In the shabby rickety hall built into the side of a tree that once was a glorious bar populated by elves ranging from Moonshadow to Sunfire, of young and old, was a lone Skywing elf downing his fourth pint, evident by the stack of wooden cups unceremoniously scattered on the table.
"Eainamar, I think you've had enough today my boy."
"Barkeep, hit me with another one." Eainamar belched loudly.
The elf sighed and shrugged before turning away to continue cleaning some cups in a shallow sink.
"Barkeep, come on." Eainamar nudged his cup closer to the barkeep's side of the table.
The elf gave another sigh as he turned around.
"I hate to see you like this Eainamar. You've got to do something about this. Figure something out for yourself. Everyday of this wretched war, you've been sitting here. And not that I don't enjoy the company, but I'm worried about you, my friend."
The drunk Skywing elf rolled his eyes in frustration before downing his fifth pint in one gulp.
Just then, another Skywing elf burst through the door in a hurry.
"Woah there, slow down! What's the matter?" The barkeep dropped what he was doing.
The younger elf grabbed the elf by the shoulders.
"The war! It's over! It's really over!" The elf had a hysterical smile running from cheek to cheek.
A wide grin spread across the barkeep's face.
"That's amazing lad! A round on the house for bringing me the news!"
The younger elf sat down beside the already drunk Skywing and eyed the scattered cups incredulously.
"No better today eh Eainamar?"
"You know it Beinam".
The barkeep turned around with cups of ale in both hands as he set one down for the younger elf and put the other one near his arm.
"You know Eainamar, with this war over, it's high time you head back out there and see what the world has to offer."
Eainamar slumped down with his head resting on both arms on the table.
"And do what?" A short silence fell between them.
"Visit more bars in other towns perhaps?"
The barkeep gave an evil eye at Beinam but returned his view to Eainamar who had a small smile.
"You know what kid, not a bad idea."
Eainamar got up to leave as he pushed the wooden door open and left the candle-lit bar. As he exited, the long forgotten light stung his eyes causing him to raise his hand above his forehead.
"You can't be serious right? He's been drunk for the longest time!"
Beinam sipped from his cup as he eyed the barkeep.
"But at least he'll be out and about. There ought to be something out there to distract him."
The barkeep gave a mumble of approval as he sipped his ale.
"Good thinking lad. Let's hope he runs into something then I suppose."
As Eainamar entered his long abandoned abode, the graceful smell filled his nostrils causing a tingle and tempting him to run as far away from the house as possible. He opened the windows to air out the familiar smell that he wished he could forget. His mind focussed on all the exotic ale he would be able to drink after he got airbourne and made it to the next settlement.
By nightfall, he finished packing his belongings and closed the door behind him. After locking up, the elf threw his rucksack over his shoulder and slid his spear into a sling which was slung around his other shoulder. He uttered a spell as his arms became wings. His ascent into the night sky gave him another rush of anxiety, feeling the wind brush past his form as it had so long ago the last time he flew. The sobriety was getting to him: it was letting him think. He hated that.
"Let's test if this new-found peace is really true," he whispered to himself as he made for The Human Kingdoms.