[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Aleia rode up to the White Horse Inn, glancing at the sign swaying above the door. She gave her pony Skeet into the care of the stablehand and went inside the inn. As she stepped in, the people nearer to the door glanced at her, obviously surprised to see a hobbit in these parts. Aleia smiled at them and stepped up to the bar.

"'Scuse me, barkeep," she said. "Can I get a bowl of stew? And a pint? Thanks." When she got her stew and ale, she breathed in the scent deeply and sighed. Days of riding long and hard and staying in inns of lesser quality than the Horse had taken their toll. Since she had left the Dragon, Aleia had had to sleep in ditches and hedgerows when she couldn't find an inn. She remembered one less than beautiful night where a farmer had found her asleep on the edge of his field and, waking her up, chased her to where Skeet was grazing. Needless to say, she was not sleepy while finding another bed that night.

Aleia chuckled at the memory, although it hadn't been funny at the time. She spooned a bit of soup into her mouth and swallowed it slowly, savouring the rich taste. She finally surveyed the crowd in the inn for someone to chat with. She finally saw a lone Elf-lady sitting by herself. She looked quite dignified and Aleia felt a little ashamed to approach her, but it had been a long time since she had had a decent conversation.

"Excuse me, lady," said Aleia as she approached Naiore, sweeping off her hood and bowing low. The lady looked amused when she straightened up, probably because women usually curtsy. "Would it please you to chat with me a bit?"

[ June 13, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]