The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Hookbill the Goomba]

"Fainu what have you been doing since you left? When my father died I really needed you, but when I went searching you were no where to be found."

Fáinu thought for a minuet, he did not know how much of the story he should tell. He thought he owed it Cree to tell her as much as he could.

"After the incident with Smaug, I went back to Mirkwood." His voce lowered, "There I found that no one knew me, They said I looked alike to one they knew, but none knew who I was. As soon as my wound was attended to I set off to find my brothers. I went to Rivendell and was told that they dwelt near the foot of the Misty Mountains. When I found them they too did not recognise me, I thought this very strange, but something told me that I should not reveal my identity. There I dwelt for a time, I joined their company and helped slay many orcs and Goblins that came down from the mountains. I gained much prises, to my surprise."

Fáinu took a large draft of his ale, to clear his thought, plus he was slightly nervous about the next few parts. He placed his mug upon the table and then continued.

"Soon news came that Smaug was dead." he shook his head, "I decided to go off and see if it was true. I was asked by my brothers, Tautlinta and lenda, leave to go, they bid me do a few errands in the grey mountains. Eventually I came to the Lonely Mountain and there I found my sword. I took it back to Rivendell and it was re forged. Then I came back to the house of my Brothers, However, when I attempted to continue my life in the company, I was betrayed.

"One day When Walking in the forest, I was waylaid by a servant of the house, swiftly I threw him to the ground and held my sword at his neck. Then, my brothers saw me and they banished me for attacking this servant. I know now that it was a plan they both concocted, for I found out of some of the wicked things they did while I was away. Murdering innocents calling them Orc friends, when they were not.

"I came back to Rivendel again, and stayed until the War of the ring. When that was over Elrond began to ready himself to leave, he gave a few words of advice to all and then departed. I followed the lead of Ellodan and Elrohir for a while, Soon they asked me to take a message to Cirdan in the grey havens. I went and came here. Now, there you have it."

He drew a sigh of relief and looked over at Adu, he was glad that she had asked him to stay and keep her company. Now Cree had come back. One thing that bothered him was how she alone of all people had recognised him.

[Witch_Queen]

Cree and Avalon

The white crow looked at Fainu. It seemed like Avalon wasn't sure what to think of Fainu. Cree layed her hand on the crows back. The feathers were soft under her hand. Cree could recognize Fainu's face from any wheres. After all she would never forget her friends. Her grey eyes rested on his face. "Fainu everything will be ok in the end. Though I am surprised to see you here. When did you arrive?" She was happy to be with an old friend. She could remember the last time she had stayed at the inn was with Grimm. He held her heart. Now he had left her when she needed someone.

Fainu, I know how you feel. It seems like you don't know if Hama can be trusted. He is all Adu has now. Neither of us know if we should trust man again. Yet they are the hope of Middle Earth. Men have a reason for being here. Fainu in the end it will come down to man once again to save Middle Earth from itself. Suddenly Cree remembered something her father had once said about her mother. Cree, your parents are from Rivendell. That is the only reason why I continue to take you with me on my journeys. If only we could find them, then perhaps you can discover the reason why they left you.

Cree no longer cared about her actual family. To her Eryn Lasgalen was her home. Rivendell was so far away and yet so close to her heart. "Fainu do you remember when we first met. It seems like only yesterday that we were riding through Rivendell. Oh how I miss those days. Back then we had no cares in the world. We were young and to us forever seemed so far away." Cree loved to remember her early life. For her there was never a "childhood."

[Hookbill the Goomba]

"Fainu do you remember when we first met. It seems like only yesterday that we were riding through Rivendell. Oh how I miss those days. Back then we had no cares in the world. We were young and to us forever seemed so far away."

Fáinu was not sure what to say. So much had happened, he was forever changed, in face and mind. Rivendel he could not return to save once, he had to deliver Cirdan's reply to Elodan's message, then he had nothing planed, but to wander and find he knew not what.

"Indeed, I remember those days. Though now it is but a far memory." He looked sad, and dishevelled; "I fear I will never have such joy again, for the pain of the dragon wound will haunt me for ever. and the curse of Smaug will follow me, even, I fear, to Aman."

His words were heart felt, it was something that had plagued his sleep for a long while. He had thought his old life was gone, all accounts of Manstarmin were gone, to the rest of Middle Earth, he was dead.

