Jaunts and Haunts

Lord Aradill was as good as his word. He spoke to her father, after a tough discussion managing to convince him it would be in Lieve's and her father's own best interests that she go to Thorin's Hall with Lord Aradill. They would go there on business, to see if the dwarves would be willing to trade their ale to Bree with Todd Averay as their middleman. Lieve was so excited. They set out early in the day, together with a guard named Dracomir. Lieve was animated and joyful as they rode along, taking in the sights and sounds around her with enthusiasm and chatting away about everything she saw. It took several days to get to the gate that led into Ered Luin and they stayed at several inns along the way, including The Green Dragon Inn in Bywater. When they arrived at the end of the Shire lands and were about to enter Ered Luin, Lord Aradill insisted there was danger. She could not imagine what and became very frightened. At some point, he sent Dracomir ahead to scout. He failed to return. Looking worried, Lord Aradill hurried their horses along. Finally they found Dracomir lying on the ground unconscious with his horse cropping the grass unconcernedly closeby. Lord Aradill examined Dracomir, finding a wound in his leg and a bump on his head. The attackers were nowhere in sight, having fled without taking anything. It seemed quite likely that Lord Aradill and Lieve had arrived just in the nick of time. Dracomir soon came around, but was unable to tell them much about the attack. They picked him up and put him on his horse, his protests being ignored. Not understanding in the least what was going on, she followed on her horse. Lord Aradill led them to the haven of the Defenders, somewhere deep inside the elven homesteads. Lieve was frightened by the mysterious events and worst of all, the memories of the captain came flooding back as they made their way through the cherry blossom trees. Intimidated, she hardly dared enter the huge building that was the haven of the Defenders. The inside of the building was highly decorated in the elven style. She heard voices coming from a room further in. She followed Lord Aradill and Dracomir into a large room with a dais at one end. Two elves came forward, very regal creatures indeed. Lieve stood just over the threshold of the room, too uncertain to proceed further, though they motioned for her to come forward. She stayed where she was. Her heart was a mess of emotions. Hatred for the elves, wonder for the building she was in and the trip so far, confusion about why they had come to this place at all, fright because Dracomir had been attacked. Dracomir had his wounds attended to. They stayed a few hours then left as quickly as possible. Dracomir was completely infatuated by the elf that had bound his wounds, unable to speak about any other subject until they arrived at Thorin's Hall. Lieve had now come to the point that she hated elves and anything to do with them so could hardly bear to listen to him. Yet she liked Dracomir. He was a decent soul for all that he liked elves, good at his work. At long last they came to Thorins Hall where Lord Aradill began negotiations with the dwarves. After three days of hard bargaining, he came away satisfied. The return home was a joyful affair, the trip going quickly and without incident. Her father was pleased with the results of the trip. Thanking Lord Aradill for his kindness and generosity, Lieve wondered if she would see him again.