The Golden Perch Inn

[xMellrynxMaidenx]

The crisp November wind gently blew passed the trotting paint stallion, the rider sitting astride his back gazing at the new land that was laying out before her. She pulled her steed to a halt at the entrance way of the small building that was built into the hillside, letting out a deep sigh before climbing off of him.

"We've done it this time, Aergolas."

The horse pawed at the ground, nipping at her grey cloak that was pulled tightly around her. Taking hold of the reins from his bridle, Aeron led the horse around towards the back of the building, smiling when she saw the stables.

"May as well stay for a while beings we're here, right?"

The paint shook his light chestnut and white mane, snorting at his rider. Chuckling, Aeron patted the side of his chestnut and white neck, leading him into the relatively warm stables. She led him into one of the empty stalls at the main end, removing his tack. Aeron smiled to herself behind her mask at the other two hobbits in the stables, pulling out a small brush from Aergolas' saddle bag, giving him a good brush down. Finishing up, Aeron closed and locked the gate to the stall, giving his muzzle one final scratch before exiting the stables, nodding her head in acknowledgment to the other two hobbits in the stables as she left.


Walking around to the front of the Inn, Aeron stepped inside, closing the door quickly so she didn't let any of the heat escape from inside the cozy room. Her eyes scanned over the relatively empty room, save for a few hobbits. The heat inside the room felt extremely good to her, not having felt as much warmth in quite a long time. Deciding to take up residence at the bar on one of the stools sitting there, she couldn't help but look at the small room with curious eyes, as if she had never seen such a sight before in her life. Her grey eyes landed on the hobbit standing beside a table for just a moment, before turning away to look at the wall in front of her. Truly she was an anti-social being and didn't mean to be, although that came from roving the wilderness of Middle Earth and being away from civilization for too long.

[Folwren]

Mr. Burrower barely noticed when the young hobbit entered the common room. He acknowledged the cold gust of wind with a slight hunch of his shoulders and that was all. But he could not very well ignore the young lady when she came and stood just by his chair, explaining that she had not meant to bring in the cold air. He turned his head and peered up at her.

“Well, why don’t you sit down and join me,” he offered. “You looked fair frozen to bits. Have you come far?”

--

“Ah, just as I thought,” Dick said to himself with satisfaction. Two new customers arrived, one after the other, in less than five minutes. He poked his head into the kitchen door and alerted Rowan and Primrose of the news and then returned to the bar where the woman sat.

“What can I get for you today? Something that will warm you up after that nipping wind, maybe? A pot of beer, perhaps? We have the finest you’ll find in a hundred miles!” That may have been an exageration, but it was certainly the finest beer she could find in the Southfarthing.

[xMellrynxMaidenx]

Pulling down her forest green mask, letting the material hang from her neck, Aeron smiled at the hobbit standing in behind the bar, chuckling at his words.

"A pot of beer sounds quite inviting, my friend, I believe I'd like to try some."

She continued afterwards to examine and survey the inside of the hobbit hole, thoroughly enjoying being in a different setting other than the barren lands known as the Weather Hills. She even enjoyed it more than she did the Prancing Pony; the feeling was more homely and comforting.

[piosenniel]

Penny

‘Why thank you, Mister . . . ummmm...’ Penny’s brow furrowed as she realized she had no idea what the gaffer’s name was.

‘Burrower,’ the old fellow offered, filling in the trailing silence. ‘Mr. Burrower,’ he went on smiling as he nodded toward the empty chair across the small table. He waved a hand at one of the servers, motioning her over.

‘Oh, and I’m Penny…Penny Noakes…from Pincup.’ Settling her cloak over the back of the chair, she settled herself on the well worn seat.

‘Some sweet hot tea would be wonderful,’ she said as the server stood by the table, an expectant look on her face. Penny’s tummy grumbled, protesting its empty state; it had been a long time since breakfast. ‘Oh, and could you bring us some hot, buttered toast and maybe a pot of jam…and a plate of nice, crispy bacon?’

Penny grinned at the gaffer. ‘You’ll have a bit with me, won’t you, Mr. Burrower?’ She turned back to the server, ‘Could you make that for three, Miss? My auntie should be in soon. She’s just settling our pony with your stabler.’ Penny glanced toward the door, wondering what was taking her aunt so long.

[Folwren]

“A pot of beer, then, it is,” Dick said. He swept a mug from beneath the counter, whipped about, filled it, and finished it off without spilling a single drop of foam. He turned about to lay it before the young woman. He watched, rubbing a towel beneath his hands, while she took a sip of beer. “Eh, uh…have you been in these parts afore now?” he asked. “I doubt that I’ve ever seen a girl ranger before ‘round here, begging your pardon.”

--

Rowan nodded her head in response to Penny’s requests and turned about to repeat it to Primrose in the kitchen. Old Mr. Burrower sat as comfortably as ever across from Penny.

“I’ve already eaten this morning, but I won’t turn down a second breakfast,” he said. “Have you and your aunt come all the way from Pincup today? Mighty far piece, aint it? Are you visiting some folks and kin in this area?"

[xMellrynxMaidenx]

Aeron had to admit; this beer very well could have been the best to ever pass between her lips and slide down her gullet, albeit it was the first she had had in ages. She looked up at the hobbit when he spoke to her, sitting the mug down on the hard wood counter. She chuckled at his question, giving him a sheepish smile.

"Nay, I fear my curiosity got the better of me, this time. I've never seen the wonderous sights of the Shire before, and after tending to some business in Bree, I just could not help myself."

Truly the Shire was a wonderous place for her to visit; she absolutely loved what little she had the privilege of seeing thus far. The young woman took another sip of the excellent tasting beer, smiling in satisfaction.

[Flame of Udûn]

Walking quickly Arandon wandered the streets of Stock making for the Golden Perch Inn. The chill of winter was beginning to bite and he pulled his cloak tighter in a vain attempt to stave off the cold. As he approached the Inn he quickly and almost without thought made a mental note of it's characteristics a technique he had long ago learnt could very easily save lives with his being especially important amoung them.

He quickly mad his way to the door and noislessly opened it ducking as he entered within seconds he had noted all possible exits and where in the room the best seat was.
Without acknowledging the existence of any other being he made his way over to a small table in the corner where he sat silently puffing on his pipe whilst always keeping a careful watch on the others who were around him.