Calm Before the Storm ➛ 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍

01

❝The Calm Before the Storm❞ ➛ 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍
[ o n e ]

» » » » »
{ M I R I E L }

THE RAIN beat down on my cloak as I slid off of my Caspian horse, which had been lent to me on my travels. I landed in a bit of mud as I began to sink, as it pooled around my ankles. I need to find somewhere to stay. I hadn't been to Bree in many a moons, but I have been working my way towards Rivendell when this monstrosity of a storm hit, and decided that it was best to rest.

Sighing, I made my way through the small town before settling on the prancing pony. While it is an inn it is also unfortunately a pub, which means rowdy drunk men and hobbits, and that's the last thing I really want to deal with right now.

I pull my cloak farther over my head as I make my way into the warm pub. I am instantly greeted with the smells of ale and the sounds of drunk laughter. Doing my best to make my way to the back of the pub, where there is a fireplace and round tables, someone rams into me.

"Watch it little lady, what would a woman be doing here if not waiting on tables," he gave with a nasty grin revealing his rotting and missing teeth.

I wiped out my dagger, discreetly aiming it at his groin, "if I were you I'd watch it," I said with a glare that could kill. Getting the picture he quickly walked off. Drunk men.

I've discovered on my travels that my height does not help to make me intimidating, as I am a mere four foot and eleven inches, far from normal for an everyday elf, but alas I am not a 'normal everyday elf.' Therefore, I have learned to compensate in other ways, such as mastering my skills with a sword and daggers.

Picking a seat next to the fire I took off my cloak revealing my long almost white blonde hair that cascaded down my back. I quickly rang out both my hair and my cloak, and inched closer to the fire to both warm and dry off my clothes, then carefully unstrapped my sword placing it next to me, out of the way but never out of reach. A waitress then brought me a sandwich, to which I quickly began eating. To be honest I don't really remember the last time I had anything like this to eat.

"You seem to be eating as if you have not had the pleasure of eating for many days now," a tall man with a grey cloak tall hat and walking stick said as he sat now next to me. He looked oddly familiar.

I quickly reached for one of my daggers stored in my boot, "Excuse me who are you?"

"I am not surprised that you do not remember me Miriel, for it has been a long time. However my name is Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey." Gandalf, Gandalf... Oh! Mithrandir! I began to feel rather foolish for not recognizing him, however I have met many people in my thousands of years.

"I do believe the last time I saw you, was in the greenwood." I sighed, a slight frown etching its way onto my face. I have not been there for a long while, and do not intend to return.

"You are quite correct, but I am not here for idle talk. I have come to ask a favor of you."

"Depends on the favor," I quickly retorted.

"I am sure you have heard of the Misty Mountain, and the city of Erebor within?" I gave him a rather pointed look.

"Of course I have Mithrandir, but what does any of this have to do with me?"

"It seems that I am in some need of assistance. How would you feel about a noble quest to reclaim a home?" This instantly drew me in, as I had lost my home a long while ago.

There had been a lot of talk about the mountain, for the dragon has not been seen for years. I looked around and lowered my voice, "Am I correct to assume you mean Erebor? However Mithrandir, that would require slaying a dragon if I am not mistaken," I gave him a sly grin knowing that he was to follow through with this no matter what decision I made.  I once knew the great and mighty city of Erebor, it truly is magnificent, but there are far worse things within that mountain than a dragon.

He returned a knowing glance, "Still as perceptive as always."

In all honesty I didn't have to think too long and hard about my answer, I had longed for the chance to go out and fight for a cause again. While I have spent the last couple years with the Dúnedain rangers roaming the north and the lands near the shire, fighting off small legions of orcs. However I have not had the chance to go on a quest as important as this in many years. "I will come."

"I knew it would not take much to persuade you, Miriel. Meet in hobbiton in five days time, look for my mark upon a door," and with that he got up and left. Mithrandir had always had a knack for adventure with an air of mystery and mischievousness, and in thousands of years that had not changed one bit.

I quickly threw on my cloak, and made my way outside. Deciding it was best to let the horse go back to its master, I set out on foot with great haste. I'm going on an adventure.