Book One: The Time Before

Chapter One: The Prancing Pont

"Another pint over here Sweetheart! For me and my friends!" The drunken slurs of my Master Ferdinand was always unmistakable. "And hurry it along!"

I collected the coins of other customers as they sat at the bar, completing their tabs for the evening. I nodded to them and smiled, urging them to have a great night and to return back soon. My short stature and dimples usually raked me in some extra tips, so I tried to drop smiles as often as I could. I also tried my best to ignore Ferdinand and his chortiling guests, but they were persistent like a poison ivy rash.

"Lydia! Serve us more beer before I go behind there and take it myself!"

I whispered under my breath, "Damned lush," then turned back to him with a grin. "One moment Master!"

They chuckled among themselves, likely pleased by my sunny disposition. I cursed them for taking up an obnoxious amount of space on such a busy night.

The rain poured down on the city of Bree, the roads turned to mud so everyone hobbled to the only thing that one could do on such an evening. Drink. Despite the late hours there were still people walking in, in their soaked caps and sloppy boots.

"Joseph, please make sure the doorway is clean so no one falls and breaks their neck," I requested, filling cups and rushing them out to the floor on a tray.

"Will do, Miss Lydia!" The other barkeep moved out from behind the bar to quickly kick the mud and dirt back out into the street before the next customer arrived or left.

I put the orders onto the tables and made sure each person was taken care of before moving onto the next. Everyone was jolly and received me warmly. Those who were regulars, which almost all were, were my favorite to serve since they knew not to cross the line with me. They knew I didn't take any shit so they were playful but respectful. Those who traveled through Bree were normally unsavory and willing to push my buttons. Although I was not a Shire Hobbit, I was still untrusting of outsiders. On the rare occasions I would come across friendly customers from outside of The Shire, I would undoubtedly try and hear about their lives and learn about the different cities and creatures on the continent that I would likely never see. Those occasions were few and far between though.

I eventually had to return to Ferdinand and his band of rosy faced miscreants. I placed several pints of beer onto the table and they cheered and snatched them up almost instantly. I tried to hide my disdain, knowing none of them would pay even a piece of lint for their village's worth of booze they would drink this evening. They never did.

"Master, make sure to leave some for the paying customers," I laughed, putting a pint down in front of him.

He wound his arm around my hip, making a sharp chill roll it's way up and down my spine. "Worry not about our supply, worry about keeping me and my friends happy. Why not a sweet song and dance, Miss Barclay? That will surely help us make merry!"

They hollered and pounded their cups on the table, flinging alcohol everywhere. I unwound myself from Ferdinand, noticing another customer coming in the door who would need attending. No better timing.

"Alas, maybe later." I pushed his hands off me as he tried to beckon me back. "Ask Joseph, I'm sure he would do it for you!"

I slipped away and hurried over to the stranger who sat down by the fire. He hardly had time to settle into the seat before I approached him with a wide smile.

"Hello Friend, what can I fetch for you?"

He pushed back his hood revealing his dwarvish features, intense eyes, and braided black hair. I had to admit that it had been quite a long time since we had a dwarf visit our inn, especially such a striking looking one.

"Ale and whatever food you have to offer." He placed a coin on the table. "Do you have any vacant rooms?"

"One, although it's not very appealing on a night such as this. Leaky roof and all, but it's not over the bed or anything."

"I'll take that as well."

"Desperation I suppose," I said, taking his payment for the meal and the room for the night. When he didn't react I mentioned, "I'm joking by the way, we have plenty of rooms open. The one with the leaky roof is my room."

"Ah."

Well he has the welcoming and warm demeanor of a troll, doesn't he?

"Let me grab dinner for you and just let me know whenever you want to head up to bed. My name is Lydia, by the way."

He nodded in acknowledgment but didn't share his name.

On the way back to the door I took several more orders so Joseph and I divided them the best we could. Joseph was a human with blonde curly hair and he was quite tall, so it was always easy to tell where he was, unlike me who easily got lost among the tables and people. We served smiles and jokes and beer quickly and collected our tips, wishing everyone safety as they headed back out into the storm to return home.

It wasn't long before Master Ferdinand and his friends were making ruckus again and were beckoning at me for more booze. I collected what the stranger by the fire ordered and acted like I couldn't hear them.

"Joseph, will you pretty please try and handle them? I still need to get food out," I nearly begged. "I don't have time to be harassed by them right now, and I might have promised you'd do a song and dance for them."

"Well thanks for selling me off like that!" he said before giving me a reassuring smile. "I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you!"

I left the bar again with drinks and the food. I served out the orders as I went, easily sliding out of peoples' way and keeping everything on my serving plates. I did notice as I went around though that there were a couple of outsiders in Joseph's part of the tavern that I hadn't noticed before. It seemed strange to have these many new people in one night, no matter how bad the conditions were outside. The two seemed sketchy too, the way they were looking into the crowd. It wasn't until I was over at the fireplace that I noticed they were staring at the stranger.

I hesitated a moment then sat down across from him with another large grin. I pushed his order to him and leaned against the table.

"Are you traveling by yourself, my friend?"

He looked at me blankly, clearly not pleased I was taking up space at his table. "I believe I requested a room only for myself, why does it matter?"

"It appears you have a couple of acquaintances here tonight that are likely hoping to meet up with you later." He subtly took glances around the tavern as he ripped off a piece of bread. "Should I or anyone in this establishment be concerned about them or you?"

