He was soon finished with steak and he sat there,staring from under his hood at the maiden.Elves had always fascinated him.He could speak very much elvish,as his mother was an elf.He lowered his hood to show a ruddy face,deep black tangles falling over his shoulders,stubble blending perfectly with his worn face.His ears were slightly pointed upward and his deathy eyes were dark as though they were dank tunnels.
"A lovely elven maiden...I am Doran Deroder,ranger of Gondor."
He bowed his head because of the table in front of him.He watched the crowd grow larger with the fall of night,darkness now spanning the sky as if it was a shadow of an enourmous hand covering all.He remained silent for a few more more minutes,diverting his attention from the elf's whittling to the other occupants of the Green Dragon.They were all chatting merrily,finishing meals and patting their bulging stomachs.He hadn't laughed or smiled in so long that he thought if he tried he look and sound like a madman.
An inaudible sigh escaped his lips and he began to start on his new drink.It tasted stale,everything seemed to be that way but he was used to it.He just needed something in his dry mouth.He kept on drinking until he darted his eyes to Nuinyulma and kept them there.His eyes were intent as he scanned her.He tried to keep evry feature of her in his mind.He wasn't keen on making friends but she could be an allie in the future.
The elf maiden ordered a drink for herself and was about to order another for him but he put his hand on hers and slowly lowered it.He gave her a look saying I shouldn't drink too much.She continued whittling and attempted to start a conversation.
"Why are you in the Shire?"
He took his eyes away from her,paused for a moment and stared out an open window as he spoke.
"I'm travelling all over Middle-earth.When your born in the race of men life is short."
He continued star gazing.He found about eight or nine constellations until he was satisfied and directed his attention to the floor.
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