[Everdawn]

Madea had sat, writing in her journal for what seemed like hours to her, she was getting very lonely in her corner.

The door of the inn opened, the familliar figure of a tall man entered, he was covered head to toe in a long dark green cloak, underneath this the garb of the Dol Amroth guards could be seen as he walked. Madea sat paralised with fear for a minute. The man stood in the middle of the floor for a while. The girl pushed herself into the deepest recesses of her cloak.

The man walked up to her table. "Madea?". Her heart stopped. "No, sir, i know not of whom you speak, perhaps you would ask the innkeeper i am but a traveller." she said. "Come now! Madea, its me, dont you recognise an old friend? Besides, what traveller is so well spoken as yourself?" she pulled the cloak from her black head of hair.

"Hathorn! Is that really you?" she asked with a sigh of relief. "Yes, look we havnt much time. I left as soon as I heard. Your father bribed some farmers you befriended in Rohan, he knows where you are. Look, we need to hide somewhere, at least until they have gone from the inn." the man replied.

Then smiling said "Looks like you will turn seventeen in freedom." Madea looked sharply at him as they went out the back door. "Dont you want to know why ive gone?"
Hathorn looked intently at her, as they stood at the door waiting. "I know. And I have come to offer you an alternative, I will talk to you about that later."

Madea stopped, "What alternative do I have?!" she cried. "If you must hear it then-" he said slightly annoyed. "You know im fond of you, and you me to some degree i suspect." Madea's eyes widened "go on" Hathorn frowned. "The man you father wants you to marry is a fool, but you no doubt know that yes?"

"yes"
"Then marry me." he said turning to her. "What?" said Madea. "You heard me." he said. "It will be fine, as long as we are friends, and it will rescue you from what awaits you, now later, quiet." he said silencing her.

[ June 30, 2003: Message edited by: Everdawn ]