[Child of the 7th Age]

As Lis sat nursing a flagon of ale and waiting for her meal to appear, a tall and slender figure walked over towards her, the Elf who had earlier been reaching for her sword. She listened to the Elf's words and hesitated for a moment, then reached out her own hand in a welcoming gesture as she'd seen others do, "I've no reason to hold a grudge against you. I know nothing of great alliances among the mighty, save perhaps that of my kinsman Gimli whose views are still accounted a bit strange among our folk, but I do know honest words when I hear them."

"I've come to the Shire not to make trouble but because I was curious to learn what the folk and land were like. My father told me many tales about the Shire, and of how he and his dwarven kin journeyed out and shared an adventure with a hobbit. Even after that, father would come roaming back to pay a visit to Master Baggins and renew acquaintances, along with Gandalf with whom they shared a common friendship."

"But, alas," she whispered, with a sigh, "Our friend Gandalf is here no more. For Gimli has told us that he sailed across the sea. And rumor has it that Master Baggins sailed too, along with his kinsman Frodo. I have come here to see if that is true, and to inquire if there are any other of Bilbo's kin who still dwell in this place and might remember the tales he told, and honor the name of my father."

"I thought of doing this for many years, ever since my father sent my mother and me away from our home in Moria and...." Lis's voice trailed off, and she seemed lost in her own thoughts. She hesitated a moment and then went on gruffly without finishing her sentence, "But times were bad then, and I feared to travel the roads. And my mother would not hear of it. For she held to the old ways that said dwarf women should stay at home, tending to their crafts and families, and not go travelling footloose on the highways. But she is gone now and here I am." The final words were spoken in such a way that Esgallhugwen clearly understood the Dwarf was not inclined to say more on this subject, at least at the present time.

Lis quickly recovered herself and smiled broadly, "I do not know what made me load that story into your ear, for it is not our way to confide such things. But there it is anyway. But how can I talk with you when I do not even know your name or from where you hail? Indeed, I am remiss in my duties as a host! May I order you something to drink?"

[ October 11, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]