Arrival at Bree

Common Room

This large and rectangular room serves the purpose of Common Room for the Prancing Pony. Large windows along the western end of the room peek out over the Great East Road which runs outside the Inn. There are long tables with bench seats for the patrons in the centre of the room. Nestled into the wall is a large fireplace with several bundles of wood piled next to it. Overhead, lamps hang down from roof beams, but their light is dim and half-veiled in smoke. The corners of the room are wrapped in shadow.

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Contents:

Nob

Danuf

Ovor

Thari

Arlon

Dart Board

Obvious exits:

Out

The sun flashes brightly on the horizon. Night gives way to morning.

[Frarin] The morning is newly come over Bree, bringing with it the first warm suggestions of an early spring day. The silence of the morning is gradually broken as the town slowly lumbers to life, but all is not well. Out the large west-facing windows of the Prancing Pony there can be seen, for those who bother to look, the growing silhouette of a strange company, obscured partly by the smudgy light of the newly-risen sun. But as the group nears the inn, its definition becomes more apparent. With hunched shoulders and wary eyes, the company passes the windows of the Prancing Pony, some leading ponies, some stumbling along on their own.

They pass out of sight for a time, but soon there comes the sound of many heavily clad boots in the entrance foyer outside the common room. A murmur of deep, grumbling voices can be heard beyond the common room until at last the sound progresses down the passageway. Suddenly a most peculiar sight greets those enjoying the Pony at this early hour: a dozen or so dwarves clad in ragged travelling cloaks, some with bandages about their heads or limbs, all with caution in their eyes as they enter upon the common room.

Arlon has disconnected.

[Thari(#31038)] Thari, shorter than most, is among the company of dwarves. Short, too, is this dwarf\'s beard--the shortest of any of them, short enough to be a human\'s. Thari weaves unsteadily with a bowed head, each step bracing as if the floor were rocking, trembling just a little bit. Someone steps noisily nearby and there is a flinch.

[Ovor(#20753)]      One of the Dwarves, his cloak not quite as ragged as the others, is the Thane of Zinbar, Ovor. His Huskarls do not seem to be with him at the moment, and he seems also to not have his hammer with him. As the Dwarves enter the common room of the Pony, the Thane\'s eyes flick around, taking in as many details as possible. After a moment, he shrugs slightly.

Danuf enters with a large amount of grumbling. \"Ain\'t had nothin but gruel and grass for ages, I want proper food!\" he bellows, \"And beer! Lots of beer! Of all the dwarves, Danuf is probably the fattest of course, his tummy spilling out over his belt, a picture of pure gluttony. \"I want a roasted pig, stuffed... some pheasant, and a litre of beer!\" he shouts out, raising a greasy fist into the air, \"Now!\"

[Thari(#31038)] Every syllable of Danuf\'s bellowing voice makes Thari hunch more. The short dwarf makes an unsteady line for the nearest chair and there sits, one hand curled around the back of the gold-streaked head.

[Nob(#16122)] The door opens, with a bang (or so it seems!), and a throng of dwarves troop in. Several heads pop up to see who has come in, and several pairs of eyes remain fixed on the strangers - widening every second.

At the back of the room, a young boy crouches beside the fire he twists to see and drops a log on the fire he was trying to build. Sparks fly and smoke curls thickly out into the room.

A hobbit hurries out from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. \"Welcome, welcome,\" he says cheerfully. \"We\'ve the best beer this side of the Misties, no, the best beer this side of anywhere! Come in! Sit down! Would you be wanting rooms as well?\"

[Frarin] Coming forward from the company is a tall dwarf clad in a dark red tunic and grey travelling cloak. The silver merchant Frarin has a bandage about his head and left hand, but he surveys the common room with keen eyes as he comes to stand at Thari\'s side. His mouth opens slightly as a cheerful hobbit approaching them suddenly, not seeming to care for the strange looks others in the room are giving the dwarves. Frarin face is unreadable as the hobbit happily greets them and, taking a look from side to side, the dwarf speaks on behalf of the company.

\"Hail, Master Hobbit,\" says the silver merchant, though he pauses as if reconsidering such a greeting in this setting. \"That is,\" he stops again, glancing back at his company. \"Yes, beer if you please. And anything solid you have to eat!\" he says with finality. \"We need rooms for a dozen or so, and someone with training with healing, if you have them. The rest of our company will need tents or whatever you can spare, we have come a long way and with few supplies.\"

Danuf nods to the hobbit, taking a seat at one of the larger tables, finding a bench that is high enough, and sturdy enough, to hold him. \"Everything you\'ve got! I don\'t want to be able to see my toes again for a month!\" he laughs uproariously, beckoning for a good tankard of ale, \"Ah do hope ye ain\'t got no guests upstairs.... gunna be a bit of a ruckus tonight.. ain\'t that right lads?!\"

[Nob(#16122)] The small boy has forgotten the fire entirely it is smoking copiously and the feeble flame is dying. Nob snaps over his shoulder, \"Lek, build up that fire proper, then go out and fetch the stablemaster.\" To a young woman who is goggling from the kitchen door, he says, \"Shut up your mouth before you end up eating flies and go bring out...\" a hasty eye runs over the group. \"That roast from last night and the potatoes and tell cook we need as much bread as she can spare.\" As she blushes and ducks back, he adds, \"And don\'t forget the ale!\"

\"Rooms, yes. A dozen? Are you ... er ... do you prefer being at ground level?\"

[Thari(#31038)] \"And bandages. I need a lot of bandages and hot water.\" Thari\'s voice is abnormally quiet, deep and rumbling. The head lifts, the eyes a bit hazy as they rest upon Nob. \"I can take care of everyone I think, if I sit still.\" And tired, the words are numb and tired. Just beneath the table, before her stomach, her hand moves sharply and quickly.