Still he thought that this meeting with Cree was strange in many ways, not least that she knew him as Fáinu, rather than Manstarmin. All seemed odd to him, it seemed that his life had turned around the minuet he entered the Green Dragon...

"I do not think I shall ever be able to sleep," he said as he looked out of the window, "not while there are dragons in the world." he said this last part quietly, only Adu heard him, she did not understand what he meant, she had not heard tell of Dragons in the world for a long time.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Snaveling listened in growing alarm to Toby’s frantic avoidance of what was troubling him. It was clear to him that the Halfling had fallen on hard times and that his presence at the Inn was not the casual circumstance that he was trying to make it to be. There was one thing about Tobias’s manner that confused Snaveling and that was the fellow’s odd attitude to Aman. He seemed pleased to see her, and yet strangely uncomfortable in her presence. Snaveling’s heart went out to the poor girl, for this was the second time this evening that an old friend had greeted her with reservation.

In an attempt to calm the old hobbit and give everyone time to think – including himself – Snaveling eagerly accepted the offer of pipeweed from Jinniver. Opening the pouch he was greeted with a particularly gracious smell that spoke of the gentle airs and careful tending of the Southfarthing. He could see Toby’s eyes light up and mist over at the scent, and Snaveling knew how badly his friend wanted to enjoy a smoke. They quickly filled their pipes, a business that prevented any further conversation for a minute or two. Snaveling offered to pay Jinniver for the weed, but she shook her head and somewhat grandly declined payment. “But I insist,” Snaveling pressed, withdrawing a pouch from his belt. “I am not used to taking things without paying for them” – and as he said this he managed to avoid the gazes of Aman and Toby – “nor do I have to. I have ample funds, and – to be frank – I rather suspect that you would be sorely pressed to give away such a store of your precious goods, my lady.” Opening the pouch, Snaveling revealed a tidy sum of gold and silver coins. Aman’s breath caught in her throat, and although he made no sound, Toby’s demeanor conveyed as clear as glass both his astonishment and his desire to share in Snaveling’s newfound wealth.

“Oh, well,” Jinniver began somewhat awkwardly, “You know, I don’t like to take money for a gift, but it is a rather costly pouch of pipeweed. Perhaps I would accept a token payment for it, just a bit above what I paid for it, mind, to cover travel expenses and the like.” Snaveling asked how much she thought would be fair, and handed over the amount immediately upon hearing it. That having been settled he placed the pouch back at his waist and turned to Aman. “Our friend may not be hungry, but I could use a bite of that delicious lamb. Perhaps you could bring me a plate?” And as he spoke he winked to Aman quickly, unnoticed by the Halfling who was still buried in the smoke of what looked to be his first pipe full of weed in days.

[Witch_Queen]

Cree

Cree could remember back in her younger days. Back then Fainu wasn't known as Fainu, he was Manstarmin. She figured he wondered how she knew what to call him. It took her a while to remember the times they would ride their horses and her friend Manstarmin went by the name Fainu. To her that was a nickname that he would never out live. He was always her release from the life she lived. Manstarmin was always there when Cree needed help with something. "Manstarmin, my old friend you have changed so much at heart that I am amazed that I even noticed you. My friend if there is one thing you should know that is that we have a connection that allows us to know each other." Her words were a mere whisper but she knew Fainu had heard her.

She looked up from her mug of ale and turned to where Avalon was. Without a word the crow jumped off the chair and down to the floor. Cree had felt sad about Fainu being hurt so bad that to her it affected his capability to ever love someone or even feel love. For her everything was different, though she had her heart broken many a'times she still didn't shut everyone out. Cree knew that wearing her heart on her sleeve was going to hurt her even more. Yet she was willing to take the chance. "Fainu, it seems that I have caught you at a bad time. Forgive me." Cree stood up and followed by Avalon went to a table where she could at least think. Before she sat down she looked at Fainu. Cree mouthed some words to Fainu in elvish meaning "My dear friend, it seems that our paths did cross again. But to me you have changed so much that deep down in your heart I do not sense the slight bit of love for anything. If you wish to continue our conversations you may join me when you remember our past together."

Cree found if funny that she could remember the past yet all Fainu could do was look at the future. She always had dwelt or lived in a dream world. A world where her father never had died and Manstarmin didn't leave her.

