The Eallníwe Inn

[Eldrith]

There was something fascinating on seeing Eamila listening to the stories or rather the history that came from the Elderly traveler. It was something.. bright and joyous and she could easily imagine her as a youngster, waiting to sit at the feet of those in the shire that had wisdom to impart and especially travelers who had stories to share. Most hobbits enjoyed tales of far away places far more than actually going to those places. But Ea had traveled. And certain bloodlines held a hint more of adventure than others.

Her lips curved as Eamila observed how youngsters would meet each other for a chat and a drink. Which was all fine and dandy, but she didn't KNOW the young man that Hadassa was 'keeping company with' and that made her curious. She stilled though as she heard that offer made to her friend "You like to visit Fangorn? You could come with me and be back for dinner." That.. was a generous, generous offer and no.. no, she was NOT going to interfere there.

"I am not sure what I see, which is why I want to see more." She murmured instead, and considered.

[Rillewen]

Xyler

There was a lull in their conversation while Xyler focused on his meal, which was excellent. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until he began to dig in. In fact, he realized that he'd forgotten to get lunch earlier. So, he hadn't eaten since an early breakfast.

While he ate, Xyler occasionally caught a few glances thrown their way, which made him curious. Was there some reason to be looking over here at them? He saw nothing at all wrong with Hadassa, but he wasn't sure about himself. Maybe he had something on him? He took a brief glance down at his clothes to make sure he didn't have any patient's blood or anything on his clothes. It had been a pretty typical day at the infirmary, but you never know, and he hadn't changed after leaving there.

He was thinking about that, and a few other things, as he lifted his glass to take a drink. Things like that guy who had been here, asking for help finding a girl, Mary. The guy had spoken with a Gondor accent, which Xyler recognized easily. And there was also the matter of the missing 'sister-in-law', if that's who she really was. He'd like to find out more about the guy, and about this missing girl. But if he had offered a full description of her, then Xyler had not been in the inn yet. Maybe, he could find out something more from the innkeeper lady, who had seemed most involved in the conversation with the Gondor guy.

As he was deep in thought about all of this, Xyler's hand moved to set his cup back down on the table, but, being distracted, he didn't notice that he put it on the edge of the saucer his bread had been on. Before the moment he let go of the cup, it had tipped toward him, spilling across the table toward him. Startled, Xyler gasped and rapidly snapped out of his distracted daze and hastily grabbed the cup again to try to right it and prevent any further spilling, then he jumped up from his chair as the liquid began to run toward him. Fortunately, he managed to get up before any of the drink got on him, but now it was spilling over his end of the table, and onto the floor.

"Great." He frowned and grabbed his napkin, trying to mop up the worst of the mess from the table. "I'm going to see about getting a towel or something," He informed Hadassa, then started toward where the lady in charge was standing. Hopefully, they wouldn't be upset about him spilling his drink, but this might also give him a chance to ask a few questions, perhaps.

[Pele Alarion]

Hadassa

They were both eating in what Hadassa thought was a comfortable silence of co-existence, and she ate slowly, enjoying each mouthful. She did gulp the last morsel down and then could not control a short laugh of surprise when Xyler made a waterfall of his drink cascading down towards the floor.

"Oh my!" she exclaimed shortly thereafter and was about to offer assistance when Xyler headed off to ask for means of collecting up the spilled liquid. "Let me know if you need help!" she did call after him though when he was already on his way.

[Eldrith]

Perhaps she had spoken the opportunity in existence. She'd said she wanted to see more. What she hadn't expected to see was a cup of good mead falling into his lap, so to speak. Good reflexes prevented the liquid from actually falling into his lap quite literally, but it was streaming over the table and towards the floor and mead would be a sticky mess if it was allowed to dry on the table or the floor. Her movements were fast and by the time Xyler was moving towards her, she'd already dashed to the bar to grab a wet cloth.

No harm done. *She offered quickly to Hadassa across the room, as she dipped the cloth in water and waited for Xyler to come and receive it. Under different circumstances, she might simply have swooped in and cleaned it herself. But Hadassa was cavalry and a good mother knew not to do everything for her children in their stead. The thought drifted to her mind and had her lips curve. It was probably better that no one heard that.*

She glanced over at Ea and shook her head even as she held out that cloth for Xyler. "No one you know. Someone I met last night. She reminded me of.. someone." *She added in a murmur, then looked up and met the young man's eyes as he'd closed the distance. "Mishaps happen?"

[Rillewen]

Xyler

He saw the lady hurry over to get a cloth even before he had reached her. Not surprising, since she had been glancing their way frequently, but also as someone who ran a pub, it made sense she would be aware of things like this quickly. As he came over to intercept the lady before she might go take care of the mess herself, he smiled a bit sheepishly as she asked about a mishap. "Yes, ma'am, sorry." He added, feeling bad that the drink had spilled. "But I'll clean it." He promised, of course not knowing that she had intended to have him do so anyway. He held out a hand for the damp cloth.

Taking it once it was given, he hurried back to the table and began wiping up the spilled drink from the table. Once the table was clean, he finished by cleaning up whatever had spilled onto the floor. A mop would have been better for that, probably, but he did a fairly good job regardless, as if he had plenty of practice cleaning up messes. Which, in fact, he did.

Having done the best he could, Xyler brought the wet cloth back to return it to the innkeeper lady. He offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry about the mess, ma'am. I hope I haven't missed any wetness that might damage your table or floor."

[Eamila Bolger]

Usually, Eamila was quick with water, soap and whatever else was needed when food or drinks were spilled in the Inn. This time however, she completely failed to notice Xyler's little problem. In fact, she might not even have noticed if King Éomer himself had walked in.
With big eyes and her mouth a little bit open, she stared at Loremaster Quennar. Realizing that staring was not polite, she shut her mouth, looked away for a second, and then looked back at him.
'Would you really do that?' she stammered. 'I mean... I would love to join you to Fangorn, it's just... I have short legs and I am not so sure if I would be such a nice companion if I keep you up? But really... I would love to accept your kind offer. Thank you!'
She looked at Eldrith with a wondering and happy look on her face, suddenly feeling like a five year old instead of almost fifty.
'Did you hear that?', she whispered. 'I didn't expect that... what do you think? It sounds really wonderful...'
It was at that moment that she saw Xyler return a wet cloth to her friend. 'Oh dear,' she said as she rushed over to give him a bucket to put the cloth in.
'Was something wrong with your drink?'

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Loremaster Quennar Tarcelmë

He was not really prepared for the perplexity of the hobbit girl as she stared at him, but then broke away her gaze and answering with a soft voice if he really wanted to do that. Bit of an odd reaction, but that had to be with the total surprise. It had just been a normal one, an invite he had often asked either his son or his daughter, what was followed with a yes or no, or sure. Was this special? Perhaps? Who could tell? Eamila added she would love it, but came up then with really odd reply. What had stature to do with it? “Very well, that’s settled then,” he said with a faint smile. “But what has the length of legs to do with companionship? Legs don’t socialise…” He nodded. “We travel on horseback there, quickest way of travelling.” He would place her in front of her. He had no weight as all the other kinds had. That betrayed the snow, if it had been laying around here.

Eamila corresponded also toward Eldrith, what her thoughts were. She whispered, but for elven ears it was still quite voluminous. He didn’t look as youthful as he did long ago, but the light of the stars and the original trees of Valinor hadn’t still worn off. Further away a man (Xyler) spilled his own drink over himself. The exclamation of ‘oh my’ from a woman (Hadassa), name unknown to him, made half the establishment looking up, even the tables with the kids behind Quennar. He finished off his own drink. The fruits had been eaten. The night would perhaps be spent on the porch watching the stars above, if there were no clouds to cover them.

[Rillewen]

@Eamila Bolger

Xyler

Xyler had never met a hobbit, nor even seen one, in his life, and he was quite curious. But he was also polite enough not to stare or give undue attention to her. But as he was offering the cloth back to Eldrith, he was surprised when the hobbit lady brought him a bucket for it. He smiled as he dropped the wet cloth into it. "Thank you, ma'am." To be honest, he couldn't help feeling slightly glad that there was someone in the room who was shorter than him, but he wasn't going to mention that.

He was briefly confused though, when she asked if there was something wrong with his drink. He paused briefly to consider his answer. Had it been a friend to ask him that, he would have answered, 'yeah, it's all over the floor'. But he curbed his sarcasm, since he did not know them, and didn't want to seem impolite or anything. "No, ma'am," He answered, shaking his head. "It was an accident that it spilled, I promise. I'm very sorry, but I only spilled a little." He promised. "I'll pay for any damage caused, too." He hastened to add. His grandma was always saying not to leave a cold drink on the table or it would leave a water ring, so he wasn't sure whether the table might be damaged by the wetness of his spilled drink.

[Eldrith]

She waited patiently and at.. something of a distance from Hadassa for Xyler to bring back that cloth, and while she was keeping half an eye on him cleaning, she turned to Eamila.
"I heard" She immediately affirmed. How could she not have? And what an offer? Fangorn... for you, it must be a fabled place. A magnificent adventure and one that would not necessarily get you into the way of many people. Trees and even ents would not be half as frightening to you than humans could be. Not that you cowered. You were out here, having taken on a whole @ new country in this new adventure as an adult Hobbit. But the tales of heroes had gotten a different taste for you, and the tales of Arda had gained more beauty. In almost losing the Shire you'd likely seen it's greatest beauty. And now... a chance to see this. What was broken remade. And yet.. he was a stranger. "It can be done.. " She assured her friend quietly. " Safely and on a horse..." And if he even considered not bringing you back, she would have every Eored after him. "Perhaps even with a small cavalry escort. One or two Sperewigends who can use the training..."