[Nob(#16122)] The child turns to his fire-making, taking so many glances over his shoulder that he may as well not be looking at the fireplace at all. And another of those there already rises and slips out of the door, giving the dwarves but a single backwards glance.

Danuf grumbles as it takes over five minutes for food to arrive. At least he has the table manners to not start bashing his knife and fork against the table in an attempt to get better service. \"Ah can\'t wait for some good roast.. and potatoes? Mmmmmmmmmm, bread? Yugh, maybe for the young ones, I want meat!\"

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"Rooms are rooms.\" Comes the almost rumbled response of the Zinbar Thane before he makes his way to a table. \"And no ale for me! I have my own supply, and I will be most satisfied with it.\"

[Frarin] \"We prefer what rooms you have, so long as you have them,\" says Frarin. He glances at Thari\'s hands moving before the table, but says nothing in response. He casts a disapproving eye over Danur as the tubby cook quickly seats himself. \"We will come here to do what we swore to, Master Cook,\" he says, with annoyance. Turning to the hobbit again, he continues, \"And yes, bring hot water and bandages. And we must speak with someone of some authority here. Do you understand, Master Hobbit? It is of the utmost importance.\"

[Nob(#16122)] The door from the kitchen bangs open and the girl of earlier staggers out, carrying an enormous platter with a sliced roast on it. Behind her are a vastly hugh woman who moves with great dignity, humming to herself as she places loaves of bread on the tables. And behind /her/ a teenaged boy brings a cauldron of potatoes.

Thari looks over at Danuf as well, a single tired glance. \"Bree is under attack,\" says the exhausted-looking merchant. The face, scraped on the left cheek, is turned to Nob. \"Quickly now!\" the voice is raised. \"Get someone! Breefolk might burn!\"

Madeleine enters the Common Room through the open doorway.

Madeleine has arrived.

[Nob(#16122)] The faces, which have been agog with interest, close up and turn away. Crazy dwarves. One man chuckles indulgently. \"O\'course we ain\'t bein\' attacked!\" he says. \"Why, just look outside! D\'you see anybody? \'Course not. \'Cause there ain\'t nobody there.\"

Danuf seems to have forgotten all the chit-chat as the food is brought. \"Mmmmm!\" he says, licking his thick lips as he takes up a hunk of meat, setting it on his plate before using both hands and his mouth to take a big bite out of it, chewing noisily, letting the juices drizzle all over his beard as he devours the relatively fresh meal.

[Nob(#16122)] Nob looks at the dwarf which speaks of attack. \"Indeed?\" he asks politely. \"Well, I\'ll send someone for the mayor.\" Another girl sidles up to him, looking up, her round hobbit face apprehensive. \"There.. there\'s only \'leven rooms upstairs, Mr. Nob, sir,\" she whispers. \"But.. but there\'s \'nother down.\"

[Frarin] \"Foes do not march up and kindly ask for a pint,\" says Frarin sharply, sudden weariness seeming to descend upon him. His shoulders slouch and a fit of coughing takes him as he clutches at his chest. The fit passes quickly, however. Nob\'s polite tone seems to further annoy the silver merchant. \"Do you not comprehend, Master Hobbit? He must be fetched now, by yourself if need be! We do not have time to tarry with indulgence,\" he adds, with a meaningful glance at Danur.

[Thari(#31038)] \"Where are the bandages?\" Thari mumbles toward the table-top. Grey eyes survey the room, and the dwarf\'s head lifts again as they alight on Ovor. \"Thane Zinbar? M\'lord? Could you have one of your men fetch bandages? I want to see to everyone before I sleep and we ran out, remember?\"

[Nob(#16122)] The fascination the dwarves have had for the roomful of people has ebbed with this ridiculous pronouncement. And they turn back to their food the quiet hum of chatting beginning to fill the background again.

Nob nods indulgently, and says to the hobbit girl beside him. \"Run and find the mayor, lass. Tell him he should come to the Pony straight away.\" Wide-eyed, she patters to the door and vanishes and as she goes out, the man who had left earlier, comes in. His arms are full of cloths and behind him is a lady with a bag smelling strongly of herbs.

Danuf grunts happily as he swallows a big mouthful of roast, licking the juices from his stubby fingers, \"Mmmmmm...\" he croons, taking his tankard of ale and taking a big gulp, washing down the meat for a moment before diving in again, a true glutton.

[Nob(#16122)] Hazel gives Danuf a look of pleasure. \"Nice t\'see someone as enjoys his feed,\" she comments before waddling back into the kitchen for round two.

