[Kates Frodo Temp]

Orcs. So that's what they were. Elhor promised himself he would heed Pio's warning. The last thing he wanted to do was cause trouble for her! He decided to leave the strange creatures alone.

Maybe he would go and talk with Morwyn. But what would he say? Why should she be interested in him, anyway? Perhaps she would do the talking; the people at the Green Dragon seemed to be good at telling tales.

He loved to hear stories, and never once doubted the truth of the old lore told and sung in the halls of Delhor, Lord of the Vale. No other people he knew of could or would tell of past days like the people of the Vale. Cordethian was a rough language, though, and those who knew much of other lands said the stories lost much in the translation.

Some said that when Elves sang of great past deeds, it was like being there yourself. Of course, he wouldn't know, never having met an Elf. Or at least, he didn't think he had. Would he recognize one, even if he saw it? Probably not.

A cool, white light radiated from the door, and Elhor turned to stare. He was astonished by the glorious sight that met his eyes. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen! Perhaps this was an Elf! Such splendour of looks and manner was foreign to him. But why, he wondered, did she feel it necessary to shout an introduction to the whole room? The people here all seemed a bit forward to Elhor, but this was something entirely new to him.

Perhaps he was just unused to the customs of these strange people. Besides, it wasn't his place to criticize; let Pio handle her own inn. Elhor knew, though, that his first impressions were usually right. He would watch her closely, and if he was not right, very well. But if he was...