She moved to intercept the bucket from Xyler, after Eamila had given it to him. "There is no need to pay for the damage. If an inn can't handle a spill of Mead without getting damaged there's something wrong with it. I've cleaned up much fouler things from these tables and floors, do not worry." These tables had seen quite a bit more, including two cavalry members performing a duel of a sort on top of them in between and sometimes over the cups that were on it. A lot more had been spilled that evening, and she'd actually had to lift her voice when she came in and saw what was going on. She understood some exuberance but she ran a tight ship. Speaking of.. she had Xyler close now...
"I haven't seen you about in the inn before I think?" He could have come in on her night's off of course, but it was an opening only. He was in essence a stranger to her, and apparently fast friends with Hadassa. Which meant... there were questions.

@Eamila Bolger @Rillewen @Pele Alarion @Aikári Salmarinian

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Xyler

It was a bit of a relief to hear that the lady was not upset, and that he needn't pay for anything. Except, of course, his food and drink. Obviously. He nodded with a small smile when she assured him that there was no need to pay for any damage. As for whatever 'fouler things' had been cleaned before, he figured he'd rather not know. Probably nothing worse than he'd had to clean up after some of the patients, anyway. He gave a little nod of understanding, and did not question that further.

Her question to him, however, was an understandable one, and one that brought a slightly bigger smile to his face. "No, ma'am," He answered, shaking his head. "This is my first time here, but surely, not my last. I've heard excellent praise of the food you serve here. And not without reason." He added, having had some of it, by now. "I normally either have no time, nor any need, to come to places like this to eat, for the Infirmary provides meals for patients and healers alike. Either that, or I cook my own meals." He explained. "Tonight, however, I had the whole evening and I didn't feel like cooking, and I had the time, and money, so..." Shrugging, he let the rest speak for itself.

At that point, he realized that neither of them knew what to call one another. "Oh.. I'm Xyler, by the way," He added with a friendly smile as he put out a hand, which seemed appropriate while making introductions. "Apprentice healer, over at the infirmary. Am I correct in guessing that you are the lady in charge, here?" He asked, since he had the chance now to make sure instead of continuing to assume.

[Eamila Bolger]

'On horseback? Well yes, that would make a difference. How silly of me not to understand that earlier,' Eamila answered Loremaster Quennan. 'I guess even for a human it would be quite a distance to make in one day.' She shivered in fear and excitement as she thought of riding a horse instead of a pony. But to know there was such a strong person holding you, would certainly make it a safe ride.

'A cavalry escort?' Eamila smiled. 'Dear friend... She knew Eldrith well enough to know that she could be suspicious. No, cautious might be a better word. And that it was the love between friends that made her so protective, as well as her own past and experiences. No, you couldn't always trust everyone. But Eamila's sixth sense didn't feel suspicious of this Loremaster. "It'll be fine," she assured her friend.

Xyler had meanwhile finished cleaning the table and apologized profusely.
'Accidents happen.' She shrugged. 'The more people drink, the faster something like this goes wrong', she added to Eldrith's words. And at least you're sober enough to notice what's happening and clean it up yourself.'
What he said about himself afterwards immediately made him rise in esteem. A young man who not only cleaned up his own mess, but could also cook and was trained as a healer!
"My mother would call him the ideal son-in-law," she chuckled to herself. She looked at Hadassa and hoped that one day a young lady like her here in Rohan would see the quality in this young man too.
'You're quite right to eat somewhere else sometimes and more than welcome to come again. Sounds like you have a busy life! And nice to meet you Xyler, my name is Eamila Bolger. Did you come to live here in the city for work, or have you always lived there?

[Eldrith]

No, she wasn't angry. Spills happened in a pub. And you had earned at least some marks by reacting and cleaning it up yourself instead of just scooting back
"Did it get your boots?" She inquired, even as she glanced down for a moment as if to see the answer herself. The question was both kindness and self preservation. If they had, it would be good for you to be given something to clean them right away. And it would be good for her not to have sticky footsteps all over her floor that would attract any other dirt.
"I am glad you chose to join us tonight. It's always good to spend an evening with a.. friend, isn't it?" The pause was calculated. Not too long, not too short. Just enough to be no more than a coincidence, or for you to jump in and correct her.
"My name is Eldrith. I am pubmistress together with Eamila." She paused a moment again, then added "I serve as the quartermaster for the cavalry as well." She gave more than her own name only, since you had told a little bit as well and she wanted to keep you talking..

If she knew what Eamila was thinking.. she might confirm that suspicious was the more correct answer. "Of course it will be fine.. And I am not talking about taking half an Eored with you, but there's nothing wrong in taking a Sperewigend who can use some exercise on such a safe first trip. It would be a favor to them not to have to start a dangerous assignment but with more of an outing."
Guthbrand and Erkenbrand might look at her as if she was sprouting tentacles at that suggestion, and she wasn't even going into what the First Marshall would be thinking but if there was anything she was committed to, it was to keep the people around her safe. She didn't have any authority to order any of the cavalry to do anything at all but .. she could offer a suggestion, right?

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith

Xyler

Xyler glanced over at Eamila a little puzzled as he couldn't help hearing her mutter about him being an 'ideal son-in-law'. He wasn't sure what to make of that, but he smiled at the introduction. "Pleased to meet you, ma'am." He turned then to the other lady. "And you, ma'am."

They had both asked a couple of questions, and so he tried to address everything. "Yes, ma'am, it is nice to spend some time with a friend." He answered with a smile. "But no, it didn't get on me," He glanced down at his shoes as if to confirm for himself that he had not gotten anything on himself. Then he looked up again to give Eldrith a curious look. "What does a quartermaster do?" He wondered, sort of surprised to hear that. "I've never considered joining the cavalry, myself, so all that sort of thing is strange to me."

He turned then to Eamila, "Actually, I've only been here since early Spring." He answered her question. "I came here to become an apprentice healer," Xyler explained. "My grandmother is the healer back home in the village I grew up in, so healing has always been a part of my life. Helping people, that sort of thing," He shrugged slightly with a little smile.

He paused as he remembered what he had been wanting to ask about. "Which is why I was concerned about that man's missing sister." He added. "Though, I missed some of the details. Did he happen to say anything about what she looks like?" He wondered. "I could keep an eye out for her, in case she shows up at the infirmary, but it's hard to do, without knowing how she looks." He explained.

[Eldrith]

Eldrith noticed your puzzlement over Eamila's comment and offered a small smile: "It's high praise. Take it for what it is. And a quartermaster does what is needed."

That wasn't much of an explanation, she was very aware of that, but she tried.
"I was not exactly planning on entering the cavalry. What I did have was a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career. Those skills were very handy when things were being rebuilt after the fire." She added with gentle emphasis. "Procuring items, organizing things.. The Marshalls made sort of an .. exception? I am not in the line of command exactly."


Did that clear things up, or did it make things even more confusing? She wasn't certain. As you glanced after Luthor, she made a face. "If you do.. come across her, talk to me first?" She asked, just in case. "He didn't give us a lot to go on, though she is.. small. About Eamila's height or a bit taller. He says she prefers men's clothing and has freckles and a rebellious attitude. But... "

She trailed off again, there was something there.. something she couldn't put her finger on quite yet... She had no reason to worry about his intentions or to doubt his tale except for the fact that he was a Gondorian, and Gondorians made her nervous. She couldn't even claim to have had a bad experience at their hands. What had happened had been of her own making, and she was well aware of that. It didn't matter. They still made her uneasy and it had made her somewhat more distrustful of the man, whether there was any good reason for that or not...

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith @Eamila Bolger

Xyler

Xyler considered what she'd said about the particular set of skills, and how she had been added to the cavalry sort of unofficially. "I see. Interesting," He nodded with a thoughtful little smile. He did not really know what fire she was referring to, but he figured it was probably something that anyone who lived around here would be familiar with. So, he didn't ask anything about it.

As she asked that he speak to her first if he should come across this girl, Xyler's eyebrows rose slightly. Just a little surprised that she would make that request. He hesitated in silence for a second or two as he inwardly debated whether to speak more openly or not. He took a brief glance around. Hadassa seemed to be busy with her meal, and he felt a little bad not keeping her company. "Right," He agreed as she trailed off, returning his gaze to Eldrith. The description was vague. Freckles, a bit taller than the hobbit lady, rebellious. And likely dressed in men's clothing. Although, he guessed, if she was as short as that, it would be more likely boy's clothing, not men's. It could fit anyone, he supposed. But how many people, coming from the land of Gondor, were likely to be that short? Plus, he was pretty sure he'd heard that the girl's age was around sixteen, and a 'tomboy' sort. And while there was no mention of her hair color, he still felt strangely sure that he knew who this "Mary" really was. He couldn't prove his suspicion, of course, nor could he explain the feeling he got about this Luthor guy. But, it seemed perhaps he wasn't the only one who felt wary of him, at least.

Xyler couldn't quite explain what prompted him to ask, "Would it be alright to talk somewhere more private?" He asked softly, with a brief glance around the various other patrons in the room. He would not like to be overheard, with what he had decided to tell the pubmistress. He nodded to Eamila as well. "You as well, ma'am, if the place can spare you both for a moment." He added.

