Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza

To Open a Shop:
1. Shops must be realistic for Rohan. So no pizza shops, sorry.
2.NO libraries or book shops. The Rohirrim were a people of oral tradition, so would not have had things like that.
3. No repeat shops. If someone sells something already, think of another idea. We don't want overlap.
4.Tag Shivased, the lædenmanger, in the Golden Hall OOC thread for approval BEFORE opening a shop! PM must include shop name and description of what you plan to sell.

Thread Rules:
1. Remember, this is a marketplace so posts should reflect that. Shop, socialize, etc. as you would while at market.
2. Red BF0000 is reserved for the lædenmanger
3. Please post your location at the top of your post - Pen and Ink, Streets, etc. so others know where you are.
4. If a shop is listed as FOR SALE, feel free to RP there being a shopkeeper there, within reason. If a shop has an owner, please wait for them to acknowledge you, do not godmode them.
5. HAVE FUN!

Isengafæme Smithing (Blacksmith -- does not do armor or weapons)
NPC Rhys and Kendrick Ellenweorc (Not to be confused with Kendrick Halwende)
The black haired youth, quite tall, lanky, muscular, and looking to be in his late teens, early twenties, looked nearly identical to his father, even down to the White streak of hair that constantly hung in his eyes no matter what he did with it. He sometimes hated the fact he looked so much like his father, and never was this truer than when he worked alongside his father, which was exactly what he was doing today. He turned the key in the door, and promptly sneezed. Winter had clearly not been kind to the shop, in the sense that it was completely dust covered. Well, that would have to be taken care of first. After starting the fire and getting the bellows into action of course. If anything for the lighting. Then would come inventory. Ugh, he hated doing inventory. Maybe he'd leave that for Papa. After all, he was four years a Master Smith now. That meant equal share of the grunt work with Papa. He smiled at the idea of making his father do inventory.
After getting the furnace going, he went and found some rags in the small living space attached to it. It mostly served as a storage closet, but it did suffice when Rhys had to stay late and didn't want to disturb sleeping family. Or if Kendrick wanted to have alone time away from the chaos that was the Ellenweorc brood. Kendrick sighed after a few minutes of dusting, realizing that despite the smithy being relatively small, it was going to take a long time to get this place in shape. Good thing he came a couple hours early. Normally he and his father were here at least an hour before the Riddermarket was open, but today he'd gotten here nearly four hours early. Certain members of his family had questioned the necessity of getting up that early, but he'd insisted it was necessary, since they were opening late in the season as is. It helped though having his dad leave their Edoras home at the same time to help Uncle Audley and get an order request for the tools Audley would need restocked.
A good couple hours had passed, when Rhys stumbled into the shop. 'Remind me again why I felt the need to go over there and spend an eternity talking farming when I barely know enough to get by when visiting your aunt and uncle's farm?'
Kendrick looked over at his old man and then gestured with his hands something. He did not speak aloud much, as he was self-conscious about his stuttering, so he learned to speak the same language his aunt had when she had lost her voice for a good amount of time. The woman still used the sign language when she wasn't on duty, or speaking to people outside their family and close friends, as her voice would never be fully the way it had been before her mishap. The whole family learned it well before he was born, and it had been handed down, which was a good thing as childhood trauma with his biological mother left Kendrick awkward when it came to social aspects of life.
'Ugh, I hate it when you are right, kiddo. I am devoted to my family. And it doesn't help that Audley has always been more than just a brother-in-law to me.'
Kendrick smirked, then signed, Give me Audley's order. I'll get started on it.
'Uh-uh. I don't think so buddy. I am not doing two inventories today.' Rhys folded his arms and looked sternly at his son, as if daring the youth to challenge him.
But Pa!!!! I just spent the past Bema knows how long dusting!
'Don't care. My name's the one on the lease, and you are still my son, still living with me, so what I say goes.'
Kendrick groaned. He wished his father would pick smithing or inn-keeping already. Preferably inn-keeping so it wouldn't fall on him. Fine. Here. He tossed a dirty rag at his dad and then grabbed parchment and started taking inventory. 'More seven cm nails,' he wrote first. 'Good on five cm. More three cm. Borderline on ten cm.'
Rhys caught the cloth and put it with the other dirty laundry. He took off his cloak and hung it next to Kendrick's then put on his smithing apron. He looked at the list of items Audley had requested. It was a lot, but between him and Kendrick, he knew that they could tackle it and other orders. As long as they prioritized of course. 'Kenno, the iron delivery hasn't come yet, has it?'
Kendrick shook his head. Now he was cataloging the state of their personal use items, such as hammers and anvils. 'W-we seem t-to be missing an a-anvil and t-tools set.'
'Oh boy. This is going to make Shiva mad as hell. Crime detected before the market is even open.'
'A-as l-long as it ain't A-auntie Rowena.' His father's twin's temper was more intimidating to him than Shiva's was. But then again, she wrangled the notorious Westmark Eored, so it had to be.
'Heh. I thought you liked your Aunt.'
Kendrick gave his father a look that clearly indicated that he just didn't want to be on her bad side.
Rhys laughed and said, 'Okay, okay! I get it.' He then said, 'Well, technically we only need two, but having the third is nice. So we can wait until our ingots arrive.' After a while of calculating how much of each material he needed, he then walked outside and hung a sign with a symbol of a hammer and anvil, to signify the smithy was open.

