The Shire

[AraCelebEarwen]

She stood and nodded. "Thank you little one, and you need not call me 'my lady'." She laughed quietly and turned from the table. It was easy enough to find the room; the door opened to show two beds, a set of chairs and a few other pieces of furniture. Khelek looked around to find a lantern just to her side, it was easy to light and soon filled the small space with a warm glow.

Her pack was tossed onto one of the beds and she was quick to follow. Setting her cloak over the back of one of the chairs, she kicked her shoes off as another yawn caught her. "You must excuse me, you might have to fend for your self for a little in the morning. I do not think my day will start as soon as yours." She sat on the slightly stiff mattress, pushed her feet under the bedding, wrapped an arm around her pack she collapsed with a sigh.

[Arlina]

Steafia followed Varna into the room, looking around in slight amazement. Everything seemed to have some form of comfort, everything situated perfectly in the little room. She watched as her companion claimed the bed closest to the door and was soon asleep.

The girl walked over towards the empty bed, peeling off her shoes and socks after she had seated herself on the edge of it. She pulled down the covers and crawled in between the sheets, enjoying the comfort. With a soft "good night" she pulled the blankets tight around her small form and closed her eyes.


((jumping a head a little))
The morning seemed to have arrived too soon for Steafia. A soft moan escaped her lips as she rubbed her eyes, wanting to get back asleep but was unable. She looks over towards Varna, seeing the woman still nestleds comfortable on the bed. Remember what the woman has said to her last night, the girl streatched and slowly climbed out of bed. As silently as possible, she walked over to a water basin and began to wash her face.

((Sorry, I'm a little out of it, and still not sure where I'm heading with this yet...I'm working on it though!!^^))

[eleventy-one]

Find her, the one who will cast a shadow of doubt upon many.
Bring her to us...

The words echoed in Giriond's mind as he woke suddenly from a dark-shadowed slumber. Morning dew clung to his cloak as he stood up, brushing road dust off himself. The task he had been sent to do was not impossible, in fact it was fairly far from that, but Giriond regretted doing it none-the-less. She was only a child, for God's-sake!

[Arlina]

((hello!!))

Steafia pulled her socks and shoes back on, feeling slightly thristy. Seeing Varna was still asleep, she decided she would go downstairs, enjoy a glass of water, and return before her companion ever knew she was gone. The girl glances at the woman, seeing her clutch her bag tightly against her form...'I guess she might not trust me as much know' she thinks, remember only a night before when she had tried to take some items for Varna's bag.

"Oh well." she says silently, standing up and heading towards the door. As quitely as possible, the girl leaves the room, heads down the stairs, and takes a seat at the table they had occupied last night. Some of the faces there looked familar, and their expressions didn't seem to have changed either.

The girl thanks the woman who brings the glass of water to her. She hands the impatient looking woman a coin, quickly drains the glass, and sits it back on the table. Looking at the not too friendly faces, Steafia thinks it best to head back up towards the room, and the safety of Varna.

[eleventy-one]

But before she can, the door to the small inn creaks open. It's not unusual for doors of inn's to open, especially in the Shire, however, the man who steped through the door was much not as expected. He was anything but short, porky, harmless, and cheery. Instead, he was dark, tall, lean, and all to real.

Giriond paused a minute in the doorway, stareing at the small girl sitting in the center of the room. A slow, lip-curling smirk slunk across his face, making his navey-blue eyes twinkle maliciously. Then, as if it had never happened, the evil smirk was gone and the face of a weary but dark traveler remained unchanged, glancing curiously around the room. The little girl was unsure of what she had seen, but Giriond was not.

What luck...she's here.

Giriond took a seat at the front of the inn, near the only door - the one he had just come through. He ordered nothing, but drew an apple out of his pocket and tossed it back and forth.

[Arlina]

Steafia pauses before leaving the table, her attention drawn towards the door as a man steps through it. The girl stares as the man's expression quickly changes before he took a seat extremely close to the door.

