[Beren87]

"What brings you to the Westfarthing?" inquired the Shiriff, politely. An alterior motive than politeness was obvious, but politeness it was none the less, and therfor called for it in return.

"Ah, well, good Shiriff! I was hoping to meet you soon, seeing as you're such a prominent member of the Inn." He said the last with a sly grin, his mischeviousness evident to himself. "I've been traveling for years now, a sort of..researcher, you might say, out to any and all parts I feel the wish to visit. I've been to most places now, the elven cities, the dwarven realms."

"Well then, we've a well-explored man in our mist. We folks don't get about, all that much, really; more fond of sticking to The Shire. You, hmm.., met anyone around here recently? Any of your own big folk, that is?" The small shirrif rested his head on his hand, his elbow leaning on the bar.

"Well, besides the dear Innkeeper and the stableman, not really. I only arived two days ago, you see. Had a nasty bit with a few Goblin-types on the road from Bree, if you get my drift. Barely escaped with all my extremeties in tact. Got two of them, before they stopped following though, they'll have to work a little harder next time." He winked at his own recounting of the escapades, still fresh in his mind.

"Well well, I think those are the ruffians we've been looking for, good sir. Seems you've done us a favor, I deem. If you ever come across any of 'em again, you just come down to the Shirrifs' station, by the locks." Stool-legs scraped against the wooden floor as he got up, patting Beren on the arm.

"Will do, Shirrif. I suggest you start keeping more of a watch on any of these folk going down to Bree though, these roads aren't as safe as they used to be, that's for sure." Beren then turned back to his ale, sipping back the foam.

"Not as safe as when I started out, anyway." he said this silently to himself, eyeing the Shirrif as he walked away. "Though, I doubt that Shirrif is going to help matters."