Chapter Twenty-One: The Haunted, The Hunted, The Naive.
Rebecca spent half the day arguing, pleading, then eventually, bribing, the gatekeeper. He was adamant that she was an evil sorceress, here to curse the town. After paying him three royals, she was kindly told to go to the Prancing Pony as it was the best inn in town. Really she thought that he told her to go there so that there would be more people to watch over her.
After leading Sandolmedir to a post outside the inn and tying her up loosely with her halters lead rope, she walked inside.
She entered the inn to find it full with all sorts of people from across cultures. Loud merriment drowned out any noise that would have announced her arrival. She cautiously walked up to the bar, dodging drunken patrons left and right. The inn it's self was mostly made out of wood. It had the colouring of oak and made the whole atmosphere very light with its golden candlelit glow. The man at the bar seemed jolly and kind but reminded her of Mr. Rumbald. Rebecca paused, grabbing hold of the bar for stability as a wave of loneliness barrelled over her. She was broken out of it by a kindly voice full of warmth.
"Hello Miss, what can I do for you?" She looked up to see a portly man with a thinning grey moustache and hair. She smiled.
"Um, yes. I would like a room please. And a place to stable my horse." He nodded fetching a key from under the bar.
"And how long will you be needing this room for Miss?" She thought for a moment.
"I do not know, I am waiting for someone who goes by the name of Gandalf." He looked surprised for second before replying with a slight chuckle.
"That will be a waiting game I wish upon no man. Or woman. You can pay as you go along Miss. Your room is located at the top of the stairs then eight door to your left. And the stables are out the back. Feel free to tie your horse up in any stall that's free. By the way, feed costs two pennies a day." She nodded thankfully and dropped a royal on the counter while walking away.
She made sure that Sandolmedir was comfortable in her slightly cramped stall before heading to her room. As she entered the first thing to catch her attention was how small it was. The wooden panelled space had just enough room for a comfy single bed and a worn side table.
There was a small window that looked out onto the street, it's sill scattered with candles and melted wax. Plunking herself on the rickety bed she got changed into her Rohan bought, purple dress, after sponging herself down with the cloth and water provided. Once that was completed, she shrunk her bag down, put it in her grey cloaks pocket, while locking the door on her way out.
Back down in the inns main room she sat down at a table in the corner with her hood up. It made her feel safe with only the walls behind her. A maid came down and offered her a plate of food. Accepting it politely while tipping the girl a penny, she looked around at her neighbours.
To her left was a large gentleman with no hair on his face or scalp, well worn clothes, multiple small knives and, in his hands,...a locket? It held a drawing of a plump, smiling, lady on the left, and a rosy cheeked baby on the right. She judged by the tears on his face that they were either distant or have passed away.
To her right was another man. The way he circled the room with his silver eyes caught her attention. He was like a hawk. The way they latched onto each person in his sight, how they darted from short to tall, chubby to thin. Judging them. His inky hair was long, and matted, littered with dandruff and other...things. Rebecca turned her gaze in slight revulsion, to the next victim of her scrutiny.
In front of her was a couple. Both looked to be in the younger, middle aged groups, the man had short blonde hair and wore a simple tunic and breeches. The lady had a simple brown dress on with a milky white undershirt and curly auburn hair. They gazed at each other with loving eyes, clasping their hands in each others, little pecks in the cheeks, scattered through the whole ordeal it was to watch. Rebecca shuddered. Newly weds, they never can keep their hands off each other.
She turned back to her meal, picking at the roast chicken and stew. It wasn't as good as the inn back in Rohan. They made a lovely roast chicken and veggies with a side of gravy. She sighed. She must find a way to send a letter tomorrow, they would be worried by now. The maid came around again.
"Miss did you enjoy your meal?" Rebecca smiled and handed over the scraped dishes.
"Yes it was very nice, but next time make sure you salt the chicken before you cook it. It will stick to the skin better then." She gave an awkward smile and walked away quickly. Rebecca then stood up and made her way back up the stairs to her room.
She changed into her nightgown and grabbed the book on meditation out of her bag. Standing up slowly, she walked to the window and broke away an already lit large candle. She walked to her bed and put it down on her bedside table. Feeling the cold finally get to her she climbed into bed and sat down cross legged in front of the candle with the book. Opening it to the first page she began immersing herself in texts that took her all over the world from Tibet to Iceland. She read until her candle melted away.