NPC Audley (with his wife bustling around)
Ffermgardd Adref

'AUDLEY! FOCUS!' The salt and pepper haired woman hissed. 'I know my brother is some serious eye candy, but you're a shopkeep now.'
'Hmm? I was not staring after him-- I was thinking about if I made sure to tell him everything.' The honey blonde retorted. He grabbed a broom and started sweeping. 'Did you get the imports from Gondor?'
Rowena snorted. 'Of course I did. I may not be overly thrilled about it, but business is business.'
'You know, you shouldn't be so disapproving of Gondor. They are our allies, and you are a Marshal.'
Rowena again snorted. 'I'm fine with Gondor. It's the stuck up "I'm better than you because I am rich" attitude I have issues with. And the whole, "let's marry our daughters off to Mundberg nobles so we can provide for our family" mindset Rohirrim have.'
Audley rolled his eyes, but stopped arguing with his wife. 'All right, at least make yourself useful if you're going to stick around here.'
Rowena sighed and started watering the few saplings and plants they had that weren't in seed form. 'You are damn lucky I love you.'
'Why is that?'
'Because I would kick your hindquarters all the way to Mundberg for ordering me about.'
Audley laughed. 'Since when has marriage stopped you?'
Rowena cracked the slightest hint of a smirk but resisted the urge to accept his challenge. 'I do have to maintain some sense of decency. Have to have good reason to knock the living daylights out of you.'
'I'm a Westmarker. Isn't that enough?'
'Why do you want to challenge me anyway?'
'Because I am crazy?'
'Mm,valid point.' She finished up watering everything, then moved over to organizing the seed packets.
Audley examined the cashier station, making sure it was ready for the day. He placed a pad of paper next to it. He might be the shop owner, but there was a reason he had someone here with him usually. Sometimes it was one of the kids, sometimes it was Rowena. That reason was that he couldn't read or write. He had tried learning, but being a full grown adult when he had started learning made it even more difficult.
He put the money in the till, counting it to make sure that it was all there. No… that didn't seem right. Usually Audley was good at math, but the amount of money in the till was coming up just a little bit short of what it needed to be. He counted it again, and got a different number. 'Annie-- either my brain is fried already or we're short.'
'Okay, finish this, and I will check.' She counted the money, and then counted it again. She counted a third time, slower than the first two times, and then sighed. 'We're slightly short. I will keep an eye on our money throughout the day, and if anything suspicious comes up, then we'll go from there. The amount missing is so small that it could just be a matter of misplacement.' By that time, it was time to open. Rowena nodded at Audley.
Audley brushed his hands on his apron and placed the sign out to signify they were open.

(OOC: Shopkeepers, feel free to RP problems arising in your shops if you wish. Since there isn't any Cav specific threads outside of DR, I kinda made my post to give any Cav peeps that want to join something to do)

The Streets

Lealnemarr dismounted upon entering the opening to the Riddermarket. While her chosen mount of today's excursion was a gentle and sure-footed mare, the elf wanted to ensure no potential risks. Leal patted the mare's neck and she drew the reins over the mare's head. This mare was a gem--small in stature, but swift and careful, with keen eyes and a piebald face. Leal would miss her when the time came to find her a new home--such as the life of a stable owner and horse-trainer. But this was no time to be wistful. It was market day and there were purchases to be made. Leal made her way carefully through the street until she stopped in front of An Entwife's Garden, hitching the black mare up to the post with a scratch and a promise to return as quickly as possible. Smiling as the mare dropped her head to search the ground for any nearby potential blades of grass, Leal headed into the shop

An Entwife's Garden

The elf, clad today in black breeches and boots and a raspberry colored tunic that looked hand-dyed, pushed open the door and breathed in the earthy smell of the garden shop. She smiled as she took in the aisles of seed offerings and equipment. Perhaps she could use some more seeds for the garden at the homestead--or maybe they had a new variety of hay she could try for the stables? She made a note to ask as she made her way to the shop counter.

"Greetings! Is anyone available...? ."

She paused politely, as she knew from her own experience that sometimes customers sometime came in at the most inconvenient of times and Leal was in no hurry at all.

The Streets

*He took his time browsing the market, a man of little importance, little to note. He looked neither wealthy nor poor. Handsome, nor ugly. Neither tall nor short exactly. He was a middling kind of man in just about every way, dressed like everyone else of similar status. He took his time, now and again raising a hand to someone in the crowd it seems as if greeting those familiar. He was at ease here. Some merchants would know him, or at least know him from sight and from previous transactions. He haggled a bit, but not more than others. Mostly buying small items that would suit a traveler. He was here, then gone. Not a stranger, but not well known either.

Swéte Hunig
Today his goal seemed to be here. An idle browsing through other stores before he made his way over here, pouring over the wares with an attentive eye, mentally selecting and discarding, before waiting to be served. He had coin to spend, and a sweet tooth to satisfy.

Ye Olde Pet Shoppe
With NPC Jacen

Sweeping the last pile of dust and dirt out the front door of the shop Shivased rested against the door frame and brushed a wisp of hair out of her eyes. That had been both better and worse than she expected. The whole shop was a cloud of dust now that she would have to let air out, but it hadn't taken as long as she had worried it would to sweep everything. Picking up the broom again she moved to the front porch and quickly swept it all off, again avoiding the broken step. Then, when a glance inside showed some dust still needed to settle, she attacked the shutters and windows with the broom to knock off the cobwebs, spiderwebs and eggs that had built up there. It was a disgusting job and she barely held in her panic as she did it, jumping and letting out several squeals not befitting a fierce Cavalry marshal. She hated spiders.

