The Hobbit Calon Underhill has been ranging the forest of Mirkwood, searching for and gathering the herb athelas for Celebrian. He finds he has come to the road to Dale and decides to conduct a final patrol to Dale before heading back to Rivendell, to be SURE the area is truly clear of the minions of Sauron. He patrols the land about Dale, finding no enemy lurking. He enters Dale and comes to the Millstone Tavern. Famished and weary he decides to have a meal and rest before finally returning home to the Shire. He enters the tavern and is greeted by the Tavernkeeper, Cristia Landeron.

"A hobbit? Here? We rarely see your kind anymore. I thought they forgot about us"

Calon smiles cheerily at Cristia. "Hello, good Lady. I'm new to the Shire and am now employed as Shire Guard and scouting for the Elves."

"Well enjoy some good food. Some fresh mead that was ready today. It seems with this war, folk from other areas are gathering to stop that... what was he called again... sarmon or something?"

Calon smiles up at Cristia. "Yes, Sauron”

The archer Christova seated at the counter speaks up. "Well I will stay here after that last battle. I nearly died!" Calon turns to look up at Christova. "I'm afraid I missed the battle." face twisted with remorse. "I was out scouting and was caught behind Sauron's lines."

"Many of our own guards have left to fight this war. Only a few remain. Dale seems empty as of late. Yes we had to send them, but, it feels so lonely here beneath the Lonely Mountain." Cristia says.

"Yes I heard many were trapped and could not make it into Gondor. We are lucky we pushed him back, but it is not over. The forces are saying they may go after him deep into Mordor." Christova says.

Then a woman, blonde and tall, dressed in ranger leathers and carrying a fine bow enters the tavern. Calon’s fellow Ranger, Teela, also tasked with scouting for the Alliance by Galadriel.

"Teela!” Calon calls out, smiling broadly. “This is my friend, Teela! Teela was at the battle!"

Teela enters the tavern as she wanted a last rest before she would move on to Erebor. She looks who's around and notices the familiar face of the Hobbit. She gives him a friendly smile and a nod before she takes a seat at his table "Greetings Calon ... good to see you are well."

Cristia smiles at her guests. "More people! This is wonderful. I rarely see many travel passed here. Enjoy a good meal."

Calon smiles happily at Teela. "Yes, I am well. I am a good runner and can hide well." He laughs at himself.

Christova speaks to those gathered. "They are off preparing, Dale is too far north to be of any good with most of our people south preparing to go even further south to fight." The man laughs. "Which means we will be safer."

Calon smiles at Christova, then turns to Teela. "Are you well? No wounds from the battle?" Teela nods at the tavern wench "Aye .... a mead, if you have. If not an ale might be fine too.” Teela turns her attention back to Calon and smirks "Just a few scratches and bruises. Guess I can survive that."

Cristia brings a tankard to Teela. "You were at the battle?”

Calon remembers one of his concerns, looks to the man of Dale. "You must warn any who travel south. I came upon goblin warg riders while I was out. They are ranging about. But for them I would have made it to Minas Tirith."

Cristia thinks on the battle. "Was it really... well Christova here says it was brutal, and this sar.. what ever its called was large... I think he is fibbing".

Teela nods and sighs "Yes ... we lost many good man that day, but in the end we could fight Sauron and his army back"

Christova starts at Cristia’s accusation. “I am not fibbing! That's why I don't want to return down there."

Teela takes out her wooden pipe and puts some dried herbs into it before she enlightens it, then takes her drink in hand. Calon sees Teela preparing her pipe. "Oh, that reminds me! I was in Rivendell before I came here. Elrond was wounded by a black arrow and needed the herb athelas. Celebrian has asked for quantities of athelas for the coming battles. If you should find any, gather it and bring it to the Healing Hall in Rivendell."

Cristia looks worried. "Tell me more of the battle. And these enemies... are they close to here? Should we worry?" Christia has been locked out from the latest news and needs to know if there should be concern. Christova is concerned at Calon’s words. "Elrond was hurt? Oh no. I know of men hit by those arrows. I wonder if they are ok..."