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"Hrm?\" The Thane Zinbar turns, eyes flicking around before they rest on Thari. \"Ah. Yes. Of course.\" Standing from his seat, the Thane swiftly departs the common room, returning a few minutes later. \"Master Frarin is right. Just because you do not see your foes does not mean they do not exist. I suppose you believe that the wounds our company as received is simply from stumbling on the road?\" The words are addressed to the room at large before the Thane shakes his head, grumbling something to himself.

[Frarin] The serious dwarf\'s face is like stone as he glances at the cheerful chattering fills the room again. But Frarin says no more, instead taking up a slightly smaller chair, sitting poised upon its edge as if ready to jump up at a moment\'s notice. \"Sit,\" he waves towards the company of dwarves still standing in the passageway. \"We can do nothing until this ridiculous mayor is sought.\"

[Nob(#16122)] \"Of course not,\" Nob says, tactfully, his eyes moving through the company.

\"Probly done it theyselfs,\" says a voice from somewhere behind.

\"But I have sent for the Mayor, as you requested. There is nothing else I can do about it at this minute. Do have a seat, Mr... ah... ?\" He looks with approval at Frarin who speaks the very words he has to say, but his approval disintegrates into a frown of reproof at the mention of the mayor. Ridiculous indeed!

[Thari(#31038)] Lily, the lady with the herbs, looks around quickly before going toward the dwarves. \"Who needs to be healed first?\" she asks meekly.

Thari doesn\'t notice Lily\'s entrance at first, sitting with hands on either side of head to keep it from swaying. The dwarf turns at Lily\'s question, however. \"Here, I can take care of them myself.\" Thari stands, bracing against the edge of the table. \"Give me those things.\"

\"You will not!\" Lily retorts indignantly. \"You\'re about to fall over yourself!\"

[Frarin] \"Frarin,\" says the silver merchant in response to Nob\'s questioning trail away. The reply seems to remind the dwarf of something and with a glance, he rises again, bowing to the cheerful hobbit. \"Frarin son of Forli, at your service, Master Hobbit,\" he says. Apparently satisfied, Frarin seats himself once more with a disgruntled look. But he lightly plucks a loaf of bread from the pile on the table and tears a piece away. Of a sudden, a unhappy growl issues from the sober dwarf\'s mid section.

[Nob(#16122)] Lek finally gets the fire going properly, stands up and heads out the door, banging into a table and nearly tripping over a chair before he makes it out - and all for gawking at the dwarves. \"Mister Barley will fix it all up!\" he pipes up, just before he falls through the door.

[Nob(#16122)] Nob executes a small careful bow in return. \"And I am Nob, also at your service,\" he replies, and pulls up a chair, hopping on to it and preparing to join his guests.

[Thari(#31038)] The banging of Lek makes Thari\'s eyes go cross for a second, knees buckling. The dwarf-healer\'s lips press. \"Danur needs it worst over there, then Ofi, and give me some water and I\'ll see to Molin and Frarin.\" Briskly the Thari points at various dwarves.

\"No, I\'m looking at you first.\" Lily goes straight for Thari and reaches down, pulling back the bandage at the dwarf\'s right shoulder. A quick, hard jerk, and Lily has torn away some of Thari\'s shirt there.

\"GET OFF!\" Thari suddenly bellows before sitting down hard on the chair. \"Nobody touches me but a dwarf!\" Red-faced is the dwarf, and the healer takes a step or two back.

[Madeleine(#28488)] A slight human woman makes her way into the Common Room of the Pony quietly. Her hair is down and bits of straw are in it, and while she is clean, she also looks a bit worn.

[Frarin] Frarin opens his mouth to reply to Nob as the hobbit seats himself, but Thari\'s sudden outburst brings the merchant\'s head about with a snap, some unknown flare in his dark eyes. He is on his feet in an instant, though the action brings a cringe of pain to his face. \"Master Thari!\" he says, grumbling voice an octave higher than normal. \"Perhaps you might see what is the matter with my breathing, now we have proper supplies. Come sit here.\" To Lily, Frarin offers what comes close to a gracious nod. \"Thari is weary, my lady, as are we all. That is all.\"

[Nob(#16122)] \"So, have you come...\" Nob is left, mouth open mid-word, as Frarin abruptly deserts him. \"Well,\" he says to himself, and helps himself to the bread.

Thari takes a few quick breaths, eyes a bit wide, skin gone red and then perhaps sallow around the edges. \"Forgive me,\" the dwarf-healer offers to the alarmed Bree-healer. \"I am tired, that is all. It\'s been a long road.\" Pride props up the tone enough to make Thari add, \"Though I\'m sure we would\'ve been fine had it been longer.\" The dwarf stands and wobbles toward Frarin.

\"Yes. Well.\" Lily mumbles a few things under her breath. When Thari\'s back is turned, she allows herself a hateful glare toward the stout little dwarf (who sports a nasty axe). Lily walks instead toward another dwarf, the one named as Ofi.

[Nob(#16122)] Nob turns his attention to the next dwarf, a particularly greedy one, it seems. \"I hope the food is to your liking,\" he says. There is a slight lift to his voice, as if in question. \"Is there something else I can get for you?\"

[Madeleine(#28488)] The slight human woman listens for a few minutes and then turns, openly staring at the dwarves for a few minutes.

