The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Saurreg]

Ascasir sensed that his lengthy introduction had bored the pretty innkeeper who was now ignoring him and busying herself with petty little chores behind the bar instead. Rather than continuing to impose himself on her and feeling rather embarressed, the silvan elf resumed to consuming his meal but found the steak too rich a treat in such early hours. Ascasir's appetite waned and he took leave of Aman and wandered towards the tables and chairs, nursing a mug of delicious hot beverage whilst smiling politely at any look that came his way.

His piercing grey eyes caught sight of a newcomer in the tavern - and an elf at that. Elated by the sight of a kindred, Ascasir made his way to the lone elf's table and greeted him warmly in accented sindarin,

"Hail friend and may Elbereth keep you well! I see that you are alone and I am wondering if you would mind sharing your table with me?"

Ascasir flashed the fellow Quendi a warm smile. Placing his right hand upon the dark grey tunic above his left breast, he half-bowed to the newcomer and continued,

"Allow me to introduce myself; I am Ascasir Culcollo of Eryn Lasgalen and like you, I am also travelling alone and would most certainly enjoy any companionship,"

[starkat]

Gwenneth had enjoyed talking to the two rangers. Her companions had busied themselves with their breakfasts and the elf maid excused herself. She walked up to the counter and asked for a refill. The tea served by the Green Dragon was wonderful and she enjoyed having a full cup while she sat and talked.

The young elf woman noticed that the elf who had arrived earlier was talking to a newcomer. She smiled as she realised that the newcomer was also an elf. As Gwenneth looked at them, she wondered where they were from.

Gwenneth fiddled with the jewel that she wore on a chain. She considered going to the stable and visiting with her horse, but decided to remain. Taking a sip of her tea, she walked over to an empty table and sat down.

The elf that Isilmë had observed who was standing talking to the Innkeeper suddenly turned around and his gaze came to Isilmë's. The elf began to walk towards his table and stopped in front of him. Isilmë didn't know what to say and felt a little bit perplex, and he didn't know why.

'Hail friend and may Elbereth keep you well! I see that you are alone and I am wondering if you would mind sharing your table with me?' the elf started and gave him a smile. He even half-bowed to him.

'Allow me to introduce myself; I am Ascasir Culcollo of Eryn Lasgalen and like you, I am also travelling alone and would most certainly enjoy any companionship.' he continued smiling.

'Hail friend Ascasir from Eryn Lasgalen. It would be a pleasure sharing this table with you.' Isilmë said and smiled, he rose up and bowed and ans.

'I am Isilmë...' he started, 'I once was a captain of Lórien, but now it's abandoned by Lady Galadriel. I've lived in Eryn Lasgalen, but as you assumed, I am travelling alone, and a companionship whit you would be wonderful.'

'Ah, Caras Galadhon...' Ascasir replied and had dreaming look in his eyes.

'You want a cup of tea?' Isilmë asked and Ascasir nodded in reply. Isilmë rose and got Ascasir a cup and refilled his own.

'Thank you' Ascasir said when he returned. The tea was hot and they had to sip it to not burn their tounges. Isilmë watched Ascasir as he was drinking, and he felt really curious about this elf. 'So, have you always been staying in Eryn, what drove you off on the long road to get here?' he suddenly asked.

Isilmë awaited his reply.

[Saurreg]

Ascasir was mildy surprised to hear that the newcomer was a captain of the secretive Galadhrim - foremost of the elven warriors that remained on these shores still. He had met some elves of Celeborn's Household before his travels begun and was impressed by their dignified bearing and the manner in which they conducted themselves - proud but not arrogant and calm but not aloof. Ascasir was no less impressed by the handsome Isilmë who seemed to possess a certain charisma like that of Lord Carahnwë.

'So, have you always been staying in Eryn, what drove you off on the long road to get here?' the newcomer suddenly asked.

Ascasir took a sip of the weak but favoursome brew and held Isilmë with his gaze,

"Perhaps curiosity and idle hands, friend Isilmë. I was a servant of great Carahnwë; a champion of Taur-nu-Fuin who has departed for the undying Lands and since then, I have been free without any cares or responsibilities. And the answer to the first part of your question is yes, I have never left Eryn Lasgalen before. I never intended to travel but when a dear acquaintance invited me to visit him at the great city of stone built on the Anduin, something within my bossom stirred and I could not refuse. Since then I have not looked back and my heart beats warm at the though of further experiences to be gained and new sensations to feel,"

Ascasir concluded and waited to hear what his new friend had to say. As he placed the chipped rim of the fire-dried clay mug to his lips, his eyes caught sight of a lovely elven maiden who was sitting alone at a table not far from where he and Isilmë were. The fair quendi took notice of him, and Ascasir smiled back and dipped his head slightly in acknowledgement.

Isilmë nodded and felt impressed as Ascasir talked. They had both been servant's but in the past few years they were free from all responsibilities.
'...Since then I have not looked back and my heart beats warm at the though of further experiences to be gained and new sensations to feel.'

'I totally agree with you, my friend.' Isilmë said and nodded.

Isilmë watched how Ascasir sipped his tea and his gaze held him. As Ascasir told him how he'd got here, he also noticed that Ascasir's gaze was drawn to another table where a young maid sat. Isilmë caught his friends gaze again and smiled, then he turned back to the maid and glanced. The maid seemed uncertain and looked down in the wooden table.