"Maybe I'm just over imagining things." she says to herself, standing up from her spot at the table. "I'm sure that strange look was not directed towards me...maybe I'm still a little tired." she says, taking a nervous glance towards the man, her eyes sweeping over the rest of the crowd as well.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, the heads up the stairs, pushes open the door to the room, and drapes herself in one of the chairs. She watches Varna's form, wishing with all her might that the woman would soon awake and they could leave this inn quickly.

"Varna?" the girl whispers, not sure if the woman would be upset from being awakened. "Varna are you awake yet? I think we should leave."

[eleventy-one]

Aready he regretted this mission: she was so young, so helpless, so...beautiful. But this admisson of his mind did by no means make him soft...never. Giriond would never be soft, not as long as he bore the mark of the Ashrim. All his life, he had been determined, certinaly, hard and cold definately. But that night, Oh, that night, they had sealed his soul in steel. In iron. In fire. Had sealed it to their needs...forever.

The images came in flashes but quickly left his mind as the apple twitched out of his grasp and fell with a thud on the floor. When he bent to pick it up, the memories were gone, locked once again in Giriond's mind. The outward barrier returned as if the weakness had never been.

[AraCelebEarwen]

Dreams and sleep faded as something penetrated her unconscious mind; a voice, the girl's? She took in a deep breath as her mind found it's way back from wherever it had been, her eyes slowly blinking open to the light that now filled the little room. Moaning slightly, she stirred and pushed the blanket away from her face. "hm? Leave? But we have only just gotten here..." Khelek paused to sit up slowly. "Is something wrong, little one?" She rubbed at a stiff spot in her neck and looked over to where Aiwa seemed to have collapsed into a chair.

[Arlina]

"Theres...I...someone scary....downstairs..." the girl said stumbling over her words, not sure what she really wanted to say. She moved uncomfortably in the chair, her fingers tangled in a hole in her shirt.

"I don't like it here anymore. I,...I don't feel comfortable here, like some strange presense is here." Steafia stirs again, looking towards Varna then back towards her fingers. "I don't know. It just feels strange here. Can we just leave?"

The girl looks back up towards Varna, her eyes pleading. She struggles to keep the tears away, removing her fingers from her shirt.

[eleventy-one]

Giriond slowly rubs his thumb over the bruised part of the apple. Waiting.

[AraCelebEarwen]

((sorry, I was gone all day. :o Back now though :) ))

Khelek froze, her forehead knitting as the girl tried to speak. Something must have truly worried her; fear showed plainly on her face and in her actions. Placing her feet on the cool wooden floor, Khelek reached for and pulled on her boots. "If you are sure, Aiwa. Is there anything else you can tell me? Are you alright?"

[Arlina]

((no problem. We're just glad that you're back!))

((ack! I tried to post, and it deleted everything I typed and said I wasn't logged in...I think this computer hates me...oh well))

Steafia watches as Varna pulls on her boots, her mind full of possible things. She shakes her head at the woman's last questions, her fingers tangled back into her shirt.

"I just don't feel comfortable here anymore. I don't like here anymore." the girl says, not meeting Varna's gaze. "I promise that I'm alright. I just want to leave, that's all."

The girl silently climbs out of the chair, waiting for the woman to finish getting ready. "You're not mad that I woke you, are you? I'm sorry if you are..."

[AraCelebEarwen]

"No, little one, I am not angered. If you truly think we should leave, then it is best we do so as soon as we can." She smiled slightly as she pulled the cloak around her shoulders and looked over the room. The second story room had only a little furniture, a window and the bedding among a few other things. "Now. How would you think of leaving without drawing too much attention?" If Awia was going to be good at thieving and staying alive, she would need to be able to think quickly and clearly even when she felt cornered. This could be as good a time as any to see how she did.

