Author Jade Elf

Title Intrepidity

Rating pg (for now)

Disclaimer I think that we can all safely assume that I am not JRR Tolkin and there for do not own Lord of the Rings

Leaf slowly relaxed in front of the fire. She looked around with pride. This was the combination of all of her talents, and it was just a small comfortable cottage. The main feature was a giant oak that grew from the center of the house up through the roof where it shaded the house in the summer heat and protected it from the winter storms. In front of her was the fireplace built with stones from the local river, it was many colored and it had an occasional semi-precious stone in it. The fireplace when lit would shine like a bejeweled thing. It didn't work perfectly so every time the wind came from the west she would get to much smoke but she didn't care.

The walls were made from trees in the surrounding forest. She had a simple bedroom, and a kitchen/living room. And a little way from the main house was an outhouse, chicken coup and a barn for her horse. It was home.

She had just finished putting up the last book in her bookshelves. The books were what took so long to move in. She had 4, 5-foot tall bookshelves and each was completely full. Leaf would need to build another one before the next trip to the bookstore. The books were one of a few things that she hadn't made on her own.

She looked out the only window to see a giant pasture surrounded by forest. She had a horse in the pasture and a few chickens could be seen around. There was a bare patch of dirt where come spring she would plant a vegetable garden to help with her put food on the table.

She loved this house. It was as old fashion as one could get in this day and age. She had been quite clever and built a windmill pump that pulled well water to her roof so she did have running water, she would just have to be careful about boiling any before she drank it. She didn't have the filtration that city water had. The only iron in the place was her wood stove and some. She didn't want any iron to scare off any of the fey creatures.

She leaned back in her rocking chair and picked up an herbal book. She started to read and take notes when there was a knock at the door. Leaf looked up puzzled, her mother wasn't due for several days and there were no neighbors for miles. She set down her book and went to the door.

Standing in the doorway with a pompous look on his face was a short balding man. He was dressed in an expensive suit that didn't hide his beer belly. He had a clipboard in his hand and he started to talk. "Miss Lorene I presume, I am a member of the building inspection district for the Black Hawk County. I have received word that your new home may not be up to par with current regulations. May I take a look around the place to insure that it is proper with the codes and regulations?" Leaf blinked for a few moments.

"Excuse me. I had my building planes approved by the board, I have the correct permits nothing is wrong with my home." Leaf said in a tone that showed little irritation but a lot of confusion.

"I know that," the man said like it was something a three year old would know. "But you haven't had the completed building inspected." Leaf blinked once more, was that fat body filled with hot air or what. She thought that this was why she had moved to be a hermit. Just to avoid dealing with people like this.

"If you must do an inspection then come in, though I do not remember there being any laws about it." Leaf said with the irritation in her voice over taking the confusion.

"That is because we only do one if we get a complaint," the man said in his annoying superior voice.

"Oh wait let me guess Cassandra Lorene made the complaint?" Leaf said after a half second of contemplation. The only person she knew that would meddle in her affairs like that would be her own mother. Her mom was still trying to convince Leaf to move back in with her. It was ridiculous Leaf was a 35-year-old adult. She could do what she wanted with or without her mother's permission.

"Um... I am not at liberty to discuss that information at this time," the bald man said stuttering. Leaf looked at the man with pure annoyance on her face.

"Well let's get this over with. What do you want to see first?"