Bree was its usual self. Wet, dreary, and solemn. But nothing was quite so solemn as the man sat in the corner of the Prancing Pony. He sat nursing a glass of milk, and picking at a meisly plate of bread and cheese, a sodden feathered cap beside him.
Davus joined him without invitation, smiling warmly at him. "You look like you've seen better days, friend".
"We're not friends" the man grunted. "Leave me be".
"And leave another in poor spirits? No, that will not do" Davus said. "Can I buy you a beer?".
"No, thank you."
"Wine, perhaps?".
"I swore not to touch that stuff again."
"Ah. Well how about a penny for your thoughts?".
"You don't take no for an answer do you?" he said, almost smiling.
"Not often" Davus smiled, signalling for a server. "Sometimes a man needs to talk to someone, without judgement, and sometimes it helps if they are strangers".
"I don't find that to be true".
"Well, who are you?".
"Furley".
"Well, now we're not strangers, are we?".
The man chuckled. "You have me there". He put a hand in his pocket, and pulled out a coin.
"What's that for?".
"The nature of business. I've seen the look of people like you before. My story, for your song".
"Hang on, what makes you think?".
"The tin whistle sticking out of your pocket" Furley replied. "Come on, now".
"Aye, go on" said the server who had appeared behind them. "Sing us a tune! Everyone!".
She yelled so hard that the patrons turned to look, then a chorus belted out from the crowd. "Song! Song! Song!". Davus' heart beat rapidly, for he'd never performed before. He reddened, but Furley laughed at him mirthfully. Something about that goaded him, and he reached into his pocket, thumbed through his notebook, and remembered one. Standing on the table, he donned Furley's sodden cap to much laughter, then began.
"Alright, then. Here's one you may enjoy. Here's a foot stomper, about a fair woman from the south!".
That brought another cheer, and then he began clapping his hands and gesturing others to do the same. Once the noise lifted, he began to sing his tune.
" A girl from Gondor by the sea,
In fair Dol Amroth meet did we,
The gulls flew overhead of me,
And stars they shone that night.
Oh she was a maiden fair,
Her mane was silken, curled black hair,
Oh, the sailors stopped to stare,
At lady Gilaearon.
The winds of Gondor bear bad storms,
The people to their liege have sworn,
To defend their lands from the Dark Lord,
Who marches forth to war.
Oh she was a maiden fair,
Her mane was silken, curled black hair,
Oh, the sailors stopped to stare,
At lady Gilaearon.
The city streets, solemn and bare,
No cheer could be found anywhere,
But standing by the silver chair,
Was the huntress of Dol Amroth.
Oh she was a maiden fair,
Her mane was silken, curled black hair,
Oh, the sailors stopped to stare,
At lady Gilaearon.
Many orcs I bet she'd felled,
How many armies overwhelmed,
Would there have been, for grievous sin,
Of facing down the lady.
Oh she was a maiden fair,
Her mane was silken, curled black hair,
Oh, the sailors stopped to stare,
At lady Gilaearon.
A foe would flee before her eyes,
A friend would see past her disguise,
Looking at her I would surmise,
An inner fire within her.
Oh she was a maiden fair,
Her mane was silken, curled black hair,
Oh, the sailors stopped to stare,
At lady Gilaearon.
By stars and moon we did meet,
Within that city's empty streets,
I hope one day our fortune finds,
A chance to speak once more.
Oh she was a maiden fair,
Her mane was silken, curled black hair,
Oh, the sailors stopped to stare,
At lady Gilaearon.
If ever you go down the coast,
And fortune favours you the most,
Perhaps you'll be...
Lucky enough to see...
The eyes of that fair lady.
Oh she was a maiden fair,
Her mane was silken, curled black hair,
Oh, the sailors stopped to stare,
At lady Gilaearon!".
A great applause lifted, and before long he had taught them all the chorus, and many sang along sporadically. Sitting back down, he smiled at Furley, but his eyes were solemn and downcast.
" What's the matter my friend?".
" Leave it be".
"Oh come on now, let it out. Wait. The song? Please don't tell me your troubles are about a woman?".
He looked up into Davus' eyes, then smiled courteously. "I will not say it. Now, how's about I have one of those beers everyone is buying you?".