[Nob(#16122)] Hazel waddles back out from the kitchen, pausing near the slight woman. \"Quite a sight, ain\'t they?\" she asks, shaking her head. Her arms are full of more loaves of bread these warm from the oven. She beams at Danuf, who is shoveling his food in in a way that would delight the heart of any cook.

Sweetpea enters the Common Room through the open doorway.

Sweetpea has arrived.

[Madeleine(#28488)] \"Indeed,\" the slight woman says thoughtfully and then absentmindedly twirls a curl of her hair around her finger and pops it into her mouth.

[Nob(#16122)] Hazel moves away from Madeleine for a minute, piling the loaves on the table where Danuf is. \"There you are,\" she says comfortably. \"You just eat up now. Regain your strength.\" She turns, rather like a cow in a pond, and returns to the girl\'s side. \"Help yourself,\" she invites, belatedly. \"If you\'re hungry.\"

[Madeleine(#28488)] \"Do you need help?\" the slight woman says, softly, through chewing on her hair.

[Frarin] The silver merchant cautiously lowers himself back into his chair as Lily leaves Thari be. \"Hm?\" he says absently to Nob, finally tearing his faze away from the momentary commotion and looking back to the hobbit. \"What? Oh. Yes, the food is very good,\" Frarin says, glancing at Hazel with a bunching of the brows. Nob\'s second question, however, brings Frarin back to the present and his face becomes serious and unhappy again. \"Yes, we must speak with your mayor, Master Nob,\" the dwarf continues, tongue stumbling slightly over the strange name. \"It has been five minutes already, is he not to be found?\"

Danuf munches on a leg of roast, nom nom nom nom, The dwarf smacks his greasy lips, \"Moooore!\" he says through his full mouth, swallowing in a large gulp, pausing to let out a table-rattling belch, draining his tankard again, motioning for more beer!

[Nob(#16122)] \"Well,\" Hazel says hesitatingly, then she nods decisively. \"Yes, dear, if you could just take that poor fellow some more ale. Doesn\'t he look like he needs feeding up?\"

[Nob(#16122)] Nob blinks as someone else answers the question he intended for Danuf. But he turns back to Frarin willingly. \"Good, good. Glad to hear it. I flatter myself we\'ve good cooks here.\"

[Nob(#16122)] At the request (again!) for the mayor, the hobbit smiles soothingly. \"I\'m sure they\'re doing all they can to find him,\" he replies. \"It\'s...\" he glances at the window, \"Just about time for his second breakfast, so he ought to be at home.\"

[Madeleine(#28488)] The slight woman nods and takes the curl out of her mouth and then heads for the kitchen, returning with some ale for the dwarf. She puts the mug down and whispers softly, \"Drink it, don\'t offend her.\"

Thari leans over Frarin as conversation bubbles without being heeded by the swaying dwarf. The leaning causes the beginning of a topple, but the dwarf-healer braces against the back of Frarin\'s chair with the left hand.

Thari eases into a nearby seat instead and reaches for Frarin\'s chest. \"Stop talking,\" comes the brisk order. \"And you needn\'t be scolding me.\" The dwarf-healer\'s hand presses here and there over the silver-merchant\'s chest questingly.

Celebros enters the Common Room through the open doorway.

Celebros has arrived.

[Sweetpea(#11282)]

Second breakfast is about the time for this Hobbit to choose a more warm surrounding for her sore feet. Rare thing for an hobit, she really has all her toes reddish,like having walked long ways, long time without rest. She gets in, look over distractly to the stranger there, sighs and then move for a seat. Sweetpea fisrt purpose , being of course, to e a t.

Danuf gorges on his platter, swallowing potatoes nearly whole, a skill once reserved only for female dwarves, but times seem a changing, besides, Danuf is a professional pig. The chubby little dwarf stuffs his face, his cheeks billowing outwards like a chipmunk as he devours the food set before him.

[Nob(#16122)] \"Thankee,\" Hazel says and leans back against the wall instead of returning to the kitchen. She is watching Danuf almost exclusively though her eyes stray to the other dwarves as well. \"Why aren\'t they eating?\" she asks worriedly. \"Do you think it\'s not seasoned proper?\"

Sweetpea spots Danuf table manner and she avert her eyes with a little cough in her fist betraying her uneasiness with tis type of behavior.

[Frarin] The incredulous look on Frarin\'s face seems on the verge of boiling over into an outburst but for Thari\'s timely arrival. The silver merchant is taken off guard for a moment as Thari orders him into silence, but he still manages a grunt of disapproval in reply to Nob. To Thari, he mutters quietly, his voice rumbling. \"I was not scolding you,\" he says simply, not elaborating for fear of unwanted ears.

[Nob(#16122)] The girl must be watching from the kitchen, for she spies Sweetpea\'s arrival and hurries out. \"What would you like?\" she asks, smiling timidly at the hobbit. \"Porridge?\"

[Madeleine(#28488)] The slight woman moves closer to Hazel, \"Your food is always amazing. Maybe dwarves don\'t like food?\" she whispers, sotto voce.

[Nob(#16122)] Not Like Food? Hazel stares at Madeleine, aghast. \"Do... you really think so?\" she asks, not bothering to lower her voice. \"Those poor things!\"

Danuf is a living testament to the fact that at least some dwarves enjoy food, perhaps a little more than hobbits! Blasphemy! Danuf continues to devour his meal, finishing off the platter of roast and a helping of potatoes, reaching for some bread and butter, \"More beer!\" he bellows.