[Envinyatar]

Derufin took his cue from Andwise. There was a great deal of work to be done on the old cottage tomorrow . . . best he go to his quarters and get his rest. Gathering up his mug and dishes he made his way to the kitchen and deposited them on the drainboard. It was as he scraped what few bits he’d left on his plate into the slops bucket that he realized his mind was far too preoccupied with a problem . . . no, not a problem, a want it was . . . that had been niggling at the back of his mind all day. Sleep, he was sure, would allude him. ‘A walk will do,’ he thought to himself. ‘Set my thoughts in some order.’

He glanced about at the patrons left in the common room as he crossed from the kitchen to the main door. Only a few were still finishing up the last dribbles and drabbles of dessert. And they were being eyed by the servers, wanting only to clear away the plates and cups and hurry them to the kitchen to be washed. From their stances he could tell they were tired, wanting only the end of their work day and the comfort of a snug, warm bed. He winked at Buttercup as they passed each other, her tray piled high with empty platters and bowls heading to the kitchen.

The verandah was empty for the most part as he stepped out through the Inn door. A single Hobbit could be seen a way to his left, tapping out the last of his old pipeweed against the pillar of the overhanging porch, his foot sweeping it from the porch boards and into the flower beds below. Derufin nodded at him as he made his way down the steps.

It was a pleasant night with only the occasional cloud to hide the stars from view. Small breezes brought news of his whereabouts as he walked round the Inn toward the stable. The light perfume of the rock daphne planted about the foundation of the building mingled in interesting contrast with the scent of the midden heap near the kitchen. The deep scents of well turned earth from the garden crossed the sharp odor of the chicken coops. Aah . . . and now the familiar and welcoming scent of the stables . . . and the sounds . . . sweet hay in the loft, the heavy scents of horses, their hooves clopping as they moved in their stalls; their knickers and whinnies greeting him as he passed.

He drew near Falmar’s stall on his way to retrieve his cloak from his quarters. Her head was arched over the gate and she eyed him, motioning him closer with a toss of her head. As he approached she whickered softly, snorting loudly at the new horse next to her as the black usurper snaked his neck forth wanting some recognition of his presence. ‘Well, who’s this, my lady,’ Derufin asked. Falmar’s nose butted against the man’s neck in welcome, Derufin’s hand coming up in a familiar gesture to scratch her between the ears.

The new horse stretched forth his neck again, nostrils flaring as he chuffed at the man, taking in his scent. His shiny, black muzzle pushed firmly against Derufin’s shoulder, then, wanting some attention of his own. Derufin’s hand had barely come up to scratch the black’s forehead, when Falmar stamped her foot hard against the packed dirt of the stall. Quick as a striking snake her head darted toward the ‘intruder’, her great teeth giving him a painful nip on his ear. The black shied back in outrage and screamed a challenging rebuke at her. Falmar, for her part, flattened her ears and eyed him, daring the trespasser to make a move.

Derufin spoke low to both the horses, drawing their attention to him. Falmar he placed on a leather lead and took her from the stable, letting her run about in the nearby pen. ‘I’ll come for you in just a bit,’ he told her. ‘Let me see to the poor fellow’s ear. The owner will not be happy to have his horse roughed up and bleeding.’ Falmar snorted at this, stamping her hoof in irritation as Derufin returned to the stable. The black was wary of him and it took some time to be able to see to the ear. A small tear only. It would heal with a ragged scar, Derufin thought. But the hair would cover it. He cleaned it, applying a bit of pressure to the wound afterwards to stop the bleeding. Once done he stepped back to admire the animal. Seventeen or eighteen hands, he thought in quick estimation. Well muscled, though not bulkily so as a draft horse; sleek, rather. Intelligent demeanor, he noted, watching the slanted eyes of the stallion making their own assessment of the man. ‘I wonder who your owner is,’ Derufin thought as he stepped out of the stall, latching it securely behind him. He tossed an apple from the nearby basket to the horse and made his way back to Falmar. She shook her head at him, smelling the black’s scent on his hands as he reached for her. Speaking gently he drew her in, close enough to get his hands in her mane and mount up.

‘Come, my lady,’ he urged her, his heels tapping lightly against her flanks. She cleared the fence with ease and took off down the path to the main road.

‘Let’s clear both our heads with a ride,’ he said to her, leaning low over her neck as she sped away. ‘Things will look better when we’re both too tired to think about them.’

[Hookbill the Goomba]

"My dear friend, it seems that our paths did cross again. But to me you have changed so much that deep down in your heart I do not sense the slight bit of love for anything. If you wish to continue our conversations you may join me when you remember our past together."

