In a back corner of Bree’s Prancing Pony, a curious quartet had taken over a table and had held it for most of the night. Xandilif, the Champion of the Azure Faithful sat with her back to the wall, heavy steel boots up on the table as she drank Grog. Beside her, trying her best to not look like she was hiding beside Lif’s armored bulk was Finchley, a large collection of empty bowls around her as she was apparently trying to clear out Barliman’s stew supply. At the far end of the table Aliandith sat demurely, the very picture of elven dignity. She had just found herself with the group a couple days previously but already seemed to fit in seamlessly. Lastly was Eduwiges of Faldham, several empty tankards around her as she carefully carved something into the heavy wooden tabletop, her tongue between her teeth in concentration.
They had paused to spend the night in the Pony before continuing home to Gondor, after finding the elusive Catalinna and unexpectedly confronting the spirit of Finchley’s Grams, Moyna. Now they were returning to consult with Xanderian, once again having gained more questions than answers on their trip.
As the hour grew later, Finchley took another bite of stew as she looked around the table, her eyes shining with emotion. "Thank you for comin' with me, all of ya. Well, Miss Aliandith showed up later but still. Thank you for stayin' with me."
Eduwiges glanced up at the girl, 'It isn't going with you that is the problem Finch, its keeping you fed.' She took a good pull of her grog, then returned to her table carving.
Xandilif ruffled Finch's hair. "I just wanna get home and talk to the Monk about all this...
Finchley gigglesnorts a bit at Edu. "You know what I mean... I never meant for anythin' to end up like this. But, I'm glad that now it has I don't have to do it all by myself... No sign of Miss Catalinna?"
Aliandith bowed her head a little. "I require no thanking, dear" She smiled at Finchley. “As for Catalinna and her company, they all scattered to parts unknown, each chased by their own personal demon it seemed.
Eduwiges stretched, slightly tipsy but growing more so, 'I just want a break from all these fecking undead. And a few wenches, lots of grog…' She drained her mug and smacked her lips. 'Barliman has the best grog this side of Imladris!' She raised her hand to call for yet another.
Finchley had a sip of her ale and peered over at Ali, unsure if she liked the drink she had ordered for her hours ago. She knew that Lif drank pretty much only grog but sometimes ale, Calidis drank wine exclusively and Xanderian stuck to tea. She had opted for wine, thinking that from her experience of elves, Ali was more like Calidis, very old and very sophisticated…but she was worried.
Aliandith was actually very much enjoying her drink, even if it had no effect on her. She found it to be quite fruity, like thin juice. She had even raised it up in a somewhat awkward, very formal toast, as was the custom in this lands, or so she thought.
Finchley finished off her stew and started in on her third order of bread and cheese. "I hope Miss Cat and Miss Sable ran," she stated quietly. "And I don't blame them one bit..."
Xandilif snorted. “Oh they absolutely ran for it...near as I could tell from the hoofprints they all split in different directions just like the Antique said....anyone want to lay odds on which ones live out the week?'
Eduwiges laughed and took her new mug of grog, 'That little red headed rabbit ran faster than an orc after manflesh. She is probably back in Angmar by now.'
Aliandith frowned a little, though her frown was more confused than sad. "I do not understand why the one who tumbled down headed north... I fear she may be in deep, deep peril"
Lif nodded. “Deep peril is putting it mildly. Each one has got a target from the Guild of the Unsealed on their foreheads. The redhead, Cat, was clever, she will land on her feet. The other three? If they are lucky they will likely end up mounted over some priests mantlepiece before long. If not, they will be staggering around some moldy tomb somewhere making “uuuhhhhhhhhhh” noises.”
Finchley shook her head and had a sip of ale. "... And what if they never come back?" She looked up to Lif, expression serious even as she tore her loaf of bread into smaller pieces to make it last longer.
The champion sipped her grog. 'That is out of our hands, Babygirl....but I reckon your Grams ain't done meddlin since as far as I could tell, she said she was actually the grandmother of Red and the stupid one, Sable wasn’t it? She ain’t gonna let things stand since she hinted she needed em for whatever she was cooking up…or one of them at least. Anyway, I left a note in Cat’s knapsack. Sooner or later, we will hear from her.'