Sweetpea says, \"Oh please, with a ray of honey on a loaf f bread and goat milk.\" Sweetpea first say. \"You think you have some fruits or it is too late now in the season?\"

[Nob(#16122)] Nob watches Frarin\'s expression and a bit of concern creeps into his face. He scoots to the far edge of his chair. Just in case. \"I\'m sure they\'re doing all they can,\" he repeats. \"He\'ll be here as soon as possible.\"

[Nob(#16122)] \"I think there... there might be some apples? But, well, they\'ll be a bit withered, is that all right?\" The girl looks down into Sweetpea\'s face with a worried expression.

[Celebros(#31143)]

The door is opened, the sounds of the kitchen filtering into the Common Room. Another enters here, though ill fit for the company, it seems. No Dwarf is this, nor Hobbit, and though in build and stature he may well pass for one tall among Men, his leonine grace and bright eyes tell otherwise. One of the Elves, surely.

Indeed, Celebros is this, who made his strange appearance at the gates some days passed. His garments and gear appear much as they were then - both fair and worn, and his countenance grace and quiet. Celebros pauses just within the door, as if startled by the company gathered before him, his eyes widening briefly ere settling into a ponderous study of each occupant.

[Thari(#31038)] \"Oh.\" Thari\'s hand presses harder into various spots on Frarin\'s chest, nearing the middle now. \"Oh! I see.\" The deep voice has become quieter. \"Please tell me when it hurts, Master Frarin.\" Grey eyes determinedly watch the hand.

The bandage, where moved, has revealed dirty, crusted-over blood on Thari\'s shoulder. One has been pulled up and is just starting to ooze red.

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"Master Cook!\" The Zinbar Thane snaps, eyes narrowing on Danuf he seems to be in a wonderful mood this morning... \"Slow both how much and how fast you eat, or I shall see to it that you do not have any food or drink except water until /I/ decide otherwise.\"

[Nob(#16122)] Just behind the elf, Lek slides through the door, making a beeline for Nob. \"Can\'t find \'im!\" he says excitedly. \"I looked ever\'where! Even up in th\'haylofts, an\' he ain\'t nowhere a t\'all!\"

[Nob(#16122)] This pronouncement deepens Hazel\'s look of horror. The poor lad! \"He\'s got a healthy appetite!\" she snaps, moving forward a step.

Danuf quietens somewhat at the scolding, \"You\'re not my mother...\" he can be heard, muttering under his breath, chewing slightly slower on the tough bread, dipping it into ale to soften it somewhat as he chews.

[Madeleine(#28488)] The slight woman puts a hand on Hazel\'s arm, gently, \"Shh, I\'m sure they know what they\'re doing, best not interfere..\"

Sweetpea takes a really long time to decide herself, contemplating what ever is going on around her. SHe is so distracted, but at the same time, she misses when people talk directly to her. She finally look at the kitchen girl. \"Why that worry look, I \'m alright with any fruits ther ewill be in your kitchen, even withered. I\'m just in the taste for it. Can you have me some?\"

[Nob(#16122)] Hazel grumbles, but steps back at Madeleine\'s gesture. \"Well, if you say so, but I don\'t know, I\'m sure!\" And she glares at the Thane.

The girl nods, relieved, and scurries towards the kitchen. \"Apples, honey, bread,\" she mutters under her breath. \"Apple, honey, bread...\"

[Celebros(#31143)]

Starving Dwarves. Injured Dwarves. Such is the sight that greets Celebros\' eyes, and his expression settles somewhere betwixt curiosity and concern. All attention settles on Danuf, and with lifted brow the Elf draws somewhat nearer him.

\"Hail, Master Dwarf, and well met. How comes it that so many of your folk have gathered here, and wounded? I hope no evil has befallen you...\" Kind words, for one of the Eldar to the Naugrim, and kindly spoken. But as is oft the way with the Elves, something in Celebros\' gaze remains reserved, holding neither joy nor ire, judgement is witheld as yet.

[Frarin] The silver merchant grimaces as Thari presses against his chest just right of the centre. \"Ah, there,\" Frarin sucks in a sharp breath and hunching over as if to protect his chest. His eyes rise again at Ovor\'s voice and he nods deeply at the Thane. \"Thank you, my lord,\" he says quietly, casting yet another unhappy look at the indulging dwarf cook. Only a glance is spared for the entering elf, thus perhaps explaining why, for the moment, Frarin seems to assume the tall, newly-arrived figure is only another man. The boy entering behind Celebros draws far more of the dwarf\'s attention. A muttered curse issues forth from Frarin\'s mouth.