[Eamila Bolger]

Somewhere during Eldrith's plan about a Sperewigend joining her and the Loremaster on a trip to Fangorn, Ea's thoughts wandered off. In her daydream she could already see it, a big Elf on a horse with a small hobbit woman and then a whole group of Rohirrim galopping around it.
She almost burst out laughing, it seemed so strange to her. But she held back just in time and her incipient grin widened into a warm smile of gratitude for such a sweet, warm and caring friend.
"We'll see, by then," she dodged a final decision. "We'll see."

In the meantime, she followed the conversation between Xyler and Eldrith.
'An apprentice healer? Now that's a beautiful profession. May you be blessed in everything you encounter. It's a good time to be a healer: I wouldn't have liked to have practiced that profession during the War of the Ring. I have deep respect for healers, for what they can and may do and how they act in the face of what they sometimes find. And well, even when there is no war, I think you sometimes encounter intense things. I am grateful for people like you, young man!'
The remark that he had risen in her esteem just a little more as an ideal son-in-law, she kept to herself in view of his earlier, confused look.

But after this, the conversation shifted to what had happened earlier that evening. To the conversation with Luthor about the young lady he was looking for. Eamila almost felt Eldrith holding her breath for a moment, next to her. She knew Eldrith had a premonition. Perhaps it did not surprise the pubmistress, this request to speak to them in private.
But Eamila was careful. It was in her nature to always assume trust and give people the benefit of the doubt. And that often worked out well, but not always. Her friend was a lot more cautious, she knew. And she had more knowledge of people, she suspected. That's why she turned around with a questioning face, hoping that Eldrith would be the first to respond.

@Eldrith @Rilewen

[Eldrith]

She chuckled lightly at Xyler's "I see". It usually meant "I don't see at all" and she might have overdone it a bit with the unnecessary mystery. The Marhsalls had done her a kindness, while making a practical choice for the cavalry, that was all.

"I merely look after the food rations, the tack for the horses, the cloth that is used. It's not a very glamorous job, but there is some truth in the fact that an army marches on it's stomach. And while foraging is all good and well, it's a good idea for patrols to have some rations with them, or have the means to put up a shelter if someone is wounded and one must travel for help and leave a comrade behind. What I do is .. practical, not heroic."

She saw you digest her request, and then slowly saying 'right' as if you didn't quite knew what to make of it. She made an almost apologetic face. "I have a nasty distrusting streak when it comes to.. certain people. More than likely he is.. just as he says. I've heard enough tales of young people being taken for it to be.. plausible. But.. if she is found I'd rather speak to her myself, and see that she is safe and WANTS her presence to be known. If not, we could place her under the Feldmarshal's protection or merely keep her out of his sight until he travels on, quite certain she isn't here... Oh.. I almost forgot. Green eyes. She had.. green eyes." She added, gesturing to the door where the traveler has gone through and where he was more than likely soaking his feet as they spoke, if the man had any sense, that was.

The pubmistress grinned as Eamila burst out laughing. "Am I being overprotective again?" Another tendency, right besides being suspicious of Gondorians. Which wasn't fair. She KNEW it wasn't fair and yet she still couldn't help herself. She did however give a small nod to Eamila when she offered her that questioning glance, after looking over the inn. It was peaceful. The older visitor was quiet, and potentially worried that Eldrith would be abusing his kind offer to Eamila to send half a patrol with him. Haddassa was tucking into her food with the vigor of someone who'd done hard work and the family and kids were getting ready to finish up. She half lifted a hand to catch Getale's attention, calling out "You have the floor" before motioning Xyler and Eamila to the kitchens.

"Don't mind Cnith. He can be deaf and dumb when he wants to be..."

@Pele Alarion @Rillewen @Eamila Bolger @Aikári Salmarinian

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith @Eamila Bolger

Xyler

Xyler made no answer when Eldrith explained that she had a natural distrust of some people. And that there was probably nothing at all to worry about, and so on. He wasn't so sure, but he didn't want to say too much out here, where any unwelcome ears could overhear.

He was a little relieved when he was led to the kitchen and assured that he needn't worry about the cook. Nodding, he waited a moment before he began. "Like you said, it might be nothing, and he might not mean any harm at all." He shrugged. "But..." He let his gaze wander off briefly as he debated how much to tell them.

"Well, it might have nothing to do with this, but then again, it might." He ventured to continue, looking back at them. "His story reminded me a little too much of a friend I met years ago. His description fits her... quite well." He explained, looking worried. "I mean, she's surely not the only girl who could fit the description, but, she was from Gondor, I could tell by her accent. And she definitely has tomboyish ways.. and as for rebelliousness? Well, my friend's got a fiery temper," He smiled in reminiscence, "and she could teach a mule how to be stubborn." He grinned slightly as he remembered just how stubborn she could be. "And she doesn't much like people with authority, so, I reckon someone who considers themselves her guardian, like that," His head nodded toward the direction of the guest rooms where Luthor had gone, "would call her rebellious." He explained. "Anyway, I know she couldn't be the only girl in Gondor with those traits, but... that, added with her height, freckles, and green eyes..?" He frowned. "All that's missing there is for him to say she has red hair."

Xyler cleared his throat. "Anyway.. I've never told anyone else about this, and the only reason I'm telling you now, is because.. I agree with you. If that guy is looking for my friend, then she absolutely would not want him to find her." He explained. He bit his lip lightly as he paused, then added more explanation, "I don't know what exactly makes me feel that it's her he's looking for... but there's just something about him." He frowned, figuring he probably sounded silly. Maybe, paranoid. "I can't quite put my finger on it, and I.. I have no reason to distrust him, exactly... but, it's just.." He frowned as he tried to give words to this feeling. "Like, for instance, the way he looked at me, it seemed weird. Like.. he expected to see someone else. You probably didn't see this since it was when he looked away from you, but when he glanced toward me earlier, for about half a second, I thought he almost seemed... alarmed? As if he was expecting someone else to be standing there, but it was gone the moment he looked over at me." Xyler definitely found that puzzling, and he wondered who the guy might have thought he was.

"Anyway, I could be totally wrong. I mean, I'm only nineteen, and I grew up in a small town, and I'm still quite new to this city. But when I heard him talking about looking for a girl.." He shrugged. "I remembered my friend... she told me that there was someone after her. Someone who frightens her very badly." He clarified. "She didn't say that, but I could tell. She was scared, no matter how much she tried to hide that." His frown deepened slightly. "I mean, she can fight like no one I've ever seen before." He added, clearly impressed. "This is a girl who I saw fight multiple Dunlending warriors at once, and win. She was amazing. And she saved me and a couple other guys from a terrible situation, and then she went back to see if she could find our missing companion. And yet... whoever this guy after her is, he frightens her so much she was fleeing and hiding from him."

He shook his head slightly. "But that was years ago, and I haven't seen her in all that time. So... if she is the girl that he's looking for... she would absolutely want to be warned about that." He concluded. "Only problem is, I have no idea how to find her, to do that."

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Loremaster Quennar Tarcelmë

The Hobbit girl Eamila added a few more words to their conversation and then it fell back to the pubmistress Eldrith. “I have no idea how fast Edain really are, even on their horses. It’s a ride of a few hours at the most and the shepherds don’t keep us hours around, as they are dormant quickly, when silence falls,” said Quennar. The Ents could be pretty blunt when it came to speaking about their own interest compared with the world outside the borders of Fangorn. His own kind was much the same, an inheritance to live that long and see the coming and going of the seasons endlessly. He lived himself in what the old surviving parts of Beleriand was. Old flora and fauna species had survived and their descendents flourished in quite rich numbers. Not all of the old continent had been touched by the evil Vala. “From here to the Gondorian capital is a good day’s ride. Fangorn is half the distance via Helm’s Deep. On the good day you can see the gorge from here.” Distance was relative.

Then that part seized and moved on to the incident at which a local interaction developed with sharing to each other. He overheard words of mistrust and shook his head over them. Melkor’s distant influential webs still clung around. All of Eru’s children were never born to be like that. Suspicion and distrust were not the designs of Mairon. There was talk of some species called Sperewigend, but the loremaster thought it to be a hunting bird. He took a paper again, with a pencil and ink bottle to capture the idea of the Sperewigend bird. Perhaps it was a kind of falcon? He made some notes in Quenya. The man called Xyler released he had come as apprentice healer. And there was talk of some missing girl? They even had to go the kitchen and share the tale there. With the bird finished the loremaster packed it all, left the dishes alone and stood up to leave the establishment. With the sun vanishing and the stars appearing, it was the most delightful moment of the day and he was not going to miss this.

In another time and age when the world was always dark, those stars were the light in the sky. The stories of Cuivienen were etched in Quennar’s memory, but he had not been born there, nor even seen it. He was old, even for the elven years, but it could not be seen on him. The light was cool and mesmerising, notes in the very music of which this world was made. Each star that was born made new life possible, for the stone and metal scraps whole planets could be formed, guided by the powers of other Ainur. From starlight lamps could be made, it was only to know how. The light allowed him to recharge in mind and body. The Edain did it with a good night sleep.

[Pele Alarion]

Hadassa

Hadassa waited for Xyler to return for a while but he seemed to have disappeared along with that cloth he used to wipe up the spilled mead. She had wanted to enjoy a meal along with some friendly banter with him but the food would be all cold if he lingered much longer; so she looked at the meal on her plate, then in the direction her friend had gone, and then back at her food - and decided she might just as well eat and perhaps fetch a dessert later. Maybe.

