The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[JennyHallu]

Lossë saw the Elven woman and her companion leaving the Inn and rejoining the party, and she rushed over to meet them, oblivious to Farael behind her. Teluviel's hands were nestled in Emlin's, and she was obviously happy to be there, which gave Lossë a brief rush of pity for poor Farael, though she shoved it away cheerfully with the thought that the Elf maiden would be better off with one of her own.

"M'Lady!" she called, flagging Telu and her companion down, and rushing to meet them before they were lost in the crowd and bustle. "Telu!"

She caught up to them, and pulled gently on Emlin's sleeve, and the couple turned around in surprise to face her. "My apologies for the manner of my greeting," she murmured, wondering what it was about Elves that sent her all formal. "But I have a proposition for the Lady, and I would present it as soon as I may, so that she might consider it. It concerns the futures of the man Farael and myself."

[Huan]

Emlin gave the woman an appraising look, his brow raised. A smile twitched on his lips for the briefest of moments. His fingers still entwined with Teluyaviel’s, he stepped forward just a bit, looking now to where the man stood, his grey eyes looking inquiringly at him and then back to the woman.

‘The futures of the man Farael and yourself . . . And why should Teluyaviel have concern for that? You do not seem in dire straits. Or have I missed something?’

[JennyHallu]

Losse gave a little half-bow in acknowledgement of Emlin's reasonable question. "My lord, our situation is by no means dire, but it is lacking in certain comforts, and we both have ambitions unlikely to be fulfilled. But Teluviel's future happiness and comfort seems assured," she said pointedly, her eyes on the couple's clasped hands. "What I would ask is really more of a business proposition."

"As the Lady is aware, Farael was robbed on his way here, and his business is trade. And I am under the constraints of enforced honesty, and my business is...well...the Lady will surely remember what my business is. Someday I would like it to be otherwise, and Farael would like his own ventures to repay his effort. We have determined together upon a plan which would allow us both to live our dreams--and we are missing but one thing to make it possible."

She paused, and when neither's manner seemed to suggest she stop, plunged into the meat of the matter. "In a word? Capital. Money is something we have only in short supply, and the Lady, and you, lord, also, if you are interested in the aid of one who would be a friend to you, have in abundance, at least compared to us." A breath--Losse had a bad habit of stringing long sentences together quickly enough she forgot to breath, when excited. "We propose a loan, enough to allow us to buy a horse and cart, and the goods to fill it. Terms of repayment to be settled in further discussion, be you interested. If you are intrigued, I would ask you to join us for a while, and say your thoughts on the matter."

She stopped, a little out of breath, and fixed her eager, youthful eyes hopefully upon the faces of the Elves, trying to read their reactions, hands wringing themselves nervously behind her back.

[Farael]

Farael had had no time to accept the idea that he'd be asking Teluyaviel for money and yet Losse was already on her way. He did his best to follow, but fell behind quickly. She seemed to glide effortlessly through the dancers while he felt like he was dragging himself, each step becoming harder to take.

He had lost Losse for a moment and he felt strangely relieved. Was it as good an idea as she made it sound? even though not as much as before, he was still under the effects of the good ale from the Shire. He hoped he would not regret his words later on, yet it seemed Losse was lost and he was free for the moment. To his dismay, Losse not only had not gotten lost but she had found Telu and her partner. Farael felt a sudden pang of jealousy, seeing them holding hands, but he silenced those thoughts.

Teluyaviel saw him approach and asked him a question he did not manage to hear. Farael was hoping Losse had just been making conversation as him and her had not had a chance yet to talk about exactly how much money they'd need. And there was no point in asking for more than what was necessary, nor it would be smart to ask for less than what they would need. He bowed towards the elves and apologised for missing Telu's question. "I see my -possibly- busines partner has found you before I did. I hope she has as good a nose for deals as she has for people" Farael grinned, trying to hide his discomfort "Would any of you mind telling me what you have discussed so far? we have an interesting offer to make you, should we be able to tempt you into listening to us, my elven friends"

[Undómë]

She has a rare and much practiced gift, Emlin. She is a master thief. thought Telu, coming to stand alongside Emlin. Her eyes twinkled merrily as she looked at the woman, noting with a smile that Losse had placed her hands behind her back. Nerves, she wondered. Or simply putting them out of temptation’s way?

‘Oh, Losse!’ she said, stepping close enough to touch the woman lightly on the arm. ‘Had my brother’s plans gone his way, there might have been no problem in making you a loan.’ She laughed, a silvery sound, like small bells caught in a sudden breeze. ‘But Emlin, here, has no great store of wealth.’ She nodded toward where the players were setting up their puppet stage and bringing out their drums and such instruments as would fill in between the dialog. She reached toward his belt from which hung his small silver pipe in a plain leather case. ‘Here is his wealth. That and his traveling companions.’

She touched the small purse that hung at her belt. ‘And I have only a few coins, and the hope of more quite lost to me now that I’ve crossed Tindomion’s wishes. Of course, you could approach Tindo, be you brave enough. Though I would not advise it. He is not overly fond of Men.’

Farael had come up in a rush to stand beside Losse. ‘She has asked us for a loan,' she said in reply to him. '. . . to accomplish your dream.’ She nodded as a sudden thought came to her. ‘It is a sudden dream, is it not?’ she asked. She laughed again. ‘But who am I to judge that?’ Her eyes darkened and grew more serious. ‘I have explained to her how our wealth has suddenly dwindled. Is there no other way your plans can be realized?’

