The Golden Perch Inn

[Folwren]

The Hedgethistle children were found after all, and they were now busy trooping up the cellar stairway, listening to Kuric ask them what had happened and how. “So how did you lot get down here? Were ya kidnapped? I would suspect as much considering we’ve got some thieving ruffians about.”

“Oh,” Daisy began slowly, but Lil, impetuous and recently frightened out of her head, interrupted and blurted out, “No, we weren’t kidnapped, unless you count being taken and lost by your own siblings as being kidnapped. We went down to hide from you! . . . I think. Anyway, we were running away from a dwarf. And I’d rather meet him than be down there any longer!”

Tom uttered a tardy hiss, ordering her fiercely to be quiet, and Daisy hit her arm, but it was too late, and the words were out. Lil stopped short, realizing her error.

“Th-thieving ruffians, did you say?” she squeaked, trying to sound interested.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

Lily and Ruby went inside of their room after they had talked to the innkeeper, Dick. After that Ruby plotted some more about her brilliant plan to get back after her sister for locking her into her room because she had some ale, she thought that this was unjust because it was just some beer and they had lots of it. So she decided to sneak out of the room that night after Lily had gone to sleep and look to it after...

Lily went inside of the room after her and Ruby had explained about the incident with the beer behind the counter, and Lily had told him that he could do whatever he needed to if Ruby had ever did something like that again, he then replied that, that would not be necessary. So Lily and Ruby went back to their room for the night (or so she thought) and went to bed...

Lily fell fast asleep quickly since she had been traveling all day long, but Ruby had other plans. Ruby got a small bag then put the dress and Walking stick inside of the bag and thus decided that she'd hide them in Periwinkle's room since Periwinkle didn't know that they belonged to Ruby's big sister. Ruby sneaked out of their room out into the common room and found some things to get into the room. She was nervous because she had never done anything so bad before, Ruby looked around and saw Periwinkle sitting at one of the tables and let out a sigh. Ruby had listened in on the innkeepers and Peri's conversation, thus she found out where the room was, then she went down the hall. She picked the lock until she got in, then Ruby went to the dresser and put the dress into it then proceeded to put the stick on the bed. Ruby went to the door and was about to go out when she heard footsteps in the hallway by the door, she halted...

[Dunwen]

Seated in the cheery common room, Peri’s attention wandered to some elves relaxing around a nearby table. Several minutes passed as she observed them while trying to remain unnoticed herself. She was fascinated by their long, lean appearance, which was accentuated by their flowing cloaks and robes. The muted colors and luxurious-looking cloth looked strange to the hobbit girl, used to the bright colors loved by Shire-folk.

She herself wore a sensible brown serge skirt and a white blouse covered by a dark green bodice covered in embroidery. Her thick brown curls were pulled back and held in place at the nape of her neck with a wide amber ribbon that had started the day tied in a ladylike bow, but which now hung limply down on either side of her ponytail.

So absorbed was she in watching her elven neighbors that she squeaked in startlement when a middle-aged hobbit asked if she wished for something to eat or drink. Peri flushed a little at being caught staring at strangers, but any embarrassment quickly dissipated in the pleasure of ordering her meal.

“Oh yes, please, I would like some supper, sir,” she told the man politely. “I’d like some tea, to be sure, and if you have any bread or biscuits and jam to go with it I’d be most grateful. I’ll also take a helping of whatever your cook prepared for tonight’s meal – something smells wonderful! And,” she finished, looking at him hopefully, “perhaps a piece of apple pie for dessert?” As the busy hobbit began to turn toward another customer, Peri remembered an important question. Quickly she touched his arm, reclaiming his attention. “I’m so sorry, I nearly forgot to ask! I’ll need a room for five days. Who should I talk to about getting one?”

[Folwren]

The young hobbit lass clearly had been on the road for some while. Her order was long and she looked like she meant every word of it. “And,” she said in finishing, “perhaps a piece of apple pie for dessert?”

“Yes, yes,” Dick muttered, repeating her entire order in his head. “Yes, we have pie. She makes it fresh every day. He turned to go on, but she quickly touched his sleeve and he turned towards her again at once.