"Elrond has recovered.” Calon replies. “I found athelas in Mirkwood. But, it was a near thing. Celebrian says as long as we have enough athelas, people can survive the black arrows. Though, from what I saw, you need to get athelas QUICKLY."

Teela arches surprised an eyebrow "Is he alright? It would be a horrible loss ..." before turning back to the tavern wench and nods "The enemy made it through the gates and we had to fight them back ... orcs ... goblins. But we threw them back to Mordor where they lick their wounds. And they are working on planning an attack before they find back to their old strength"

Calon’s face turns sad with remorse, "I wish I could have been at Minas Tirith with you, Teela." Speaks to Christova. "Yes, Elrond has recovered."

"That is good to hear about pushing them back.” Cristia says. “There is aid at least. Now I am worried. We have no such herbs here, so I do hope they do not come this way."

Christova is thoughtful. "Perhaps I should look for some of this herb to help. Yet I have never seen it before."

Calon’s eyes grow wide remembering what he witnessed in Elrond’s healing. "Celebrian's healing skill is AMAZING." Teela stares at her mead and sighs "Good to know. She will have plenty of work soon"

Calon looks to Christova "I believe it is also known as....king's foil? King's foot? I forget..."

"I have read in the records in the library about her, but never had to pleasure to meet the Daughter of Galadriel.” Cristia says. “While I have sat with Galadriel. Nor have I ever met Elrond. I would like to some day."

"I didn't know til I heard her as I was passing Rivendell. I was able to go immediately and find some athelas. There is more. After my meal, I was going to return to Mirkwood."

"I witnessed Galadriel at the war. She is truly the lady of light." Christova says.

"Well, I hope Elrond recovers before we start an attack on Mordor." Teela says. She nods at Christova’s words. "Yes, her magic saved many lives, I guess."

"Celebrian said he will be fine." Calon replies. "I have only seen Galadriel once, at the council in Lothlorien. Was she IN the fight? Facing orcs? Sauron himself?!" Calon is incredulous and concerned. "I just cannot bear the thought of her being in harm's way.” Teela nods "She was on the battlefield and summoned some sort of magical barrier the orcs couldn't pass." Calon’s eyes grow wide

"The elves inspire people, but, I have read the old writings and Galadriel told me the truth of a conflict long ago.” Cristia says. “One where she made a choice and followed those exiled. She had to learn and grow from it."

Teela empties her mug with a last big sip and releases a loud burp as she leans satisfied back. Calon stifles a burst of laughter

“Did I just hear a dwarf?” Christova asks the room. Calon snorts and stifles another burst of laughter, surprised and amused by Teela's table manners. Teela giggles as the sound was louder than she had expected "Aye, Sire ... a dwarf ... somewhere here in the tavern"

Cristia smiles, "No it wasn't a Dwarf, but I think they would love her." Calon doesn't stifle this burst of laughter

"I am impressed!" Christova says. Teela bows slightly with a smirk "Thank you."

"I have had many dwarves and dwarf women here. If she burped like that when they were here, they would have bought her a round of mead and cheered." Cristia says.

Calon looks smiling at Teela, "I can imagine you in a drinking game with a bunch of dwarves." he laughs.

"I think those Dwarves would enjoy other folk who enjoy dark mead and be out going. Not like those of Gondor who come and drink weak mead or wine." Christova says.

Calon smiles "I tried Dwarven drink once. Couldn't finish a half-pint!” he says laughing.

"There are northern men who have come from the north who seem to love dark dwarven ale and mead. I belive they are aiding in the war, and Gondor plans to give them land." Cristia states. Calon looks at Cristia in surprise. "That is well. And kind." he says.

Teela shrugs "True. If they are ready to give their lives we can give them some land."

"Teela and I have scouted and from what we've seen, we need all the help we can get." Calon says. "AND from what I've heard of the siege of Minas Tirith. I was surprised that Sauron and his army were driven back! I wish I could have seen Galadriel's skill." Teela nods. "Indeed. I hope he's not luring us into a trap.” she says. Calon’s eyes grow wide considering this.