Finally, the front of the shop was up to her standards and, more importantly, she could wash the windows without running into spiders. Or, more accurately, she thought with a grin as she saw a boy walking up to her leading a golden mare, she could make her brother Jacen do it. When the boy had tied his mare to the hitching post she waved to him, then motioned at the steps. First job, fix that step. There should still be some boards and tools in the stable out back.

Jacen blinked and shook his head. Westu sweoster hal, he said sarcastically, adding a bow to the gesture. It is good to see you too, I'm glad to be your brother and servant. Of course I will skip all pleasantries and immediately get to work.

Just get to it before I take a paddle to you, Shivased replied with a laugh, swinging the broom at the fifteen year old, who scrambled out of the way and ran around the back of the shop. There was a bit of banging and then he re-appeared with the aforementioned tools and wood and got to work on the steps. When that is done, start bringing the animals from the wagon inside. Then we will partake in some pleasantries and have lunch, she told him. He grinned at her and she headed back inside.

Putting down her broom she realized now that she wasn't moving that it was getting cold in the shop. She hadn't even taken the time to light a fire in the small hearth. She quickly got to work doing so and in a few minutes had a kettle of water heating over the fire. Once it was warm enough she poured some into a bucket and grabbed a cloth, adding a few drops of soft soap to the water. The floor was clean, now it was time to wipe down the shelves and surfaces, then she could move onto the windows.

Pausing to check on her brother's progress, movement down the street caught her eye. There weren't many people moving about, so it was easy to notice the rather plain, simple looking man. He didn't stand out, but didn't blend in either. She thought she had seen him before but truthfully couldn't place him. And her instincts were tingling. She watched him for a minute, until he went in to her older brother's shop, not knowing what unsettled her, but something did.

Swéte Hunig
NPC Daran - Shopkeeper

The bell over the door tinkled, alerting Daran that the first visitor of the day had arrived at his shop. Setting the batch of candy he was making aside he cleaned his hands on his apron and made his way into the front room. There was a man there, one he had seen before in the marketplace, but didn't know and couldn't remember the name of.

Westu hal. What can I do for you? he asked politely. He gestured vaguely to encompass his entire shop. I'm sorry I don't have a lot of treats right now; the marketplace has been closed for some time and I am just beginning to make things again. But I'm sure there will be something to tempt you here. In reality his shelves were a little over half full, but he knew how picky people could be when it came to sweet treats. It wouldn't surprise him if the man didn't find what he wanted.

Swéte Hunig

Well it seems you have quite a selection still. *The man offered politely, looking around. He wasn't looking to spend much, but he was looking to spend some.* I am looking for some preserved fruits if you have some, or perhaps some apple nut cookies, or well.. anything sweet that can be easily carried while walking...
*He waited a moment for your suggestions, his eyes going around the store, like one browsing. And within the glance he took in everything. Doors. The small windows that would not likely leave someone through. Two exits only. His whole body was at ease, the smile on his face friendly. Just another face on a busy day at the market.* Hard candies would work as well if you have them. They're my personal favorite. *He added offering Daran a friendly smile* And perhaps you can recommend a place for a few bowls, wood or pottery would..

«I am not Eléo, but I know of her. I am Ama» She sat down on her knees, gently touching his forehead to check for a fever. Carefully looking him over, noticing the lack of boots «Sheemie, is it?» she smiled gently, not wanting to frighten the lad, even as more people were entering the Riddermarket and the shops around her opened their doors and windows.

«Did you know that you could eat this, the dandilion? All of it is edible... Not many people eat it these days, but I am not one to pass up a free meal.» She talked softly while goingt throught the leaves, looking for the youngest leaves. It was the same trick she would use on her children or patients who needed to be reasured and put at ease. «When did you last eat or drink, Sheemie?»

Streets then Awesnis gærwe nædleprica
~Caddrick Halwende and Ailura Ellenweorc

"Would you stop that internal jingling?" Caddrick glared over at his little sister, with an exasperated sigh. "I didn't let you carry the coins to drive me insane, ya know." Ailura just grinned at him, and kept skipping along side him. She knew he had really asked her to carry the coins because they would have fallen under things in the crate he carried in one arm, and his other hand was steadying 3 large rolls of dyed cloth. Their Ma would brand him if he lost these coins. They belonged to a patron of the inn, and her brother was sent to retrieve fresh cheese, and chocolates. They had both thought their Ma's eyes would roll out her head when the nobleman had asked for these finer foods, first thing this morning, but he had saved himself when he offered the coins for them to be retrieved from the Market.

They were getting into market just in time to see their Pa, Rhys, hang the sign signifying the blacksmith was open. Ailura got excited and skipped over to him, red curls bouncing all over the place. "Pa! Look! That fancy man that came in last night sent Caddrick to pick up super fancy food! Ma sent me to keep him from helping everyone along the way. Ma wants all of her coins from the dyed cloth to make it home too." She then held up her hand to hide her face from everyone else, and whispered to Rhys, "Someone has to teach that straw head to not be so soft. He even saved a worm that a bird dropped in the road this morning!"

Caddrick let her annoy Pa for a moment, and made his way to the seamstress' shop. Jakiewyn, their Ma, was the point of trade for dyes. She was often asked to help dye cloth and threads. The seamstress had requested yellow, light blue, and a pale green, when her own wouldn't take or came out too dark. The last of the order had just finished drying last night, so he had offered to bring them in. He also had hoped he might find other odd jobs in the market, but now he would have to bring the noblemen his treats first.

