The Golden Perch Inn

Jadelen leaned against the wall which sent shivers down her spine as the wall was cold. She wondered where to start looking for her friend Cir. Knowing Cir, Jadelen assumed she would perhaps be outside exploring, or in the kitchen up to mischief, or even still sleeping! Her eyes wondered around the room, searching the room one last time before searching other places. A group sitting around a table caught her eye, a tall elf sat there with long, braided dark hair, like Cir’s hair always is and an elf that looked somewhat like her brother Cir. It was Cir! Jadelen smiled and their beautiful grey eyes locked for a second. Cir looked a bit startled and surprised.

Cir got up and approached Jadelen excitedly. "Mae govannen!" Cir called as she reached Jadelen's side. "I am so glad you've come, the things I have to tell you!"
Jadelen smirked, “don’t just stands there! Give me a hug.”
Cir opened her arms and placed them around Jadelen. They both giggled and had a slight buzz about them, due to the excitement of seeing each other again.
“Oh, I have missed you so much my dear friend!” Jadelen said, still smiling.

Cir locked her arm in Jadelen’s as she spoke to her, “let us go sit somewhere where we won’t be interrupted.” Cir paused as her eyes searched the room for two vacant places to sit, and then carried on talking while moving towards the chairs, “now, do tell me the impossible of how you got your mother to allow you to come.” Jadelen smirked mischievously and her eyes twinkled. Cir gasped with delight, “you ran away! Oh my, you are in for a lot of trouble Jadelen. It is all worth the adventure though, isn’t it. Tell me all about it!”

Jadelen took off her deep purple cloak before sitting down and continued to talk. “I haven’t much to tell you, it was a rather dull and not an adventurous journey.” Jadelen sighed disappointingly. She continued, “It was lonely and I was worried at times but nothing did ever really frighten me or intrigue me, just a silly little footpath here and there and at times the trees looked as if they were staring down on me. I carried my bow and quivers with me just incase. I was at least hoping to use them once.”
Cir rolled her eyes “it is funny how many wish for a safe journey like yours and you and I wish for danger and excitement. So typical of you Jadelen.”

Jadelen realised they had been talking far too much about herself, she took Cir’s two hands in her own and smiled, “it is so great to see you. Really. When you first approached me you told me that you had so much to tell me! Hopefully more exciting than my rather dull story, please do tell!”

[Firefoot]

Cela hadn't been paying much attention to Tollers - he was in and out of the kitchen often enough that she hadn't felt the need to supervise his every action.

That's what she had thought.

She was just turning around to ask him if there was anything he needed when she heard him comment to Gable, "Come sit down and have a piece of pie." She whirled around and spotted one of the apple pies she had set out to cool now sitting on the table in front of Tollers - with whole slices' worth missing!

"My pie!" Cela exclaimed indignantly. "Tollers, what ever do you think you're doing?" Both Tollers and Gable had frozen, caught in the act. "That was for dinner tonight, you ought to know that! And you ought to know that the food in this kitchen isn't just for your personal pleasure!" As she raged, she snatched the disfigured pie from in front of Tollers and set it back on the shelf next to the others. "Really, I would expect better of you, and maybe I ought to have a word to Master Dick about all this, because it seems lately like every time we turn around you've gotten up to something. Really! Now what have you got to say for yourself?"

[Forest Elf]

Gable was just about to reply that she wasn’t hungry since she didn’t really have an appetite after the wolf attack. She knew that the pie was for later tonight and she would hardly be hungry anyways. But she could sit down. Then Cook whirled on the two of them before she had a chance to even answer Tollers.

Gable, having seen the children leave, figured that they had done something with the pie and Tollers was trying to keep them out of trouble. “I think that Tollers may be trying to keep the children out of trouble that were in here.” Gable said looking over at Cela.

[Holbytlass]

"Have fun but keep your wits about you."
"Oh, she'll be alright. Hurry along now, dear."

Those were the last words Sydney heard from her parents amid the goodbyes and the cheers of her siblings. She left them for the first time in her life during the wee hours yet it seemed a lifetime ago. Sydney was on her own.

There were two older brothers, Sydney, then two more brothers. These fours sons worked with their father cutting and delivering timber. Then the second daughter, Lindsey, who had just turned twelve last week. She was now old enough to handle all the responsibilities of caring for the five youngest children. Forever etched in Sydney’s memory is Lindsey’s proud little face as she stood by their mother, so glad to be able to do her part.

Hours and miles sped by as the trusty pony, Clyde, kept a steady pace. Sydney could hardly believe how quiet the daytime actually was. It was almost deafening. Her ears were forever filled with talking, squabbling, crying, and joking voices.

In almost perfect timing, Sydney’s stomach grumbled painfully as she neared an inn-The Golden Perch. She could hear all the talk and movement going on inside, “Ah, music to my ears”. She tethered Clyde to the post and stepped through the door.

Loud sounds are familiar but this sight was so foreign! There were beings here that she had only heard of. Quickly Sydney found a table out of the way. She tried to act like she had done this before but the big cheesy grin gave evidence to the rising excitement inside her.