Posted by Kirdina_the_elf on 08-27-2009 - 05:27 PM
Chapter Three: A Song for a Room
“Art thou enjoying thyself, little Kira?” Maki asked sarcastically.
The elf nodded in response to the rhetorical question. She bounced up the wooden steps and onto the porch which encircled the entire building. Above the doorway hung a large wooden plaque written in stylish common font “The Smiling Sun”. An ornate scene of a setting sun was carved into the background of the calligraphy letters. Two connected doors were propped open by smooth colored stones and the entire inside was packed from wall to wall with guests. Being small and rather nimble the elf managed to squeeze her way inside, ducking under a low hanging lantern and side stepping two hobbit lasses hastily running ales to neighboring tables. There were loud conversations picking up every which way and Kirdina waded through half the bar room before spotting the innkeeper. She made her way towards the hobbit behind a counter, eyeing up a small platform as she passed it. Her fingers twitched unconsciously at the appearance of a stage towards the back of the room. The hobbit behind the counter held his chin high. He wore a well tailored blue tunic and shouted orders in a high pitched tone to other hobbits walking by. There were room keys dangling from nails on the wall behind him and in front of him laid a large opened book, a container of ink by it’s side and a feathered quill in the hobbit’s hand.
Kirdina walked up to the counter, musing that the hobbit behind was taller than her by a foot. “Excuse me sir, I was hoping to perhaps get a room?”
The hobbit looked down to her apologetically, his light blue eyes matching the clothes he wore. Kirdina wondered if his favorite color was blue. “A room?” he asked.
Kirdina nodded. “I see you are already so busy for this festival tonight, so I am sorry to interrupt your work. I heard your tavern had the best rooms in Kinar, and so I had hoped to find a room here, although I was not expecting to, I did assume your wonderful establishment would have filled up quickly because of it’s boastful reputation.” She gave a low bow.
“Why thank you, milady. We are certainly running low on rooms, but I might be able to find one for you, let me look here.” The hobbit began paging through his book, running his fingers up and down lists of some kind.
“Is your festival always this big?” Kirdina inquired.
“It has been getting bigger and bigger every season.” The hobbit replied with a proud smile, flipping a page. “And our inn The Smiling Sun always has the best entertainment.”
“The best entertainment!” Kirdina exclaimed excitedly. “How wonderful. I am a bit of a performer meself!”
The hobbit looked up from his book and down to Kirdina, a suddenly interested twinkle in his eye. “Really?” he asked in an innocent manner. “Well, if you are good I could perhaps have you perform and as payment give you free room for the festival. Would you mind playing me something?”
“Of course not.” Kirdina replied with a smile. She picked up Maki and held him to her lips. She thought for a moment of something this hobbit may like. Blue, blue as the water from the well outside. She lifted up a pinky finger and gently blew the air across the opening of the flute. Her breath flowed inside the wooden instrument for a second, escaping out the well carved holes, a crisp and pleasant note resulting, she then twilled two lower notes together and began the opening music she had composed to one of her favorite tales- The Lovers at the Swamp. The beginning part of the song was always very cheerful and upbeat, a travelers song for the road. She finished up the opening in two minutes, an average length for her short songs. When she opened her green eyes she saw the hobbit smiling brightly. The whole tavern had grown silent and she felt her face flush for a moment as the adrenaline of her performance drained away. Her heart skipped a beat until the tavern responded with claps and hoots and cheers. Quickly the applause died down as the guests began to shout and laugh again to one another. The hobbit behind the desk continued to smile.
“A fine song, very good. Would you be willing to strike up the deal? I can only offer you the servant’s quarters, but it would be your own room and free.”
Kirdina had no argument to a free room for playing music that she would normally play without payment. “A deal.” she agreed happily, each of them thinking they had made out on the bargain.
Maki gave a disdainful sigh. “You do realize we will be staying in the servant’s quarters for our magnificent performance? When we should be staying in a palace.” As usual Kirdina ignored his response.
“Brockhouse,” the hobbit called out into the room.
A short and bumbling hobbit ran over to him, his brown curly hair starting to come out of the ponytail he had tied it into. “Yes?” he asked, a bit flustered.
“Could you please take..uh, oh my, I apologize, I am in such a rush I completely forgot to get your name. We will need it to add it to the program for tonight!”
Kirdina laughed lightly. “The name is Kirdina.” she responded.
“Please show Kirdina to the servant’s quarters, she will be spending the remainder of her time here at the Smiling Sun’s expense in payment for her performances, please give her the guest room we have.”
Brockhouse smiled and bowed. “Please follow me milady Kirdina.” and with that Brockhouse walked behind the counter, Kirdina following a pace behind him.
The innkeeper called out to them “I will send someone for you when your performance is needed, but until then please enjoy Kinar’s festival!”