“I’m so sorry, I nearly forgot to ask! I’ll need a room for five days. Who should I talk to about getting one?”

“That’ll be me, Miss,” Dick said with a smile. “As soon as you’ve eaten dinner, catch my attention again, and I’ll show you to a room.” He nodded and passed onto meet other customer’s needs. . .

[Elfchick7]

After having told Vehil and Fain all that she could remember, Luriniel wished them good fortune in their search. There was nothing more that she could say, so she excused herself and left to check in on her sister.

Seeing that Nienna was still asleep, Luriniel took the chair opposite the bed and reflectively thought on the events of the day. How many things have happened today. Nienna's injury, out meeting Maikaalph's brother...many things. It has been so long since our familiy was stained with the crimes of our father. When shall we find peace? As her mind dwelt on these thoughts, the exhausted Luriniel slowly drifted off to sleep.

[Gwathagor]

As the sun burnt low in the west and was finally extinguished in the sea, the habitual activities of a tired village occupied the inhabitants of Stock. Doors were shut, fires were put out, shutters were closed. The forest dwellers sensed it too, the slowing down of the day, the gentle weariness that follows a long summer day. Nobody saw the elf.

He stood atop the hill that overlooked Stock in the north. Tall, dark, and lonely he stood, surveying the land before him, taking in the village through every sense and faculty.

So this is where we are, he thought.

[Gwathagor]

His cloak was long, and though it was now tattered and stained, it had probably been of a deep royal blue. Blood soaked the hem of his garment and had dried down the side of his right boot. He stood very still, with his sword unsheathed. The only movement in the stillness was the warm wind, which gently blew his long dark hair about his face. He was tense and alert, but as the wind began to blow, he let down his guard. He took a deep breath of the clean Shire air, sighed, and began to sheath his sword.

I am very tired.

The sword was long and scarred, attesting to the ferocity of its bearer and to the many battles it had seen. It was an old weapon, outdated by many standards, but clean and well-cared for despite its nicks and battle-wounds. Though simple, the symmetry of the craftsmanship, the quality of the metal, and the natural curve and balance of the blade spoke of many long hours in the forge. It was kingly, but in no way pretentious or ceremonial, clearly designed for one purpose alone: to kill, swiftly and well. The sword was unadorned save for a thick strand of pure silver that traced its way through the working of the hilt, and about the leather-bound handle of the ancient longsword. The elf carefully and lovingly returned it to its simple leather scabbard, which bore upon it a device of a single white rose, set amidst a field of fiery stars.

Then he knew that he was watched. The slightest breath, the brief minor note in a birdsong, a change in the wind; nothing escaped his trained, wild-wary senses. His instincts told him that there was something behind him in the trees. He turned, swiftly and calmly to face his watcher. The royal sword leapt from its scabbard. At the same moment the moon rolled from behind a cloud, casting silver-blue beams upon the green sward. The sword caught the light of the full moon as a large wolf emerged from the pine grove. Its fangs and its glittering eyes also reflected the moonlight and its black mane rippled in the wind.

"Begone, creature of the cold north! This is not your realm, you may not trouble these little people." There was menace in the elf's voice, menace which the wolf returned with an almost imperceptibly deep growl.

Suddenly, in a single natural, quick motion, the wolf sprang forward, as a mighty howl tore from its throat. The elf's blade flashed up and forward in a similar a movement; an arc: calm, natural, and sure. Cold hate was in his eyes. Time seemed to slow, nearly to a standstill, as the clash of the two wild creatures loomed, and as the quiet moonlit village slept. The two killers from the wild stood locked in a deep and terrible combat upon the brink of humanity and civilization, where neither was accustomed to tred.

Then the clouds drifted back across the moon and the elf's longsword finished its arc, its blade coming to rest buried deep in the grass and soil of the hilltop. The wolf-creature had vanished, and the elf was alone, head down, bent double, both hands upon the grip of his sword. The monster's cry reverberated over all, then abruptly drifted away on the gentle summer wind.

The elf collapsed unconscious upon the green turf beside his sword. He was very tired.