The Prancing Pony

[The Witch King]

In the heart of the Bree, a town where Men and Hobbits reside peacefully together, is the bustling inn run by Barliman Butterbur. There is a cosy yet buzzing atmosphere, especially when the common room meets its full capacity of citizens and strangers enjoying ale and warm milk on those chilled autumn evenings. Numerous doors lead off from the main room, many of which take guests to their rooms. Those interested in staying the night have only to ask the jovial innkeeper.

[Imrel]

The last time Imrel had been in The Prancing Pony, she had been a mere girl of sixteen. The person who stepped inside now and drew back the hood of her traveling cape was eighteen, an adult by most standards- but not her own. And the first thing she did upon entering the inn was to assert her still very-much-childish nature by sneaking up behind Temmin Brindleknock the Hobbit and grabbing him by the shoulders, causing the skittish young fellow to jump and almost spill his cider.

Imrel rocked backwards with laughter. "Temmin, you aren't half the easiest lad in the Shire to frighten!"

"Heavens above, Firebird," the Hobbit puffed, still in a state of shock. "You scared the wits out of me. Where did you spring from, anyway?"

She shrugged and continued to smile. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. Let me make it up to you, friend. Another cider, on me."

"Make it two!" piped up Temmin's friend Fob, holding out her empty tankard with an eager smile.

[Elven Star]

As Elv walked though the door the first thing she spotted was I'm, the ranger had changed quite a bit but her smile still held the same warm feel Elv remembered from so long ago. To see her dear friend warmed her heart and she smiled something she hadn't done in so long. Moving though the inn she noted how little things had changed while others had stayed the same. She came to Im's side with a smile she spoke quietly.

Glad to see I was not the only one feeling the call back...

[Imrel]

Now it was Imrel's turn to jump in surprise (a sight which greatly amused Temmin and Fob), and she turned to look wide-eyed at the Elf who had appeared next to her. She was dumbfounded for a moment, then, "Elv!" she burst out, embracing her old friend. "It's been so long-"

Releasing ElvenStar, she stepped back, eyes still bright with happy disbelief. "How long has it been? Where've you been, friend? What have you been up to?"

[Elven Star]

Elv laughed lightly at Im when she jumped. She embraced her tightly and smiled. Moving back she noted how the ranger had changed. She would almost have sworn to it that Im was taller and she could almost see the change Im had made from girl to woman in only two short years. Elv knew to Im she appeared for the most part no different then last time they had sat and this very inn and talked.

Oh Im, its been almost two years I would say. You have no idea how lovely it is to see you after so long. I have been far and wide sometimes alone other times with others.

Elv smiled at Im and pulled her cloak all the way off to revile that she was still very much in her traveling clothes.

What of you dear friend, where have you been all this time?

[Imrel]

Im held up her hand to ask for a moment, and sifted through the coin purse at her belt to find some coppers, which she held out to Fob. "Be a sweetheart, Fob, four warm ciders, my treat?" Fob rolled her eyes, but scooped up the coins and headed to the bar.

Imrel sat down at a near vacant table, and indicated that Elv could do the same. "I've been journeying," she told her, "adventuring, all by my lonesome. I had business down in Ithilien, you see, and since then I've been following the Anduin northward, and traversed some through Mirkwood aswell. I've gained some new scars with a few stories behind them, but nothing epic. Not without you and the others."

The Ranger shook her head fondly. "It's a great joy to see you again. Does anything in particular bring you here, Elv; other than the Pony's fine food and drink and top-notch service, that it?"

[Grubhosh]

It had been a long time since Grubby had visited Bree, she'd changed very little got promoted bloody idiot... she'd forgotten his name rag- something 'took a little tumble off a cliff. She hadn't really wanted it too much extra work not to mention the average lifespan. But she did have a nice little group of lads (who hopefully would not eat each other while she was gone) and fewer people tried to kick her in the street.

Alright Im and Elv

she stood next to Ims chair

'you grown? either that or I've shrunk..

she frowned

[Imrel]

Grinning to see Grubhosh, Imrel quickly stood and hopped up onto her chair so that she towered above the orc.

"Oh aye, I'm a veritable Ent, me." Stepping down again, she heartily clapped a hand on Grubby's shoulder. "Great to see you again, Grubby! If this isn't a day for reunions. Take a seat," she offered, sitting herself, "tell us what you've been up to."

[Grubhosh]

I got promoted,other guy got killed he only lasted a week.. that was about couple of months ago

she sucked her teeth

'reckon i got a few more weeks before someone tops me

[Imrel]

"Well congratulations, anyway."

Fob returned with a precariously balanced tray of ciders, two of which Imrel took for Elv and herself. When the hobbit put the tray down at her and Temmin's table, Imrel was ready with another few coppers. "Could you get one more?"

"What am I," Fob huffed, "a waitress?"

Im retrieved a silver from her pouch. "If you'd like a salary."

Fob snatched up the coin. "Warm cider, coming up."

Im turned her attention back to Grubby. "I wouldn't be so sure about the end of your career-" (she didn't feel morbid enough to say "life")- "You've lasted much longer than the last guy, after all, maybe you're in it for the long run now." After a pause, she ammended, "I wouldn't let your guard down, though."

[Grubhosh]

she laughed

that's a bit optimistic..
he was a twat a cowardly little maggot, spent all his time getting up peoples.. er noses. Any way when am i not on my guard?

[Imrel]

"Good point," Im had to agree, as Fob came back with another cider, which the Ranger took and handed to Grubby.

Raising her own glass in a makeshift toast, she said, "To the things that never change."

[Elven Star]

Elv who had listened to their conversation with out any input smiled. And raised her glass.

Yes, to things the never change. Her free hand went to the chain and ring around her neck And to old friends!

[Grubhosh]

she raised her glass

yeh cheers

and downed her cider. Nostalgia was best cured with alcohol, a few minutes longer then she'd be talking about how wonderful life was in the mountains was forgetting the snow and the hunger, no big bosses though.. fresh air, better company

Oi hobbit I'll have another one these

she held up her mug

'snot that bad

[Imrel]

"I'll pass on your compliments to the barkeep," Imrel grinned.

Fob looked over to Grubby indignantly. "I'll fetch another cider if I get another silver coin."

Im sighed. "Ah, how wealth doth corrupt. I'll get it, Grubs." She put her own tankard down and got up. "I wonder if Butterbur still pays what he used to," she mused, heading to the bar. "I might see if I can get my old job back."