[Arlina]

Steafia looked around the room, then back towards Varna. "I guess the best way to leave would be to act like travelers and don't leave in a hurry. I mean, I'm sure that people stay one night and then leave the next, right."

((sorry, I had more, but it erased it when I tried to post it the first time, and know I have to run off towards my class...sorry))

[AraCelebEarwen]

"True, but is there no other way one might leave a place such as this? Travelers do come and go quite often, yet..." Khelek had picked up her bag and now stood watching the girl. "Are you sure there is nothing else you could tell me about who you saw? What happened, or where they were?"

[Arlina]

"Not they, he." the girl says fidgeting again. "He seated himself close towards the door, and he just felt...evil." Steafia says, unsure of how else to describe what she saw. "He walked through the door, a dark expression seemed to pass over him, but in a flash, it was gone and he appeared to be another traveler."

She follows the woman out into the hallway, and waits as Varna locks the door with the key they had aquired. "It just felt weird. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't want to stay here anymore." she pauses, looking towards the staircase. "I'm not sure if there's even another exit to this place...could it be possible that there's another door somewhere?"

[AraCelebEarwen]

"Did I say anything about a door?" Khelek's eyes sparkled as she set the key on the floor, tucking it into the corner of the doorway. Walking with a soft steep, she led the way to the end of the hall, a lone window letting in the late morning light. Glancing over the frame and out to the empty ally below, she undid a simple latch and stood back. Gesturing lightly, Khelek nodded for Awia to lead. "There is most always another way out. Just try not to slip and you should find that the ground is not as far as it would look." Awia paused long enough that Khelek pushed her slightly then followed her out onto the thin, wooden ledge. Kneeling carefully, she found a solid grip in the timber and let her feet slid over, hanging only a second before releasing her hold and landing in a crouched position in the ally. "Can you do the same? I can catch you if you wish." Awia was only slightly smaller then her but she knew it would not be hard if Awia wanted the help.

[Arlina]

Steafia swallows hard, looking over the ledge, then back towards the window. With a small shake of her head, she built up some courage, closed her eyes, and, grabing a hold of the woonden legde, begins to slide over. Feeling warm hands guide her fall, she opens her eyes to see Varna smiling.

"Thanks." the girl says. She looks back towards the building, immediately feeling sorry that they were leaving a comfortable place with nice food, but glad to be away from whatever that was inside.

"Where are we going know?" she asks, looking back towards Varna.

[AraCelebEarwen]

"First we should think of getting some supplies. I do not know about you, but I seem to have missed breakfast." Her green eyes sparkled as she smiled. "Come, let us go from here, though if possible, we should try not to wander too far from this land."


((ooc: ;) The Shire it is and The Shire it should stay! as long as we can, that is :p ))

[Arlina]

((Aye!! Here, here!! ::raises glass::))

The girl's smile return as they moved farther away from the building. "Breakfast sounds good. All I had was a glass of water." she states, the morning sun warming thier path.

"This place seems nice after all. It seems to hold a certain melody all it's own." she says cheerfully. She begins to hum a tune that she could remember, something her mother once sang to her.

[eleventy-one]

Giriond waits, still tossing the apple back and forth. They would come down soon, and if they did not, well then, it was time to get nasty...

[AraCelebEarwen]

Khelek smiled softly as she listened to Awai, the tune unfamiliar but pleasant and fitting to the fine weather of the morning. They came to the side of the inn and turning away from it, they walked down the road a way tell the warm smell of bread found them. "I think we might find something here. Shall we?" The shop was a little bakery, filled with pies, breads and many other things, still hot and fresh from the oven.

As they walked in, a little face popped out from behind a tray of more things just being placed on the counter. "Can I help you?" The hobbit was only a little suppressed to see the woman come in as travelers were common in this part of town. "I have some of the best baked goods around." He boosted, waving a hand at the shelves. "What will it be?"

Khelek looked around, taking her time and decided on a hot loaf of what he said was an apple bread. "What about you Awai? What would you like?" Khelek asked while tossing coins to the little man for what she had picked.

