The Green Dragon Inn - Part 4

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

Morwyn awoke the next morning, the events of the night before still troubling her. As Annalaliath had come out of the shadows and collapsed weeping into Morwyn's arms, a man had approached up the road. His eyes were alert as he glanced about the road, pushing the two women into the light and out of the shadows. "Are there orcs about?" he asked them in a quiet voice, his eyes taking in Annalaliath's distress.

Morwyn laughed. "No, sir. You must not have travelled here before. Welcome to the Shire, a land that is well protected from orcs and other creatures of darkness. The King Elessar is very fond of the Halflings who live here. No harm will come to you while you stay at the Green Dragon."

The man's eyes widened. "This is the Shire then?" he asked. Annalaliath nodded, her tears subsiding. "I am Waenchamion." he told the women.

"And I am Morwyn." the woman introduced herself. The three had moved inside then, and found Nahai and Celecu ready to retire as well.

Now Morwyn stretched and yawned, wondering how Nahai was dealing with the return of her dead love. If she saw Alric again, she wouldn't know whether to burst with happiness or weep. If she saw her family again... Morwyn's head pounded as she took out the letter from Osric and read it over. Baby Eadric would be so big now! She sighed, folding the pages and tucking them under her pillow. She must start planning to return home.

Dragging herself out of bed and putting on a fresh skirt and blouse, Morwyn trudged down the stairs in search of Nahai, Annalaliath, or any familiar face.