Aliandith shrugged. "If they were wise they would hide in the northlands and among the ruins. I sensed great unease and dread within the one called Sable.'
Finchley nodded and had another bite of bread and cheese. "... I feel bad. That's her grandmother. But instead of actually bein' her grandmother, she was grandmother to me, someone who wasn't even related to her. I feel like I replaced both her and her mother... Isn't that silly?"
Xandilif took another long pull of Grog and steals some bread. "Silly or not, we ain;t seen the last of Catalinna, I expect. There is a lot of that story we don;t know yet...don;t get too bent out of shape about the whole Grandmother thing.
Aliandith nodded slowly. "Little Tempest is correct. Many things may seem grim and desperate without the complete picture"
Eduwiges blew off a bit of sawdust and kept carving, 'Redheads, there's always something about redheads that doesn't click right...' she shook her head and drank.
Finchley grinned, 'Eh? But Miss Aliandith has got red-ish hair. Kinda... sorta...'
The Banshee shook her head, 'NO elf has got red hair, Babygirl...all elves have elf colored hair...'
Finchley snorted into her drink and coughed a bit. "Well then what do you call that on your head, Lif, if not black?"
The elf looked smug. 'Elf colored....stands ta reason no?'
Finchley stuck her tongue out at Lif a bit. "It's black."
Aliandith smiled patiently, '...Actually, Little Tempest... In ages past... there were those with ...'
Xandilif glares at Ali..."Yeah, and there were two big trees, and doughnuts grew on bushes and everyone had four legs....yadda yadda.”
Finchley rested her chin on her upturned hands and looked to Ali. "Well, what would you call your hair color then, hmm?"
Aliandith inclined her head at Lif. "Dismiss not the wonders of days past." before looking at Finch, pondering for a moment. 'The colour reminds me a little of the last light of the sunlight outside Nargothrond...
Xandilif spat..."Ya see, once they get bast a billion years old that kind of shite pours out of their mouths...
Finchley smiled a little, ignoring Lif. "Nargoth-what? Was that a city?"
Aliandith nodded slowly. "It was home in the Elder days. Now lost beneath the waves of Belergaer" She sighed a bit
Lif slapped her forehead with her hand. 'Dammit Finch, now the antique is gonna mope for days, staring at random objects and sighing a lot, maybe sometimes she will sing but only use three fecking notes....'
Finchley looked concerned, 'Oh... I'm sorry! Um... Here have some of this!' She pushed some of her bread at Ali.
Aliandith chuckled a little. "I have had many a years to come to terms of it's loss, Little Tempest"
Xandilif just stared at Finchley."Well that’s the world according to babygirl...Gosh, weeping over endless death and destruction in distant history?..here, have a cookie.”
Aliandith continued to chuckle "Ah, to be young..." She looked at Lif with a wildly amused look. “Tell me, young one, why do I annoy you so profoundly?”
The Champion looked awkward for a moment, running a hand through her short hair. “I don’t…well...not profoundly…it’s just…well…history, if you must know.”
Ali raised an eyebrow, repeating quietly. “History….” And let the matter go for now. This would be a talk for another day.
Finchley blinked as her stomach grumbled yet again at the mention of a cookie.'... I wonder if Mister Barliman's got any cookies left...'
Xandilif dropped a couple coins on the table in front of Finch..."Go on, find out ya damn rugrat
Eduwiges kept a careful eye on Finchley as she practically skipped to buy cookies. 'I don't like this crowd.' she kept her sword handy. “We have been on the road too much.' She leaned back over the table and continued working on the table with her knife.
Xandilif glanced over."Before ya carve yer name in a table ya outta learn ta spell it, Greyhound.
Eduwiges was feeling even more tipsy, 'I will have you know I am one of the best spellers I know...' She looked down at the table and blew the curls of wood onto the floor and examined her handiwork. The warrior smiled as she reads “Lethy” in elvish runes...
