The Golden Perch Inn

[Flame of Udûn]

Arandon mused on the words of the Hobbit before answering
'Solitude is only dangerous for those unable to keep themselves well. Yet there is great wisdom in your mother's words for one cannot spend a lifetime alone and I do, when able return to the encampments of the Grey Company away in the north and it is not only to recieve orders and give information that I go.'
He took a deep breath before continuing 'I think perhaps that my earlier words were somewhat ill considered for it is not that I love solitude but it is more that I choose to be alone for reasons I refuse to divulge.'

The ranger paused once again taking great care to consider his next move, always he was cautious ever wary of what result his actions would have. He once again let his gaze fall upon the ranger at the bar then he spoke aloud his thoughts 'Too often have I allowed caution to govern my movements and though it has kept me well enough it has also led me to miss many an oppertunity. So yes I shall go and meet her for though I have heard tales of female rangers never has chance allowed me to meet one.'

[Folwren]

Ah! Very good, Dick thought, but all he said aloud was, “Come along, then, and I’ll introduce you.” He turned and began to lead the way even before Arandon, of Faerandir, stood up. Half way across the floor he realized he didn’t know the woman’s name. Oh, well, it didn’t matter much.

“Ma’am,” he said, stopping by her elbow and looking up at her. “I’d like to introduce Arandon, sometimes known as Faerandir, the Ghostly Wanderer.” He turned and indicated Arandon with his hand. “Unfortunately, I don’t know your name, so you’ll have to give it yourself.”

[xMellrynxMaidenx]

Aeron gazed up curiously at the mysterious man who had approached her along side the innkeeper. She pushed her finished plate away from her, letting her eyes examine him more closely. His eyes said he was far older than he appeared, he had seen much more of the lands than she had.

"Well met, master Ranger," she hesitated for a moment, still wary of him. "I am Aeron daughter of Daeradan. How fairs your travels?"

Even if he was a suspicious character, that did not stop her from being polite. She began to silently give thanks to the innkeeper, this was a chance to sate her curiosity of his identity, albeit she did not expect too much from him, though.

[Flame of Udûn]

Arandon was somewhat uncertain of how to act he was rarely in the company of women and the fact she was a ranger made him even more uncertain.
'Greetings Aeron, my travels go neither well nor ill for I have no specific purpose at this time.'

Arandon paused carefully examining the Ranger, he could tell from her eyes and the smoothness of her skin that she was no more than 30.
'But what brings you here to the edges of the Shire for surely there can be no need of a ranger here.'

[xMellrynxMaidenx]

"I could ask the same of you, master ranger." She gave him a small smile, turning a little on the barstool to face him better.

"Curiosity; no matter what I think of it, it is ever unsatiable."

It would be the death of her one day, no doubt. Aeron was an adventurer and yearned to see the rest of the world one day, if she could. Averting her eyes back to his face, Aeron became rather interested in finding out what had brought him here as well. She knew, however, if she had inquired the reason as to why he was in the Shire, he would never fully give her the reason; or would probably ignore the question all together. She would have done the same had her reason been more urgent.

[Flame of Udûn]

'If you wish not to answer a simple question then please say so and do not play games. I have little to tell, I was summoned from my previous mission away in darker lands than these and given a task that was to take precedence. Yet of this task I am to tell no-one, and I am afraid therefore that on this subject your curiosity must go unsated.'

Presuming the previous matter of conversation closed he decided to move past the trifling question of why she was there (for he knew that guard on the shire was being increased though he had not been informed of Rangers being sent within its borders save himself). Instead he resolved todiscover how it was a woman had come to be a ranger for though not unheard of it was exceedingly rare.

'Let us perhaps talk of things not so shrouded in secrecy (although I shall admit that there is little i do not keep secret) and turn to a subject of which I am greatly interested how does a young women of the Dunedain end up becoming a ranger? You must have had great reason to join as well as great skill with weapons to have chosen such a path.'

[Folwren]

Dick pretended not to listen to the two rangers' conversation while he puttered about behind the counter. He frowned a little at first, for the conversation was not going quite as well as he hoped. But then when Arandon asked Aeron how she came to be a ranger, a contented look returned to Dick’s face. Not only would he be interested in hearing the response, he also knew that it was a good starter for conversation, provided that she answered it straightforward.

Yet it was not to be. Before Aeron even had a chance to open her mouth to either answer or refuse to give a proper reply, the door burst open and a blast of cold air flowed into the room. Dick looked up, and any cheerful words of welcome and teasing remonstrance for letting the cold in died on his lips. The figure in the doorway made no movement to shut the door, and did not look at all apologetic for the cold he was allowing to rush in unchecked.

“Shut the door, will you?” Dick shouted finally. “What d’ye mean letting in the cold air and letting the warm air out? Do you mean to freeze us all? Make up your mind and come in or stay out.”

“Not a very welcoming reception,” the man grumbled, reaching for the door and shutting it with a bang. “I’d almost think you didn’t want my business.”

Dick looked at the man’s sour expression as he clumped over to the bar. He knew this type. This was a brawling type, and he didn’t like that type at all. “Maybe I don’t want your business.”

The man smirked a crookedly and leaned his elbow down on the counter. He let a coin clatter onto the counter top. “Give me a pot of beer, innkeeper, and make it fast.”

Dick frowned, but obeyed nonetheless. The newcomer turned to look at his neighbors. His eyes flicked past Arandon and settled on Aeron. “Well,” he said, the insolent smile spreading. “If it isn’t a female ranger. I’ll be danged. Caught any villains this last month?” He laughed. Dick set the mug of ale down before him sharply to demonstrate his disapproval, and the man turned to grasp it. “Or have you ever, I should say,” he added half under his breath and brought the flagon to his lips.