“Many thanks.”the young elf replied, glancing back to see the innkeeper standing on two crates. “So that’s how he was taller.” she mused quietly.
Brockhouse walked into the back room and out a door. Behind the Inn was a smaller house, still beautifully built with shrubs lining the front of it and flowers planted to either side. “This is the servant’s quarters.” he said with a smile. “It doesn’t have the view of the well, but I like to think it is just as beautiful.”
“It is.” Kirdina said happily.
Brockhouse looked to the young elf with admiration. “You made quite an impression on Toso, he never gives out our best room to performers!”
“Your best room?” she asked confused. “I thought I was staying in the servant’s quarters?”
“You are!” Brockhouse laughed. “Our servant’s quarters are the best! I mean, we live here in Kinar, guests come and go, so even though our rooms in the Smiling Inn are great, I like to think that our Servant’s quarters are even better. You’re music was very beautiful. Perhaps some day you could write one about farming.”
Kirdina looked to Brockhouse. He wore nothing more than simple peasant clothes, a bit of dirt covering them while his feet were bare with a tuft of fur on the tops. His smile was full of life. Birds sang above while three small rabbits played in the bushes a few paces from them, everything seemed so at peace.
The young elf nodded to his suggestion. “I think I could create one for you.” she said thoughtfully. “A peaceful song, simple in some respects, but with an underlying melody of humor and maybe a little bit of mischief, taking into account small animals that sometimes get into the gardens.”
Brockhouse gave another laugh. “A wonderful tune.” he replied, walking into the small cobblestone home, gesturing Kirdina to follow. “I look forward to hearing your performance later this evening. Feel free to poke around the festival, we have a lot to offer. You won’t get lost, and I will come find you when Toso needs to entertain the guests at the tavern.” The young hobbit made a face. “Though I do suppose the ale in our guests will cause a bit more noise than one would like for performances.”
Kirdina laughed and shook her head, the image of drunken patrons trying to dance to her songs played over in her mind “I’ve had such events before, they always prove to be enjoyable in some respects.”
The two of them walked down a short hallway, the wooden walls lined with artistic drawings of nature. They turned a corner and Brockhouse stopped at the only door. “Here you are.”
Kirdina gave a small bow. “My thanks.” she said as he pointed towards the circular door. He handed her a set of keys and she unlocked the door, pushing it open. The room was small, but looked very comfortable. There was a large window on the far wall with a view of the back of the Smiling Sun, as well as two bushes in front of the window.
“If you don’t be needing me I shall be getting back to the Inn, we are very busy and there is still much work I need to finish.” the little hobbit said turning around and heading down the hallway.
Kirdina nodded. “Oh yes, thank you for you time.” she called after him, closing the door as he left. She watched Brockhouse run up to the Smiling Sun from her window amused. “What an interesting little creature.” she said to Maki. She pulled her pack from off her shoulders and set it down on the only chair, keeping her sword and bow on her. Her eyes scanned the room, taking note of more nature paintings along the walls, and a small bed that would be just big enough for her feet not to stick out from the edge. She looked to the wall across from her bed that had a small mirror .She walked over to it, noticing that underneath her right eye there was a bit of her discolored skin showing. “Good thing for masks.” she mumbled, lifting it up with both her hands. She closed her eyes for a second, feeling the fresh air brushing against her usually hidden skin. It was pleasant and for a moment she was at peace, one with the air, gentle and calm, fluid and graceful. She opened her eyes slowly, scrutinizing her mark. Her feelings changed to sharp and uneasy. It had stopped bleeding but was still very raw and painful to the touch. “What do you think could have caused it to rip open?” she asked Maki who was dangling at her side from his little pouch Kirdina had made him.
“I do not know for certain, but it is possible that this is more than just a simple irritation from the mask. You did make the mask with great care and regard for your scar, it is rather improbable that suddenly now your mask has begun to brush against it in an irritating manner.”
Kirdina nodded. “Well, despite this tiny situation, look at my room!”
“Our room you mean, and a small room at that.”
“Maki, you are small so you shouldn’t be complaining, besides, it’s great, look at the woodwork!” Kirdina brushed one of the walls with her fingers. “It is very beautiful.”
Maki scoffed. “It probably has termites just waiting to break free into our room and gnaw me to death.”
Kirdina rolled her eyes. “Let’s check out the festival, eh? Maybe there is something going on out there that will prove to be amusing even for you.” Kirdina walked out of the room with Maki.
“Doubtful.” he replied. “There is little left in this world that “amuses” me.”
“Perchance we may discover some more information with that other worldly thing you mentioned.” Kirdina suggested as she exited the Servant’s Quarters and walked past the side of the Smiling Sun into the town’s circle.