Xandilif looked at Edu's handiwork and shook her head."You are pitiful, Greyhound, ya know that?
Eduwiges smiled at Lif, 'Ya..I know that, I am ready to be home at Tol Lochul...'
Xandilif sighed..."Ta be honest I am missing the drafty rockpile myself...
A young brunette dressed smartly in red came up to the end of the table, an empty wine glass in hand and looked around at the company. "Hello everyone. Would it be alright if I joined you this evening?
Xandilif glanced up at the strange woman, muttering. "Elbereth's knickers, now what?
Finchley smiled and waved while Eduwiges brightened up immediately, 'Hi there, please have a seat.'
The woman sank gratefully down onto the bench beside Edu as Finchley shoved another cookie in her mouth and placed the rest on the table in case anyone else wanted some before she ate them all.
Xandilif spat. 'Dammit, one a you must smell like pork chops cause you are attractin' strays again....first the Antique over there now this.'
Finchley's mouth watered a bit. "Pork chops..."
Xandilif wiped drool off Finchley’s chin."I can’t take you anywhere, can I....
Eduwiges spoke over Lif, all smiles. 'I am Eduwiges of Faldham, professional adventurer. This is Finchley, Ali and the troll over there is Xandilif...' She gestured to each, 'Could I buy you a drink?
The newcomer smiled. 'It is nice to meet all of you. My name is Ellsabeth but I like to be called Elsa. As for a drink yes...I could use another glass of White Wine." Her voice betrayed a carefully hidden lilt of the Riddermark.
Lif rolled her eyes. '"Could ya now, well that’s a surprise....well fortunately Edu is buying a round for the table, ain’t ya Greyhound?'
Aliandith inclined her head politely at the newcomer. "Mae govannen" She greeted her with a soft tone.
Eduwiges smiled and waved the serving woman over, 'Another round for all of us please, ON ME…” she winked at Xandilif. “and a White wine for Elsa here.' she smiled 'Oh, Bring this one, 'she pointed at Finch, 'Bring this one some pork chops.'
Ellsabeth smiled as she glances at each of them while Finchley looked at Edu like she was a saint.
Xandilif spat "Dammit Greyhound now we will NEVER get her back on the road....”
Eduwiges shrugged, 'I don’t want her eating the leather off my saddle again. So what are you doing in Bree-town Elsa, Do you live here?'
Ellsabeth shook her head, her hair catching the firelight nicely. 'No. I am from the village of Claspgate in the Eastfold of Rohan. I came here cause I had never been before and I got bored with the day to day life at home. Wanted a change of pace and scenery.”
Eduwiges smiled, 'Claspgate? I thought I recognized the accent. I know It very well.' she frowned a bit and lowers her voice. 'My father used to inspect the members of the Eored there. I went with him, many times. It is a pretty little town.'
The woman seemed delighted to find someone who knew her home, and she looked around the table again. “You are all seem to be on the road...where are you all headed to?'
Xandilif froze, her eyes narrowing. "Why ya wanna know?
Ellsabeth was taken a bit aback by the elf’s demeanor. 'Well…umm…Just curious. I mean no disrespect in asking where you are headed.'
Lif took a sip of grog, eyes still sharp on Elsa. 'Well...we are headed somewhere, after bein' somewhere....savvy?'
Finchley stuffed a cookie in her mouth, chewing quickly and mostly swallowing before speaking again. "Been through Rohan lots of times but never had time to actually see the place. All this goin' back and forth over my problems..." She paused and frowned a bit. "It's funny... Seein' the world is what I wanted to do."
Xandilif looked at Finchley and her wary tone shifted, her voice softened and she reached out and rubbed the girl's hair. "Not what ya expected?...sorry about that Babygirl.”
Eduwiges smiled as the serving girl returned, setting the white wine in front of Elsa and quickly distributing the rest. Finally, she set a tray of steaming grilled pork chops in front of Finch, with mashed potatoes, gravy and a chunk of dark bread.
