The Green Dragon Inn - Part 10

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

“A gift…” Snaveling could not believe his ears, and for the time it took Aman to move to the door he fought through the drink and despair toward recognition of what had happened…again. Again, he had erred and committed a wrong and again he had been forgiven. Again, he had revealed his truest nature and again it had been met with pity rather than cruelty; mercy rather than the rough form of justice that he had come to expect in the outside world. The “outside” world? he thought to himself. Am I so comfortable in this place already that I feel as though the rest of the wide world is common in that it is not here? Am I already so at home in this place… At home: the phrase burst open in his mind like a blossom of flame. He was at home here; truly and fully at home.

He leapt to his feet and stayed Aman from leaving the room. “Mistress Aman,” he said, a smile spreading across his features giving his pallid hue a healthiness and warmth that shone through even the livid colours of his intoxication and shame. “I cannot tell you what you have done for me this night. You offer me a gift of the brandy – rather, I will take it in payment for whatever services I can do you in the time that I remain here. You speak of three who are coming who are important to you. Please, if there is aught that I can do to aid you in preparing for them, let me know. As to my accommodation, I have spent a lifetime in the wild and prefer the outside. My bunk in the stables will do nicely for me, if that is acceptable to yourself.”

Aman smiled at Snaveling. She remained a little unsure but clearly took heart from his altered manner. “That is acceptable to me entirely, and understandable for there are many horses whose company I prefer over many peoples!”

Snaveling’s smile grew as well, and he took Aman’s hand in both of his own and kissed it. “My lady,” he began, but the Innkeeper cut him off. “We’ll have none of that,” she said pulling her hand free.

“Very well,” the Man continued, “I shall call you Aman, then, and no longer Mistress Rohan. I’ve come to see of late that many things I held to be true are not, and I begin to believe that my opinion of your people is perhaps formed of too slight an acquaintance. I will not and cannot forsake the grievances of my people, but I will in future attempt to form my opinion of your kin based on their behaviour toward me, rather than what I have heard reported of them by their enemies.” Aman smiled and said that this, at least, was a step in the right direction. But Snaveling’s face grew dark once more, and his aspect grave as his mind turned to another matter. Aman looked at him with the unspoken question in her eye. For a moment, Snaveling hid his feelings, but the frank nature of the woman overcame the last of his secretiveness and he spoke out. “Before I can find real peace, there are people I need to speak with, and hard truths I need to confess. I believe that now, I am ready finally to do so!”

Aman opened the door and, together with Snaveling, they rejoined the party.

[Archsage Isaac]

Walking slowly, Isaac rounded a bend in the forest trail. His pace was slow and constant. I can't believe that I got lost in this forest. I knew I shouldn't have gone left and that last fork in the path... he thought as he wiped his forhead on the back of his hand. He stood well over 6 feet and had a weathered appearance to him, as if beaten by the elements for quite some time. His appearance gave him a quite old look, though he was only 20 years of age. On his hip he carried a large blade, sheathed for his protection as well as others'.

Isaac wore simple attire, black clothes with a white cape hanging loosely off his shoulders. The clothes had a few small tears from travel but otherwise were in perfect condition. He wore simple black boots, the leg of his pants had been tucked in a bit but still hung over the edge of the rim. His cape was barely hanging above the ground, now and again it would look as though playing a game of tag with Isaac's legs. Darting forward as his leg went forward, and darting back as the his leg went back. Everyonce in a while the game would be interrupted by a random gust of wind. His golden hair hung in a loose ponytail, which stopped just before the base of his neck. His eyes had once been compared to "dual pools of shades darker than the deepest seas".

After he'd stopped and taken a drink from his cantine, he continue walking along the path. Now he only hoped to find someplace to rest, and after walking around the next bend he found exactly what he wanted. "The Green Dragon Inn..." he muttered, too exhausted to care about anything else. He approached then Inn, and knew that this would be the place where his next journey began.

[Archsage Isaac]

"I think Arrow would appreciate the contents of that vial." Eleniel told Isaac as he layed Aarow on the blanket. "Sorry, I'm not making much sense right now. I'm just... overwhelmed."