Her brow wrinkled, she looked from one to the other. ‘What exactly are your plans, anyway? Travel about together, selling goods here and there . . . or . . .?’

And what plans have you for each other? she wondered to herself . . .

[Kath]

"Goodness, Astilwen, must you always have things your way?"

The sudden outburst shocked Astilwen for a moment and she wondered if she'd gone too far. Hoping she hadn't she simply gave another smile and to her relief Tilionwen returned it and began to dance.

It was perhaps lucky that those who had been throwing odd looks their way before had turned back to what they were doing as the first few moments of this new activity were not smooth. Astilwen was not used to dancing with anyone taller than herself, and so it took her a while to adapt to Tilionwen's movements. She tried to keep any cries of pain caused by the other womans foot landing on her own to herself, but was apparently unsuccessful as Tiliowen kept apologising. Eventually though they settled into a rhythm, and danced until exhaustion claimed them

The two women slowly made their way back to their seats, muscles protesting due to sudden overuse after such a lack of it. Astilwen noted though that Tiliowen was now smiling without reservation, and felt that a few sore spots were a small price to pay for such an achievement. Grabbing two glasses of water from a nearby table she gave one to a grateful Tiliowen who gulped it down. Astilwen followed suit and then relaxed into the chair.

"So, is there anything more you would like to do?"

"Nothing that involves me leaving this chair again!" Her friend cried out, looking terrified at the prospect.

"Don't worry, I've got my way once tonight," she replied with a sly grin, receiving a glare in answer, "It's your turn to choose."

[Witch_Queen]

Bad memories and joyous times...

Cree looked at Fáinu, the journey, the adventure seemed so long ago. She was glad to be back with Avalon, she was willing to admit to missing the white crow. Cree remembered everything that happened on the way to the dragon, but after the dragon had been slain, Cree's memory was a blank. Was what Fáinu said true, did the creature curse Cree? Cree remembered all to well the horror from the unexpected attack. She had been asleep but the unknown creature woke her. What sort of creature can bite clean through a blade?

Avalon looked at Cree, the bird could tell taht the elf was deep in thought. THe bird lifted her giant wings, flapping the appendages in the air. Cree felt a gush of wind hit her face. She snapped back to reality. "Are you okay?", Fáinu asked, but all Cree could do was nod her head in response. "Excuse me." Cree stood from her seat to go in search of something to wet he burning throat. After acquiring a mug of ale Cree went back to her friends. Cree placed her mug on the table before sitting back down.

"Avalon, I wished you would've joined us but indeed the journey was long and dagerous. The dwarves that joined us were wonderful company. Every night it seemed as if each dwarf had a new story to tell. Oh I was lucky enough to hear one of Fáinu's stories, he always had a good story to tell when we were younger. The closer we got to the dragon the more Fáinu's hand hurt him." Cree knew that Fáinu's burn some how connected him with the dragon. Cree's mind wandered back to the other nights when the group had almost lost their lives. She couldn't help but wonder what would've happened if she had not been on the journey with Fáinu. What would have changed?

[Lhunardawen]

"Don't worry, I've got my way once tonight. It's your turn to choose."

Much as she wanted to, Tilionwen couldn't hold the glare long enough to make Astilwen feel slightly guilty. After all, her aching muscles notwithstanding, she had fun. She was not really much into dancing; as a matter of fact, she used to try and avoid the act as best she could. The only time she would completely lose herself in it was whenever she and her sister were alone. Then they would dance like crazy, as if they did not have a care in the world. She recalled one time when they were both having a bad day and wanted to feel better, and they had the house to themselves since their father had supposedly gone to some place. She clearly remembered the indescribable expression of confusion in her father's face when he got back home earlier than he - and her daughters - expected, and found them lying on the lawn outside their house. They were rubbing their tired legs and groaning in pain, yet at the same time laughing and trying to catch their breath.

"What are you two doing, lying down there?" There was a tinge of concern in his voice; he obviously noticed that his beloved daughters were feeling some discomfort. Tilionwen and her sister responded with even louder guffaws and a mischievous "Nothing, father," and exchanged winks. Their father threw up his hands and conceded, then sat down to join the two young ladies.

"Tilionwen, are you okay?" Astilwen's concerned voice suddenly cut into her reverie, which she did notice she was already quite lost in. "I'm sorry if I forced you to dance. You didn't have to-"

"No, no, it's not that." Tilionwen quickly held the hobbit's little hands, looked into her eyes and smiled sincerely. "I had a wonderful time dancing, don't you worry." She took a quick glance at her feet, feeling suddenly ashamed. "Do your feet still hurt?"

"A bit, but I'll be just fine," Astilwen replied reassuringly. "But what was it? You looked a bit...glum for a moment. Do tell me."

Tilionwen knew better now than to keep things to herself, after having discovered the hobbit's power to convince. "It's nothing," she said, letting go of Astilwen's hands and slowly looking away. "I - I just remembered my sister. We used to dance quite a lot together back then. Apparently ever since she died I've lost practice, since I can't recall stepping on her feet too much before." Tilionwen chuckled awkwardly.

"How about you?" she jumped in after a moment's silence, not wanting to give Astilwen the chance to feel sad for her. "Do you dance a lot? And," she smiled half coyly, half teasingly, "have you been stepped on too much ever in your life?"