Prompts: 'Shadows' and 'Mystery'
Strider first noticed the figure in the corner almost instantly after he entered the room. They weren't a ranger, the strange red cloak gave away that much and the sea foam caked on the rim proved that point, but they couldn't be one of the Bree-Folk for they gave the stranger the same treatment that they normally reserved for rangers should one join them. The man didn't seem to mind at all, indeed he seemed more like he felt it was reasonable, almost like he deserved it. Strider watched his foot tap as he stared off into the distance. His hood was down, revealing a fair and pale face, framed by long and matted, yet slightly shiny all the same, black hair. He looked familiar, but Strider couldn't recall why.
"Strider?" Halbarad broke into his thoughts and Strider realized that his companions had advanced several feet. He sighed and quickened his pace slightly to catch up.
The man snapped out of his daze and his head swiveled around to meet Strider's eyes. Strider was the first to look away, but he could feel the man's gaze on him all the while.
Strider sat down and turned to face the man. They locked eyes again for a few seconds, then the stranger stood and left, slapping a coin down on the table. As he exited, Strider caught a glimpse of pointed ears. Then he knew where he had seen the man before and Strider stared at the table that Maglor Fëanorian had just left empty, his presence still barely detectable.
A/N: I just realized something. 'The Elf in the Corner' was my first time writing Halbarad...that's sad. And of course, he's out shined by the king of angst, Maglor Fëanorian. (kidding, but he is fun to write angsty, right?) Poor, under appreciated Halbarad.