The food was delicious and satisfying, and the young dryhtguma enjoyed every morsel of it, though she ended up clearing every single bit off her plate sooner rather than later. She leaned back in her seat with a contented sigh and sipped the mead slowly as she watched the other folk in the room with half-hearted interest. She could wait. There was no hurry for she had completed all of her duties for this day.

[Eldrith]

She slowly nodded to Tyler, keeping an eye on the door, half open to the pub. She always liked to see what was going on. Not that there usually was anything going on that required her specific attention but she had the habit of overseeing her domain. And that habit was not so easily broken. She listened carefully. The description. Age. It lined up rather well. Considering you hadn't seen her for years and the fact that the man was still looking for her it seemed to be a long standing disappearance, and perhaps indeed a choice. And if she didn't want to be found, she wouldn't be found on their account.

"Do you resemble someone who was with you at the time? When you met the girl. That is.. or have you aged enough that he might for a moment think she would be standing next to you if he recognized you, and now he isn't certain? Do you remember HIM?"

Instincts. They paid off. Each time she started to doubt herself, each time she considered she might be TOO suspicious something like this came along. Maybe she wasn't wrong to be suspicious of Gondorians. First one in a while who stumbled into her pub and look at what it brought with it. And then you mentioned Dunlendings, and the fact that the girl fought them, and her face turned stern, her eyes harder upon you. "Xyler.. what kind of thing were you mixed up in when you met her???"

She kept that glance open towards the pub, even though Getale would no doubt alert her if something bad was happening. "You can't leave Hadassa sitting there alone." A slight, disapproving murmur. You might just have lost ideal son-in-law, but on the other hand, alertness to potential danger and caring about friends counted for something as well. And then the older traveler moved to leave the inn.. without Ea.

"Let's return to the Inn for now. I want to talk more though." There was a strange authority behind her words, an authority that wasn't backed by.. anything. She didn't hold any rank or reason that might compel you and yet somehow, as a woman who did what had to be done, there was a strength of will that by itself WAS compelling. "How about you and Hadassa come to my place tonight? Or tomorrow, as it suits."

And without a further 'by your leave' she moved back into the main pub, smiling at Hadassa, perhaps a hair too bright and giving a gently nudge to Eamila. The outing to Fangorn!!

@Eamila Bolger @Rillewen @Pele Alarion

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Loremaster Quennar Tarcelmë

The loremaster was used to being alone and outside in the energising wind he could hear the songs of the west and even he had no musical instrument with him right now, sung could happen without. It was a song of a mighty man once against Mairon in his original shape. Quennar could remember Finrod Felagund, a proud individual and prone to unrest easily, what had made him into a great traveller. Customary it was that both mom and dad give the child a name each and a honorific as ending. Often so all of these names were not known, but instead the child carried a callsign just as Finrod figured for the King of Nargothrond. He had bridged the colds of Helcaraxë, then after the battle under the Stars a beautiful tower on the island Sirion. He travelled through Doriath, befriended the Dwarves to which he earned the name Felagund. He was friends with Cirdan and had another tower built at the cape.

In the mountains of the very Ered Luin he met with the first house Bëor the old. With all them asleep he had taken up a harp and sang songs these men had never heard. So he met and they learned each other’s tongues, Sindarin and Taliska. Quennar remembered the fear of his adopted people, the Laiquendi, who feared these newcomers would destroy their homelands. So Finrod took them somewhere else, Estolad. In the Bragollach he saw himself fighting with this house against the evil from the north. Then the quest for the Silmarils began, and even Finrod was capable to alter his own appearance a match for the lieutenant of Melkor he was not. He died in the dungeons of a tower he had built.

Quennar thus sang the lament of this lost Elda man. The words were all in Quenya, the first language he had learnt to speak as a child. It was a soft voice, yet deep and did carry for ears to listen keenly, even they would not directly know where the words were coming from. Quennar sat down on the darkest side of the building outside, to have a clear sight on the stars twinkling above, in the dying sunlight in the west. Beleriand was a continent lost in tales, legends and myths. But there were people still who had the memories of there and it was how the continent lived on. But the west of the Ered Luin had been these very lands, and were still unchanged.

NB: The song is from Clamavi de Profundis.

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith @Eamila Bolger

Xyler

Did he resemble someone? For a moment, Xyler was a bit unsure of her question, but as she went on, he realized. "Ah... whoever this man was, who was after my friend, he never saw me. I never saw him." He explained. "She only told me about him." He hesitated. "She left, because she feared that he would find her, and she didn't want to endanger me and my grandmother by being anywhere near us, if he did." He frowned, having tried to talk her out of that at the time, but nothing he'd said had made any difference. "I only know a little bit about it, in fact, which is why I'm unsure. But... well. I thought it might be important for you to know, ma'am. If he is thte guy, and dhe's asking around.." He found that worrisome, in fact.

Before he could get sidetracked with thinking about all the reasons this situation brought about concern for him on behalf of his friend, the lady looked at him with a stern expression, and asked him what he had been mixed up in. Inwardly, he cringed slightly at the fact that he had brought up that unpleasant adventure. But outwardly, he gave a wry smile. "My village, in the mountains, used to be raided quite frequently by the Dunlending tribes." He explained. "Me, and four other young men of my village were being held captive by a tribe who had set up camp about a day's ride from there, when she came along and helped us escape." He kept the explanation as simple as possible, without adding unnecessary details. He didn't know this woman, and therefore he was not inclined to share any further details about that terrifying situation than was necessary. "It was.. not a great experience, and only four out of the five of us returned alive." He added softly.

He quite agreed about not leaving Hadassa sitting by herself, although he mentally argued that he hadn't really been gone all that long. And it had been necessary, or he had felt so. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered asking to talk to them in private. He was quite ready to return to his friend and finish his meal, and also glad for a change in subject. So he gave a little nod as he left the kitchen along with the pubmistress, and started toward the table where Hadassa was sitting. But then the lady suggested coming to her place to talk further. With Hadassa? Tonight or tomorrow? He glanced over at her with surprise. "Why Hadassa?" He wondered. "She wasn't there. She never met my friend, and she doesn't know anything about that whole mess." He explained.

[Eamila Bolger]

Eamila had secretly been watching Loremaster Quennan Tarcelmë drawing a bird she didn't recognize, when Xyler asked both her and Eldrith to speak to them in private. She followed the two of them, wondering what this could be about.

‘A friend you met years ago…’ Eamila said when Xyler started his story. ‘Didn’t this man called Luthor say she was sixteen now? So she would have been thirteen or something like that when the two of you met? Well… girls that age can be quite rebellious. I sure as something know that I was. But I do acknowledge your concern. Especially if she, like you said, seemed to be fearing someone who was after her.’
Eamila shook her head and listened to the conversation between the other two. Before she knew it, they were all on their way back to the Inn as if nothing had happened. The Loremaster was about to leave the dining room and Eamila followed him to the door.

The hobbit woman shivered. Now that nightfall was near, the air was getting colder. Soon the stars would be out, covering the sky in a blanket of sparkles. She loved being outside in the dark and just stand there and watch. She felt somehow even smaller than she already did, being a hobbit.
Eldrith’s voice woke her up from her thoughts. The outing??
‘But that wouldn’t be now, would it?’ she said. ‘It’s getting dark now… I do believe our Elven guest is going outside to spend the night. I don’t think I’d be brave enough to face the Ents in Fangorn at night…’

Their answer came soon, with the Loremaster leaving the Inn, but not the premises. Soon a wonderful singing started, a singing that filled Eamila with wonder and sadness at the same time.
But there was not enough time to stand outside and listen. Ah, she hated hurrying, but this couldn't wait. So she quickly followed her friend inside and heard her offer to meet Xyler and Hadassa later that night or the next day.

Eamila scanned the Inn for new guests or tables that needed to be cleaned. With a smile she looked around, but in the meantime she moved over to Eldrith.
‘This story is getting stranger with the minute’, she said. ‘Luthor did say the girl was sixteen, didn’t he? And Xyler said he met her a few years ago. Even if this was just two years, how could a fourteen year old girl fight Dunlendings and defeat them? I do think Xyler is a young man…. a boy almost, who I feel I can trust. But then again… Well, I just don’t know. What does your sixt sense tell you about all this?’

@Eldrith @Pele Alarion @Aikári Salmarinian @Rillewen

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Loremaster Quennar Tarcelmë

He fell silent when the song was finished. The lament of Fingon was one of many from the distant First Age. Noldor and Sindar had lived in these lands of Beleriand, across many kingdoms, known and open or secret and hidden. Kingdoms that were just a spec in life, of little moment of some romantic truth, until the powers of evil had caught up with them. All had come and gone, like a sigh on the wind, the evidence lost to the sea. Unless you were a fish, it was impossible to dive there, or you had to be Ulmo, the Vala lord of the sea? Elves and humans were creatures of the land, and even they were loving the sea, they needed vessels to travel the surface of it. But the hidden world beneath was just as rich as that upon the land. Eldar who could distort the visions of others, were powerful men and women.

