The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Arwen Eruantale]

There were two of them. Just watching. What did they want?

She requested another ale, and tried to absorb herself in it. But they were still watching, and now they were talking. A third, presumably another of their companions, now turned. Niara dared not imagine what she would do if they approached. If only she had a magic ring, she could be invisible, float out of the room like a cloud...But that was impossible.

Her right hand strayed down to the hilt of the knife that hung at her side. A comfort, though she would not dare use it. Surely the occupants and visitors of so pleasant an inn could not be unfriendly. Her left hand swept softly across her lightly freckled complexion, removing the droplets left by the rain. She took another drink.

[Archsage Isaac]

Isaac looked at Adu and slightly shook his head. "Adu, you know I don't remember who Hama is, nor do I know what you mean by a new general to look after." he said, lying back on the ground and looking up at the sky. He turned his head and looked at Adu and smiled, but soon stopped again and was just as serious as he ever was.

"Adu, you might want me to stay but why? You said it yourself that I have no life with you and that your life wasn't so goodd after I left. Why would you want me to stay and then leave again? Would that not cause you pain again?" Isaac asked. He reached over and took hold of one of her hands in his. "I don't want to cause you anymore pain, Adu. However, if you honestly want me to stay then I will stay, for you..." he added, staring deep into her eyes, "...because I get the feeling that some of your old feelings are resurfacing."

[Hama Of The Riddermark]

Hama looked up at the sky, he had been riding for nearly a day, nearly non-stop. He was at the misty mountains, the halfway point in his journey and had already started riding along them...he sighed and strolled over to his horse that he had been letting drink in the river. He saddled up once again and started riding, he hadn't far to go now, maybe he would reach Rohan even this evening, then a day of rest and recuperation, then two days back to the Dragon. He smiled and wondered what Aduthondiel was doing now, probably enjoying herself, he mused.

He set off at a gallop, pressing his horse harder and harder to ride. He whispered "Come on, come on" in Rohirric into its ear as he bent forwards to its neck. He looked up and saw mountains running down his left for miles, all he could see were mountains...it was a long way to go...

[symestreem]

Soup is fine. Everything they have here is good. Then she remembered Peony's other question. I come from west of here. My family has a small settlement in the empty lands.

She looked around and signaled for one of the servers. And where do you two hail from? It is strange indeed to find an elf on the borders of the Shire. One of the merry hobbit lasses came up and took their orders, returning shortly with steaming bowls of soup.

Are either of you musicians, by chance? She pushed the slate over to her table mates and started on her soup.

[starkat]

One of the servers came over and as they placed their orders, Gwenneth fiddled with the jewel around her neck. "I am from a little of everywhere. My parents travel and my brothers live near the sea. In my family when we reach a certain age, we set out and travel for a few years. I am just beginning my travels."

"In answer to your music question, I am afraid I do not play an instrument. I wish I did. My brothers both play flutes and my mother the harp. I do sing a little. What insturment do you play?" Turning to Peony the elf maid asked, "What about you? Do you play an instrument?"

[Kitanna]

Peony smiled, "Yes, I play the flute." She remembered the first time she picked it up. She could not put her father's flute down so he finally gave in and gave it to her. "I have been playing for some fifteen years. As for your other question, I come from Minas Tirith."

Once again Peony scanned for Deva. She saw him sitting in a corner eating. "Do you travel alone Symestreem?"

[Firefoot]

Dark clouds had moved in front of the sun, and Lily was feeling a little bit chilled. She was also stiff from sitting in her chair for so long. She stood up, stretched, and said, "I'm going to go get some tea. Would any of you like some?" Willow, Mira, and Ferran all politely declined. Lily wandered over to the bar. She was in no hurry, and it felt good to stretch her legs after sitting so long.

"I would like some tea, please," she said to the Hobbit server. Lily grasped the cup that was given to her, and it instantly warmed her hands. She took a sip. It was nice and hot. "Thank you," she said. She carried her tea back over to her table, being careful not to spill. She sat down at the table again. As when she had first sat down, silence had taken over the table. Now what do we talk about? Lily tried desperately to think of something. The silence was getting to her. She took another sip of tea.

"How long do you all expect to be staying at the Green Dragon?" she asked at last. "And Willow and Mira, how long have you been here?"

[symestreem]

I usually travel alone, because not many go where I go. I have traveled with others before, she wrote as she ate her soup. It seemed to be some sort of vegetable stew, with fennel added. I play the pipe, the fiddle, the accordian, and the piano. If I can ever find another one of those she wrote, wishing she could put emotions into the impersonal letters on the slate. And you? Do you two travel alone?

She frowned as she focused on a woman in a ranger cloak who was sipping a drink and staring around the room suspiciously. Was that a knife she was reaching for? But the woman's hand came up empty. Her gaze continued to roam the room, and symestreem did not miss the fact that she was sitting with her back to the wall, not far from the man absorbed in his tea.
Who is that over there? she mouthed to her companions, as they were still reading the slate.