"No," he said sternly. "If these men are truly here for me, I will make sure they don't make trouble."

"I'm sure you're very self-sustaining but how am I supposed to be sure thatyou'renot going to be the one causing the trouble and not those men over there? I don't care if you're some sort of criminal, I just don't want any sort of fist fight or grand duel to break out-"

"I am no criminal," he said lowly. "I do not know why these men are looking to encounter me. If I were to be in some sort of hiding I doubt I would be out in the open on such a night that's perfect for hiding."

I pressed my lips together and drummed my fingers on the table. "What is your purpose in Bree then if you're not running from something?'

"Passing through after an unfruitful journey."

"Did not find what you were looking for?"

He gave a slow nod.

I had heard of dwarves wandering to the lands north from here. I suppose if he traveled south there were many roads that would take him through Bree.

"What do you suppose those men want with you?"

"I'm sure they have the intent to murder me."

"And why is that?" I scoffed, in disbelief he stated such a thing so casually.

That was where he fell silent. I had a feeling he knew why but that was not a line he was about to cross with the likes of me.

"Well, even though you've failed to answer me that question along with sharing your name, I'm still leaning to believe you. My friend, I will do you a quick service. Enjoy your dinner and I will return shortly."

I stood up from the table and disappeared back into the crowd. I went straight to the bar where Joseph was collecting more tabs from his parting customers.

"Have you spoken much to the outsiders in your section tonight?" I asked, pouring more beer and ale.

"Not really the talking type, either of them. What about the stranger in your section?"

"Little more of a talker but not by much. Did they order anything?"

"Ale for both, why?"

"I need to avoid Ferdinand a little longer. I'll serve them shortly."

"Okay?"

I grabbed the cups, threw on a charming smile, and made my way through the crowd of men and hobbits alike. I stepped over any puddles of water and alcohol scattered on the floor. I've been offered shoes to wear since walking through disgusting things was an occupational hazard, but it would have been basically sacrilege as a hobbit. Another occupational hazard was dealing with violent thugs, and my appearance gives me the element of surprise.

"Good evening Sir!" I set the pint down in front of one of the men at the table. "Can I grab anything for you right now?"

He waved me away, since I was standing right in line of the stranger by the fireplace. "No, nothing, now shove off Girl."

"Message received Sir!"

I circled around behind him and slid his sword off the back of his chair and linked it to my belt on the opposite side of me so he couldn't see it as I walked away. I then set my sights on the other stranger. I firmly tied the sword to my side and pivoted my apron so it covered it, still carrying the other pint on a serving tray.

My plan was more than just removing their weapons, because they could still do plenty of damage with two against one. I needed to get them out of the tavern specifically for something where they won't easily be let back in. I can pretty much kick anyone out for any reason, but unless it's good they could be back in half an hour.

I came up behind the other stranger and also slid his sword off the chair. While I tied that one onto my belt, I reached around and set the drink in front of him. "Here you are! Can I fetch anything else for you?"

"Nah," he said lowly, also not hiding his staring.

"Feel free to wave down Joseph or I if you do!" When the sword was secure and hidden I walked past him, looking like I was heading back towards the bar. However, I stopped and whipped around to face him. "Did you just smack my hind, you slimy bastard?!"

He jumped in surprise and held his hands up. "W-What?! No I didn't-!"

"You think it's fun to put your grimey sausage fingers on working girls, aye? Well let's see if you think this is fun!" I whistled loudly, alarming the people who were sitting nearby. "Kick this jackass out of here! Big man's trying to put his hands on me!"

He shouted his innocence as the regulars grabbed him and hauled him out of the tavern. His little friend rushed after him so it took no time before they were both out of the Prancing Pony. The customers who helped me, I thanked them up and down and requested they keep an eye out to make sure the creep and his friend didn't try and slide back inside. I received their word and I was pleased with my performance.

I wandered back over to the fireplace, a smug grin on my face. I came up to his table and flashed him a glance at the swords under my apron. "They should be taken care of, my friend. Best be careful with any wandering you do around the town though."

He was quiet for a moment then bowed his head slightly. "I appreciate your assistance, Miss Lydia."

"Not a problem, Love," I grinned. Whatever keeps me from having to attend to the big table with my horrid master. I wish that whole 'grab ass' trick would work to get him kicked out, but owning the business did give him certain advantages.

As if on cue I heard Master Ferdinand and his friends holler at me, demanding I go over and entertain them. I involuntarily made a sound of disgust but caught myself and cleared my throat. The stranger looked around me at the table of rowdy human men and he didn't seem particularly impressed with what he saw. Although he didn't look particularly impressed by anything from what I've seen thus far.

"I guess I couldn't avoid it forever."

Before I could drag myself over to them, someone came up behind me and put a large hand on my shoulder. I looked up as the tall man took the seat across from the stranger. However this man was certainly not as unknown as the other. I would have recognized the tall stature, long white hair, and gray garb anywhere.

"Good evening Miss Lydia, quite a lively night isn't it?"

"Mister Gandalf! It's been so long! Welcome to The Prancing Pony!" I gestured to the main table, trying to request more time. "Can I get you anything?"

"Just the same as my friend here, my dear. We will have to catch up later tonight when you have a couple moments."

"Absolutely! We will catch up in a little while, I have to pay attention to my boss a bit before his head explodes and then I will be back with your dinner!"

I rushed back to work so I could get back to that table as soon as I could. I was very eager to connect with Gandalf again and see how he knew that handsome stranger.