Fáinu was trying to think of something encouraging to say. But nothing came to his mind, nothing but dark thoughts. When she had uttered his former name, he gave her a sharp look as if to say, "Do not speak that name."

At length he rose and walked out of the inn for some fresh air. He began to think back to when he and Cree were friends, however, he could not see any of it clearly. His whole past before the Dragon attacked was clouded. he looked at his burnt hand and sighed. Closing his eyes he thought back to his first meting with Cree, However, as he smiled to remember happier times, the images of the dragon blowing his fire came and he started as if awoken from a nightmare. even after opening his eyes, slight whispers he could hear in his mind, echoes of the curse of Smaug.

Eventually he walked back into the inn and ordered some water to drink, for he suddenly felt parched. He looked over at Cree who seemed to be feeding something to the bird that came with her. Soon he felt it rite that he spoke with her. he sat down at the other end of the table and so was facing her.

"Cree, you must realise," he said at last, "I thought all had forgotten me. When Smaug destroyed my old life, there was nothing left for me. Not even my family recognised me. I did not expect you to do so. You have to realise, many sorrows have befallen me, besides that that thou knows of. The only friend I have had has been Anganárí, my sword."

He saw that Cree was sorrowful at hearing this. However, he did not know of what to say.

"Do not be troubled, Cree," he said, "I remember, if vaguely, our time together. But until ether Mandos calls me or I am realised from the Dragon's curse, I fear, that ever I shall be joyful.”

[piosenniel]

GREEN DRAGON INN FACTS:

It is the 4th Age, year 12. By the Shire Calendar it is year 1433 S.R. (Shire Reckoning).

King Elessar is on the throne of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor.

Mirkwood has been reclaimed by the Elves and is now called Eryn Lasgalen.

Paladdin Took, Pippin’s father, is Thain of the Shire. (Thain is an honorary title for the military leader of the Shire. The title has been held in the Took Family since the position was first established in 3rd Age 1979 with Bucca of the Marish as First Thain.) Paladdin Took dies in year 13, and will be succeeded by his son, Peregrin, ‘Pippin’, Took.

Samwise Gamgee is Mayor of the Shire, having succeeded Will Whitfoot in 1427 S.R.

The Innkeeper, in the Green Dragon Inn of this forum, is: Aman – a young woman from Rohan.

Before her, the Innkeeper was Piosenniel, and before her it was Dwarin, the Dwarf.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Other ongoing characters in the Inn:

Ruby Brown, Hobbit – not married – server and maid

Buttercup Brownlock, Hobbit – not married – kitchen assistant and maid

Vinca Bunce, widowed, Inn Cook (character played by Piosenniel)

Derufin, the Stablemaster (played by Envinyatar)

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Ongoing characters from outside the Inn:

Halfred Whitfoot – local Shiriff from Bywater and Postmaster for this area of the Shire; his pony’s name is Dumpling.

_____________________________________________

Please Note:

No 'SAVES' are allowed in the Inn (except for modifications needed to be made by the Moderators or Innkeeper).

With the exception of the Innkeeper and the Moderators, no OOC (Out Of Character) comments are allowed in the Inn.

Only the Innkeeper, Amanaduial, or the Moderators move the timeline for the Inn forward.

Visitors to the Inn will need to read the posts that come before theirs to get an idea of what time it is in the Shire, what the weather is like, and what is happening.

No violence is allowed in the Inn or on Inn grounds.

Please be familiar with the rules for the Inn and Games in The Red Book of Westmarch, the first topic in the Shire.

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About Elves in Shire RPG's:

Please use this description from Tolkien when crafting an Elf:

Return of the King – Appendix F: Tolkien’s description for the Quendi (The Speakers) – the name given to the Elves by themselves after they first awoke in Middle-earth.

“They were a race high and beautiful, the older Children of the world, and among them the Eldar were as Kings, who now are gone: the People of the Great Journey, the People of the Stars. They were tall, fair of skin and grey-eyed, though their locks were dark, save in the golden house of Finrod; and their voices had more melodies than any mortal voice that is now heard . . .”

Please use this as a guideline for describing your Elven character’s appearance.

[piosenniel]

It is late evening in the Shire.

The lamps are lit in The Green Dragon; a cheery fire blazes on the hearth.

Supper is almost over - roast lamb, taters, garden fresh green peas with butter. Apple-Brown-Betty for dessert.

Plenty of ale, wine, tea, and cold, clear water from the Inn well for parched throats.