[Arlina]

Steafia scanned the shelf, enjoying the smells. It was still a little surprising for her that these people were the height of her, if not smaller. ((....I kind of forgot they were hobbits!! ....ahhhhhh!!)) She enjoyed how everything seemed to be made perfectly for her: the shelves were just high enough for her to see, the counters were easy enough to reach.

The girl rescanned the shelf, having problems deciding on what she wanted. Her eyes land on what was called Pumpkin bread. Pointing to it, she nods, saying: "That looks good. Could I have that please?"

[AraCelebEarwen]

((hehe. That's fine, yep, little, off-guard hobbits here. ;) But how old is she?! I tend to see her as being somewhere around 16 or so... She might not always act her age but that's how I've always seen her...))

"If it be what'ch ya want malady." The polite little voice answered her while stuffing the coins into a pouch on his belt. "It's some of the best when fresh!"

Khelk smiled as she handed over the warm, spiced bread. "Do you still have coins, or must I cover this for you? You can pay me back if you must." A slight wink followed her words; her grin growing into a happy sigh as she placed a bit of the steaming bread in her watering mouth.

[Arlina]

((actually...I'm not really sure. I had planned her older, then she turned out to be younger..then even younger and then sometimes older then her age...I might just try to stick with sixteen or so...but then most of the time she acts like ten...I don't know...maybe...I could compromise and say she's like 13...))

Steafia dug into her pockets, pulling out a few coins with a slight frown and placed them on the counter. With a "Thank you" to the man, she takes the bread from Varna and rips into it, excited about a new taste she hadn't experienced before.

"Wonderful." she simply states, eating a few more bites. Walking outside of the shop, she asks: "Would you like to try some too? It's really good." Offering the bread to the woman, she smiles, enjoying another bite.

[AraCelebEarwen]

((13 would be alright, but I almost think she could be closer to 15... *shrugs* It's entirely up to you. :D Whatever works. Having fun is all that really matters here! ;) ))

"Here, try some of this if you like." She tore a piece off her own bread and traded it for what the girl held out. "Are you still intent on leaving or was it only that place that you wanted no more of?"

The sun was warm on their backs as they stood facing the road; calm and quiet, this place seemed to not know that there was anything of danger that could come here. The corner of Khelek's mouth curved slightly at the thought of things being almost too simple here. A place so peaceful could lead to some...entertaining, times.

[eleventy-one]

((OOC: 13 sounds good to me though she seems to act around 10-12...but whatever))

They did not come, they had been alerted to his presence. With one last flick of his wrist, Giriond tossed the apple to his right hand and tucked it away into his pocket for another time. He stood up, dark and silent all at once, and then, giving the measley inn not even a parting glance, he left. He stepped out into the bright sunlight but did not cringe like so many of the dark did. A black cape swirled about a foot off the ground as the door shut heavily. He glanced this way and that on the street, taking a mental picture of everyone there, picking the target.

[Arlina]

((thanks everyone))

"This place seems wonderfully peaceful and quiet, almost perfect. That inn just felt weird. I guess I don't mind staying here, I just don't want to stay around that inn anymore." the girl says, tasting Varna's bread. She smiles, nodding.

"It's all wonderful. That person was right, his food is good!" Steafia smiles, looking around the area close to them.

"I guess we have to find another place to stay...I'm sorry." she says quietly, looking up towards the woman. "But..." she pauses, her expression hopeful, "I would love to just walk around and explore this place; it's so beautiful that I just want to spend time outside."

[AraCelebEarwen]

Khelek smiled and nodded. "Alright. I think we can find somewhere else to stay by this night. It is good to be out on such a fine day." She finished off a few more bites of bread, letting her gaze drift up and down the street before she started to walk away from the bakery at a relaxed pace.