He had a nutritious meal out of the lembas he carried with him. It was one of those perks on a long journey and how the mortal reality imagined his kind could do without any food. This evening he had eaten sufficient fruit, what had been a treat. The light from the stars were another course of food, to replenish the energy of immortality. Never it was liked if the stars were veiled. But tonight they were not. Their lights were tiny twinkles in the sky, but up there dwelt Eru too, the creator of everything. Ilmen was the region surrounding the planet, where the stars also were. When the moon appeared, though not that full, it was the Maia Tilion who guided it forth across the sky. Once Tilion travelled together with Oromë, but in his free time dwelt near the silver tree Telperion, of which silver due from the leaves were given to the moon itself.

Symbols of light hated by the acolytes of Melkor. The path of Tilion was bit of low on the horizon. Long he would not dwell around probably. Quennar sighed over his thoughts. It felt good to review it, but he felt no yearning to go back to Valinor. Besides he had family here and his love was part of the Laiquendi, who which he belonged for the majority of his life. His Noldo heritage was long forgotten. He had a son and a daughter and they had their own families as well. There was nothing left in the distant lands. The blessed lands were the southern regions of the Ered Luin, where Aegliraind lay secretly hidden in an enclosed valley. Lamps of starlight, his own creations, made the halls in splendour that did not outdo the lost beauty of Menegroth. It was a play with coloured glass through which sunlight came down. Quennar sat there, watching the stars and the moon in the clear sky. It was no cold at all. He was not aware that Eamila had followed him and heard the Quenya words of the song.

[Eldrith]

Eldrith gave a nod as Xyler said that whoever it was had not seen you. She'd accept blessings where they were given. And then her mouth became a taut line as he described the raids into his village. They'd become bolder and bolder before the wars. And during. Especially when cavalry was assigned elsewhere. Not everyone could be in any place and so many of the able bodied man had ridden out. There was evil within the world beyond Sauron's armies as well. There always had been. And not just evil, but grievances that were held within the grasp of history. She perhaps understood more of the Dunlendings grievances than most here would but the raids, the grasp for power in years past had grown bolder as they came further and further under Saruman's sway... they didn't count the cost except for their own ranks, not for those who were merely trying to live a life.

"I will not ask you to tell me more about that time." She said as you haltingly explained "At least not more than is needed for this.. " She gave a small nod in the direction of the guest room. "You can bring Hadassa, but do not feel like you have to. I merely didn't want to break up your evening if you were enjoying it together. Come by yourself if you will. I will see if can close up early. Or at least after you've walked her home." Was she a cavalry member who could wall walk home on her own, of course. But she somehow expected the courtesy out of you none the less.

Returning to that main room, Eldrith sighed in some relief at the song. There was something both old and new, strong and tender, sad and soothing in it, even though she did not understand the words. She'd for a moment feared that the older man had left. Her face curved in a smile as she looked back at Eamila, having the mystery solved.
"I thought he had changed his mind and had left.." She murmured but the look on her own face showed that there other worries and she nodded her head again when you brought up the girl's age. "So young at the time. And as Xyler said.. concerned about the danger she might bring to others. Like one would if they are pursued. I am not sure how they came together or what we can do. I do not know her. Or where she is. I can see if Guthbrand would set out a patrol in the mountains but... we have no idea if she is still there.. she could be anywhere in Arda... And she could be the girl mentioned or someone else entirely... Xyler seems a good enough lad." THe chuckle that fell was ruefully.. "Hear me say a lad. That's a man fully grown, of course. Well mostly grown."

Eldrith inclined he head to Hadassa, and the moved towards the table, addressing both of them as if nothing of importance had been spoken of. "So do either of you have any room for desert. It's on the house." She let her eyes rest a bit longer on the cavalry woman as she paused at that table.

Like Eamila, she scanned inn, always making sure things were.. well settled. She caught Getale's eye to signal that they had the front room again, so she was free to return to her duties as she saw fit to arrange them.

@Rillewen @Eamila Bolger@Pele Alarion @Aikári Salmarinian

[Rillewen]

@Eldrith @Eamila Bolger @Pele Alarion

Xyler

He was glad to hear that she wasn't going to ask for any more details about that very unpleasant situation, and he nodded when she mentioned that he didn't actually need to bring Hadassa. He wasn't opposed to spending more time with her, of course, but that didn't seem like the sort of thing that he wanted to involve her in. Besides, she probably had to get up early and everything.

As for Eamila's observation about his friend, Xyler paused as he considered the age matter. "I remember guessing her to have been around my age, maybe a bit younger, but it was hard to say," He hesitated. "She was.. well, she didn't know how old she was." He shrugged. "And like I said. Maybe this Luthor guy isn't even the guy she was worried about. Or, maybe he's just guessing at her age, same as I had to." He looked back at Eldrith. "You don't have to close early, ma'am." He assured her, though a bit puzzled what more she wanted to talk about. Hadn't he already told her all that needed to be told? Whatever. "I'll walk her home, and then I'll come back. I can wait until you've closed."

He didn't seem the least bit surprised by the suggestion that he should walk Hadassa home. In fact, if he was surprised at all, it was that she seemed to know he was already going to do just that. For now, though, he went back to the table where she was waiting.

"Sorry that took so long," He apologized, sitting back down, and unaware of anything else that was said between Eldrith and Eamila after that. He hadn't really been gone all that long, but he felt like he had. And now, he wasn't quite sure how to explain his absence. "How's your day been?"

[Eamila Bolger]

‘And that's exactly the problem.’
Eamila nodded affirmatively after Xyler's words. The young man had gone back to his table with Hadassa. She wondered if he had heard Eldrith’s offer to chose a free dessert. She would remind him later. There were other things on her mind now.

Standing next to Eldrith she continued: ‘We don't know for sure if the girl Luthor is looking for is also the one Xyler remembers. And that makes it difficult to take the right steps. There are so many questions...'

She took a few empty plates from a table and brought them to the kitchen. After she hade come back with a jug of water for another table, she took her place next to Eldrith again.
‘Here’s what I mean: is this girl whom Luthor is looking for indeed the same girl that Xyler is talking about? And if so, does she have reasons to stay away from Luthor? Does she have to be searched for, or does she perhaps not want to be found at all? What are we going to do with Luthor tomorrow morning? It may be that he is just an honorable man. A concerned brother-in-law who is looking for his rebellious sister-in-law to save the family honor. And that she is not necessarily on the run from him, but that she is trying to flee from a life in which she feels trapped. Or perhaps she has been taken by someone against her will…’
She nodded to a customer who was leaving the building.
‘But it is also possible that Luthor's story is not true. That he is searching for her under false pretences, and that she is in danger if he finds her.’
She took a big breath of air and raised her hands questioningly.
‘What should we do, Eldrith? My head is spinning from all the possibilities. My heart goes out to this young woman, but who says she is actually a victim here? At such times, I would like to sit at my own mother's kitchen table again and ask her for some advice...'

@Eldrith @Pele Alarion @Rillewen

[Eldrith]

She could see the surprise on Xyler's face. It had been a side conversation, a sharing of worries. A possibility when he talked of a friend of old, but.. he likely hadn't expected her to make a THING of it. They could all be speculating wildly over a totally innocent man, doing his best by his wife and looking for her wayward sister. The pub mistress let out a slo breath as she saw the young man sit back down with Hadassa. Was that something? Or wasn't it? At the very least she wanted to see if she could hear more about the original girl. The one Xyler knew. Competent she may have been but she was also.. young. Probably nowless than when it had happened. But she knew what it did to someone to have to rely just on yourself for too long, out of fear that your presence might be dangerous to others. She'd lived it. And if it weren't for Lady Bereth, she'd likely would not know anything else.

And then Eamila was there, reasoning through it beside her. The possibilities. The worries. A second blessing in her life. Kin. Forged through years of friendship. She looked at her friend and gave the slightest shake of her head.
"I wish I knew all the answers. I've asked Xyler to come home tonight to Aern Freablod. See if we can find out more details. You are right. Luthor, for all that he's a Gondorian, maybe a totally innocent man. And even if he isn't.. there is every possibility that he is looking for someone else. What are the chances? But.. the descriptions do line up."

She turned when someone called out for an ale, and offered a nod to Getale who went to provide it. They would have to have another cask ready soon. She made a mental note of that. Spinning plates. She was spinning plates in a way she hadn't expected to today.*

@Rillewen @Eamila Bolger @Pele Alarion

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen , @Eldrith , @Eamila Bolger

Hadassa

She had finished her food and had been sipping the mead slowly, waiting for Xyler. When he finally reappeared, her drink was also almost gone.

"I thought you had fallen into a pot of stew and had become a part of it," Hadassa teased, her dark eyes dancing with laughter she did not let escape otherwise. "You mean the day otherwise than the part of it while I was waiting for you?"

She drained the last drops of the mead and set the mug down on the table.

"It has certainly been a busy day, lots of chores, so it is good to finally sit down and rest for a bit without being constantly told I should do yet another duty as soon as I finished one," she then complained a little, though the light-hearted tone of her voice made it clear that she had taken the busy day in stride and did not mind it too much. "But I certainly hope that your day was a little less busy, though I imagine you would also have a plenty of duties."

[Eldrith]

"Not sure if there's enough meat on him." Eldrith interjected as she passed the table and started mopping up one of the tables that had just come free, then glanced back with a wicked grin. "Cnith's very picky about the meat he uses, you know. *She shook her head with a long suffering air* Only the best for our stews.."

