The Green Dragon Inn - Part 5

[Imladris]

Lira followed the Innkeeper up the stairs as she heard the crying of the person in the room. It was a nightmare, of that Lira was sure. She could almost feel his terror and his anger. Lira's muscles tightened as she heard Aman ask if he was alright. No answer came from within, and soon, all was silent. Lira slowly crept down the stairs again and made her way towards the wine cellar, stopped, and decided to visit Merkaliel, her mare.

Merkaliel neighed her welcome, and Lira whinnied back, her blue eyes dancing as she saw the silver mare prance in delight, her soft mane glittering in the golden rays as it danced in the light breeze. Laughing, Lira untied a soft brown saddle bag and withdrew a red apple which she fed to her horse.

Merkaliel munched it thankfully and nuzzled Lira's hand for more when she had finished. "No more for you, Merkaliel," said Lira, stroking the mare's grey muzzle. Namarie, Mellon," she whispered, her hand trailing from the horse's withers as she skipped back towards the wine cellar and resumed the labeling.

Aman had been teaching her how to label the wines, and Lira did it quickly and easily. It was dusky in the cellar, and a sense of loneliness seemed to linger within. Lira breathed deeply, the scent of the wine tickling her nostrils and set to work as she dreamed and sang of the birds that flew in the blue sky, the trees that played with the wind, and the flowers that scented the meadows with sweet fragrance.