[piosenniel]

~*~*~*~ Notice of New Game Opening ~*~*~*~

Witch_Queen invites you to come play in her new game: Ungoliant’s Children

The Discussion Thread is HERE, and will open on Monday, the 20th to take player submissions.

Read the proposal and get a character and post ready to submit to it – should be a fun game!

~*~ Pio, Game Moderator

[Witch_Queen]

She walked down the stairs looking around her to see if she could find any of her friends. Coming to a corner across the room, Cree saw Fainu setting all alone. She slowly walked over as if not to startle him. So he didn't leave. She placed her hand on his shoulder before taking her seat. "Its good to see you again, Fainu did you sleep well?" She noticed that it seemed as if he was still asleep. Looking closer she noticed that he had already been drinking ale without her.

She walked up to the counter and grab a mug of ale to make sure she was awake. "Fainu.. are you home?" She shook him and realized something didn't seem right.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Fáinu looked up sharply, then he saw that it was Cree and he smiled. He shook the weariness from his head and opened his eyes as he could.

"I have not slept well for a long time," he said, "Save a few time when much ale has been drunk." he smiled as he jested. Cree smiled back and Fainu asked her if she wished for a drink. She nodded and he went to the bar for two, as he had finished his own.

He came back to the table and passed a medium sized wooden mug to Cree. It had a small green dragon carved into one of the sides and was considered by the Hobbits to be good craftsmanship.

"Dist thou sleep well?" asked Fáinu remembering his manners, "and is Hobbit hospitality as well to do as the tales tell?"

He sipped his drink almost as if he had forgotten all that had happened the previous day, almost as if he was back in mirkwood when they would sit together and talk as old friends.

[Envinyatar]

‘What a fool I’ve been! Here the sun’s come up and I’ve not had a wink of sleep.’ Falmar had snorted at this statement, shaking her head as if to agree with her rider’s assessment of himself.

Derufin had ridden all night. And ‘Falmar his willing accomplice. The grey horse had been glad to go tearing down the lanes and across empty fields, mane and tail streaming back in the wind of her own passing. Aimless at first, they headed east on The Great Road, then circled round until they had come near the little path that went up toward the old Hobbit’s house where Zimzi had gone to stay. But it had been dark, no lights within when he’d crept up to little windows at the rear. He hesitated to knock on them, not knowing which room was the old Hobbit’s and which was his Zimzi’s. Instead, he’d turned his mount away and let her have her head.

Now morning had come and Famar had found her tired way back to the Inn. Derufin had toweled and brushed her, then left her with clean water and a rick of sweet hay with alfalfa. Tired himself, he’d gone straight to his room, intending to throw himself on his bed for a few moments’ rest. Someone had put a small bouquet on the table by his bed. He picked up his waterglass, now vase, and brought the fragrant blossoms to his face. The sharper husky-sweet scent of rosemary tickled his nose. He sneezed, shaking the posy a bit as he did so, and something fell from it onto his cot. His fingers turned over the little piece of jewelry, feeling the smooth and rough surface slide between them. Mother of pearl! Zimzi’s brooch! She’d been here and he’d missed her!

A laugh welled up and burst out into the room. They must have passed each other at some point, each intent on their own little self-set task. With a continued chuckle, Derufin plucked a sprig of the flowering rosemary from the posy and tucked it into the top button hole of his leather vest. A little of the weariness had left him at the thought of dear heart having come to see him. He popped the brooch into his vest pocket with a smile.

And with a somewhat lighter step, he made his way to the Inn to break his fast with Cook’s good food and many cups of strong sweet tea to fortify himself for the day.

[Arry]

Andwise nodded his head at Derufin as he entered the common room. The man sat with a heaping plate of eggs, fried ham, and thick slices of toast slathered with butter and jam. He ate with a certain gusto, pausing now and then to take great gulps from his mug of steaming tea. The Hobbit smiled a bit at the picture as he approached the table where Derufin sat. Derufin, his mouth full of toast, pushed out a chair for the Hobbit with his foot and gave a brief nod of his own toward it.

‘You know, you keep tucking into your food like that and the lads will have you entered in the pie-eating contest at the Spring Faire!’ He looked beneath the table at Derufin’s boots and tapped them lightly with his toe. ‘Boots still, eh?’ He grinned widely at the man who bore a perplexed look on his face. ‘The day I find you with bare feet, I’ll know for sure you’ve turned into a giant Hobbit!’