It was of course a jest, especially since stew was made of the toughest pieces of meat that were made to soften through long cooking time. Xyler didn't look it perhaps but there must be a rather tougher hide underneath considering what he went through. It took strength to remain gentle when you'd gone through harsh circumstances. Eamila was the best example of that, and a lesson for herself. Though in this case, perhaps her suspicion had been.. warranted? Regarding Luthor that was. She wasn't sure. As her friend had said: he could be simply a worried relative. Or there could e more.

From outside the sound of song of the older man drifted in, and made her smile, even though she didn't understand the words. There was never enough song in the world. Never enough good food and kindness. She'd chosen that path deliberately, and even now, after decades she sometimes still needed to remind herself that it was the right choice.*

@Eamila Bolger @Rillewen @Pele Alarion @Aikári Salmarinian

[Eamila Bolger]

Within the blink of an eye, the tense moment was gone. They were minding their own business again, as if the earlier conversations had not been there.
Eamila walked around the Inn lighting candles on the tables, making small talk with regular guests. She kept her ears open for too loud voices, whether they be laughing, or fighting. She knew that, although she was just small, the strength of her hands when yielding a rolling pin was quite infamous.
But things sounded good, this night. No drinking contests, no fights over a lovely lady, no further drama.

'I wish I knew all the answers too', she sighed in respond to Eldrith. 'I like puzzles, but I don't like it if such a puzzle means not knowing if someone speaks the truth or not. I's a good thing you invited Xyler over for later tonight. That is, if he wants to come.'
Suddenly she giggled. 'We best make sure no one sees him enter, if he comes alone. Or we'll be the talk of the town by noon for sure.'
Glancing at the guest wing she continued: 'At least master Luthor will be in his room for tonight. The best thing we can do, is wait for tomorrow until we speak to Guthbrand. But - depending on any new information we might be hearing tonight - I don't think there would be any harm in speaking to him first, before he gets to talk to Luthor.'

[Rillewen]

Xyler

Xyler had already finished most of his food before his drink had spilled, so he didn't have a lot left to finish. And, he'd only been away for a couple of minutes, so the last few bites were still warm, rather than cold, as he finished it off and pushed his plate away. He laughed at the comment about him falling into a stew, and then grinned over at Eldrith upon hearing her comment. "Definitely not enough there," He agreed, while holding up an arm, as if to show he did not have all the muscles like warrior types tended to have. Not that he was a weakling or anything, but he was not the kind of guy with big, bulging muscles.

As Eldrith moved on, Xyler smiled back at Hadassa as she finished off the last of her drink. "So, your day sounds about like mine," He laughed. "I mean, different sort of duties, of course. But those patients do keep us busy," He sighed and shook his head a little, but he was smiling, because he didn't really mind the work. It made the day go by faster, at least, and there was definitely plenty of chances to learn new things and get practice at other things.

He thought about his upcoming trip, and he wanted to mention something about it to Hadassa, but somehow he couldn't quite think of how to bring it up, nor how to explain that he was going to be gone for a little over a year. While he was very excited about the opportunity, he was a bit regretful that it meant leaving her behind. And he also didn't know if she might feel jealous about it. Therefore, he didn't bring it up. Not now. He'd try to think of a way to mention it later, he decided. Maybe when he walked her home? Or.. maybe he could tell her in the morning, when he would have to come by the cavalry grounds anyway, to meet his escort... he became a little preoccupied with that thought, as well as the prior concern for his friend of a few years ago.

[Eldrith]

"I understand that. Deceit is not a language you are at home with. And I pray you never become at home with it."
Eldrith murmured it to Eamila and sent it up as a prayer within her heart at the same time. Deceit was not natural for a Hobbit, even though there was of course, a tendency towards sneakiness in some, towards avarice in others. Not all hobbits were made out of kindness like you were. But in general they were straight forward folk who made a good life, like she wanted to see here. Like she wanted reflected in the pub, and in her life. SHe laughed at that giggle. "You are afraid we will be seen entertaining a young man? We shall be each other's chaperone." And glancing at the door after which Luthor was hopefully soaking his feet, she took a breath. "It should be Getale's night to stay over. I will see if Cnith would stay as well" They were married now, so no one would think anything of it, and she was grateful for that. Some nights Eldrith stayed, and they frequently exchanged nights if things came up. And yes, tomorrow she would talk to Guthbrand, and see if anything there could be done or found.

Like you, she looked around. Found the inn returning to it's.. natural sphere, a relaxed and happy ease that saw most people tending to conversation or food, and sometimes both at the same time. She grinned as Xyler showed off the lack of meat on his bones and shook her head. "Do be careful with that." Her voice went down to a conspiratorial whisper. "Despite all the rumors, Getale is likely to see you as 'in need of help' and before you know it, some Cnith's meals will be delivered to your little healer house. And then Cnith will be over there inspecting your kitchen. He has been.. complaining about the one in here." She added in, with a glance to the kitchen, opening that conversation toe Hadassa as well.
"He compares it with the one we had at the Aeldsel and well.."
She shook her head again. THe Aeldsel predated her arrival at Rohan by generations. It had been honed to hospitality perfection, serving both Cavalry and the general public. The cavalry pub had never been rebuilt, there had been other priorities. But after the fire, they had set up, with a canvas cover, a couple of barrels of ale and water from the river, and a small fire over which a never ending porridge had been simmering, just to help out, even as the Aeldsel went up in flames. From there.. the Ealniwe Inn had been born. But they would get there, get it back to when no one even remembered when the Ealniwe Inn was born. Long after she was dead, this place would still be known and the new inn, with the old one merely a figment. And that was good. That was how life continued.

@Eamila Bolger @Rillewen

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Loremaster Quennar Tarcelmë

What happened inside the inn, Quennar had no idea about. Perhaps he could follow everything if he listened carefully, but that he did not. Voices mattered always, otherwise the world was silent. He words in Quenya continued:

“It was a world of wrath and thunder
When the day-tree was uprooted
And after the nigh-tree lost glance
Only the blink of the stars over us.

There they stood in anger and hate
Feelings that were never given to us
Fair were the word in song and poem
But not that darkening day.

What I do recall is not there
Glowing leaves in gold and silver
Sounds so soft as gurgling water
Time was fleeting on the winds.

In stolen ships they sailed
After the oath was spoken
A ban was placed that said
No return was ever given."

Quennar was silent for a moment, gone up in the memories so lively in his head. They could have happened yesterday, but the distance was now three eras. Thousands and thousands of years had passed by. He sat there by the side of the longhouse, watched the stars, contemplating of the rest.

"May Nienna hear my words
That her stories are not forgotten
I am the keeper of a beginning day
In prose and poem sealed.

The fate of this new era
Shadows of those gone before
Wrath and thunder find their ways
Hate and anger in their wakes.

The good has to be remembered
Each time it is forgotten
By the whispers spoken in shades
The ones I have never heard.”

Such was song, it came and went. The loremaster could sit there the whole night, gathering up the light from the stars. The Eldar could suffer through a lot, even the loss of sun and moon was not that bad. But the vanishing of the stars? Cut off from it, they withered and died eventually. The wisest and most terrible person knew in the past and had made use of this with devastating consequences.

[Pele Alarion]

@Rillewen , @Eldrith

Hadassa

She laughed heartily at Eldrith's comments that Xyler would not make for the best meat and then said: "I think there might be a few good bites." A toothy and slightly teasing grin was offered to her friend then when he all but flexed his arm muscles.

"You know..." Hadassa held back a small yawn right after. "Perhaps I should be heading for my room. The day's efforts and the comfortable warmth of this place is getting to me and I feel sleepy. You not going home yet, Xyler? Or do you have a night shift at the infirmary?" She paused a while and then added more quietly, laughter glinting in her dark eyes: "I also hope that my kitten hasn't gotten in too many additional troubles while I'm here."

[Eldrith]

Hadassa was not the only one holding back a yawn. Casting a glance around and seeing Getale's expression, she rang the bell for last call, though she waited till the last words of the song from outside had faded. it was a sign for most people to start finishing up their drinks or food. Parents with children had long left, and the grown ups would have to make their way home still. Only two of the guest rooms were taken. Perhaps the Lore master would stay the night. She wasn't quite certain. Cnith, hearing the bell would start the last of the cleaning up in the kitchen and then he and Getale would spend the night here. They alternated who did so when they had guests and Eldrith would be going home tonight.

Time for the last cleaning. Do you think he will stay the night? *She murmured at Ea, with a glance outside. She hoped the man would, they could see if the journey to Fangorn could be planned. The last round of tasks in the evening. Floors were mopped in the morning, because such was done better by daylight, but they cleaned and cleared tables and brought cups, tankards and plates to the kitchen. It was a quiet, discrete process, not forcing people out, giving them time finish up drinks and conversations.*

((Last round of posts if anyone wants, before the new day in the Ealniwe Inn))

[Rillewen]

Xyler

Upon Hadassa's declaration that she wished to leave, Xyler arose from his seat. "No, I have a few things to take care of yet, but I'll walk with you to your door." He declared with a smile. "I'd kinda like to see Britta again, actually." He grinned, recalling the cute little kitten she had pulled out of a prize thing.

After making sure that there was enough money left on the table to cover their food and drinks, he walked along with Hadassa to the door and opened it for her. "This place does have really good food, by the way," He mentioned as they were leaving. "I'm glad I finally came to check it out."

