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***Mithadan*** · 02-26-2003, 06:34 PM

Mithadan was less than two hours out from the Old Trade Inn, when he caught a glimpse of a Man darting into the underbrush alongside the road. He halted his horse ten yards before reaching the bushes and dismounted. Keeping an eye on the road ahead, he knelt as if to check his horse's shoes. Then, taking the steed by its halter, he led it forward until he was a few paces from where he had seen the Man. In a single motion, he drew his sword and leaped off the road. Kneeling behind the bush was an extraordinarily dirty man whose face was covered with three day's growth of beard.

Setting the point of his blade to the Man's chest, he smiled and spoke. "Now, if you're looking for berries, they're out of season," said Mithadan. "So might you care to explain why you are burrowing in this bush?"

The Man's eyes moved from the sword to Mithadan's face and back before he answered. "Heh. Good move. Fast. Yer gots some skills," he said. "I was tryin' ter not be seen. Guess I didn't do so good."

"Your name, sir," demanded Mithadan, leaving his blade pointed at the Man's chest.

"Well, yer can call me Stoat. Old Stoat I yam. Might yer be headin' ter the Shire?" Stoat asked.

"I might be," answered Mithadan carefully.

"Well yer might as well not," said the Man. "They don't like us big folk, they don't. The Hobbits'd just as soon see us gone. They don't let none of us in their lands no more. So if yer headin' there expect to have to head back."

"We'll see," responded Mithadan, taking a step back but keeping his sword raised.

"O ya will," laughed Old Stoat. "Ya will, indeed. They'll bundle ya up and roll ya out as quick as ya please. Say! Maybe ya might be lookin' fer some work? We gots needs for a man 'o arms where I come from. Maybe once yer gets a taste of Shire hospitality, yer might wanna meet up with me again. If yer want work, ya'll find me in Bree. Pays well."

"I'll keep that in mind," said Mithadan as he retrieved his horse and led it on down the road.

"Do that," said Stoat as he rose from the dirt. "Just ask fer me..."

02-26-2003, 06:34 PM	#71
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,394	Mithadan was less than two hours out from the Old Trade Inn, when he caught a glimpse of a Man darting into the underbrush alongside the road. He halted his horse ten yards before reaching the bushes and dismounted. Keeping an eye on the road ahead, he knelt as if to check his horse's shoes. Then, taking the steed by its halter, he led it forward until he was a few paces from where he had seen the Man. In a single motion, he drew his sword and leaped off the road. Kneeling behind the bush was an extraordinarily dirty man whose face was covered with three day's growth of beard. Setting the point of his blade to the Man's chest, he smiled and spoke. "Now, if you're looking for berries, they're out of season," said Mithadan. "So might you care to explain why you are burrowing in this bush?" The Man's eyes moved from the sword to Mithadan's face and back before he answered. "Heh. Good move. Fast. Yer gots some skills," he said. "I was tryin' ter not be seen. Guess I didn't do so good." "Your name, sir," demanded Mithadan, leaving his blade pointed at the Man's chest. "Well, yer can call me Stoat. Old Stoat I yam. Might yer be headin' ter the Shire?" Stoat asked. "I might be," answered Mithadan carefully. "Well yer might as well not," said the Man. "They don't like us big folk, they don't. The Hobbits'd just as soon see us gone. They don't let none of us in their lands no more. So if yer headin' there expect to have to head back." "We'll see," responded Mithadan, taking a step back but keeping his sword raised. "O ya will," laughed Old Stoat. "Ya will, indeed. They'll bundle ya up and roll ya out as quick as ya please. Say! Maybe ya might be lookin' fer some work? We gots needs for a man 'o arms where I come from. Maybe once yer gets a taste of Shire hospitality, yer might wanna meet up with me again. If yer want work, ya'll find me in Bree. Pays well." "I'll keep that in mind," said Mithadan as he retrieved his horse and led it on down the road. "Do that," said Stoat as he rose from the dirt. "Just ask fer me..." __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.