The White Tower Pub and Inn

[Envin]

The White Tower Pub and Inn

Here upon the second level of fair Minas Tirith, in a corner apart from the main road, lies the most comely inn of the south. Within these stout oaken walls can be found time set apart for meat and drink, or for quiet talk with comrades, or for secretive collusion before the fire. The innkeeper awaits thy pleasure upon his stool behind the bar - though if thou shouldst request aught from him it is like enough that he shall call for it from the cook in the kitchens.

Be thou welcome within the White Tower Pub and Inn, sojourner! Betake thyself from thy weary feet and enjoy a pint and a loaf out of the chill and the rain!

[E'vesash]

The form of a cloaked woman moved in through the front door of the inn. She remained silent, dark eyes scanning the crowded room from beneath the shadows of her hood. Her graceful footsteps carried her to a far off table where she sat and slipped a small piece of parchament from her cloak. E'vesash scanned the paper, reading it for the fourth time as her mind whirled. She knew nothing of the goings on in the room, for so intent was she upon studying the paper.

[Legolas]

Legolas entered the pub in silence. Walking to the bar, a large mug was set before him, which he drank....slowly. As soon as Aragorn confirmed his wish to leave for Ithilien, he would be gone from this place. War had taken its toll, and he would evade it at all costs...

[E'vesash]

E'vesash glanced up from her note only as a dark shadow fell over her table. Her emerald eyes glanced up from within the depths of her hood and quickly acknowledged the broad form of a strange man. "Yes, can I help you?" Her soft elvish voice asked. The man watched her for a moment longer before shaking his head and vanishing into the midst of the crowds. Evy raised a brow in confusion and shook her head, returning her attention to the parchment.

A short while later the strange man returned, followed by two shorter men. E'vesash cocked her head in confusion and raised her gaze to meet them. "You have something we want." Said the leader of the three, his voice nearly drowned out by the other conversations in the room.

"Excuse me?" E'vesash leaned back slightly in her seat, refolding the piece of paper and slipping it back inside her cloak.

"You heard me." Said the man, pulling a dagger from his belt and pressing it against the elven maid's throat. "We want the coins."

E'vesash froze slightly, but did not seem overly worried...yet. "I am sorry, but you must have me confused with someone else."

The man shook his head and pressed the dagger ever closer to the fair skin of the maiden's neck. "No, you're the one...and you know exactly what I'm speakin' of."

E'vesash stiffened, realizing the trouble she was in now. And for what reason? Obviously the man had mistaken her for someone else. Once again proving the harshness and rashness of the race of Men. Her emerald eyes sparked with slight anger, but she made no move save for a quick swallow as she attempted to think of something she could say that would remedy the situation. She could think of nothing for the moment. Evy quickly glanced about the room...why had she had to choose a table so far back in the inn.

[Legolas]

Legolas' sharp ears heard a distinct sound. It rubbed against his nerves like grinding metal, tearing back the layers of time and isolation. He'd heard it before, under different circumstances, but the same sharp piercing demand.

Turning slowly, he saw three men, crowding around a dark figure, not clearly visible to his eyes, but there nonetheless, shunned against the men.

It was relentless. There was always trouble, but at least now it was less of a threat.

Slowly rising from the bar, Legolas walked toward the corner, coming behind the three, putting a firm hand on the largest one's shoulder, turning him around to his grim face.

"Was there something you were needing friend? If so, simply relate it kindly to your guest, and either get what you seek, or leave, without annoying the rest of the folk gathered. Now, what is it you are needing from this...person?"

[E'vesash]

The man was surprised by the hand that turned him about, and was even more surprised to find himself face to face with an elf. His eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked it with a look part of irritation and part of apology. "Excuse me, kind sir. The woman is right...I have mistaken her for someone else." He motioned to the other two that were with him and they quickly disappeared back into the crowd. They didn't want to tangle with an elf...they didn't have the time.

E'vesash remained slightly puzzled by the whole scene, and waited until her breathing slowed before she finally moved a hand to her neck, gently touching the place where the man's knife had nearly pierced her skin. "Thank you." She finally said, her head bowing slightly to the form of the one who had aided her. As her emerald eyes glanced upward toward the elf, a spark of familiarity flickered through her mind. But then it was gone as her head resumed its bowed position.

[Legolas]

Legolas' face was one of surprise as he watched the three leave, turning his glance back to the stranger. An emerald light shot from beneath the hood, piercing, and certainly distinguished.

"A woman? You are welcome...my lady, though I still have yet to understand fully the circumstance which I enterred upon. Perhaps you would like to explain?"

[E'vesash]

E'vesash glanced back in the direction that the Men had left. "I myself am not quite certain. They seemed to have mistaken me for someone else." She said hurriedly, reaching out and slowly spinning the cup of water that sat before her. "And yes...I am a woman." She did not reveal anything else about herself...nor did she remove her hood or speak about her elven heritage. There was no need. She turned her emerald gaze downward to meet the rim of her cup as she continued to turn it about.

[Legolas]

Legolas could feel something was being kept back, either intentionally, or unintentionall. Nevertheless, it was worth inquiring about, so, seeing no harm in it, Legolas sat himself down opposite E'vesash.

"Mistaken you? And do you have any idea, who it was they were looking for?"

This woman was holding something back, and it seemed she had no direct intention of giving it up.

[E'vesash]

E'vesash sipped from her water, keeping her attention on something else for the moment. When she looked back up she tilted her head slightly. "No...I don't know who they were looking for. But it doesn't matter, they're gone now anyway." She fiddled with the handle of her cup, the small melted candle that lit the table flickering briefly before burning strong again.

[Legolas]

Legolas felt that the subject was now closed, so, attempting to perhaps be able to find out more, he came with a more casual approach.

"You're a stranger here in Minas Tirith I presume? Only the newcomers take the corner tables, and even then they try to appear as though they know what they're doing here. You're different my lady, if you don't mind my saying. Perhaps you are looking for something here in Gondor?"

[E'vesash]

E'vesash raised her head slightly, her brow furrowed as she listened to the elf's comments and questions. "I am looking for nothing other than a safe refuge and resting place." She said firmly, her eyes returning once more to her hands as she raised the cup and sipped from it before placing it carefully upon the table...then she remembered something else the elven male had said. "What makes you think I am so different? Mayhap I am not as different as you seem to believe."

[Legolas]

Legolas lifted his eyes slightly, seeing nothing but the shadow behind the hood.

"Perhaps not."

Legolas gaze turned as he watched her lift the cup. A slender hand, slightly pale, but dimmed in the darkness.

"Well, as a normal aid to the city, it is always proper to introduce one's self. I am Legolas Greenleaf. And if I may be so bold, may I enquire as to your name?"

[E'vesash]

E'vesash glanced downward toward the table, and her brow furrowed slightly as he spoke. Her upswept ears perked slightly as his name was spoken, and she released her cup, placing her hands in her lap. "My name is...Tamera Aslof." She said quickly, glancing up and clearing her throat.

(Were you going to have them already know each other from the past...or not, I don't believe you ever said. Just curious. )

[Legolas]

Legolas eyed her suspiciously, but if he was going to ask again, he quickly put it aside, not mentioning anything of the sort again.

"Very well...Tamera. You said you came seeking shelter here in Minas Tirith? I can assure you it will offer you such, for the King keeps the city well defended, evenn with the enemy brooding once more."

(I don't care. You make the call. We can either pretend they never knew each other, or it can be that he simply doesn't recognize her. Your choice. I don't like making choices.)