Aleia stepped jauntily into the Green Dragon Inn. Grinning at the innkeeper Piosenniel, she ordered a pint and leaned against the bar. Looking about the inn, she saw that not much had changed since she was last here. Aleia was in a good mood. Recently she had taken on a new identity and past, and so had her pony. She chuckled and ordered a bowl of stew. She had cast off all her old cares, along with her name, like a snake sheds its skin. She felt light and happy as a feather.
As she gazed about the Dragon, she recognized no faces. It seemed that everyone she had spoken to had gone off on their own paths. That was just as well, for she had changed her whole appearance, save her hair. It was as long and golden as ever. She would never cut it, she thought fiercely.
Aleia sipped her ale and took a bite of stew. It was good, better than some inns she had been in on the road. She thought that she would like to have a word with someone, or someone have a word with her. Sitting by oneself in an inn was terribly dull. But, then again, it gave one time to think. Aleia laughed to herself and brought her mug back up to her lips. How lovely it was to be back in the Shire at the Dragon!
[ April 05, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]
__________________
"There's a big...machine in the sky...some kind of electric snake...coming straight at us."
"Shoot it," said my attorney.
"Not yet...I want to study its habits."
|