room. Eodwine exscused himself to retrieve his lyre.

When he returned, Korik raised the flute to his lips and told Eodwine to just follow along. He embarked on a merry tune, and some of the men began to sing along. People from different nations sang it different ways, but the tune remained the same.

[littlemanpoet]

The music was good. Korik was a skilled player! Between the neverending supply of good ale (Eodwine was careful not to over do it - he could not have numb fingers!) and the music, he was having as good a day as any he could remember; save before the War when his family still lived. Rather than banishing the thought, he allowed it to remain with him, their memory adding a bittersweetness to the playing.

When they took a break, Eodwine said, "Korik you are as fine a flute player as ever I have heard! Where do you hail from? What news comes with you?"

[Alaksoron]

When they took a break, Eodwine said, "Korik you are as fine a flute player as ever I have heard! Where do you hail from? What news comes with you?"

"Oh, you might say I hail from many places. I am a nomad, traveling with the wind, never able to satisfy my wanderlust for strange places and people. I carry little news that you have probably not already heard. As for the flute, my uncle taught me to play. It is a fine instrument, when properly handled. And where did you learn to play the harp? Where are you from?"

[littlemanpoet]

"The harp has been in my family, passed from father to son for years beyond reckoning, so my father told me. He taught me as a child, and I took to it. I am from the Gap of Rohan, though I have not lived there since the War. These last few yearas I have been in the service of King Eomer, as messenger. Just yesterday I completed a circuit of the White Mountains. It took months!"

"What messages sent you so far? Or is that king's secret?"

"King's secret, yes, then Steward's, and Prince's. But the final message that sent me for afield, to Anfalas and Pinnath Gelin, was no secret. A landholder was summoned to Dol Amroth. Once I was that far west, it seemed ill to me to wend through all of Gondor and Anorien in a vast return trip, so I passed through the wilds in the west until the Gap of Rohan came in sight. But I did not tarry there."

Korik noticed the shadow that came over the messenger's face at mention of the Gap; Eodwine had been bright and eager and friendly in the rest of his telling.

"Something keeps you from your former home," Korik said.

"Aye. I lost my wife, son, and daughter at the hands of the Dunlendings while I was at the battle before the gates of the Morannon."

"That is ill. I am sorry."

"As am I," Eodwine nodded, and sighed. "So now I go where the king needs me, wandering myself, but happily according to the wishes of another. It is what I need, or there is no telling where I might find myself!" Eodwine grinned. "So where has the wind blown you of late?"