“Let us hope not.” Maki mumbled.
“Art thou enjoying thyself, little Kira?” Maki asked sarcastically.
The elf nodded in response to the rhetorical question. She bounced up the wooden steps and onto the porch which encircled the entire building. Above the doorway hung a large wooden plaque written in stylish common font “The Smiling Sun”. An ornate scene of a setting sun was carved into the background of the calligraphy letters. Two connected doors were propped open by smooth colored stones and the entire inside was packed from wall to wall with guests. Being small and rather nimble the elf managed to squeeze her way inside, ducking under a low hanging lantern and side stepping two hobbit lasses hastily running ales to neighboring tables. There were loud conversations picking up every which way and Kirdina waded through half the bar room before spotting the innkeeper. She made her way towards the hobbit behind a counter, eyeing up a small platform as she passed it. Her fingers twitched unconsciously at the appearance of a stage towards the back of the room. The hobbit behind the counter held his chin high. He wore a well tailored blue tunic and shouted orders in a high pitched tone to other hobbits walking by. There were room keys dangling from nails on the wall behind him and in front of him laid a large opened book, a container of ink by it’s side and a feathered quill in the hobbit’s hand.
Kirdina walked up to the counter, musing that the hobbit behind was taller than her by a foot. “Excuse me sir, I was hoping to perhaps get a room?”
The hobbit looked down to her apologetically, his light blue eyes matching the clothes he wore. Kirdina wondered if his favorite color was blue. “A room?” he asked.
Kirdina nodded. “I see you are already so busy for this festival tonight, so I am sorry to interrupt your work. I heard your tavern had the best rooms in Kinar, and so I had hoped to find a room here, although I was not expecting to, I did assume your wonderful establishment would have filled up quickly because of it’s boastful reputation.” She gave a low bow.
“Why thank you, milady. We are certainly running low on rooms, but I might be able to find one for you, let me look here.” The hobbit began paging through his book, running his fingers up and down lists of some kind.
“Is your festival always this big?” Kirdina inquired.
“It has been getting bigger and bigger every season.” The hobbit replied with a proud smile, flipping a page. “And our inn The Smiling Sun always has the best entertainment.”
“The best entertainment!” Kirdina exclaimed excitedly. “How wonderful. I am a bit of a performer meself!”
The hobbit looked up from his book and down to Kirdina, a suddenly interested twinkle in his eye. “Really?” he asked in an innocent manner. “Well, if you are good I could perhaps have you perform and as payment give you free room for the festival. Would you mind playing me something?”
“Of course not.” Kirdina replied with a smile. She picked up Maki and held him to her lips. She thought for a moment of something this hobbit may like. Blue, blue as the water from the well outside. She lifted up a pinky finger and gently blew the air across the opening of the flute. Her breath flowed inside the wooden instrument for a second, escaping out the well carved holes, a crisp and pleasant note resulting, she then twilled two lower notes together and began the opening music she had composed to one of her favorite tales- The Lovers at the Swamp. The beginning part of the song was always very cheerful and upbeat, a travelers song for the road. She finished up the opening in two minutes, an average length for her short songs. When she opened her green eyes she saw the hobbit smiling brightly. The whole tavern had grown silent and she felt her face flush for a moment as the adrenaline of her performance drained away. Her heart skipped a beat until the tavern responded with claps and hoots and cheers. Quickly the applause died down as the guests began to shout and laugh again to one another. The hobbit behind the desk continued to smile.
“A fine song, very good. Would you be willing to strike up the deal? I can only offer you the servant’s quarters, but it would be your own room and free.”
Kirdina had no argument to a free room for playing music that she would normally play without payment. “A deal.” she agreed happily, each of them thinking they had made out on the bargain.
Maki gave a disdainful sigh. “You do realize we will be staying in the servant’s quarters for our magnificent performance? When we should be staying in a palace.” As usual Kirdina ignored his response.
“Brockhouse,” the hobbit called out into the room.
A short and bumbling hobbit ran over to him, his brown curly hair starting to come out of the ponytail he had tied it into. “Yes?” he asked, a bit flustered.
“Could you please take..uh, oh my, I apologize, I am in such a rush I completely forgot to get your name. We will need it to add it to the program for tonight!”
Kirdina laughed lightly. “The name is Kirdina.” she responded.
“Please show Kirdina to the servant’s quarters, she will be spending the remainder of her time here at the Smiling Sun’s expense in payment for her performances, please give her the guest room we have.”
Brockhouse smiled and bowed. “Please follow me milady Kirdina.” and with that Brockhouse walked behind the counter, Kirdina following a pace behind him.
The innkeeper called out to them “I will send someone for you when your performance is needed, but until then please enjoy Kinar’s festival!”