Ellsabeth took the new glass of wine and had a sip. "Thank you."
Finchley smiled softly at Lif. "Not what I expected, aye. But it is okay. Just means that, when we have a chance, I'll have to remember to stop and look around me. I've got such a short amount of time compared to folks like you and Miss Aliandith. I... just need to remember that the world is still a beautiful place too."
Eduwiges smiled, 'Elsa, Bree-town is quite far from the Mark, Did you not desire to see the cities of Gondor, a bit closer?'
Ellsabeth sighed, 'One day I would like to see them. When I left home I just took out a map and randomly pointed to a stop that would be the first place to visit. My finger just happened to land on Bree.'
'Ya need a better finger...' Xandilif spat.
Ellsabeth shrugged, 'Perhaps. Bree has been interesting though. I arrived just before the winter snows fell.'
Finchley stuck her tongue out at Lif. "Eh, Breeland's not all bad. There are pretty places if you know where to look. I could recommend a few if you like."
Lif rolled her eyes, 'Sure..lots of great spots...just across town there is Mad Burton's Museum of Unusual Dung... 'Then of course all Bree turns out for the weekly Goat Stoning in the market Square. What a merry place this is...'
Finchley reached across the table and poked Lif lightly on the nose. "Remind me to take you someplace pretty here sometime."
Elsa looked around the table again, this company so different from the standard Pony fare, 'I don't think I have seen any of you in here before. Did you all just arrive in town this evening?'
Finchley dug into the food in front of her. "Sort of..." though the words came out a bit off as her mouth was full.
Lif nodded. 'Ya could say that....'
Eduwiges rolled her eyes at the two and turned her attention back to Elsa, 'Ignore them. We rode in this evening actually...Are you seeing the sights Elsa or are you employed?' she leaned forward, her elbows on the table to keep her head up.
Ellsabeth smiled back at her. "Just seeing the sights. My parents passed away without a male heir a few years ago so money is not much of an issue at this point.”
Edu rose a bit unsteadily. “Well, I think I had best call it a night, too much grog I think. I hope to meet you again Elsa when I am more sober…night everybody” and she walked carefully up towards her room.
Xandilif called after her. “Remember, on time in the morning or we leave without ya.” Eduwiges raised her hand without turning around.
Finchley looked to Elsa and smiled a bit. "You intend to stay in Bree for very long? Or are you plannin' on travelin' to other places on your map too?"
Ellsabeth looked unsure, 'I just meet people who pass by and see what happens. I really don't have any plans at the moment.'
Finchley nodded. "If you ever do, I'll say one thing: Even though there's lots out there that is foul and fearsome, there's still plenty in the world that's good. I try to remember that when things get difficult."
Ellsabeth patted the girl’s hand, 'That is always something good to remember. Did I hear you say that you are all leaving in the morning?'
Finchley nodded. "Mmhmm. We uh... Just finished up some business here, or near here. Now we're headed back home where more of our friends-- Well they're all more like family now-- are waitin' for us."
Ellsabeth nodded seriously when the girl said 'family', looking around at the Pony again...the harsh laughter, the cruel glares, the mocking insults all feeling heavier than normal tonight, 'Where are you riding to next or is that private?'
Xandilif considered her answer, then decided the woman seemed alright. "Gondor in the end....”
Elsa sighed, 'Wow...Gondor. That will be a nice ride for all of you.'
Finchley took another bite, 'Mmmhmm. Still not enough time to stop and see things but I know someday I'll get my chance!'
Xandilif shrugged."Even if ya saw em, babygirl, they would just try and eat ya...or you would eat them. One a the two
Finchley laughed, 'Destiny and Galvra will be happy to get back on the road... And I think the folks of Bree'll be happy to see Galvra go! I swear, Lif, if you teach him one more curse word..."
Ellsabeth looked confused, 'Destiny and Galvra? More of your group?'
Finchley smiled, 'Destiny's my horse. Galvra's a raven. And Lif here keeps teachin' Galvra to say curse words... In *my* voice.
