We Met at the Inn of the Last Home
Disclaimer: I do not own DRAGONLANCE or any character created by another author for the DRAGONLANCE world. I only own the characters that I created myself. DRAGONLANCE was created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman and originally owned by TSR. It is now owned by Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary or Hasbro. Some of the other characters are owned by people that frequent the Inn of the Last Home thread at the DRAGONLANCE Movie Site Forums.
Chapter 2: Stuttering Elves
The next morning, Grail stumbled down into the common room, nursing a horrible headache and fighting off nausea. He sat at his customary table with Lucius and waited impatiently for Gems to come take his order.
The blonde elf across the table from him just laughed. "Did we have a wee bit too much ale last night, Master Grail?"
Grail answered with a sour look and tossed a napkin in Lucius' face. "No, we didn't have too much ale last night. I never have too much ale. I just have a headache. That's all. Can't a dwarf have a headache and not have every blasted elf this side of Silvanost not accuse him of having a hangover?!"
Grail took a deep breath and Lucius almost choked as he tried to hide his laughter. Every patron in the inn had turned to stare at the dwarf's temper tantrum. When Grail realized that he was the center of attention, he glowered at the other patrons and raised his voice again. "What, am I going to have to start charging you bastards for entertaining you in the mornings? Get back to your food and mind your own damned business!"
Everyone just laughed and went back to their breakfasts. Gems, however, was not amused. She smacked the back of Grail's wrist and went down to his eye level. "You won't be charging anyone for anything, dwarf! If you don't mind your manners and quit threatening my clientele, then I'll either kick you out or charge you triple. Do I make myself clear?"
Grail rubbed his injured wrist and nursed his bruised pride. He sullenly replied, "Yes, Gems. I'm sorry."
Lucius was on the verge of tears and had nearly chewed through his napkin by the time Gems had finished with the taciturn dwarven adventurer. She gave him a glare and turned her wrath on the elf. "Is there something funny, Lucius?"
Lucius wiped his eyes and hid the napkin. "Umm, no Gems. I was just excited about eating your delicious spiced potatoes." He snickered and tried to hide his face in his hands.
Gems gave him a look but let it slide. "Right. Ok, what are you two having?"
Lucius snickered. "I'll have the potatoes and some ham. Oh, and some tarbean tea."
She looked to Grail. "Ummm, I'll have the potatoes, fried eggs, ham, toast, tarbean tea and can you put some fried onions on the potatoes?"
Lucius looked at Gems. "Nope, that's not hangover food at all." They both shared a laugh at Grail's expense.
Knowing that he was beaten, Grail just muttered and stared out the window. Gems smiled and went off to place the order.
Lucius slapped the old dwarf's shoulder. "Come on, now. You aren't going to be a whiner and moan about getting picked on are you?" Lucius chided.
Grail huffed himself up. "Did you just call me a whiner, you lily-livered, no good, pansy elf?! How about we go outside and I teach you some damn manners?!"
Gems gave Grail an evil look and Grail sank into his seat. "I ain't no damn whiner." Grail pouted.
Lucius laughed and decided to change the subject. "So, do you think that we will get any jobs this winter? It's going to be a stretch to make it all the way to spring on the money we banked this summer."
Grail sighed. "I hope so. I don't want to work for that damn blacksmith again."
Lucius shook his head remembering that winter two years previous that Grail had worked for the blacksmith to make ends meets. Those arguments were heard even in the furthest reaches of Solace. "You could work for that carpenter again."
Grail shook his head. "That bridge burned. He caught me selling figurines without giving him his share. He won't ever hire me again."
Lucius looked thoughtful. "We could always bus tables for Gems."
They both stared at each other for a moment. Both at once burst out in laughter drawing another glare from Gems. When they had finished, Lucius was wiping his eyes again and Grail was holding his pounding head.
Gems came over and plopped a cast iron skillet full of potatoes between them and placed plates in front of them filled with their orders. "Eat up, chuckleheads. Then you might want to get out of here for a while or I'll find something for you to do!"
Both knew that Gems wasn't bluffing and dug into their food. After a few contented moments, Lucius spoke up again. "Well, I guess that there is nothing for it. We'll have to see if any caravans need guards."
Grail made a sour face. "I hate whoring myself out for that stuff."
Lucius agreed. "Well, we don't have a choice. I'll go see if there are any merchants leaving for Haven."
Grail waved him off. "I'll handle it. If you go, we'll be doing it for free. Hell, they might even convince you to pay them for the privilege."
Lucius didn't argue. He knew that he was too nice of a guy to get a fair payment from anyone. "Ok, I'll go down to the Trough and see what rumors are going around. We might be able to get a real job."
Grail nodded but wasn't going to get his hopes up. As poor of a negotiator as Lucius was, there was no one better at getting information from someone that didn't want to give it up. Lucius could convince the most loyal palace guard to give up the Lord Regent of Palanthas' morning routine faster than an average man could convince a barmaid to get him ale.