“Many thanks.”the young elf replied, glancing back to see the innkeeper standing on two crates. “So that’s how he was taller.” she mused quietly.
Brockhouse walked into the back room and out a door. Behind the Inn was a smaller house, still beautifully built with shrubs lining the front of it and flowers planted to either side. “This is the servant’s quarters.” he said with a smile. “It doesn’t have the view of the well, but I like to think it is just as beautiful.”
“It is.” Kirdina said happily.
Brockhouse looked to the young elf with admiration. “You made quite an impression on Toso, he never gives out our best room to performers!”
“Your best room?” she asked confused. “I thought I was staying in the servant’s quarters?”
“You are!” Brockhouse laughed. “Our servant’s quarters are the best! I mean, we live here in Kinar, guests come and go, so even though our rooms in the Smiling Inn are great, I like to think that our Servant’s quarters are even better. You’re music was very beautiful. Perhaps some day you could write one about farming.”
Kirdina looked to Brockhouse. He wore nothing more than simple peasant clothes, a bit of dirt covering them while his feet were bare with a tuft of fur on the tops. His smile was full of life. Birds sang above while three small rabbits played in the bushes a few paces from them, everything seemed so at peace.
The young elf nodded to his suggestion. “I think I could create one for you.” she said thoughtfully. “A peaceful song, simple in some respects, but with an underlying melody of humor and maybe a little bit of mischief, taking into account small animals that sometimes get into the gardens.”
Brockhouse gave another laugh. “A wonderful tune.” he replied, walking into the small cobblestone home, gesturing Kirdina to follow. “I look forward to hearing your performance later this evening. Feel free to poke around the festival, we have a lot to offer. You won’t get lost, and I will come find you when Toso needs to entertain the guests at the tavern.” The young hobbit made a face. “Though I do suppose the ale in our guests will cause a bit more noise than one would like for performances.”
Kirdina laughed and shook her head, the image of drunken patrons trying to dance to her songs played over in her mind “I’ve had such events before, they always prove to be enjoyable in some respects.”
The two of them walked down a short hallway, the wooden walls lined with artistic drawings of nature. They turned a corner and Brockhouse stopped at the only door. “Here you are.”
Kirdina gave a small bow. “My thanks.” she said as he pointed towards the circular door. He handed her a set of keys and she unlocked the door, pushing it open. The room was small, but looked very comfortable. There was a large window on the far wall with a view of the back of the Smiling Sun, as well as two bushes in front of the window.
“If you don’t be needing me I shall be getting back to the Inn, we are very busy and there is still much work I need to finish.” the little hobbit said turning around and heading down the hallway.
Kirdina nodded. “Oh yes, thank you for you time.” she called after him, closing the door as he left. She watched Brockhouse run up to the Smiling Sun from her window amused. “What an interesting little creature.” she said to Maki. She pulled her pack from off her shoulders and set it down on the only chair, keeping her sword and bow on her. Her eyes scanned the room, taking note of more nature paintings along the walls, and a small bed that would be just big enough for her feet not to stick out from the edge. She looked to the wall across from her bed that had a small mirror .She walked over to it, noticing that underneath her right eye there was a bit of her discolored skin showing. “Good thing for masks.” she mumbled, lifting it up with both her hands. She closed her eyes for a second, feeling the fresh air brushing against her usually hidden skin. It was pleasant and for a moment she was at peace, one with the air, gentle and calm, fluid and graceful. She opened her eyes slowly, scrutinizing her mark. Her feelings changed to sharp and uneasy. It had stopped bleeding but was still very raw and painful to the touch. “What do you think could have caused it to rip open?” she asked Maki who was dangling at her side from his little pouch Kirdina had made him.
“I do not know for certain, but it is possible that this is more than just a simple irritation from the mask. You did make the mask with great care and regard for your scar, it is rather improbable that suddenly now your mask has begun to brush against it in an irritating manner.”
Kirdina nodded. “Well, despite this tiny situation, look at my room!”
“Our room you mean, and a small room at that.”
“Maki, you are small so you shouldn’t be complaining, besides, it’s great, look at the woodwork!” Kirdina brushed one of the walls with her fingers. “It is very beautiful.”
Maki scoffed. “It probably has termites just waiting to break free into our room and gnaw me to death.”
Kirdina rolled her eyes. “Let’s check out the festival, eh? Maybe there is something going on out there that will prove to be amusing even for you.” Kirdina walked out of the room with Maki.
“Doubtful.” he replied. “There is little left in this world that “amuses” me.”
“Perchance we may discover some more information with that other worldly thing you mentioned.” Kirdina suggested as she exited the Servant’s Quarters and walked past the side of the Smiling Sun into the town’s circle.
“Let us hope not.” Maki mumbled.
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