During her visits to the Pony, Lieve had become acquainted with Arlea and Lenwood Baywillow, both of whom worked at the Prancing Pony. Arlea was an apprentice weaponsmith, learning to make weapons from lumps of metal when she wasn't working on the family farm or earning a bit extra at the Pony. Lieve thought it quite intriguing that a woman should learn what was considered a man's trade. They both found places in her heart very quickly and she enjoyed any time she could spend with them. Lenwood would sometimes tell her stories, one in particular she would never forget, about the trees of the Old Forest coming alive and attacking Buckland and how the hobbits fought back, killing the trees and making a huge bonfire to burn the trunks. She watched him speak, fascinated as he stroked his mustache while thinking of the next part of the story. Sometimes she would wish to herself that her father could be more like this man.
Lieve had been speaking to Arlea in the kitchens. After a time she took her leave and went to the common room. There her captain friend was, playing his lute while waiting for her. She walked up to him with a smile. He put his lute away when he saw her and greeted her warmly. They went into a backroom of the Pony and chatted away. He told her of a beautiful elf he had loved but who had disappeared. She was fascinated by the story. Then, somehow he managed to draw out of her more of what her homelife was like. He was outraged at what she told him, telling her she was welcome to come and live with him, urging her to run away with him, telling her he had become very fond of her and could not stand the thought of her being hurt. She smiled gratefully but declined the offer, mentioning how she had a duty to her parents and what of her reputation? He agreed, disappointed, but said he understood. Though, if at any time she felt she needed to get away from home, he would be more than happy to help her. They parted on very amicable terms.
