The Seven Stars and Crown

[Envin]

In a large byway of the White City of Minas Tirith, there can be found a sizeable inn, built of stone and whitewashed wood, with three storeys and a great common room upon the ground floor. There were stables out-of-doors near the back of the kitchen, and horses could often be heard calling for feed. Inside, however, the noise was constant: the talk and the laughter, and the occcasional brawl. And upstairs upon the floors there folk took their ease in soft beds by roaring fires.

For this is The Seven Stars and Crown, the great Inn of Minas Tirith, and it is run by the innkeeper Seamus, a goodly man with as goodly a girth as his heart. Often can he be seen scurrying about behind the bar and at tables, seeing to the needs of folk, laughing with the goodmen, and ever casting the lasses a casanova glance. And ever would they smile in return. For never in all of Gondor has there been such an inn as The Crown, for all its offerings of ales and beers and brandies, and its delectable food: good homely stuffs: salted meats and pies, berry pastries and hot bread with cold cheese. Oh, and the apples! And the wine!

Such a place of wholesome merriment hath never been seen in Middle-earth afore, and never will again! And here is one of the finest places in Minas Tirith for comradeship and enjoyment. Lord Aragorn can oft be found within the walls, enjoying his time with his folk.

Come! Enter into The Seven Stars and Crown, and though shalt find endless enjoyment of ales and good plain food, as the pipers pipe about the tables to the laughter of the patrons!

[Envin]

Of an evening, his work in the White Citadel completed, the High King decided to take his ease in his common haunt, the Seven Stars and Crown, and so entered the smoke-filled Common Room, promptly lighting his own pipe and settling onto a stool at the bar. Good Seamus soon brought the King's staple: a chilled amber lager and cold apples and cheese. Aragorn munched and drank contentedly, smoking a good spiced pipeweed in between bites.

[Anwyn]

The hour was growing late as Anwyn finally found herself in front of the Inn, though she had set out for it sometime earlier she found herself put off course once or twice but had managed to find it all the same. Even through the closed door she could hear the sounds of many voices and laughter, light shone through the windows illuminating patches of the street. Pushing upon the door she immediately found herself deep into a crowd of patrons. Not one to be easily daunted she stood upon her toes to survey the room over a group of paticuarly tall soldiers, Spotting the bar where she could no doubt inquire about a room. Slipping through the crowd, her polite requests to be allowed to pass going mostly unnoticed, she slipped blithely through as a space became avilable to her. Reaching the bar, slightly worse for wear and hair slightly askew she leaned against it waiting for the Barmens attention to turn to her.

[Envin]

Poor Seamus! The men of the Host of the West had lately returned from exercises in the field, and were boisterous this night. His fat legs were nearly run off by now, and, having a lull, he had sent his boy to see to the bar while he put his legs up in front of the fire for a few minutes. And the boy at the moment was having to deal with a large arguement at one end of the Common Room, and was unable to see the Lady at the bar. But Aragorn, at his customary table in the corner, a large ale in front of him, spotted her quite easily. He caught her eye and beckoned her over, and rang the little gong which Seamus had left at his table, always wanting to serve the King swiftly in hopes of a gratuity. The barboy gave the two men a nasty gesture, and hurried over to see what the Lord Aragorn might desire. "I believe this Lady is in need of some service," Aragorn said to him. The boy spun about as Anwyn walked nigh, and asked her what he might fetch for her.

[Anwyn]

Catching the Kings gesuture, Anwyn turned away from the bar and made her way through the throngs of the soldiers that were enjoying themselves immensely, admittedly she was quite relieved to catch sight of a familar face. Making her way towards the table she was about to take a seat as the Barboy turned to ask her what could be fetched "Anything warm would suffice, as well as a room for the night if you please, and oh..One of those please" she said with a small gesture toward Aragorns ale for being raised in the halls of Rohan she was no stranger to such things. The boy gave her a short wayward glanced but then turned to return to the Kitchen "Just like home" Anwyn breathed with a smile taking a seat at the table.

[Envin]

Aragorn smiled. "Recalls to me the comely houses of Bree and of the southern Shire in the North - that is why it is my common haunt of an evening. Thou'rt abroad late, my Lady - how dost thou find my City? Is it not fair?" He took a healthy sip of his ale, and at that moment the boy returned, bearing nearly more than his arms could carry of hot roast of lamb, boiled potatoes, corn still on the cob, filets of fish from the Bay of Belfalas, warm white bread baked in the house, butter and cheese, with more apples for the King.

[Cerridwen]

..................... The journey had been long, with some cautious backtracking, and some time spent simply riding gently, taking in the unfolding panorama of Middle Earth. Gondor, Cerridwen knew, was the City of the Men of Numenor. She had learned of Numenor, of it's glory and its fall, but that the Line of Elendil was now restored by its King.
She had not come through Rohan, for she had seen that there was a great wall and forts built along what was shown on her map as the Gap of Rohan and so she had gradually angled south, approaching Minas Tirith from the southern land, Pinath Gelin , the Anfalas and Lebennin. the land was mild with sea winds , fertile and prosperous, and she sought shelter in inns in townships or villages, where the people were hospitable. She had gold, although not in any coinage known on Middle Earth, but gold was gold, and was taken.
Approaching Minas Tirith, she looked up from under her hood, seeing the great white tower flashing in the sun, the great first Gate, built in the shoulders of Mindolliun, and then she joined those who entered, traders, soldiers, travelers, becoming one more anonymous person, her Elven looks concealed under the deep cowled hood.

