The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Angel_Queen]

Ravon was glad to have Lewis there. After eating her breakfast Ravon walked outside to get some fresh air. It had been a while since she had gotten to walk outside without everyone else in the inn around. She turned to see that Lewis had followed her. Ravon could only smile at the only face she wanted to see. Ravon couldn't wait until she could go to Rohan with Lewis and see his home.

All she wanted to do was sit outside and enjoy nature all she could, while she could. Ravon wanted to stay with Lewis for as long as she could. "Lewis, perhaps there's more out there for us. Perhaps there is a life beyond the one we have here." Ravon's words trailed off in the wind. To her it was a beautiful day, even though she had heard that it was suppose to rain. She didn't care. The grass felt good on her elvish feet. She didn't have to worry about wearing any type of shoes.

Ravon remembered the first day she met Lewis and how fast she had began to like him. She knew that she shouldn't have done it but Lewis was there for her when she needed it. Lewis had helped change Ravon into what she was now.

[Witch_Queen]

Aduthondiel
"Isaac, I've told you all I know. I can't say anymore." Adu was furious since it seemed that Jack had come back into her life. "I try to forget it all. I have told you everything so now you'll have to figure everything else out on your own. I will not and I will never relive that part of my life." Adu placed the saddle on Count. She had decided that an afternoon ride would be good for the both of them.

She looked back at Isaac who was staring at her. Adu knew her words were harsh but wasn't suppose to strike him that hard. "Listen Isaac I'm sorry. Its hard for me to relive that part of my life. I can't stand it when I am forced to think of something so horrible." Adu wasn't telling Isaac the entire story.

Adu never saw his sword. All she saw was the horse at the tree. She had taken Rep back to Dorian. Jack had always talked about a brother he had, Adu had never met him. How many times will I have to remember that day. I can't tell Isaac everything. Isaac had a pleading look in his eyes. She couldn't handle it anymore. She told him about how Jack had told her that he wasn't going back to Dorian. Jack hated the way Dorian had treated Adu and wouldn't be able to see her being tormented. Adu was a great swordsman even if she was a woman but Jack didn't think Adu could last long under Dorian's command.

When she needed Jack the most he wasn't there. When Adu had returned with the horse Dorian had blamed her for Jack running away. Adu was made to clean up the stables, and wasn't allowed to join the others on the next journey. When I was punished for what Jack did, Hama was the one that stayed there to comfort me. I vowed that I would never go back to Jack or Dorian. When the day came for Adu to leave to find Crystal, Adu had decided that she needed to prove to Dorian that she could do it. She didn't have to rely on men to take care of her. She remembered being told that she was the elvish version of Eowyn.

"Isaac I only know that what Jack did after he abandoned me I don't know and I really don't care. I have had to live with the fact that when I needed him, he was never there. It's too late for him to come back to my life. I had almost banished him from my memories but you..." Adu stopped. She couldn't finish her sentence. What else can I do? Isaac will never make me remember the feelings I did have for Jack. All my emotions are dead now toward him. The day he left was the day he brought about his own down fall.

[Archsage Isaac]

Isaac stood looking at Adu. He had listened to her story, listened to what she had told him about their past. "Adu, I'm sorry that I hurt you in the past, I shouldn't have. But you have to understand. I don't remember it, what I did to you or why I did it." he stopped and placed one hand on his sheathe. He turned his back to her and began to walk back to the inn, but stopped after taking a few steps.

He looked over his shoulder back to her. "Do you remember where you were born? Where you grew up, your family, your friends? All I was trying to do was possibly remember my past. I see now that I should have never tried to regain them. I should have kept my mouth shut and taken comfort that I have no memories but something drove me to try and find out. I'm sorry, Adu. Enjoy your ride, old friend." As he said these words, he turned and walked back to the inn.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

The cellar was cool but still his efforts made Snaveling sweat. He had set
aside his outer garments before getting to work for fear of soiling them
overmuch. He had done some damage to them in his clambering about the roof
with Aman, but he was not yet so vain as to mind the slight snags and an odd
bit of dirt. It was just that he had spent a good amount of Toby's money on
the clothes and he wanted to protect them for as long as he could. And so he
worked, hauling empty barrels and casks up from the cellar and rearranging
the rest, in nothing more than a simple white shirt and breeches. He had
always been strong and lean - his life in the wild had seen to that - but
the last few weeks of good food and hard labour on the reconstruction of the
Inn had given his muscle both mass and tone. He was amazed by his own
ability to lift heavy barrels, and once, or so he thought, he had caught one
of the halfling lasses gazing at him with open admiration as he pulled a
huge barrel up the cellar stairs before slinging it onto his back and
carrying it into the yard.

