[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

"Run away?" Aleia tsked. "That just won't do. When you run away (or decide to be a traveller), you get into the most awkward situations. Like being caught sleeping in a farmer's field and having to gallop off half-asleep."

Madea giggled and said, "Sometimes you must do these things. Your name?"

"Ah, yes. I am Aleia Took, hailing from Tookland, from our fair Shire. I chose to be a traveller when I was younger," she said, pausing to chuckle reminiscently. "Not exactly the smartest thing to do. I went out into the world without the slightest idea of what it would be like. Looking back on it, I should have asked my cousin Peregrin for pointers. Unfortunately, I was stubborn and thought naught of it. I got into many a scrape before I thought of arming myself," here she revealed her bow and quiver full of arrows. "I have spent only a few years as a traveller, but I learned a lot."

"However, that is quite enough about me to last for a while. What of you, Madea?"