[Schmendrick]

The pale stranger was already walking reluctantly to the stables, when he heard some music from the Inn.

It wasn't like any music he had heard before. He stood still, unable to move and felt the music fill his heart with a longing and grief almost unbearable.

It seemed to him that the whole world had stopped to listen. No birds could be heard, even the wind was resting.

What was the song about, he could not tell. To him it spoke of many forgotten things, but this time he felt the hope rise in his heart.

For a moment he forgot all his troubles, all the long solitary years behind him and he felt as he was just a young boy, the future spreading bright ahead of him, full of adventures and possibilities.

At that moment the music stopped. He felt the weight returning to his body, pulling him down against the ground. Great was his desire to cry, when he remembered again where he was and above all- who he was.

He watched the stars again and remembered his stay with the Elves. For a fleeting moment he played with the idea of returning to them.

"You know you can't do that. You have made yourself another promise and to that you must hold," he said to himself, as he walked toward the Inn, like in a dream.

He was determined now to go back. What a fool he had been to rush out like that! No doubt had he offended the young woman greatly! And yet, she might have been able to help him.

He opened the door and slipped back inside, taking a seat next to the door. "That's right, hide in the shadows, if you want company", he said bitterly to himself. "No one will even notice you here!"

But the habit of hiding was deeply rooted in him.

[ December 29, 2002: Message edited by: Schmendrick ]

[ December 29, 2002: Message edited by: Schmendrick ]

[ December 29, 2002: Message edited by: Schmendrick ]