((edit- *hitting head on desk* there! I thought I might have done that. All better now though! :p))

[Arlina]

Steafia gently placed the rest of her loaf into her tattered pocket. She easily keeps up with Varna's pace, glad to be enjoying the scene for once. The girl pays more attention towards the trees and rolling hills then where she is going.

"Varna?" she asks, pointing. "What kind of animal is that?"

[eleventy-one]

Giriond noticed 2 women walking lazily down the street. They would have been just 2 normal travelers in his eyes had they not been so close to the inn, had they not been walking away from the center of town, had one of them not been a little girl about the same age he was looking for, and had this girl not make a swift, stiff, nervous glance back at the inn. Giriond had the evidence he needed; he began to follow at the distance of a good 50 yards.

[AraCelebEarwen]

Khelek had heard Awai's question but didn't answer as her attention was elsewhere. Everything looked quite, the town starting to fill with people of all sizes and races; mostly hobbits but other travelers were common enough. The weather was fine and all seemed peaceful, but something was not right. It was almost an off hand question as she looked around the streets. "Have you ever been in a fight?"

[Arlina]

Steafia looks towards Varna, the question not registering in her mind. She quickly answers the question as though it were just that, a simple queston.

"I've been in a few fights, a couple of little squabbles I guess you could say, but nothing more. I've learned to stay away from fights, especially ones with people who are older and have more skills in weaponry. Why?"

The girl looks around again, this time the trees and beautiful hills not seeming so wonderful, feeling slightly nervous. She could tell her companion felt like something was wrong, but wasn't able to place what it was. She glances towards the inn, wondering if something was following them. "Is something wrong?"

[AraCelebEarwen]

"We shall see." She didn't want to worry the girl without cause, but what was there to say? Awai had see something that frightened her and now this. Khelek smiled as she looked at Awai and back to the land and buildings around them. "It should be alrigh, but promise me that if I tell you to do something, you will do it without question. Can you simply trust me..?"

[Arlina]

The girl thought a moment, thinking if there was any time in the short period that she has known this woman that caused any mistrusted. Thinking of none, she nods her head.

"Yes." she states, wondering what could Varna possibly want her to do. "I trust you. I believe that if you wanted to do something harmful to me by now, I wouldn't be alive."

[AraCelebEarwen]

Even though she kept her attention on things around them, a smile flash across her face and one hand rested on the girl's shoulder. "I would have a hard time thinking you a fool, little one. Wanderers we are and a fine team we could make, you and I."

The breeze changed, playing with Khelek's light, red hair and giving her something of a clue. Only she could sense it though, something strong, a dark feel penetrating her mind as she turned to look back.

[Arlina]

Steafia drew in courage from her companion's touch as they continued their slow pace down the road. They pass a few buildings, but nothing that interested the girl. She set her sights on a larger building, one that was larger then the rest.

"What do you think is there?" she asks, pointing towards the building. The outside was full of windows, lights on in every room. The place seemed as peaceful as the rest of the area could be.

[AraCelebEarwen]

"Ah! That must be one of the best inns to be found in all of the Shire! I have heard a little about it even in my travels. I think it is called 'The Shining Rose Inn'. Shall we make something of this opportunity?" Green eyes drifted over the faces in the street before giving a mischievous wink.

[Arlina]

"The Shining Rose Inn? I don't think I've ever heard of this place. It's a huge inn considering the location. I guess it brings in a lot of business?" A bright smile crosses the girl's face, her eyes sparkling.

"Sounds like fun!" she says, glad for the opportunity to forget about whatever it was that was in the previous inn.

[AraCelebEarwen]

"Well then, let us have a look." The hand that had been on her shoulder lifted and ruffled the girl's hair, making her huff slightly and pull her head back to straighten the tangled locks.

As they walked up to a well polished door, the woman's wary gaze went again over some of the people walking to and from the many shops. She opened the door to a warm, welcoming scent of hot food and something that could only be called 'clean'. The floor, tables and bar were well cared for, the many windows letting light spill in and giving a grand view out to the grass hills and quaint little village. There were indeed guests here; many looking to be well off and greatly enjoying there time.