As he left the dining room, he briefly glanced toward the hallway of guestrooms as he wondered whether he needed to worry about that Luthor guy. But... well, Xyler was leaving for Gondor tomorrow, so he tried not to worry too much. Maybe there wasn't even anything to worry about. Maybe, it wasn't even the guy Strawberry had been so worried about. Whatever the case, there wasn't really anything Xyler could do about it, so he tried to keep his thoughts on chatting with Hadassa as he walked her to wherever she was staying.

(xyler out)

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Loremaster Quennar Tarcelmë

For Quennar was no leaving right now. His horse was resting in the stables, after having a meal and being brushed. Then it was time for sleep and replenish in the night. Quennar needed the starlight to regenerate the needed energy for physical and psychological reasons. It didn’t enter his mind that people could ask inside if he stayed or not. He would later on walk under the stars trying to seek a mental council to people far away. Or that Oromë could be in the neighbourhood? The Valar and Maiar were for him real people, he had known them in his young years in the gardens of Valinor. Neither he had belonged with the banished Noldor. His parents had dragged him along on the journey east, caught in the fiery spirit of Fëanáro, the eldest of seven sons. Quennar knew his name only in the language of Valinor. Next he spoke the Nandorin of his wife. He knew Númenórean too.

Oromë was the only one who actively wandered the lands of Middle Earth. The loremaster remained where he was, outside on the veranda. The humans wouldn’t come outside, unless going home from the inn. It was quite cold. But that could not bother the old Elda. He was invulnerable to aging at all, and so it was with all the Eldar. He had even grown up under the precious light of the Trees, of which he just finished his song in Quenya. Technically he could what Galadriel was able to accomplish, but Quennar had never used his power for destructive reasons. He had never fought in battles and carried no physical scars. A few existed in his mind, but they were of so long ago, even before the sun and moon had come to life. They played no role in life. What tomorrow would be, he would see when the sun rose again the east, on the other side of the inn.

[Eamila Bolger]

Another evening in the Inn was slowly coming to its end. Eamila brought some of the last mugs and plates to the kitchen and remembered that she had promised Getale to do the dishes with her.
'I'll be back in a second', she nodded to Eldrith. She too had heard the singing outside, and it had a soothing effect on her even 'though it felt like the song wasn't just about peace and quiet times. She smiled at Eldriths whispered question.
'Ah, I don't think he will leave now, but he won't need a bedroom I think. He might just stay outside. We could provide him with a comfortable chair just in case he would like to sit? And perhaps a warm blanket. I'm not sure whether he will use it, but it would be good to have anyway I guess. I'll bring it outside to him after my chores in the kitchen. And then we'll catch up with Xyler?'
She knew Eldrith would come and get her as soon as it would be time to go. Until then, she could help Cnith and Getale in the kitchen making sure they too could enjoy some time together in peace and quiet after work.

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Loremaster Quennar Tarcelmë

It was into the night when finally the last ears had found a cushion and the eyes were closed. Quennar was hidden inside his robes and had become an undetectable shadow. The dark was for the creatures of the night, little guys like foxes and mice, but also bigger guys as wolves and the orcs from the mountains. The skies could be cleaved by bats but also other aerial hunters. With the gaze upon the west came another silent shadow racing over the land. The steed was unlike as any other and quicker than the moral eye could follow. But Quennar just hopped on and the two riders continued toward one most western peaks of the Ered Nimrais. “Ever known of the kyermë, laitalë or hantalë?” asked the other. “Disappeared customs in these lands,” said Quennar straight in Quenya. “In my wanderings I can’t find signs these are remembered. Not in the lands of the death-song.” They could see each other perfectly. Sometimes they met up, to reminisce what once had been. Quennar had never visited Numenor.

Other Eldar had chronicled this island’s history, from birth to demise. The other told of dealings in the woods and across open lands and Quennar told of his findings and observations. The presence of the other had an wakening effect on the Elda, for it had been over more than a century they last had met. “You’re not growing weary yet?” “How so? The light of the stars remains undiminished. It doesn’t matter where we are today with the loss of Laurelin and Telperion. They were there when we gazed upon them back in Cuivienen. If something remained unchanged in this universe, it’s the stars,” replied Quennar. “In our lands is as much death around as it is out here. And it even it is no longer unspoiled from the touches of Melkor or Ungoliant, tiny traces are left behind and this can be most abhorrent to the most fine-tuned of us.” Not many of these people dwelt in these lands, driven to the west and a promise for an island off the coast of Valinor, for who were the surviving Noldor. The loremaster turned toward the third companion of their presence. The silver tint of the fur across the body was like the light of the unclouded stars over their head. “Næxærra is the name,” said the speaker. Quennar could understand parts of Valarin, but it had been so long ago it was deep hidden in memory, in a corner with other lost memories that were linked with the land.

“I can’t leave, my life is here. My wife, my children, my grandchildren… I am Laiquendi than Calaquendi and embraced the life my wife’s people never left, even they are Moriquendi. Inside Aegliraind the days never ages. The valley for our doors in complete enclosed. Our halls and rooms are lit by the the lamps of starlight,” said Quennar at last. The creation of their cave home was one of the Laiquendi, the Green Elves. “We endure.” Some choices could not be altered. When his wife’s people decided to go west, Quennar would come with them. But till that day? Mortality had one thing, it refreshed itself with each generation. Newborn spirits came into the world and a few later what the past was, lay forgotten on a shelf. Elves didn’t have this luxury of mortal neglect. The stars speeded on over their heads and soon enough the dawn was coming again. The other went as a spirit could do, right in front of Quennar. But the horse behind him? So the loremaster returned to the town of Meduseld, with the horse whose fur shifted unnoticeable from silver to just white in the light of the day. There was a comfortable chair and a blanket on top of it on the veranda of the inn, but they were unused. Næxærra’s owner would come back soon. It was an unusual name for a rather pretty plain looking steed.

(End so far for Quennar till next morning signal)

[Eldrith]

The evening had slipped into night. The last customers had left. They'd cleaned up what needed cleaning, leaving the mopping for the morning, since daylight made that chore easier. Eldrith had taken Eamila's suggestion and brought out a comfortable chair and a blanket for the older man, allowing him to spend the night as he seemed to prefer, without her worrying of freezing. The sign on the front door was turned to closed. Getale and Cnith had gone to their overnight room and the moon gleamed on the resting inn.

When the morning sun rose, it hid it's face behind a veil of clouds, leaving the light that came a dull grey. Breakfast was made for those who stayed at the inn by Cnith and Getale and an hour or two after breakfast, the sign was turned once more, allowing customers to come back in. Eldrith had made her way through the kitchens, after a quick stop by at Cavalry headquarters, proudly looking at the special of pumpkin with goat cheese and bacon that Cnith was making. After all, she'd supplied that pumpkin! They had talked much last night, but no resolution was found, still whatever was going on, a new day at the Ealniwe inn dawned, ready to offer food, companionship, conversation, and hopefully no wildlife being let lose at the inn. The drunken donkey had been one adventure but the goat.. they'd had to close for the day, and she did not forget that easily. Guests would rise when they wished, but people were ready to come in and warm up, most of them having put in several hours of work already.

[Rillewen]

Sometime during the night, a young woman was butchered in an alley, viciously murdered with her throat cut. Her blood was all over the ground, and the walls of the buildings forming the alley. In the thickest splatter of blood on one of the walls, the murderer had drawn a symbol on the wall. The eye.

A long cloak, snatched from a clothesline somewhere, had been discarded in a trash bin nearby, showing enough blood splatters on it to indicate that the killer must have been wearing it when he or she attacked. Which meant that whatever they wore underneath would be clean, and therefore it would be very hard to find the person responsible. The killer seemed to have vanished after leaving their message; that the followers of Sauron were still active, and still to be feared.

Luthor

It was late morning when Luthor emerged from his room. He had missed the breakfast that was served before the inn opened, but he wasn't too worried about that. He figured they would serve him regardless what time, and he had the coin to pay for it, so why should they complain?

He still limped, but not quite as much as when he had come in the evening before. The footbath had, apparently, helped. Yet, he looked as if he had not slept very well, and he also looked like maybe he was not feeling well. He sank down into the nearest seat after coming out of his room, and requested a server to come over.

[Eldrith]

Getale was the one who came over, a somewhat worried look over her face. "Not slept well?" She asked congenially, though there was an almost absentminded undertone in her voice. The customers that were at the inn were talking already in hushed voice. There was something.. different in the atmosphere today than there had been the night before.
Rumors were going around. A family brought to grief, interwoven in the fabric of Meduseld. The body had been taken away, to be given for burial. The cavalry had been informed of course, and the first Marshal had put Guthbrand in charge of leading what investigation could be made. Of course there was the occasional theft, or argument, or someone getting too drunk and destroying things. But murder? Murder was rare. Especially like that. And the memories of the war were still much too close to allow that symbol to be taken lightly. Grima had wrought destruction with nothing but words. What could someone who had gone to the dark side do when they were willing to spill blood that openly.

"Can I bring you something?" She added helpfully. She knew you'd not come out for breakfast, and no, she didn't think twice about it. Was it convenient when everyone was eating at the same time? Sure. But this was an inn and food was kept warm and available till last round.

[Rillewen]

Luthor

The young man did not appear to have any idea what had occurred during the night, nor why folks seemed to be speaking in hushed tones. In fact, he did not seem to take any notice of anything else around him, at the moment. He looked up when the woman came over and asked if he hadn't slept well. He gave a small shake of his head in reply, having to take a moment longer than usual to refrain from snapping irritably at everyone around him. Putting on his 'nice guy act' was normally effortless unless he was quite irritated or angry. Today, there was a different reason. "I assure you it had nothing to do with your inn," He added with a sort of weak smile.