Isaac gave a slight laugh when Eleniel laughed. He removed the top from the vial and began to speak to Aarow. "Come on, open your mouth, Aarow." he coaxed. After repeating this several times, Aarow lifted his head and opened his mouth. Isaac poured the contents down Aarow's throat quickly so that Aarow could rest again. "There. It will take a few moments for the syrum to take effect, but as I said it will numb his body."

Isaac stood from his crouched position and walked to the back of the stables. Finding the mare that Elkamia had spoken of, Isaac grabbed the saddlebags and walked back to the stall Aarow had been placed in. "Here you are, Elkamia." said Isaac, offering the saddlebags to the elf.

[Memory of Trees]

Kyria was a little startled when Elkamia jumped up from the table. "Excuse me," she called over her shoulder as she hurried away. It seemed as if a dog had somehow been injured, and the elf maiden believed she could help. Kyria, while sorry for the animal, decided to stay out of the way.

I don't heal, she thought. She grimaced as the thought pained her. No, I can't heal. But she didn't want to dwell on the thought. Not tonight, when the stars shine so brightly, and she should be happy. Still...

Kyria pushed away from the table. "Please excuse me, also," she said, rising and nodding to her new-found friend. "I have some unfinished business that would require my attention now. Thank you for your company, Tiruviel. It is always good to see a friendly face when you are a stranger in a strange place. I hope we shall see each other again. Soon! I should like to talk of many things." She stopped, and smiled. Then Kyria was gone, stealing across the room like a silent white shadow.

He was coming.

She must be ready.

[nynnd1]

Bredan walked into the room that Miss Aman had given him, and she was right, the view was amazing. He had expected the shire to be nice from what he had taken from the stories, but he was not ready for the feeling that the place gave you, he really felt home. He had always listened to stories when he was a child, but his favourites were of the adventures of Frodo nine fingers and Sam the brave, Sam was his favourite of all the hobbits. Bredan had decided to study Hobbits, though study was completely the wrong word, he had more of a fascination of the race, he was amazed how Hobbits could live in what seemed to him to be a peaceful quiet land then suddenly they were fighting orcs and saving the world, Bredan had always wanted to know more about them. That was the reason he had decided to make for the Shire when he had to leave Gondor, he had not wanted to leave but he had no other choice that he could see, Bredan of Gondor had not been ready to leave.

"I wasn't ready to meet miss Aman as well,” Bredan thought out loud.

His thoughts then went to that strange Snaveling he did not like the look, or reputation that he seemed to have. Nobody seems to like him and they cannot be blamed for what I have seen already, confrontation was not what he wanted at all though, so he tried to forget that thought, but he seemed to trouble Miss Aman, and disturb this peaceful place, both were traits that Bredan did not like.

He heard a noise coming towards his room and drew his sword, it was better to be safe and someone might be chasing him from home, but where was home for Bredan, not sure if he could still call himself Bredan of Gondor or if Bredan of Middle Earth would more suit his current status. His sword shook in his hand, he had no cause to use it since he had been attacked by the men who had took his horse.

"Is there anything you want sir?"

It was Aman's voice, and Bredan was relieved, he wanted to spill out all his troubles and tell her why he was here and what he was running from, but it was not appropriate. He also had a strong temptation to ask about that Snaveling fellow but he thought that perhaps it would be better to ask someone else from the area, as he could not guess at what the connection was between snaveling and the lovely Aman.

"No, I am ok for the moment my lady, I thank you again and if there is anything I can do for you? I am here."

[Kitanna]

Deva found himself growing tired and Isaac had long since left him for a new companion. He looked around the crowded inn and the band was still playing and couples still dancing. He couldn't see Peony, but he guessed she was still with Aldor.

"Well, I guess it's off to bed for me." He said to no one in particular. He looked into his empty mug and sighed. He was tempted to get one more ale before turning in for the night, but he changed his mind.

Deva climbed up the stairs and entered the dark room. There were two beds, one had his bags on it and the other Peony's. He threw his stuff aside and laid down to get a nice long rest.