\"Well then go out and look again, lad!\" he says with unusual impatience, pushing his chair away from Thari and shaking a finger at the poor Lek. \"Find him, understand? Anyone with a semblance of authority will do, someone who understands urgency when it confronts them!\"

Danuf grunts, taking a bite of bread, \"Ran into some orcs.. foul bunch.. led by some orc in a red cape.\" he murmurs under his breath, taking another swig of ale, \"Gots some of the other Dwarves in a tizzy.....\"

[Madeleine(#28488)] The slight woman whispers to Hazel, \"Perhaps there\'s something I could eat? I\'ve not had any food in 2 days.\"

To Thane Ovor does Frarin then turn. \"My lord, it would ease my heart some if two of your men would take up a watch on the eastern edge of town. There seems to be no sense of the danger here, but I would not like to be surprised.\"

[Thari(#31038)] \"Hmm.\" Thari\'s hand lingers over the pained spot, when suddenly Frarin has pulled away. Grey eyes go dizzily from one figure in the room to the next. The little dwarf\'s head sways, bobbling, then settles. \"Why is there an elf here?\" asks Thari blankly.

[Sweetpea(#11282)]

While waiting on her order, Sweetpea draws a sort of misshaped book from the bag at her side. So papers falls from it, the binding is rudimentary, not done well. Though her eyes look like reading, she looks over the brim of it then as soon as someone look, she moves to *look* sort of reading in it. Quite a feat for a near illeterate hobbit already, yet even harder when you hold the object upside down.

[Nob(#16122)] Hazel\'s shock is redirected. \"TWO DAYS?\" she shrieks, and nearly takes Madeleine by the arm in her hurry to get the girl sat down with food in front of her. She snatches a loaf of bread from Danuf\'s table and then pauses to stack several slices of roast on top of it. \"Here. You just tuck into that, now.\"

[Madeleine(#28488)] The slight woman is pulled along and pushed into a chair and looks at the bread and roast. \"Butter?\" the slight woman says, looking up through her eyelashes hopefully.

[Nob(#16122)] Nob and Lek both stare at Frarin, slightly confused. \"Well,\" Nob says slowly, \"If you\'d really /rather/ speak to the stablemaster than the mayor...\" he shrugs. \"Lek, go try his house,\" he tells the young boy.

[Celebros(#31143)]

\"A red cloak...?\" So answers the Elf to Danuf, his voice low and heavy with disbelief. A flash in his eyes, a passing frown, and a darkness that briefly clouds his brow - these things hint at a recognition that Celebros\' words do not.

\"How many were they, and how far afield? And whither do they go, if you know?\" No questions more is there time for, Thari having fair demanded an explanation of his presence. \"If it is an intrusion, I beg it will be forgiven. Elsewise, I came hither only for a meal. But in its stead I have found ill tidings, though,\" Celebros\' head is canted to Frarin, \"I regret the price at which it was got.\"

[Ovor(#20753)]      \"You will find, Master Cook, that being restricted to water and nothing else for, say, a week... will keep your hunger... and your stomach in check.\" The Thane\'s threat is spoken almost casually, as if he was discussing no more than the weather. Yet, when Frarin speaks, Ovor\'s eyes flick to him. A few moments of silence follows before he nods.

\"Of course. Surprises are a most dreadful thing...\" The words are quietly mumbled by the Thane. At the mention of \'Elf\', however, his eyes flick around until they land upon the elf. They narrow a moment, as if in quiet appraisal, before he makes his way towards the door to talk to his men.

Danuf takes a sip of beer and another bite of bread, \"Maybe a few thousand.....\" he murmurs, \"Cavalry, Infantry... a large encampment to the east, on the great road... think they is heading west... not sure.....\" he says, gesturing towards the wounded dwarves, \"They saws more than me... the same orc that commanded the Highpass fortress leads them, so I am told, a vicious one at that.....\"

Sweetpea exits the Common Room through the door.

Sweetpea has left.

[Thari(#31038)] \"A red cloak...\" Thari repeats. The dwarf slides off of the chair and braces a hand against the seat, watching Celebros and speaking urgently. \"Is the orc with the red cloak dead?\"

[Nob(#16122)] \"Butter,\" Hazel says. \"Of course we have butter!\" She gives the girl a mock glare, meant to bully her into eating, and lumbers into the kitchen to find it.

[Madeleine(#28488)] The slight woman nibbles on the bread a little and smiles towards the dwarves, swinging her legs.

[Nob(#16122)] Lek shrugs. \"Right then,\" he says. \"I\'ll go look.\" He turns again, and this time is stopped in his tracks by the sight of an elf. Utter delight spreads over his face as he edges, as slowly as possible, towards the door.

[Frarin] Frarin\'s temper is temporarily stayed by Thari\'s question and he turns with an odd look to behold Celebros. His brows rise as he does so, finally recognising the elf for what he is. The merchant\'s mouth opens in question, but Celebros\' words wipe all question from his face. At last a sane voice! \"Hail, Master Elf,\" says Frarin. \"Aye, they come from the east, out of the mountains. Some riding wolves, a great host. And here we sit twiddling our thumbs.\" His voice is tense, though steady and not raised in anger.

[Nob(#16122)] Twiddling their thumbs indeed! Nob scowls, then smoothes the expression from his face, replacing it with a good Assistant Innkeeperly smile. \"I will go and look myself,\" he tells Frarin. \"But... er... did you wish to speak first to the Mayor or to the Stablemaster? I thought he might have the tents you requested...\"

[Nob(#16122)] The disinterested townsfolk have returned to listening unabashedly. At the dwarf\'s words, they chuckle and nudge each other. Better than story hour, it is!