The Inn was given to her by name in directions , by a guard, and she thankfully gave Prydwen to an Ostler, for the mare needed re-shooing, and good oats, and she herself needed a rest from traveling.
After bathing, and asking a servant to give her the name of a silk-warehouse, where she might have clothes made, she shook out the one gown she had brought, for she traveled shod as a man, braided up her hair, which fell almost to her ankled, and donned another long, hooded cloak in soft dove-grey, to go down to the common-room to eat.
She ate frugally, but enjoyed the meal, from her corner table, and sat over wine, absorbing the utter strangeness of seeing such a crowd of mortals, all together in one place, listening to their language, the snatches of conversation which came to her, until the firelight made her feel drowsy, and also lost, so far from home, and she decided to go to her room.

[Raithen Anar]

Raithen had travelled from Rohan to Gondor, alone, as was his wont, heading back south. And it was many years since he had seen Minas Tirith.
He dismounted in the inn-yard, entering the room, smelling pipe smoke, but not the more exotic drugs of the southlands, roasting meat, wine, ale. he kept his hood low as he sat, with wine, but there were too many people here to notice him, despite his height, some of the Gondorians were tall, and his hair was hidden. He sipped, surveying the room, sending out tendrils of thought. A fire blazed up illuminating the cloaked, hooded figure of a woman, as she rose, and he felt her mind, and came to his feet, surprised, but deeply pleased. She also, it seemed, did not wish to be noticed, for she past him, with her head cast down, although her strde was straight-backed and graceful.

[Cerridwen]

Cerridwen paused, as he hand touched the stair bannister, looking back, then went quietly up to the room, where a fire was built, the bed made and ready for her, urns of hot water for washing, drinking water and wine. She washed hands and face, then slipped off her gown and climbed into the bed, the soft lawn sheets smelled of lavender, and the noise from belo stairs was distant, almost soporific, as she drifted into sleep.

[Raithen Anar]

What are you doing here, daughter of the Noldor? His thoughts slipped like water into her sleeping mind, seeing its memories, a long, golden tapestry of Aman, with no griefs, only tales of it, wisdom, and yet a seeking , which had drawn her away from it, and all her family. her door was locked, so he went to the outside, below her window, which was ajar, and with elven skill climbed, easing into the room. Her hair was a dark flood over the sheets, her eyes, open as all elves slept, were pale as moonsheen.

[Cerridwen]

She awake with a start, the room seemed to glow softly gold and she bit back a start, a cry, as she saw the stranger, and then her mouth dried, for clearly he was not mortal, or even elven gold as the sun, with eyes like that.
' Mana nalye? Mana caral sinome? ' She demanded with the arrogance and pride of her House, swallowing back the immediate fear his presence evoked. But he stunned her, she had seen golden Vanyar, her uncel, Finrod , had golden hair, but never this molten gold of rippling hair, and gleaming skin, and the cold, icy stern-ness of his beauty, oddly juxtapositioned with the heat that emanated from him.

[Envin]

It would appear that Raithen did not know of the presence of Aragorn, or at least had not cast his great thought in the direction of the King, but as his gentle probings cast themselves about the room, Aragorn's head lifted slowly, perceiving them. Only one in his recent memory had done as much, and he would not leave the mind of the King soon. Aragorn felt tendrils of power seeping into the room, but could not perceive their intent or their target, but nonetheless remained watchful of Raithen.

[Idrial]

It had been long since Idrial had returned to the great white city of Gondor. Long since her dark gaze had taken in its pearly walls - walls that had seen much trouble and much joy. And now as she sat within one of the city's finest pubs, she wondered why she had stayed away so long. She also wondered how she would pay for her drink. But for the moment, a small glass was placed before her and she decided to worry about payment when the time came. She tucked a light strand of hair behind her ear and sipped casually from the glass. The thought of Gondor also made her wonder what had become of the companions she'd journeyed with in a time not so long ago...and yet too long it seemed.

[Envin]

Aragorn's attention turned from Raithen who still as yet had not espied the High King, and turned to Idrial as she entered. He laughed within himself, recallling the adventures which he had shared with her some time ago, and wondered if perhaps she would recall him. He caught up his mug and stood, casting dark glances in the direction of a drunk who was eyeing the King's seat, and made his way to Idrial.

"My lady Idrial!" he said, tapping her upon the shoulder, and bowing when she turned to him. "It has been many settings of Anar since last we met. Wouldst thou perhaps care to join me in a meal and a drink, and share with me of thy wanderings?"

[Idrial]

Idrial turned about at the tap on her shoulder and the exclamation of her name. Her eyes lit up slightly as she realized who had spoken. A smile even managed to make its way to her lips. "Lord Aragorn," she said in recognization. "It is good to see you after such a long time!" She swiveled slightly in her chair to better face him. "Indeed, I would be honored to join you and dine," she rose slightly, "shall I come to your table or would you prefer mine?"