Aman's words to him atop the Inn remained with him throughout his morning's
labour. He smiled several times as he remembered his reference to his age.
All of his people were long-lived, his own father had been well over a
hundred when he died, and Snaveling knew little of other Men, so it had
never really occurred to him that his 78 years was so much out of the
ordinary. His mind pursued this thought and connected it with what Galadel
had told him about Númenór and its descendants. If what she had said were
true then Roa, too, came from a long-lived people. He had assumed that she
was no more than a score of years of so, and this had added to his despair
of ever telling her how he felt - but if she were of the same kind and
manner as himself, she could easily be much older. This thought gave him
some comfort.but not enough to convince him to seek out the Ranger and open
his heart to her.

After a couple of hours’ hard labouring he paused in his work and went up to the
kitchen for a bite of food. He had eaten no breakfast for the swimming in
his head from the night before, but the air that he had breathed at the top
of the Inn and the sweat he had shed in its cellar had cleared his mind, and
settled his stomach. The serving maids, who had, among all the folk in the
Inn, been the most suspicious of him when he first arrived, had become used
to his presence. His time spent alone with Aman had also gone a long way to
calming their fears about his nature, as had - he could see - his
transformation of the night before. Buttercup had even taken a bit of a
shine to the Man, for he loved her cooking and would eat prodigious amounts
of whatever she gave him. "Good morning Master Snaveling," she said as he
puffed his way into the kitchen, still breathing hard from his exertions.

"Good morning Mistress Brownlock," he replied politely. "I have been slaving
away in that cellar for two hours of back breaking, arm-straining labour - do you
think you could give me somewhat to eat by way of breakfast?"

"Breakfast?" the hobbit gasped. "My my, but I'm afraid that breakfast is
well out of the question; so too is second breakfast and elevenses and dinner! But you're just in
time for an early tea!" And within moments, Snaveling was seated at the little
kitchen table with a plate before him, upon which was piled warm bread from
the oven, two large apples, a large wedge of a creamy yellow cheese that
smelled like clover, half small cold meat pie, and enough butter and honey
for three loaves of bread. Snaveling set to, and much to his surprise
finished the lot, chasing it all down with a small ale from what he was
assured was the Innkeeper's own private stock. He stood up and stretched his
tired arms out as far as they could go, "Thank you Mistress Brownlock," he
said. "That was a wonderful breakfast, no matter what you call it. But to be
honest I can't believe I ate as much as I did - now that was a labour to
match what I've done this morning in the cellar!" The hobbit lass merely
smiled at him before whisking away the plate and cup.

Snaveling still had work to do in the cellar and yard, but decided to take a
look into the front room to see if Toby were still there (which he suspected
he was) and if he wanted to join Snaveling in a bit of a smoke (which he
knew he would). He left the kitchen and walked into the Common Room looking
about for his friend, but there swam into his vision Bredan, who had clearly
had too much to drink. As soon as the Gondorian youth saw Snaveling his eyes
narrowed into a look of intense dislike and his fist began to twitch as it
had when Snaveling had interrupted Bredan's discussion with Aman earlier.
Snaveling knew that common sense, not to mention common civility, dictated
that he move away from the young man and avoid a confrontation. But
Snaveling did not feel like giving way to the man, the boy, really. For too
many years Snaveling had done just what he should do now: turn away, hide,
pretend to be chastened. And he was tired of doing that. Tired, and a bit
proud, now, of his ancestry, and of the mighty line to which he stood heir.
It occurred to him that this man was a subject of the King Elessar, and that
he would undoubtedly hate and fear Snaveling, if he were to find out who he
was. This brought Snaveling's back to rigid attention, and set his eyes in
his skull like glowing coals. When he spoke, he did so with disdain and cold
authority. "You seem to be in my way," he said, his voice like steel drawn
through fine cloth. "Stand aside so I may pass!"