When he got to the "Essence of Needlepoint", the seamstress met him outside. He let her look through the crate, checking all the spools of thread, as well as roll out short lengths of cloth. "Alright set these inside. " Suddenly Ailura was there behind the seamstress. "Oh no you don't. Ma says you haven't paid for these yet." The girl, put fists on her hips. The seamstress went to argue, but the girl was having none of it. "Our Ma..." "Always waits for payment, to make sure you like it. " Caddrick interrupted, in a kinder tone. "She also leaves her purple silk coin pouch with you, when you make an order. You always hang it on the wall behind your counter." All three of them looked, and sure enough it was there. Ailura looked smug, and the seamstress sheepishly retrieved the pouch, while "Caddrick brought the cloth and crate inside for her.

THE STREETS

In truth, it had been years since Thalionwen was last in Edoras, but it felt like centuries. Everything that had happened before--serving in the cavalry when she was barely more than a girl, her brief and ill-fated marriage, all the troubles that followed--felt like another lifetime altogether. But all that was behind now. It was a time for new beginnings.

At the gate to the Riddermarket, Thali squared her shoulders and took in a breath. She'd come to Edoras expecting to do no more than travel door to door, attempting to sell the few spare goods from her farmstead. The wicker baskets slung across the broad back of her patient dun pony, Hild, were stuffed with flasks of new milk, carefully wrapped eggs, and fresh cheeses. Little in the way of plants grew at Thalionwen's smallholding in the Eastfold--tucked into the foothills of the White Mountains, the land she'd been left after her husband's death was more rock than grass. But it was good enough for goats, and good enough for hens, and so Thali and her two small daughters made the best of things, just as she'd always done, and just as she'd continue to do, come war and ruin or peace and plenty.

It was seeing the lædenmanger, Shivased, open the gate to the Riddermarket and stride in with purpose that had given Thali an idea. Perhaps there'd be no need for her to wander the city, trying to find those who had the spare coin necessary to buy her wares. Perhaps there might be a place here for her. She'd been no shopkeeper in the old days, but it might be time for a little reinvention. After all, her little ones were safe at home in the care of their ealdmodor, as were the goats and the hens.

With a decided nod, Thalionwen crossed the market square, casting a quick glance at a tall, gentle-looking woman and a hapless-seeming youth, deep in conversation near the fountain. But with one object in mind, she passed them by and slipped in at the door of Ye Olde Pet Shoppe.

YE OLDE PET SHOPPE

Inside the shop, Thalionwen recognized the lædenmanger at once--though they hadn't been acquainted in the old days, Shivased was well known to those who lived within a day or two of Edoras. The shop smelled of fresh air and wood smoke and soap, and though there was still work waiting to be done, it was obvious Shivased had gone to great pains to render it welcoming once more.

"Westu lædenmanger hal," Thalionwen said, mustering as much brightness and courage as she could, and glancing back at her pony, Hild, who stood placidly ignoring a golden mare who'd been tied to the hitching post, too. "It looks well in here! I had no idea the Riddermarket was reopening for business--are all the shops spoken for, or might there be a place for me? I came to Edoras meaning to sell cheeses and goat's milk and eggs from my farm, and I'd thought to do it door to door, but if there's still space here--an open-air stall, perhaps..."

Thalionwen let her voice trail off hopefully, and offered the lædenmanger a smile.

Ye Olde Pet Shoppe

Shivased looked up from the window sil she was wiping when someone walked into the shop, thinking it was Jacen, done with the steps and beginning to bring the first animals inside. Instead she found Thalionwen standing there. Dropping the cloth into the bucket with a soft splash she stood up and smiled while wiping her hands on her apron. Westu Thalionwen hal she greeted the woman. It is Thalionwen correnct? I'm Shivased. Please call me that, no need to use a rather long and tongue-twisting title.

Hearing the woman's explanation of why she was there, and her request, she nodded. The shops are beginning to re-open, though there are precious few right now, she explained. We have plenty of room for you to sell your wares, and they would be welcome. It would be up to you what you wish. We have several open-air stalls available, but there is also one shop, Cwep Ces, available as well. It closed a long time ago and sold milks and cheese. I have the key here somewhere, and last I checked it was in good condition, though would need some work.

Swéte Hunig
NPC: Daran

Daran's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly at the way the man studied his shop. Most people would think nothing of it, for the man looked like most other customers, looking over the wares displayed. But he had always been a suspicious person, and years of Cavalry training meant he noticed what others did not. The man appeared to be casing his shop, his eyes lingering for a second longer than necessary on the windows, doors, while he smiled in a friendly way.

I have preserves. sour cherry, crab apple, strawberry and rhubarb, he said, keeping his own tone and stance relaxed and friendly. It wouldn't do to arouse suspicion. A squawk from the far corner of the shop interrupted him and a large, brightly coloured creature swooped down and along the length of the room, barely missing the top of the stranger's head. As the large Military Mackaw landed on his stand on the counter, Daran grinned. Sorry. That's Leol, my security system. Better than any hound. Most people have never seen a mackaw before and are terrified of him, and he isn't overly friendly with strangers. He watched the stranger for any reaction, hoping the contrary bird would deter any potential crimes. I have hard candy too, if you would like. Right now I have strawberry, blueberry, honey and maple hard candies. I can prepare a mix or whichever flavour you would like.