Isilmë turned back to Ascasir but noticed that he was still looking at the maid. He giggled and Ascasir turned back to him with a questioning look.

'Oh, nothing.' Isilmë answered him as the glance he got from Ascasir was saying something like; What?

'Well,' Isilmë started again and leaned over the table closer to Ascasir, 'Maybe we should invite her to our table?' His voice was almost a whisper.

'Agree' Ascasir replied.

Isilmë decided to take the initiative about inviting the young maid so he said;
'My lady' Isilmë started and rose up from his chair and bowed, 'would you like to join us here?'

Isilmë turned back to Ascasir that now smiled towards them both.

'I mean, if you want to, my Lady..?' Isilmë added and now felt a little bit dumb and pushy. Hope she won't get upset or something, he thought and blushed.

Ascasir intended to be a much more self-confident person than himself and Isilmë now hoped that he would help him out as the situation didn't look brighter when he blushed.

Ascasir now opened his mouth to say something and Isilmë quickly sat down again, he didn't know why, it was just like an instinct that he couldn't describe. Isilmë awaited him to help him out.

[Saurreg]

Now this is unexpected, mused Ascasir to himself. Elven brows rising again.

Isilmë had stopped himself abruptly without a courteous word of leave-taking to the fair quendi and dropped himself heavily onto the chair. The goodly Galadhrim had turned his back on the confused elven maiden and was facing Ascasir again, who could see clearly that his newly-acquainted friend had mysteriously (and quite suddenly) lost his nerves. A disbelieving look was on Isilmë's face and Ascasir was sure that he was breathing alittle too quickly.

I wonder if all quendi males are having difficulties interacting with members of the fairer sex today, the Silvan wanderer thought to himself as he decided to aid Isilmë in resolving the awkward dilemma.

"If you would be so kind as to allow me, friend Isilmë," offered Ascasir.

Ascasir pushed his chair away from the table effortlessly over the lacquered wooden planks of the tavern floor, got up slowly and made his way to the lovely quendi. The closer he got, the more he was able to make out of the female elf's features.

If Aman the innkeeper was pretty, then this creation of illuvatar's was breathtakingly stunning. Ascasir had seen many other attractive elven females back at Eryn Lasgalen but none could match this sight before him. She was very slender and her simple wood-green garments clinged flatteringly over her feminine body. She was sitting but even then Ascasir could tell that she was tall, statuesque even. Her long lucious dark hair was carefully braided and thus shone brightly in the sunlight with the same lustre of black pearls, like the crystal clear waters of the Enchanted River reflecting quicksilver at night. Around her thin shapely neck, she wore a fine-wought chain that housed an emerald crystal, smartly fitted.

The elven female caught Ascasir looking at her and smiled shyly back with her bright-red lips. Bright piercing eyes met and Culcollo found himself momentarily sucking in his breath and attempting to avert her gaze. Isilmë's reason for floundering could be understood, easily understood.

Regaining his composure quickly, Ascasir stood across the elven lady's table and bowed courteously in a slow delibrate manner,

"Fair maiden whose eyes shine like black fire, Arien comes forth on this day to reward me for all my praises and prayers to Elbereth. For the sun rises today only to allow me a glimpse of you. I, Ascasir Culcollo of Eryn Lasgalen have finally seen beauty and am contented. But should I be so bold and undeserving to request that you grace the table I share with friend Isilmë with your sublime presence? I shall be more than exihilarated if you would consent to my unworthy request."

[starkat]

From her table, Gwenneth watched as the two elves introduced themselves to each other and began talking. She watched them for a bit and then looked around at the other patrons. To her surprise, when her attention returned to the elves they were watching her.

Gwenneth looked down at the table in embaressment. She hoped that she had not offended the two Quendi. When she looked back up, they had leaned in close to each other and seemed to be whispering. When she realized that they were glancing at her, she giggled softly and waited for them to make the next move.

One of them rose and turned to her. "My lady" He started and rose up from his chair and bowed, 'would you like to join us here?"

The elf looked back at his companion and when he turned around, he seemed to become uncomfortable. Confused, Gwenneth watched as he sat back down and his friend stood up. As the second elf walked to her table, Gwenneth gave a cautious smile. I wonder what is going on. Both of them seem nice, but when they start talking they seem to get nervous. When the second elf bowed and began speaking, Gwenneth was impressed at his flowery speech.

"Fair maiden whose eyes shine like black fire, Arien comes forth on this day to reward me for all my praises and prayers to Elbereth. For the sun rises today only to allow me a glimpse of you. I, Ascasir Culcollo of Eryn Lasgalen have finally seen beauty and am contented. But should I be so bold and undeserving to request that you grace the table I share with friend Isilmë with your sublime presence? I shall be more than exihilarated if you would consent to my unworthy request."

Gwenneth had never thought much about her looks. Up until now she had spent more time with horses and learning from her brothers than worrying about how she appeared. She was surprised to learn that the reason both elves seemed nervous was because they found her pretty.

The young elf maid became nervous. Not one to beat around the bush, Gwenneth quickly made up her mind and smiled at both of the elves. "I would be honored to join you Ascasir Culcollo." She rose and walked over to their table. "Thank you Isilmë for your invitation. My name is Gwenneth. I hail from the Grey Havens."