[Celebros(#31143)]

\"If he is, I am not aware of it,\" Celebros\' answers Thari, turning now to regard the small Dwarf. No countenance so fair as his aught ever show such grave concern, but hither thunderclouds are indeed drawn, the darker for Frarin\'s words.

And to Frarin he now must speak, for here at last is a mind not wholly unlike his own. \"The Men of Bree may twiddle their thumbs if it please them, yet they will rue it soon. Such a host as that of which you speak must not be suffered to wander at will, or all these lands will be laid waste, for there is little defence to be found among these folk. Yet well it is known of the hardiness of Dwarves - how many have you here? And how long, I beg, have we to gather strength, if this is indeed the destination of the orc host?\"

Danuf shakes his head, both towards Thari and to the elf in question, \"Nay, The red-cape lives... saw his orcs once on the battlefield, like nothin ah seen afore... something motivates these ones.. they fights fiercer than before.... ill omens for these lands if the people are not rallied....\"

[Thari(#31038)] A dwarf approaches the slight woman who Hazel is feeding. His beard is red and bushy. \"Do you mind if I have a seat here by you, lass?\" he asks with a short bow. \"The seats are taken up.\"

[Madeleine(#28488)] The slight woman gestures and takes a big bite of bread and roast, smiling slightly.

Thari\'s eyes struggle to focus on the speakers, going from one to the next and glazing slightly in between. \"Frarin?\" at last this one asks, interrupting and bewildered. \"Is the orc dead? The one with my-- the one with the red cloak? I remember that orc and that\'s when all of this nonsense in the head started. That orc did something.\"

[Thari(#31038)] The flame-bearded dwarf bows beside the slight woman. \"Norli son of Borli at your service, and glad to see Bree,\" he explains as he climbs up into the chair.

[Frarin] \"Both,\" Frarin says to Nob, seeming to feel a tinge of regret at Nob\'s scowl, for his tone grows steadier still. \"And any military men you may have here, be that soldier or gatekeeper.\" Turning to the elf, Frarin seems at last abated, glad to find someone not merely humouring the dwarves or listening for interest\'s sake. \"We have less than forty in our company, but some are too young to fight, others already wounded. We were ambushed as we rode for Bree. We left Rivendell some many weeks ago and made for our own halls at Erebor, but we came across the tracks of a mighty army. They headed west, with nothing in that direction save this town and the Shire. How long we have I cannot say, we have ridden slower since our ambush.\"

[Nob(#16122)] Nob nods, though there is something of uncertainty in his face now. \"There\'s the breeguards,\" he says, then turns away. Who knows where they all might be! The portly hobbit hurries out the door, and a minute later, can be seen through the window, heading down the road into town.

[Madeleine(#28488)] After she finishes chewing, the slight woman says, \"I bid you welcome. Thank you for joining me.\"

[Frarin] Frarin\'s stony expression softens ever so slightly at Thari\'s bewildered question. He drops his gaze from the elf for a moment, his beard bunching about his mouth. When he looks to Thari next, his dark eyes are at once hard and gentle. \"He...he lived when last I saw him, Thari. He struck your helmet just before I reached you. But the battle was fairing badly, I had not the time nor strength to challenge him, only to distract.\"

[Celebros(#31143)]

Celebros folds his arms as he listens, his lips drawn into a thin, displeased line. His eyes rest steady upon Frarin, drinking his words, though they are of ill taste. \"Indeed, they must indeed come to Bree, for there is naught else to the east of us. Can it be that Imladris has had no word of it?\" This last is uttered more in thought to himself, though aloud and of volume enough to be heard by any that listen.

\"Forty cannot hold Bree, even though they be of such hale and valiant folk. They must do what they can in their own defence, though I wager they hearken little to your tidings? Often are those who have dwelled long in peace unwilling to hear aught to their discomfort. But I will do what I may to gather my own people, such few as wander the wild. They are not many and I know whither they roam, though mayhap I can find them, and others of such mind as will defend these people. More swiftly would the word be carried I had I a fleet-footed horse to bear me...\" This is not so much a request of Frarin as a faint (and mayhap wasted) hope of some aid from the Men of Bree.

Thari sits back on the chair after Frarin\'s response, hand in lap. The dwarf frowns, grey eyes gone stormy and dark in the silence that lingers from this healer. \"Next time he will die,\" says the dwarf at last. \"Come and let me see to your chest while you talk with them, Master Frarin.\"

Danuf nods at that, \"The Red-cloak leads them... he is their commander, a cunning one at that, I fear for the people of Bree.. for the good peoples.... he will bring much suffering if he is not stopped.. he is not like any Orc I have read about...\" he murmurs, chewing a bit on his bread, \"But, I must sleep...\" he grunts, rising from his seat, plodding towards the exit, content to sleep in whatever location has been set aside for him, happy enough to just be able to put his head down.

[Frarin] The silver merchant is quiet a moment as Thari responds, but he seats himself at the healer\'s bidding. \"Nay, forty would not come close,\" says Frarin quietly, turning again to Celebros. \"We met but a fraction of their force and did not fair well. If the master of Imladris has news of this looming threat, who can say? We were some two weeks departed from that valley ere we turned aside and rode for Bree. Find what friends you can, Master Elf, but we will need a host of defenders to withstand any assault. We believe the orcs bring with them trolls, the track of at least one did we find. If the people of this town can be roused from their comfort, I would have them flee to the hills rather than sit and wait for their foes to bear down upon them.\"

[Thari(#31038)] \"Ungrateful louts,\" Thari grumbles, hand going again for Frarin\'s chest, searching once more as if already the location of his hurt is forgotten. Fingers trace and press along the ribs. \"See if we come riding out to their defense again.\" The healer is swaying while working.