Swéte Hunig

*Despite the narrowed eyes, the customer remained perfectly friendly. He seemed pleased enough to look around and see the wares on the shelves, considering ti seemed between sour cherry and rhubarb preserves until all of a sudden something swooped over. His reflexes were fast, that you could see, a man in his prime, but the only reaction to the bird would be two hands on the counter as he used it to steady himself by holding the edge and ducking down. Staring at the bird it seemed to take a few moments indeed for him to get over the surprise but then a chuckle sounded out as he slowly straightened. *

I will admit I have never yet seen one either! And I am not embarrassed to say it scared me half to death for a moment, seeing something approach from the air! *He patted his chest as if to slow down his heart.* It's a pretty bird though. Never seen anything with that type of color either. Fits well with it's surroundings.. *The man added, gesturing towards the shoppe and it's colorful wares. He considered a moment, then went on.*
How about some of the sour cherry preserves, and definitely the hard candy. Strawberry and honey are my favorites, so a mix of those would be good? *While he was certainly startled by the bird he didn't seem intimidated, more curious.* Does he like the sweets a well?

THE STREETS

After offering repeated thanks to Shivased, Thalionwen left Ye Olde Pet Shoppe in possession of a shop key, hardly daring to believe her good fortune.

"Well then, Hild," she murmured to the even-tempered pony waiting at the hitching post for her, "today's been smiling on us. Let's see what else it has in store, shall we?"

Leading Hild through the marketplace, she passed by Swéte Hunig, from which the enticing smells of sugar and fruit wafted. Through the windows, she could see the shopkeeper in conversation with a customer, both of them watched over by the wary eyes of a striking bird. Carrying on, Thalionwen at last found what she was looking for--a small, derelict shopfront, the battered sign above the door reading "CweÞ Ciese". There wasn't much to it, from the look of things--just a narrow front room with display windows and a long counter, and a door leading to what Thalionwen presumed must be a storeroom. But it was far more than she'd expected when setting out for Edoras.

"Yes," Thalionwen said to Hild. "This should do very nicely."

Tying the pony to a hitching post that listed at an angle, Thalionwen reminded herself that she'd have to find a place to board Hild before nightfall. Patient as she was, even Hild would eventually need good pasture rather than city streets. Tugging the pony's forelock with gentle affection, Thalionwen slung the first pair of heavy wicker baskets off her back. Setting it down on the shop doorstep, she took out the key Shivased had given her and fumbled with the lock, nerves setting her stomach to swooping anxiously.

The Streets
It had been a long time since Culfinwen had breathed the air in Edoras. A strange ache filled her chest, something about the mingled scents of horse, hay, and leather--all smells you could find in any stable, yet only in Edoras did they smell like home. Home. Did the word still have any meaning for her? Strange, that ache, after all these years living in other lands; nearly half her life all told. First five years in the mountains near Gondor, four more in the rolling hills near the Shire, and then the last few in the flatlands of Eriador. She'd met a man there, and they'd been happy, but happiness couldn't last forever. Not even in the Fourth Age.

And so she'd come back to Edoras.

It felt smaller, now, somehow, this city that had seemed so grand when she'd first come here as a young girl. Her days had been full of foolishness then, she thought, shaking her head sadly. Too concerned with love and laughter, as if she could put a price on such things. But here in the marketplace were things you could put a price on: things that tasted sweet as lost love, embroidery beautiful enough for a wedding dress, tools that could fit a calloused hand that had once held hers...

Culfinwen turned away. A shop that had once sold writing implements caught her eye and she hesitated, longing that she'd not felt for some time rising to tighten her throat. But she turned away. After all, she was still not sure she wanted to stay. Edoras had been her home once, but not for many years.

A golden pony nosed at her as she went by its hitching post and Culfinwen smiled, stroking the horse's soft nose. The pony's owner was standing at the door of a shabby-looking shop. CweÞ Ciese, the sign read--and sure enough, there was a wicker basket that smelled strongly of goats' cheese nearby.

She could have walked by and let the pony and its cheese-selling owner be. After all, she wasn't sure she wanted to make friends. But the woman seemed to be having some trouble with the door, and there was no reason not to be polite.

"Westu hal," she said, stepping forward. And then she caught sight of the woman's face and felt all colour drain from her own. "Thalionwen? Is that you?"

The fountain off the market square

The lad Sheemie starts to shiver and makee a thin wailing noice when she reaches forward and gently touches him. Ama frownes slightly and a shadow of worry quickly passes her face, only there for the blink of an eye as she thinks that he must have been mistreated in the past. But just as he garbles about poison, suddenly he beams and starts rummaging through his few belongings. He speaks on about pound cake and cheese, making her silently draw a sigh of relief, at least that was in order, though it hardly explained why he had been lying by the fountain.

His hands seem to find what they are looking for as the lad stretches out his palm. Mentally she prepares herself for a smudgy, sticky bit of cake and cheese, the lad's childish behaviour and excitment reminding her of her own children at home. As she looks down into his hand a squeel of surprise escapes her mouth and her body involuntarily tries to jump backwards. From her kneeling position she instead looses a bit of balance and stumbles back into a seated position, making her laugh and turn rather crimson red from the reaction. It wasn't that she was afraid or minded mice, it was just the surprice of seeing it. Trying to straighten her face, she looks down at the startled mouse and then back into Sheemie's face. «I think you have already shared your food with someone else, lad!» She laughs as a whiff of goat cheese catches her nostrils, seemingly coming from the wicker baskets on a passing pony. «And I ate a good breakfast before going here; never go to the Market on an empty stomach, my mother used to say.»