"I hope the alliance wins.” Cristia says. “Or I fear all will be lost. I heard people talk about dark clouds covering the southern lands. Weird screams in the wind. It sounds... it sounds unreal."

"Yes..." Calon says, voice low with awe..."Sauron has power to send GREAT, dark cloud banks to cover the sun. Galadriel's power must be TRULY great."

"Let's keep hope.” Teela says. “We have still many swords and bows on our side. And together with the northman we will have a chance to overcome the odds." Teela smiles confident, hoping to convince the others

"I hope not, but keeping him there is better then him tryiing to target many other places.” Christova says. “ I don't know, it all seems hard pressed. I am a great archer but not so skilled in blades, and trapped guarding the inn made me non-effective"

Calon smiles at Teela in return, "Forgive my gloominess. It's just I haven't been in my Hobbit hole since we started scouting for the alliance." laughs at himself.

“I wonder if the northmen will stay after. They are said to be brave, strong, and called themselves the new Rohirin." Cristia says.

Calon looks to Christova "I think guarding our homes is important work. I can't imagine returning to the Shire and finding it burned."

"The shire is a splendid place.” Christova replies. “They also saved our lives with food. I sure hope not. I love those rolling hills." Calon nods. "I was here when Dale was burned by the orcs. It broke my heart."

Calon looks to Cristia "Ah! I've heard of these Rohirin! I've heard they are great men, indeed!"

"Galadriel has seen many of our families born and die.” Cristia says. “The birth of towns, the fall of them. The rise of cities. Just how old is she?" Christova looks at Cristia. "Oh you can ask how old a woman is? Last time I asked you I had a mug of beer thrown in my face!"

Calon smiles and drinks unobtrusively

Cristia eyes Christova. "I am the right age... that's all you need to know" Calon’s eyes disappear with an ear to ear smile.

"Good enough for me. I learned the lesson" Christova replies.

Teela shrugs "Don't know if age matters when you're immortal." Calon looks thoughtfully into his tankard. "I wonder if seeing ALL OF THAT experience weighs on one's mind. It makes me feel glad to be mortal."

"That is true.” Cristia says. “Well they can die, but then they are reborn in the lands across the west... where ever that is. I can't imagine seeing so much in ones life." Teela nods in agreement "One lifetime is enough when you use it good."

"Imagine waitng 100 years or more for a loved one to return from a trip. It feels too long. Too drawn out. I have been lucky to see so may things, but I grow tired daily." Christova says. Calon’s eyes grow misty in pondering "100 years...."

"They seem to never show it, but I think their faces hide alot of suffering and pain." Cristia says.

Christova says thoughtfully. "What did Galadriel mean that the mortal races are truly the blessed ones?"

Calon finishes his mead and stands. He looks to the gathered. "Forgive me, I must away. THANK you, good woman, for the meal! It was delicious!" he says, smiling. Teela waves at Calon "Safe paths, my dear friend"

"And, YOU, as well, my friend!" Calon replies to Teela.

Calon looks to Christova "I'm glad you are here, protecting Dale."

Cristia, thinking on Christova’s comment about Galadriel shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know what she means." Turns to The hobbit “I am glad you enjoyed it, it is on me for I enjoyed the company greatly from both of you."

“Thank you, Cristia!” Calon smiles gratefully. “NOW, I can finally go home for a bit, since the battle is won. For now...."

Teela puts out her pipe and cleans it from the ashes before she puts it back to her pouch. Calon turns to leave, remembers himself, and turns back. "Oh, yes, I believe the Shire will be making another delivery of food soon. Good day, All!" Cristia smiles at the departing Hobbit. "I look forward to the visit!"

As Calon walks out the door Christova says. "Them hobbits have the best food. We never had such fresh fruits before they started helping." Soon, a pony’s hooves can be heard trotting away down the road toward Mirkwood.