Derufin put down his fork and laughed at the gentle joke. He waved then at someone across the room, motioning them to come over. Andwise turned to see who their companion might be. It was Ferdy, heading for the kitchen as his father had instructed; his tool box gripped in one hand, banged now and then against his knee. ‘The lad’ll not be joining us for breakfast,’ Andwise said to Derufin, who frowned as Ferdy waved back, but then disappeared through the kitchen’s door. ‘Mistress Bunce has plans for him this morning,’ the Hobbit went on.

‘That cabinet,’ returned Derufin. ‘Ferdy said something about it needing fixed.’ The man drummed his fingers lightly on the tabletop. ‘Though for the life of me, I can’t recall it being broken. I’m sure I would have noticed it.’

Andwise gave the man a half-smile and raised his brow slightly. ‘Cook’s plans go beyond a broken cabinet today,’ he said cryptically.

Buttercup had drawn near, wanting to see what the Hobbit would like. He could see her pretended nonchalance at overhearing the conversation and he gave a wink to Derufin. ‘Nowt for me, Buttercup,’ he said, sending her on her way. ‘I’ve had my breakfast already at home. Just come to pick up Derufin here. Got things to talk over . . . concerning the cottage and such . . .’ Buttercup nodded, giving a little sniff of disapproval at being sent off without hearing the particulars.

The Hobbit accepted a cup of tea from Derufin’s pot and drank it slowly as the man finished up his meal. The two then left the Inn making their way toward the cottage, waving as they exited to Buttercup. They walked along in comfortable silence, enjoying the fresh sights and sounds of the new day.

‘Partial to rosemary, are you,’ asked Andwise, noting that every so often the man’s hand strayed to the small sprig in his button hole. His face softened at a forgotten image and he spoke low. ‘My dear wife used to put rosemary in bottles of oil. She’d use a little each day to tame her flyaway curls. Even now I can remember the scent of it as she nestled against me . . .’

Andwise looked into the distance for a brief moment and took a deep breath. Then, gathering his thoughts about him again, he kept silent for the short way left to the cottage.

[Witch_Queen]

"I sleep well. Thank you." Cree looked at Fainu and gave him a faint smile. It had been awhile since she had peaceful sleep. It use to be that she would end up walking around the woods because she couldn't put her nightmares away. "I am rather astonished at the fact that for once I wasn't plagued with the normal nightmares." Cree looked at her mug. For some reason she felt like it was telling her what she already knew. Deep down inside she was alone and couldn't do anything about it.

Avalon was outside the inn for her morning breakfast. It seemed like the crow could never have too much mice for breakfast. Cree couldn't understand Avalon, yet then again, Avalon was a crow. That above all else separated them. "Fainu, its nice to know you decided to stay."

[starkat]

Becoming restless, Gwenneth decided to go visit her mare. The young elf maid exited the common room and headed for the stables. Out of one corner of her eye she could see someone in the garden and she smiled.

Gwenneth reached the stables and went to Elenath's stall. She greeted her mare and began to brush her. Elenath had apparently been lying down the night before because her coat was flecked with straw.

She quickly finished her grooming and made a decision. The elf opened the stall door and led her horse out. Mounting Elenath, Gwenenth took off down a nearby trail.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Fáinu smiled and looked out of the window, he saw Avalon chasing some other birds away as she ate her morning breakfast. He looked back at Cree and said;

"I stay because you bid me to," he smiled and sipped his ale, "although I cannot stay in the Green Dragon for ever."

Cree nodded her head in agreement but said nothing. Fáinu looked around, remembering all that had happened, and what he had said the last time they had spoken. He moved these thoughts to the back of his mind and decided to change the subject.

"Your bird is very hungry by the looks of things," he said with a laugh, "She does not seem to wish the others to have any."

Cree smiled and looked out of the window, there was Avalon munching on mice and seeming content. Fáinu took some Dale Cram from his pack and took a bite. He offered a slice to Cree, she took it with a smile.

[Witch_Queen]

"Yes it does seem so." Cree was off in her own little world. Though she was looking at Avalon she couldn't focus on her. To her, Avalon was her own crow. She didn't have to worry about Avalon. "Fainu, what would have happened if I never would have left Eryn Lasgalen? Would we have had a future together or would we both still be alone?" Cree knew the questions had to of struct a cord.

She turned to look at Fainu. Her face was blank and emotionless. Cree couldn't think of a time that she was ever happier.