Then, quickly, wanting to get out of eating the lad's food without offending her she adds. «You are not from Edoras, are you?» Then her eyes catches the look of his bare feet again and she opens her own bag, and starts rummaging through it. She quickly finds what she is looking for, a somewhat smaller woven bag that she opens. From the bag she extracts a pair of well-worn, undyed, knited socks. One has a newly mended heel, and the other one still has a long thread and a needle attached, and a mending egg inside it. With quick hands she moves the mending egg back to the heal and finishes the mending with hands that are obviously used to this work. «They are not new, but clean and the mending should hold for some time at least. My husband has other socks, you need them more... It is too early in the spring to be walking around barefoot, you'll catch a cold...» She fastens the thread and cuts it before holding them out for Sheemie to take.

The Streets

"So much has changed..." Taeth whispered to herself as her feet took her down forgotten, and yet eerily familiar, paths. While Edoras seemed too quiet compared to her faulty memories, there was a feel of life beginning to suffuse the streets that morning. She was still heart-sore after sharing her broken story at the Hall of Histories, but as she'd learned in recent years, fresh air and sunshine could cure nearly any ailment of the soul.

It wasn't long before her feet took her to a very familiar place, and as a side street opened up she found herself staring at an open set of gates. There was a fountain just inside, and she could see another woman (Amadhrill) leaning over what appeared to be another person (Sheemie), with something extended in her hand. Taeth tensed for a moment, wondering if aid was required for either of them, but relaxed when she observed that everything seemed to be under control.

Then Taeth's gaze wandered further down the street. There was not much hustle and bustle in the Riddermarket yet, but there was just enough foot traffic, despite the many closed shops and cluttered paths, that it was obvious the market was opening for the day.

Taeth took a deep breath and stepped through the market gates. A posted notice caught her eye, and she felt the first spark of excitement when she realized that the seamstress shop was available. In her decade outside of Rohan, she'd honed her sewing skills. During her recovery time, it had been the least physically strenuous trade she could continue to pay for her care. And once she'd been well enough to be out and about, and she'd traveled south, Taeth had developed a taste for the exotic textiles of Near Harad, and even some that traders said came for further beyond that region.

"So I need to find the lædenmanger's office," Taeth murmured. "And I also need to acquire a horse..." Deorheorte, her beloved horse that had belonged to her father before her, had passed more than a few years ago, and she hadn't had the heart to replace him with any but Rohan stock.

As Taeth stepped further into the market, though, her intentions swiftly changed. Further down the street, just out of earshot, she caught sight of what seemed to be two very, very familiar faces.

Her feet flew of their own accord. If Taeth had stopped to think, she probably would have hesitated, possibly even hid herself away. But as it was, she was already nearly to the shop, and she barely caught the words on the sign overhead.

CweÞ Ciese

She stopped and crouched a few feet away, gasping for breath. While she'd walked most of the way back to Rohan from Gondor, she was not used to sprinting, and her lungs protested the sudden exertion. However, through the thrumming of her pulse in her ears, Taethowen managed to hear a familiar voice (@Culfinwen Lihtarwe) call a familiar name.

"@Thalionwen? Is that you?"

Taeth ducked her head to hide the tears that suddenly welled up, and not wanting to intrude on what was clearly a reunion between her dear, dear old friends. But oh, was she ever glad to see their faces, and know that they were alive and, hopefully, well.

The streets

It was still fairly early, but the streets were already starting to busy. It would've been better if she had gotten there sooner. Elarith had fancied a casual stroll in, taking time to see what had changed, and what was the same as she remembered. Now, though, she was threading her way between customers, shopkeepers, carters, and beasts of burden, having to pay attention to the path ahead instead of lingering at signs and windows. The smells were similar to the ones she remembered, and the noises. She headed straight towards her old shop, promising herself she'd have a wander around later to investigate properly.

Slitan Bur

Before too long Elarith was standing before the butcher's, frantically patting her pockets. Where was that key? Ælfric would go mad if she'd lost it already. Her fingers brushed something solid at the bottom of her bag, and she seized it and yanked it out. She pushed the key into the lock, and turned it with the familiar click. The bell chimed as she opened the door and stepped in for the first time in years.

Ælfric had made some changes, it turned out. The countertop had been replaced, moved to the longer side of the shop to provide more display space. She went round it and began pulling out drawers and opening cupboards. Ah, there were her knives, and the cloths, and the wrapping paper. Not where she remembered storing them, but where Ælfric had moved them to did seem to make more sense. Elarith's face twisted involuntarily. Not that she'd tell him that.

She needed one last thing before setting up. Heading into the workroom, she pushed the door half-closed and hunted through a series of aprons hung on the hook behind it. One that must be Ælfric's, one for Blythe, and a short one that must be for Eadwine, and ah! her own old apron, looking decidedly dusty. In fact, as she took it down to inspect it, it was clear that something had been at the front pocket, and the straps were looking frayed. Another little job for her to see to. Elarith folded it on the counter where she would hopefully notice it when she'd done for the day and find someone to fix it. Pulling on Blythe's apron for now, she went back to open the shop door ready for business and start setting up for the day.

Awesnis gærwe nædleprica
~ Caddrick and Ailura

Caddrick had finished gently setting the rolls of cloth upright against a stand inside the store. Both young Rohir were looking at all the bits and bobs within. Their ma had become decent at sewing, she had been able to buy what they needed, and alter if needed on her own. So, they had rare need to come inside the shop. Ailura's eyes were wide. She had never seen so many ribbons in one place. She realized her belief that one could never have too many ribbons was still true. And while her face held wonder, her stance quickly was one of discerning customer. The older brother rolled his eyes. One little sister had spent too much time with their grandmother, last time she was in Rohan.