[Maeggaladiel]

Eleniel smiled as Gird spoke.

"Why sir," she said, "I believe I remember you! Forgive me, it has been many years and I did not recognise you at first." She remembered this man working in her father's shop, coming by to drop off goods and showing them to the his boss' brown-haired daughter. She had loved talking to him as he worked, although she was probably more of an annoyance to him than a partner in intelligent conversation.

"You should come back to Esgaroth some time, sir, and see the Raven's Nest. I've long since inherited it from my father, but it has changed very little since he retired. He has seen to that!" She gave a little laugh. The dog that had appeared at her feet wagged his silver tail, making a "thumpthumpthump" noise as it hit the wooden floor. Eleniel reached down and scratched his ears, and the thumping sound intensified.

"This is Arrow, my dog," she said. The silver wolfy-looking beast appraised Gird with a long stare. Then he struggled to his feet and licked Gird's fingers, showing his approval.

"Why did you leave Laketown, Gird, if I may be so bold as to ask? We have missed you."

[Archsage Isaac]

"Isaac, Jack, who ever you are. There is nothing to regret. There is a life somewheres for you but there isn't one here with me." Adu told Isaac. He could tell she was struggling to sound sincere. He looked out of a nearby window and watched the clouds. He thought it was slightly ironic. It had looked stormy the day they were seperated and now it looked stormy the day they were reunited. Isaac smiled for several moments but soon stopped and turned back to Adu.

Isaac shook his head before speaking. "Adu, I never planned on leaving you permanently. I was going to return to you as soon as I could, but I was attacked...I don't know. It's easy for you to say that there's a life for me somewhere. I'd wager that I could say that as well if I knew my past. I have no life, I've nowhere to go." He leaned forward, placed his elbows on his knees and buried his face in his hands.

It's true. I have nowhere to go, I have no one. I shouldn't stay here any longer, I should leave. I must leave, perhaps when the weather is better... he thought as he stood back up. Before Adu could reply to what he had said, he began to speak again. "Adu, you're right. I have no life with you now and I will pester you no longer. I will be leaving in two days, until then I will be around here. If you wish to talk, you're welcomed to try and find me." he walked out the door of the inn after he said these words. His eyes traveled and looked once again to the sky. Despite the impending bad weather the sky brought him a small feeling of comfort. Isaac walked over to one of the trees. It would do. The lowest branch was still quite a ways out of his reach. Isaac crouched down and jumped with all his might, quite easily catching hold of the thick branch and pulling himself up onto it. It was here that he sat, watching the patrons inside the inn.

[starkat]

Having noticed the changing weather Peony and Gwenneth arrive back at the stables. Dismounting and heading into the stables, Gwenneth turned to Peony, "That was a wonderful ride. Thank you for going with me."

At that moment Elenath stumbled inturrupting Peony's reply. Quickly checking over her horse, Gwenneth noticed a loose stone on the ground and realized it was the cause of the stumble.

[symestreem]

The rain drove symestreem inside from where she had been walking. As it was, her cloak was wet through. She hurried up to the bar, scribbled a message on her slate, and slid it across.

Can I have a glass of whatever hot drink you have back there?

In a moment, a cup of hot tea was slid across the bar to the mute woman.
Thanks.

She looked for a seat by the fire where she could dry her cloak. Was that one next to the dwarf? Holding her tea with one hand and her slate with the other, she wove her way through the mass of tables. Was that a fortune-teller? He was staring at his teacup intently enough, and he certainly looked disreputable enough. Or perhaps he had imbibed too profusely of the glass next to him.

A drunken hobbit lurched in front of her and she dodged to avoid him. In the process, she bumped the man's table rather heavily. His cup of tea went over and spilled down her back, but the man grabbed the bottle before it could join the fun. Luckily, the tea was cool enough that it did not scald her.