At that moment, Arial came up to the table. "Good morning, gentlemen. I trust you didn't fall out of the bed after Grant, Forsyth and Mike dragged you to your bed last night."
Grail started to bluster about how he was just really tired and wasn't drunk, but Arial's laughter cut him off. She placed an arm around his shoulder and gave him a hug. "You silly old dwarf, I'm just picking on you."
Grail stopped blustering and calmed under the attentions of the beautiful young girl. She smiled and sat down at their table. "Do you guys mind if I join you for breakfast?"
Lucius stammered, "Um, you don't think that Gems will get mad at you do you?"
She smiled and patted his cheek. "No, I don't start my shift until 2 hours after lunch. I close, not open."
Lucius blushed. "Then we don't mind."
Grail smiled and wiped his mouth. "Well, I've got to go."
Lucius choked. "What? Where are you going?"
Grail laughed. "Are you daft, boy? I'm going to talk to the merchant's guild to see if they need us to guard any caravans."
Lucius paled. "Are you sure that you don't need me to go with you?" he pleaded.
Grail chuckled. "No, boy. I've got this covered. Arial, my dear, do you mind keeping an eye on him for me today, keep him out of trouble."
Arial grinned. "Do you mind if I get him into any trouble?"
Grail smiled. "Just don't make me bail you two out of the jail. I always pick up stray kender that way."
Grail laughed and exited the inn.
Gems brought over some biscuits, jelly and sliced fruit to Arial. She shared the pitcher of tarbean tea.
Lucius just sat in silence and looked at the table. Arial smiled at his shyness. "You sure are quiet. If you don't like for me to be around, I can leave you alone."
Lucius looked up shocked. "N-n-n-no. That's not it, you don't have to leave." He stammered.
This was exactly the reaction that Arial had expected and she giggled. "Good then. So, what are you doing today?"
Immediately, the visit to the Trough popped into his head, but he didn't want to tell that to the cute barmaid. "Um, I didn't have any specific plans. I just thought that I would take a walk and see the sights." he lied.
Arial smiled. "Do you mind if I join you?"
Lucius blushed, "N-n-no, I don't mind. But are you sure you want to go with me. I mean, I'm really boring."
Arial laughed. "I don't think that you are boring. You're cute."
Lucius turned an even deeper crimson as his blush deepened. "Ok, um, where would you like to go?"
Arial thought for a minute. "We could go to the tailor's shop. I need to buy some fabric."
Lucius nodded. "Then that is where we'll go."
They both stood up and moved to the door. Just as Lucius was about to put his hand on the handle, Gems cleared her throat right behind him. He looked back at her and she had her hand out. "You weren't about to leave without paying were you?"
Lucius paled at the angered Gems. "Um, no ma'am." He dug into his pocket and pulled out enough money to pay for his and Arial's breakfast.
As he turned back to the door, Gems cleared her throat again. "And the dwarf's meal?"
Lucius looked confused, but then it dawned on him. That damned old dwarf left him with the check, AGAIN! He pulled out some more money and gave it to Gems. He was going to kill that crotchety old miser when he saw him this evening.
After they walked out, Arial spoke, "You didn't have to pay for my meal too."
Lucius looked surprised. "Yes, I did. My mother raised me right. A gentleman always pays for the lady's meal, whether they are a pair of just acquaintances."
Arial hooked her arm in his arm. "Well, we are more than just acquaintances."
They walked down the swinging rope bridge in silence. Arial was enjoying the moment and Lucius hadn't yet remembered how to breathe.
"What in the blue blazes do you mean 15 steel to guard your caravan from here to Haven? It would cost me more than that just to outfit us for the trip!"
The merchant mopped his sweating, bald head with a handkerchief. "Now, there is no need to get angry, Master Dwarf. I'm sure that I could go as high as 20 steel."
Grail got even redder in the face. "Do you think that I left me ma's skirts yesterday? I've never been so damned insulted in my life! If you can't give me 30 steel, then I'll go find someone else who needs our services. I hope that you do get attacked by those goblin raiders just outside of Solace!"
Grail started to storm out of the guildhall when the merchant called him back. "Wait, Master Dwarf! Goblin raiders?"
Grail smiled. He loved this part. He half turned around. "You heard me. Goblin raiders. They might even be lead by a Hobgoblin or two. That would explain how they've stayed away from the security patrols."
The merchant swallowed hard. "Ummmm, 30 steel? I think that I can afford 30 steel."
Grail smiled and walked back to the merchant. "I think that I can accept 30 steel as a payment. Mind you, I'm doing you a favor. That is my bare minimum, but I like you. You seem like a nice guy. I'll take half now and half in Haven."
The merchant quickly agreed and counted out 15 steel for the shrewd dwarf. He put it into a small pouch and the dwarf smiled. "When do we leave?"
The merchant thought hard for a moment. "Tomorrow, right before sunrise."
Grail nodded. "Tomorrow, sun-up. Got it."
