[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Aleia woke up in the bright sunlight and yawned. She judged that by the sun, it was quite late in the morning. Aleia hopped out of bed and dressed quickly, hoping to catch one of her companions from the night before in the Common Room.

She thumped down the stairs and went into the Room. Scanning the crowd, she was soon disappointed as she did not see Gilly or Benia. That's two sets of companions I've missed the next morning! she thought, and sat at the bar. She gave a nod to Ruby as a gesture of hello, and ordered a hot cup of coffee.

"Thank you, Aman. And a slice of toast, please. Thanks," she said. As she munched her toast and sipped her coffee, she surveyed the Room to look for someone to sit with and talk to. She hated sitting by herself in an inn. It was quite dreary.

Just then, she noticed a young lad sitting by himself, also scanning the crowd in earnest for a companion. Excellent! thought Aleia. I won't have to sit alone after all! Taking her coffee and toast to the lad's seat, the hobbit introduced herself. "Good morning, lad! I am Aleia Took, of Tookland. May I join you?"

[ June 11, 2003: Message edited by: Horse-Maiden of the Shire ]