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Old 05-05-2008, 08:54 PM   #612
Girl in the Grass
Pile O'Bones
 
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: canadialand!
Posts: 11
Girl in the Grass has just left Hobbiton.
Mirabell

Mirabell shivered, pulling her shawl tightly around her body with one hand and guiding her pony Calla along the Stock Road with the other. Something about the Shire just didn't feel right tonight. Having been on the road the entire day, Mira chalked it up to fatigue. The Golden Perch Inn was in sight, and that meant a hot drink and a soft bed. She squeezed Calla's sides, but the pony plodded along at a steady pace. Calla had been Mira's pony for years, and she loved her dearly. It was her old aunt Leila who had given Calla as a gift, and Mira was on her way to visit her. Aunt Leila was getting on in her years, and her family was whispering behind closed doors that her mind wasn't as sharp as it used to be. Mira hadn't really noticed; Aunt Leila had seemed the same --

Calla suddenly quickened her pace, snorting nervously. Mira spoke in a soothing voice, wondering why the animal was acting differently. She heard rustles in the bushes alongside the road, but dismissed it as a deer, or rabbit. Tuning out the clop of Calla's hooves, Mira listened more closely. She realized that the sound of branches breaking and underbrush moving was caused by something much bigger than a deer. Her heart beat faster and she urged Calla on, the pony acknowledging her legs and speeding up to a trot. The Golden Perch was so close; the rustling in the brush became louder. Calla burst into a skittish gallop, whinnying frightenedly. The two sped the rest of the way to the stables, passing a group of folks in the courtyard.

Once inside, Mira chastised herself. The darkness combined with her fatigue had played tricks on her mind, making her afraid of nothing. Calla had innately picked up on it, and they had scared the dickens out of each other for no reason. As she led her to an empty stall, Mira stroked Calla's neck The pony whickered softly as Mira removed her saddle and bridle and threw a blanket on her back. With nothing on her mind but a warm, soft bed, Mira turned to leave the stable and almost bumped smack into a hobbit.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. Realizing that he must have also witnessed her frantic dash to the stable, Mira's face became a bright crimson. "Ah, do you -- are you -- working here at the Inn? I need -- er, would like a room. If you have one. Please."
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