'A bird needs ta be able to call people Bitches....it is kinda essential.' Lif nodded, certain of this.
Ellsabeth laughed at that. 'I see. Gondor is a rather large land. Do you all have a specific destination or are you on a sightseeing trip?'
“Tol Lochul, in Belfalas...gotta talk to my sister. Xanderian...” Lif drank more grog. “...then depending on what the Monk has ta say, we got other business ta take care of. So, Tourist, ya got any skills besides standing around Bree watching idiots catch flies?
Ellsabeth smiled at the description, 'That is just a side job. I learned young how to fight. My father had no sons so he trained me by telling others that he was training me to one day defend me home and family from the troubles of the lands.'
The elf nodded. She looked like she could handle herself in a pinch. 'Yeah well...you'll pardon me, Tourist...but seems ta me that Bree has more and more trash floating in every day...why keep botherin' with them?'
Ellsabeth looked a bit forlorn, 'Bree can be quite nice in the right season…and as for the trash, well, what with so many travelers they were the only regulars around here before you came along. Sad that you have to leave so soon.'
Xandilif considered for a moment while ruffling Finch's hair again, then seemed to make a decision. "So...why not get up early and ride outta here tomorrow?
Elsa frowned, not having expected such an offer and finding herself without an answer, 'That is a tempting idea to get up and ride but I don't know where I would go if I did do that.'
"Ride towards Gondor...” Lif shrugged. “When ya wanna stop, or if things get too much for ya, stop wherever ya are and see what ya find. Gotta be better then here, no?”
Ellsabeth bit her lip in thought, 'Interesting idea. Riding to Gondor. Gondor...with all of you?'
'If ya ain't a waste of space we might show ya Belfalas...but if you get yerself killed don’t come whining back to me cause it ain’t gonna be my fault.' The elf took another drink. 'Savvy?'
Finchley snorted, 'Pfft, I ain't gotten myself killed yet. So she'll probably be fine travellin' to Belfalas if she does.'
Ellsabeth eyes flashed, 'I made it from Rohan to here without getting killed. I think I could make a trip without getting killed, thank you.'
Xandilif leaned across the table, eyes serious and voice low. "Only freedom is what ya can take fer yourself, only peace is what ya fight for....ya stay here, the hoopleheads and the little breelanders ain’t gonna let ya live. Savvy?.
All four were silent for a few moments, then Ellsabeth sighed, 'I like that. you speak very wise words this evening.'
Lif nodded and crossed her arms. 'I always speak wise words...it is what I do...that and kill things...'
Finchley added, 'And drink grog.'
Lif nodded again, 'Ok, that too'
Finchley kept adding, 'And help people. And save people too.'
Xandilif tapped Finchley on the forehead..."Yer drunk on Pork, babygirl”
Ellsabeth looked even more intrigued, 'So I take you all seek out trouble for fun or does it just often find you?'
Xandilif looked a bit uncomfortable." It is sort of a 50/50, Tourist....and as fer fun..we take what you can get. We just finished chatting with dead things after dealing with a couple necromancers and a dead hobbit with a sweet tooth....and once we get an answer to a few questions, odds are we will deal with a lot MORE necromancers, and worse...MUCH worse...so...if ya call that fun, then we are golden.”
Ellsabeth’s eyes went wide, 'Wow...compared to the pigs around this place that actually DOES sound quite fun.'
Finchley smiled, 'Ha! You sound like Edu when you say that, Miss Elsa. She enjoys fightin' things. She's got a warrior's heart through and through, just like Xandilif’s.'
Ellsabeth thought about that for a moment. "I like her more already. But I am sorry friends, I really should retire for the evening. Thank you for allowing me to join you this evening. I hope I get the chance to see you all again before you ride off again.'
Xandilif nodded gruffly, 'Show up downstairs tomorrow morning....and maybe we''ll take ya somewhere, Tourist.'
Aliandith bowed her head slightly "Rest well"
Ellsabeth nodded at Lif and paused, a certain light of decision in her eye. "I might just have to take you up on that offer.