I'm sorry! she scrawled, and placed the slate on the table. Here, take my cup, I think we have the same thing. Her cup joined the slate on the table. He seemed to not even notice. After watching his face for a minute, she retrieved her slate.

At least she was warm. She might as well put the cloak out in the rain to wash out. As symestreem headed back towards the door, she received some odd looks from the other people.

[Archsage Isaac]

Isaac stood and watched Adu go back into the Inn. He'd struck another nerve. He thought about going into the inn to try and apologize, but decided not to. He'd spoken his share already, there was really nothing left for him to say. Her words had cut him like a knife. He walked back over to the tree he was sitting on earlier. He layed his head against the tree and closed his eyes, trying to think.

"What have I done? I've got to make things right before I leave." he said as he walked back into the inn, more precisely over to Adu. "Adu, I'm truly sorry. But take joy, you'll not see me again. I've decided to move my departure up to tonight, that is unless you have some specific reason for me to stay. I'll leave you to Hama. Good bye, Aduthondiel." he said. He slightly bowed and turned, walked back out the door, and sat near it, silently awaiting nightfall's approach...

[symestreem]

Symestreem looked after the departing elf maid. I hope everything's all right with her, she wrote. There's not much that will alarm an elf....
May the winds speed you on your journey she thought, although Gwenneth was not sailing. The sentiment was the same.

She caught the server's eye and, through signs, asked for something to drink. Then she excused herself to go retrieve her cloak.

[Feared Half-Elf]

Having followed Arrow into the Inn when he refused to stay in the stables, and explained to Eleniel why he was wandering about, she had returned to her horse. She'd not bothered with a saddle and rein, like ever. Annufin had never taken to them. Instead she had gone bareback, using her legs and spoken commands. Years of practise rearing and riding horses had taught her to ride without a saddle and rein.

Now she returned to the Inn, the rain gliding off her waxed black cloak. She groomed her mare, fed her, and went into the Inn.

As soon as she was in, she flicked off the black cloak and hung it up, revealing the warmer one underneath. The waxed cloak was fine for the wet, but for warmth and comfort she had to have the other. She then sat on a stool by the bar, and ordered an ale. Unusual for her, as a rule. She preferred a clear head, but she was confined here by the weather.

Noticing the woman in the black cloak a little further down the bar, she shuffled along a few stools. "Care for some company? Though you look like a loner, so feel free to tell me to get lost. The name's Elkamia, by the way." She hoped she'd get a reply, and not sit there feeling like an idiot.

[Witch_Queen]

Aduthondiel
Adu didn't like what Isaac had to say to her. Even though she was a little angry at him she couldn't stand to see him leave again. She slowly got up and walked outside to find Isaac. She knew he hadn't noticed she was there.

"Isaac, I didn't appreciate what you said. I don't want to loose you again." The coldness in her voice was enough to freeze his bones. All Adu wanted to do was keep her friends close by. "So what do you say. Stay a little bit."

[Archsage Isaac]

Isaac looked up at Adu, he looked as if he was staring into her very soul with those cold blue eyes of his. "Adu, you sound sincere enough, but just please tell me why you want me to stay." he said, more like pleaded, to Adu. He looked back into the forest, more precisely the tree he'd been sitting earlier. Avalon was perched there, the crow seemed to be shifting it's gaze between Adu and Isaac. Isaac brought one of his legs closer to him and rested his arm on it.

Isaac shook his head and almost laughed. He quickly stopped himself though for fear of Adu thinking he'd gone mad. "Adu, if you insist on staying out here with me you may as well have a seat." he said then brushed off an area beside him and smiled, inviting her to sit. At first she refused but then changed her mind and accepted his invitation. "I used to often wonder what I was like before I lost my past. How I acted, what I used to do, if being your Jack had any affect on who I am now or not. I finally realized that I'm not who I am because of my past, I'm who I am because it's what I want. Now I'm beginning to think that I'd give almost anything to be Jack once again..." As he said these words he looked over to Adu, who was watching him intently, she had a look on her face like she didn't know what to do about anything anymore, a confused look. "A penny for your thoughts? I'd offer more, but I don't have anything else." he said, slightly chuckling. It wasn't meant to be funny, but it brought a slight smile to Adu's face...