As he waited for the payment, Caddrick moved to the shop window. He thought about their next two stops. "Hey, you can give me back the nobleman's coins now. My hands are free." He spoke without looking back at Ailura. He was planning to go to CweÞ Ciese next, but he could see there was a small group gathering outside of the shop. He was not afraid of crowds, but he also did not want to interrupt. They also needed to go to Swéte Hunig. That looked a little less busy, he was also hoping to see interesting bird he knew was there. Maybe it could get a scare on Ailura. He smirked at the thought. She wouldn't bug him all the way home if he had to "rescue" her from the big scary bird.

She had come over to him, finally tearing herself away from all the silk and lace, and set the pouch from the nobleman at the inn into his hand. ""Oh no. If you are looking at those folks at the fountain, you better not be thinking of helping. Ma said, it is nice to help, but you can NOT offer that which doesn't belong to you." She reached to take the coins back from him. He moved the bag away from her reach. "What? No! I was not thinking of give them these coins at all. However, now that you mention it.." Ailura looked at him sternly, which was annoying on her cute little face, but he laughed. "Helping feels good. But I won't uses any coins that do not belong to me." He shrugged.

CweÞ Ciese

Annoyance pricked at Thalionwen as she fumbled with the rusted lock on the empty shop's front door. Things had been going too smoothly, of course. Some small irritation like this would crop up to dampen her rising spirits.

But just as she felt the lock finally give way, a voice speaking from very nearby caught her attention. "Thalionwen? Is that you?"

"Aye, it is," Thalionwen said, tugging the lock off the door with satisfaction. Turning to look at the speaker for the first time, her mouth gaped open. "Culfinwen? Bema's horn, last I heard you'd gone to the Shire. What are you--"

But a commotion distracted her as yet another woman flew out of an alley, panting for breath.

"And Taethowen?" Disbelief colored Thalionwen's words. "I must be dreaming. First the shop, now you both springing from nowhere. That's it, give me a good nip and wake me, Hild, this is too much good fortune to be believed."

The jest served to cover the depth of feeling rising up in Thalionwen--both Culfy and Taeth had been the dearest of friends in her youth. Tears pricked the back of Thali's eyes at the sight of them, and finally giving way to the excitement that had been rising in her since entering the Riddermarket, she let out an undignified and girlish squeal before flinging her arms around both of the women and hugging them fiercely.

Lealnemarr, cleared her throat as the one of the shoppkeepers (Audley) popped up from the shop counter. She gave a smile and then noticed the second shopkeeper (Rowena) around the corner, slightly obscured by a few stacks of goods. " Westu hal " she greeted them, using the same custom she'd used for the decades she'd spent in the Riddermark. Leal knew it always threw people off to see an elf in Rohan, albeit one clan in Rhorric attire. But, until they knew here, there was not much she could do...she smiled briefly again and then started to give her requests.

"I am Leal. Lovely shop. Glad to see the Riddermarket back in action after so long. I am in need of two large wheelbarrows, one large rake, two new pitchforks for my homestead and stable. Do you happen to deliver goods for an additional fee? If not, I can return with my wagon next week, when I return from a trip...but I figured I could pre-purchase items at the very least."

She tilted her head towards the shelves that held seeds along a wall and continued, "I was also wondering if you have any new varieties of hay. We have a good staple of alfalfa and orchard grass when available, but I always like to see what would grow better or is of better quality for my horses."

Leal turned and cast an eye outside to see how the mare was doing outside, but was sure that everything would be fine for a few more minutes. She turned back to the counter and shifted her weight slightly.

OOC @Amadhrill (I'm starting a run off nightshifts today, hope to reply to your post Sunday.)

The Streets
It had been many years since Lailyn had lived in the city of Edoras, but today she returned with new hopes and plans. Though her return was not quite what she had imagined. Lailyn's golden braid was not so much golden as it was dusty-brown and when she arrived in the city, it was not on horseback but on foot, leading her horse by the reins. She trudged uphill toward the city that was once her home and found herself feeling a bit tired.

All those days on the road had clearly worn her down. Once, traveling would have her full of wide-eyed youthful energy, but now, she looked forward to returning to her quiet home in the foothills of the White Mountains. Lailyn sighed. She would be there soon. First, she had business to attend to.

CweÞ Ciese
Having left her tired horse in a stable to rest, something she was looking forward to, she continued on to Se Riddermarket. She only meant to pass by, not intending to stay long for she had other places to be.

But the cheese shop lured her in for a quick nip to replenish herself. When she spied three Rohirrim (Taethowen, Thalionwen, Culfinwen) embracing one another, she paused and felt a pang of envy at their happy reunion. It was long since she saw many of her own friends.

It was a fleeting thing. For she realized after blinking at them that she recognized them! They may have fought in different eoreds, but it did not preclude friendship.

She stood still, her eyes wide. "Culfinwen?" she asked. "Taethowen?" her voice pitched higher as her lips widened in a smile. "Thalionwen? What fates bring us together?"

CweÞ Ciese

With her arms around Culfinwen and Taethowen, Thalionwen had a clear view of the next stranger to straggle into the Riddermarket, and was no longer surprised to see yet another familiar face. It seemed a day for happy meetings, after all, and she broke away from her friends to envelop Lailyn in a quick hug as well.

"Lail!" Thalionwen said warmly. "What are you doing in Edoras of all places? I thought you'd gone back to your family's farmstead near the White Mountains--I've been meaning to visit. We're not so far from each other out there, but things have gotten away from me a bit the last few years. It's so wonderful to see you!"

One of the wicker baskets sitting on the shop's front stoop slowly tipped over, spilling a wheel of carefully wrapped cheese out onto the wooden step. Hurrying to right it, Thalionwen hefted both the baskets and stopped on the shop's threshold, beaming at her friends.