[Celebros(#31143)]

\"I shall do what I can in what little time we have,\" Celebros answers, his voice dropped low as though in acknowledgement of the grimness of their purpose. \"I will search for my people, if they are to be found. But yea or nay I will return in four days, and no longer. I will not have it thought that the Elves retreat to their cities while the Dwarves defend the land alone. Our kinds are seldom friends, and all too quickly are our shared battles and shared griefs forgot. I bid you farewell, then, Master Dwarf, and may the stars favour you ever.\" The elf slips into a slight, graceful bow, but does not yet depart.

[Frarin] \"Nay, Thari, do not rue the decision,\" Frarin grumbles, eyes half scrunched in pain as the healer works. \"Thane Ovor was right. Neither Bree nor the Shire are allies of the dwarves, for that would imply a conscious allegiance. But would you rather have continued for the safety of Erebor, knowing what awaited this town? Full of its people who will not hear the truth even when it is shouted at them?\"

The dwarf does not rise to return the bow to Celebros, but nods deeply, careful not to interrupt Thari\'s work. \"What you will find in four days remains to be seen, Master Elf, but I bid you ride with all haste. If no master here is willing to release his horse to your purpose, then take the grey pony tethered to the stable door. He is my own. A poor steed for elves, but quicker still than the foot, though perhaps your kind may travel faster than my own. All the good peoples of this land are friends when such a foe bears down upon them, pray bid your friends remember this! And may your steps not be dogged with trouble, Master Elf!\"

[Thari(#31038)] \"You\'ve not any broken ribs, Master Frarin. You need sleep. Try to get some sleep even though there\'s work to be done.\" Thari swivels in the seat then and attempts a bow to the elf, nearly falling over. The dwarf rolls sideways to grips the arm of the chair to prevent this.

[Combat Function Library(#15)] Thari tends to the injuries on Frarin.

HEALING: Thari attempts to treat your wounds...

[Celebros(#31143)]

Celebros bows his head at Frarin, smiling suddenly at this unlooked-for kindness, a smile that soon changes to worry as Thari nearly looses her seat. A hand is extended to catch her, swiftly and without thought, but she has saved herself, and the Elf takes advantage of his strange posture to return her bow. \"Navaer,\" murmurs he to all present, and silently slips from the room.

Celebros exits the Common Room through the door.

Celebros has left.

[Frarin] As the elf departs and Thari uprights herself, Frarin seems suddenly immensely weary. He slouches heavily in his chair, not even raising his usually polite hand to steady Thari. \"You\'re right, Master Thari.\" He sighs. \"Yes, you\'re right.\" But he waves towards the seat opposite him instead of rising to find a bed. \"But not just yet. Sit you down, Thari. Wherever that hobbit has got off to, they mayor will be some time in coming, I imagine. But you have not been quite right since the battle, Thari, and now at last you are at least coherent. You are the healer, what ails you?\"

Thari stands and walks toward the seat slowly, each foot placed with concious thought in its place on the ground. She climbs up with the same great focus, swaying and tense. \"My right arm is of no great use, but I don\'t think it\'s broken.\" There is a pause while she furrows her brow. \"One time, many years ago, I knew a dwarf who was hit so hard in the head that his skull cracked a little. He had trouble with speech and was unsteady for a while, and though he regained his balance, his speech he did not.\" She leans toward Frarin, lowering her voice. \"I remember my whole life before the battle clearly, and I remember the orc and you coming. My memories after are troubled. I am dreaming all of the time.\"

[Frarin] \"You were speaking all of the time as well,\" says Frarin, troubled as he looks at Thari. \"Nonsense mostly, sometimes about the orc with the red cloak. Your eyes easily unfocused and it took little to upset you. But you have at least regained your speech, hopefully time will restore your balance as well.\" He rises, holding out a hand to Thari. \"Come, you should take your own advice and rest for a time. I will make sure that someone wakes me if the mayor is found, but for now, our company should get what sleep we can. The sun climbs higher in the sky, so perhaps if the orcs are near they will hold off their attack until it wanes a bit.

Thari accepts Frarin\'s hand and slides off of the chair, to land weak-kneed with a thump. She grabs for the silver-merchant\'s forearm to steady herself. \"Sleep. Yes. If you think so. I already dream too much.\"

[Combat Function Library(#15)] Thari tends to the injuries on its own person.

[Frarin] Frarin seems on the verge of saying something in response to Thari, but he shakes his head instead, supporting her towards the passageway leading to the inn\'s rooms. Others among the group of dwarves that had first entered follow them towards the rooms and some duck back outside towards the stable. Before disappearing, Frarin halts and looks back at the multitude of curious eyes that follow their little company. \"You will,\" he starts, but quickly checks his commanding tone. \"I would most grateful if one of you could rouse me when your mayor is finally located. For now we take our rest.\" And with that the dwarves disappear into the corridor beyond, leaving only excited whispers behind.