[Arlina]

"It appears these people are a little more friendly then the others at the other inn." Steafia says, following Varna into the building.

She was immediately impressed by the high quality of everything, including the cups and plates that the guests were eating off of. The girl felt safer here, feeling as though nothing could go wrong in a place so clean, so peaceful, so...well...almost pure like.

"I hope that we have enough money to stay here...I mean...these people look rich...I'm sure it won't be a problem..."

[AraCelebEarwen]

"Perhaps, but one must remember, there are some here that are here only for their caution. One can not expect things to be too easy on the wealthy, they know how to keep what is theirs... most times." Khelek's face looked calm, not really showing much of her thoughts but her green eyes glittered happily as they drifted over the guests, looking for a good target.

[Arlina]

"I guess they have learned how to keep what is theirs for so long...some have had their wealths for quit a long time..."

The girl watches as Varna searches through the crowd, amazed that her actions almost appeared natural, like she wasn't actually looking for a target. Steafia turns her eyes towards the door, wondering again if they are truely safe inside this inn.

[AraCelebEarwen]

"Ah, here we are." Khelek nodded slightly as her eyes landed on an empty table. Sitting in a chair just to the side of it was a older looking man. Gray hair and well colored clothing told her part of what she wanted to know, more was seen as they came closer to and sat at the chosen table. He looked to have had a long evening the night before as his eyes were tired and he looked to be falling asleep over his breakfast. A rounded money pouch hung from a wide belt, dangling freely at the man's side.

[Daranavo]

A man sat a table over from the old man whose purse was in danger. He was eating his breakfast and barely looked up from it due to his ravenous appetite this morning. However, he did notice a girl paying some attention to the old man half-dozing at his breakfast. He took a quick moment and sw another girl watching the door and then the girl near the old man.

At first, Daranavo thought that he should stay out of it, however, he remembered the hardness of the guard that posted here. He did not have alot of coin, but, he could stand to part with some for some conversation.

Softly, and hoping not to draw too much attention he said. "Young miss...I was about to order a loaf of nut bread and fruit if you and your friend (he gestured toward the other girl) would care to join me? I heard that it is very tasty and...would be much easier to get."

[Arlina]

Steafia had turned her gaze away from the door and began to walk towards the table Varna was seated at. She eyed the older man, then looked towards his money pouch. 'Even a small amount from that pouch would last us a while...' she thinks.

The girl quickly brings her gaze towards a gentleman a table away, and was surprised when he gestured her way, the back towards Varna. Listening to his last statement, Steafia looks towards her companion, a question in her eyes.

"Aye." she says, turning towards the other character. "And a room? One of them too?"

((ack! I'm stuck, brain won't function!! and have to run off to do things with my church youth group!! sorry guys!!))

[AraCelebEarwen]

(that's alright. Hope ya had fun!)

Khelek was watching the younger man carefully as he spoke to Awai. She would stay back a little longer, the full pouch now not seaming quite so tempting as she knew they were being watched by whoever this man was. The last thing she needed was to draw attention.

[Daranavo]

The man drank some coffee and as the fresh bread arrived, he set out a couple plates around the table. He leaned back in his chair and patiently waited to see what they would do.

[Arlina]

((oh yeah fun...especailly when you have to carry your preacher's oldest daughter on your back while being lost in a CORN MAZE!! No, really...it was fun, I promise...however I just didn't like the being lost part and having some six-year-old trying to tell you which way to get out....boy...I hope those kids were crazy...::sighs::))

Steafia looks towards Varna for reassurance before stepping closer towards the stranger. Maybe if she was nice to this man, they would be able to "acquire" some money to help them out...or she could just be nice to this man, enjoy the spoils, and move on...

"Thank you." she said shyly, gingerly taking a small portion of the offered bread.