As she asked if she could bring him anything, he breathed out a shaky little huff of a laugh. "Actually, I called you over to ask if perhaps the offer is still there, to get a healer to have a look at me?" He requested politely. "I am.. not feeling well, I'm afraid. And I fear I have more need of a healer than I first anticipated." He explained. After a brief hesitation, he added, "Perhaps, something light to eat, as well?"

[Eamila Bolger]

@Eldrith @Rillewen

In the kitchen, Eamila was absentmindedly washing the dishes after breakfast. Every time she dipped her hands in the soapy water, she cringed a little bit. She had made the water extra hot, and the stove in the Inn was heated warmer than ever. Yet the heat did not dispel the cold in her body. And the cold in her heart... It seemed impossible to get rid of it at all.

The day had started so normally. She had collected eggs, milked the cow and walked to the Inn. At that time, Cnith had usually already started mixing dough for the bread. But where on other days he only greeted her briefly – he was not a morning person – this time he had already been waiting for her.
"Have you heard?"
Eamila had heard nothing that morning, except the mooing of the cow and the clucking of the chickens as she fed them. She wanted to make a funny comment about it, when she saw how serious Cnith looked.

And then he had told her. The rumors that were going around. The loud crying, further down the city. The sadness, the anger, the fear that was now circulating in the streets. An intense feeling of powerlessness had taken hold of her. And she had gotten cold. She was cold to the bone and didn’t seem to be able to get warm anymore.

She didn't know exactly what had happened. Those stories were undoubtedly still to come. But one thing was certain: the life of a young woman had been taken away, and with it the lives of all those dear to her had been changed forever. And somewhere, maybe still nearby, there was someone walking around who had this on his conscience. Someone who might be able to do this again.
With a jolt her head went up. Just yesterday, they had been talking about whether it was wise to let Getale go out on the street alone after sunset. Getale was not a vulnerable young girl, but a strong woman. And yet... what if Getale had encoutered this person? Or… what if she herself had been in the place of that girl? She may be almost fifty, but in thee yes of many she was just a child. She would never have had the strength to…

The last few plates were washed clean and Eamila started drying them. Whatever happened, the work continued. She left the tub of soapy water for a while. Through the half-open door to the Inn, she heard an unfamiliar voice.
Their guest! Master Luthor! She had completely forgotten about him in all the commotion. He hadn't had breakfast yet, she realized. She hoped he would settle for a hearty porridge. There was no fresh bread yet: it was just ready to go into the oven. It seemed Getale was already at his service. She’d wait to hear what order was coming to the kitchen. And in the mean time, she hoped Eldrith would soon arrive too. She was in desperate need of a warm hug from a dear friend.

[Eldrith]

Guthbrand

He was a busy man, too busy to frequent the inn at times. It wasn't that he was never there, he simply didn't have the time to come in more than occasionally. And when he did come in it was usually either to simply have a meal with his family or share an ale with old comrades, or sometimes to handle a bit of a disturbance from young recruits with too much ale that had gotten out of hand. That last usually only happened once for a recruit. Lessons were learned and learned quickly on the training field.
Today he didn't come in for anything as mundane as that. The inn was still one of the main social hubs of Meduseld, that and the market or merchants. It was good to be seen here, in the middle of it all, a reassurance that order was not fully upended, that the bad times were not returning. They had lost so many men, and the youths were barely ready to take their place. The feeling of continuance, of safety was important. The other part was information. What were people saying and had someone seen something>

He opened the door, nodding in greeting, even as for a moment a hush fell. This time, such a hush was counterproductive, so he simply moved towards the counter and requested an ale, from Eamila, seeing Getale was already in conversation with a guest. Considering he didn't make an announcement, conversation picked up, first in a hush, then further, until his presence was absorbed.

Getale for her part, had noticed the Feldmarshal's entry. Well everyone had. She'd looked up and offered a respectful nod, but also went back to her client. "I can have a healer called for, absolutely." She offered right away. "Though Eamila also has some experience I think? I will ask. And I will be bringing you some soup and bread?" There was a hint of a question in that last, but only a hint. If you didn't WANT soup or bread there'd better be a reason.

@Eamila Bolger @Rillewen

[Rillewen]

Luthor

He glanced over at the entrance of the large man. Everyone else in the inn seemed to pause and look over at him, too. And it was then, too, that Luthor seemed to take notice of the fact that everyone's conversations had been hushed. Even after everyone resumed their conversations, they remained hushed, and he could not catch what anyone was talking about. He turned to look at the bearded man again, briefly, before the waitress' reply drew his gaze back to her.

He wasn't quite sure what to think about the idea of the hobbit woman tending to his wound, and he hesitated as he thought about it. But the question of food was easier to answer. "Maybe just some bread, please?" He responded with a rueful smile. "Or anything else you have, which doesn't require the use of silverware," He added with a sigh. "I'm.. having a little difficulty with an injury on my arm." He explained. "It seems to have worsened overnight, and I've been feverish all night." In fact, he had a mild fever, and it probably showed a bit.

His curiosity got the better of him though, and he then nodded toward the man who had entered. "Who is that?" He inquired quietly. "And why is everyone acting like they're in a library?" He added with a small, puzzled frown. "Is that normal for this time of day?" Since everyone else was doing so, he had followed suit, and kept his own voice to a quieter level, as if it someone was likely to come along and shush him if he did not.

[Eamila Bolger]

@Eldrith @Rillewen
Guthbrand's entry did not surprise Eamila, and she was grateful to see the Field Marshal again. Under other circumstances, she would certainly have greeted him with enthusiasm. But now she stuck to a short nod of her head and a cautious smile.
The field marshal was an impressive presence. He was anything but what Ea was used to from men at home in the Shire. And yet she had become attached to him in a short time. Guthbrand was the kind of man you could rely on. Who kept his word and did not waste more words than necessary on an event. And above all: someone with authority, with dominance and a sharp eye.
‘Exactly what we need now’, she mumbled. But as soon as he stood in front of her, she simply said, ‘Welcome, my lord. More than welcome.’
She was happy with the stool on which she could stand behind the bar, because otherwise she wouldn't have been able to give him his ale. With a steady hand she filled a mug, which she then had to hand to him with both hands.

In the background, the voices had softened, but now they swelled again. Eamila knew what Guthbrand was doing, and withdrew. She had heard her name. Was she needed somewhere?
Ah, Getale beckoned her. Her experienced collegue was standing with their guest from Gondor. Now Eamila frowned. It would be rude to make a comment about it, but master Luthor was not looking good, to say the least. His shiny eyes and slightly moist face said it all. Clearly this man was not feeling well.
Eamila caught the last words of his conversation with Getale about his breakfast and the need to see a healer.

"I'm afraid the bread is still in the oven," she apologized. 'But if I may be so bold: may I at least offer you a tea of ginger, thyme and lemon? This has an anti-inflammatory effect. And if you could use a spoon, I could provide an oatmeal porridge with honey for breakfast. If you prefer bread, I will have it ready for you in half an hour. Maybe with a bowl of freshly made chicken soup? That also has healing effects. But I think it's also wise to ask a Healer for assistance. We may not have the kind of medical help you are used to in Gondor. But there are a few very skilled healers here in Meduseld.’
Now she looked at Getale. ‘Do you think Hilda could be brought in?’

Getale nodded thoughtfully. ‘Yes, of course. That seems like a good plan to me. I'll ask Cnith if he can send Haleth on his way.’
She hesitated for a moment, but then decided to reluctantly respond to his earlier question.
‘To answer your earlier question: no, that's not how it's usual here. I fear that something serious happened last night, in the city. Someone has been… well, killed. You can probably imagine what that does to people... And that's what you feel in the atmosphere this morning.’

[Rillewen]

Luthor

He really did not like feeling unwell. At all. He'd only been mildly sick a few times in his life, and it wasn't something he liked to remember. It also made it more difficult for him to maintain the control needed to restrain himself into behaving polite and all that. As he absently rubbed at the place that was beginning to itch beneath his sleeve, Luthor looked at the hobbit woman as she came over and offered him tea. Or porridge, or soup. Hadn't he just said he didn't want something he had to use silverware for? Struggling to think of a 'Ric-ish' way of responding, he took a moment and looked down at his hands, which rested in his lap. The left arm was worse than the right, but even his right arm was giving him enough trouble that using utensils was difficult. Holding a fork or spoon had proven challenging even last night, while he ate the pot roast. He wasn't exaggerating or lying when he said it had worsened overnight.

"Perhaps some tea," He agreed to that suggest, after a moment, looking up with a slightly forced smile. It was understandable though, that he might have trouble giving a smile, given his fever and all. "Soup too, if you can put it in a mug? No porridge." He hastened to add, quite emphatically. Seriously, what was it with everyone's obsession with that disgusting stuff? He could not understand why, or how, anyone would willingly eat that glop.

He was about to add something more, when one of them explained what all the hushed voices were about. Luthor went silent upon hearing this news, his expression showing shock. "Killed..?" He repeated, staring at the halfling, since the other had left. His look was as if in disbelief, or shock, or possibly alarm. "Who.. who was killed?" His tone was suddenly quite serious, like an investigator searching for answers. Or, perhaps, a worried relative, hoping the victim was not someone dear to him.