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“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.
You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet,
there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

"What can we contribute to the journey?" Tali asked. "I don't want to be a burden the entire journey. We can't even pay you back..." She trailed off as the tea arrived. "I can hunt," she continued. "Or cook."

Will listened intently to the different conversations around the room. Every now and then he would listen closer to one particular one. People interested him and he wondered what they all looked like. He could tell by the different dialects or speech patterns if they were dwarven, men, or hobbit, but there was always a piece missing.


Glad to be back! Happy New Year!

Elora watched at a distant. Cloaked. Disguised. For such measures were required now, in this place and time.

She made no movement, no noise that might draw attention. Should she meddle, Elora wondered. That had been a time when she would have described that course of action as intervening. Or even helping. that was then. This was now and the Guardian of Arda continued her observation.

Far to the south, Sauron was missing. She could not sense her brother's former agent any more but what did that mean in truth? Sauron was almost as treacherous as her brother was. Then there were Istari to consider, at least two on this side of the Mountains. Where the other two were was not her task to track down. She sipped at her tea, appearing as no more than a mortal woman. Age indeterminable. Just another woman with amber curling hair concealed under the scarf wrapped around her head and green eyes. No more. No less.

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R'AMEN

Elora decided there was little to bothered with at this place, rose from her table, and quit the inn. There was no need for her here.

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R'AMEN

"Missy, you look old enough to be able to work tables. Unless you're moving on soon, I can give you a job doing that, or in the kitchen if you prefer."

Tali glanced up surprised and while she was stammering and trying to figure out how to respond, the Ranger Durian spoke.

We are on our way to Minas Tirith, but we may stay for a couple weeks, for the spring rains and snowmelt wil make the crossing at Tharbad quite dangerous and well nigh impossible. Yes, we will stay two weeks. That should be enough time. Tali, if you wish to work that time, it is up to you."

She had wanted to be useful, maybe this was it. Taking a deep breath and glancing at Will, who always reminded her she needed to be strong for someone, she nodded.

"Yes sir," she replied. "I think I'd like to work, while I can, for you."

Will listened to his sister's conversation, before turning his attention back to the rest of the inn. It was hard to discern single conversations from the buzz of voices surrounding him. But his time in the Wilds had taught him to single out a noise, though it was a little more difficult in a crowd of people. His head turned slightly as he heard soft footsteps leave the inn. They were probably a woman's since they sounded like his sister's own steps.