Grail walked out of the guildhall and chuckled. "If there's a goblin within 20 miles of Solace, I'll eat my hat." Seeing as how Grail made a habit of never wearing a hat, he felt safe in his wager.
Arial walked out of the tailor's shop and called back to the owner. "Thank you, Master Borschmidt. Your fabrics are lovely."
The tailor smiled and waved at Arial as she left. "They pale in comparison to the woman who bought them."
Arial giggled and walked onto the rope bridge. A mound of fabrics shambled behind her. "Um, Arial. You are going to have to tell me which way to go. I can't see."
Arial smiled and held his elbow. "I'll guide you."
They walked down the walkway until they got to Arial's house. She led Lucius into the living room and instructed him to place the bolts of fabric on the sofa. He walked over and tried his best to place them gently on the sofa, which resulted in him dropping every single bolt onto the floor. He did his best to catch them, which made him look like a clown attempting to juggle at the street fair. Arial would have helped him to pick them up, but she was too busy holding her sides and laughing.
Lucius finally managed to pick them all up and place them on the sofa as neatly as possible. He rubbed his cramped biceps and leaned against the wall. Who would have thought that fabric could be so heavy?
Arial came over and recovered from her mirth. "Thank you for helping me, Lucius. I'm sorry that I laughed at you, but you are so funny. You were so sweet to help me today."
Lucius immediately forgot about his wounded pride and drank in the praise from the girl that captivated his heart with that smile. "Holy Mishakel!" he thought. "I'm going to marry this woman."
Lucius wasn't sure what scared him more; the fact that he was in love or the fact that he had admitted it to himself so easily. He knew that since he had in fact admitted it that this was no crush or lust. It was true love.
He realized that several moments had passed and neither of them had said a word. He hadn't been able to tear his eyes away from her deep blue orbs. He shook his head and looked away. "She must think that I'm a fool, staring at her like that!" he thought.
She sighed and looked at the floor. "Why can't a boy like Lucius like me? He is such a sweet guy." she thought.
Lucius sheepishly looked around the room. He decided to change the subject to anything other than his staring eyes. "Um, why did Master Borschmidt sell you all of that fabric? With that much fabric, I would assume that you would be making clothes enough to cause him some competition."
Arial giggled, glad to be relieved of her thoughts. "Oh, I'm not selling them. I make them for Mistress Givens' kids."
Lucius didn't have the faintest clue who that was. He racked his brain, but to no avail. Her identity eluded him. "I'm sorry, who is Mistress Givens?"
Arial giggled. "Well, she's not exactly a who, but a what now. She started an orphanage in Solace at the towns founding. Solace was founded by people that were escaping the war, famine and disease that plagued Ansalon after the Cataclysm. Mistress Givens was a widow of a wealthy Solamnic Knight. She continued to live by the Oath and the Measure all of her days and the best way that she felt that she could help the world was by creating an orphanage here in Solace. No matter what has happened, excepting when the dragonarmies took over Solace, this orphanage has always stood. The people wouldn't let it die. I take it on myself to make clothes for them. It makes me feel good."
Lucius just listened to the story with rapt attention and awe. This woman was a saint. He doubted that Mishakel herself could have more caring in her heart. "That is amazing, Arial! I never knew that the place even existed, let alone that you were such a kind hearted woman. You are amazing!"
Arial blushed at the exclamation. For a moment, Lucius couldn't figure out why, but then it hit him. He had just said that out loud. He stammered and stuttered. "Um, I-I-I d-d-didn't m-m-mean to b-b-be so f-f-forward…"
Before he could make a bigger fool out of himself, Arial put one finger to his lips and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "That was sweet of you to say."
Lucius forgot to breathe again. After a moment, he gasped. "Um, um, um…"
Arial giggled. "You might want to go check on Grail. He may have news of that job."
Lucius sighed in relief. "You're right! I should go. Thank you for the wonderful morning! I'll see you tonight at the inn?"
Arial nodded. "Yes, you will. Thank you again for the help."
Lucius nodded and backed away to the door. "N-n-no problem. It was m-m-my pleasure."
Lucius hastily retreated from the house and took off to the inn. Arial closed the open door and leaned against the wall. She stood there for a few moments, lost in thought. She looked around the room. She realized that those dresses and pants wouldn't sew themselves, so she went to work. Unfortunately, she didn't finish a single article of clothing. She couldn't keep her mind off a certain elf with golden hair and a speech impediment that she found simply adorable.
A/N: That was the best chapter I have ever written. I LOVED it!!! I hope that I can transfer some of this feeling over to my Naruto fic. LOL. I hope that you all liked it. I have to thank everyone that reviewed the last chapter. Fizban Who (the creator of the Lucius character), Jemma (Arial's creator), Bien-128, Moon, Ahnni, Gems and dark mage. I really appreciate the encouragement. Remember, if you review a chapter, I will immortalize you by thanking you publically in the next chapter.
And again, I have to thank my wonderful wife, Carmen. She has helped me incredibly writing this. You are my favorite critic, Carmen. Arial ain't got nothin' on you babe!
