[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

"Hmm...a custom dress-maker," mused Aleia. Furrowing her brow in frustration, she racked her memory for someone that made dresses for Big Folk. Suddenly she snapped her fingers. "I know where you could get some clothes! Marian Boffin. It's a bit of a journey to her house, but she makes custom dresses for anyone that comes to her door with silver in their pockets."

Madea listened intently as Aleia told her the directions to Marian's hobbit-hole. When she was finished, she said, "Thank you, Mis - Aleia. Now, before I go to get my clothes, let's share a plate of food and have an ale." Aleia nodded and smiled in approval. Just then, a young girl entered the Dragon, looking for all the world like a mouse that had wandered into an owl's nest. Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she smiled, walking with a bounce in her step all the way to her seat.

Aleia nudged Madea, who had also seen the sudden change in the girl, and said, "See? That's what the Inn does to you. Best place in all the land to sit back and have an ale." Aleia leaned back in her seat and nodded knowingly to Madea, who chuckled and called Ruby over to order some food.