"I haven't even been through the door yet, and already this place is bringing me luck. If any of you would like to come in, you're more than welcome, though it looks to be all over dust and cobwebs. But I promise neither the cheese nor the eggs are. Or if you have other errands to run, I won't keep you--it seems the Riddermarket has become quite a meeting place, and I expect we'll be seeing quite a lot of each other again."

(OOC: I thought I'd move us off the doorstep since we've got a bit of a traffic jam going on And if any of you have other places to go, here's your convenient out, not that I wouldn't love to have you all step inside)

Ye Olde Pet Shoppe

Shivased found the key for Thalionwen and gave the woman directions to the empty shop, following her out onto the front step and watching her go. Jacen was nowhere to be seen, but the front step was fixed, so she assumed he was putting the tools away. Going back inside she swiftly finished wiping down all the surfaces and cleaning the windows and disposed of the dirty water. Then, getting more from the well out back she set a kettle in the fire for tea, and began setting up water bowls and food for the animals that would be brought in. It only took a few minutes and when done she went outside again. Jacen was there, pulling the light tarp off the cart and preparing to bring the small assortment of animals in. She had a basket of kittens, some puppies, and a few small animals as well as food and supplies for them.

Reaching in she picked up the basket of kittens and lifted the lid, smiling at the curious faces peering back at her. Bring the puppies in first. Now that the tarp is off, they're likely to get out if we leave them, she told her brother, heading inside with the kittens. She placed them in the small covered pen in the corner she had prepared earlier. The kittens immediately went to sniffing about and exploring their temporary home. As she set the basket aside, Jacen came in lugging the crate of five puppies. He placed the squirming, licking creatures into their pen in the opposite corner to the kittens and grinned at their antics as they too started exploring. Returning her brother's grin she motioned for him to follow her out to get more. Once they were done, they could have some lunch.

Swet Hunig
NPC: Daran

Daran bit back a laugh at the stranger's reaction to Leol. He was a gift from my sister when I opened this shop years ago, he explained as he went to package up the man's requested treats. She runs the pet store down the street, and occasionally has access to rare and exotic animals. She thought a brightly coloured bird to match the bright candy would be a good idea.

He scooped up a portion of both flavours of hard candy into a paper cone and took a small jar of sour cherry preserves off a shelf. He does like sweets, especially things with cherry or strawberry in them. But I have him well trained to leave my wares alone. The bird let out a squawk as if in agreement as Daran handed the candy and preserve to the stranger. That's six copper pieces.

CweÞ Ciese
Culfinwen beamed, looking around at the cluster of women around the door of the shabby cheese shop. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been so... well, happy. @Thalionwen, @Taethowen, and now @Lailyn too! Memories swirled around her, tightening her throat and pricking her eyes. She swallowed, unwilling to give into her emotions yet.

She followed Thalionwen inside. The place felt a little like Culfinwen felt: older, showing wear and tear. But the shop also looked as though it had been cared for, once, and now it would be again. And so had she also had such love in her life. And still, she thought, looking around again at her old friends. Her throat tightened again. To stem the thoughts, she glanced around at the cobwebs and dust.

"I love what you've done with the place, Thali," she said, her tone light. Then she laughed, grateful to have a reason to laugh again. "Need any help tidying up?"

The fountain off the market square

From the side of her eye she thought she saw familiar faces from old, faces she remembered from her youth. Thalionwen, Culfy and Tæth, was it not? And she noticed that the market seemed busier by the minute, more people were entering, shops had opened as they spoke. But her attention quickly returns to Sheemie and the curious mouse.

The laughter made her smile, the lad seemed to be at ease and looked far better now that he was awake and lively. She relaxed, and stood up, gently stretching her limbs from sitting a little to long on her knees. «Well, lad, it seems as if the market has opened while we were busy with the mouse and dandilions...» She looked around herself at the now open market.

«It is a kind offer, young man, but do not feel the need to buy me anything. I am glad to see you are looking better now.» She smiled as she glanced at his feet. «I am not rich either, and I know that the few coins that come our kind's way are greatly treasured... That being said, I was actually headed to the Swet Hunig, my youngest has his birthday today, so I am here to buy him a little treat.»

The Streets

Aethelu hurried through the streets of Edoras, dodging past the growing numbers of people who were starting to fill the streets. It had taken time to get herself set up in Edoras, finding a small house on the edge of the city, buying a shop so that she could support herself, ensuring the shop was stocked up, and here she was late for her first day opening the shop. Her younger brother had decided to join the cavalry and had come to stay with her before his training begin. He had been so excited at this next step in life, he had sat up half the night talking to her and now she had overslept. Of course, he hadn't overslept, but he hadn't woken her up. Typical younger brother behaviour. She finally found herself in the market square, taking a look at the other shops and smiling. This would be a lovely place to be, somewhere stable after her years of wandering, a place of her own. She found her shop, pulling the key from her pocket as she approached the door. As she unlocked the door she felt a strange sense of contentment settle on her. This was where she was supposed to be now, she was sure of it.

Pen and Ink

Pushing open the door, Aethelu breathed in the smell of fresh parchment, a strangely comforting smell. The shop was small, there was perhaps less of a use in the lands of songs and spoken stories, but it was quite ideal for her. On one side, the wall held shelves full of blank parchment begging to be filled; different sizes and weights for different requirements. The other side was where the drawers of pens of different sizes and inks of different colours were sat. Further down were a few more shelves and drawers with other supplies, such as wax for seals. At the end of the shop was a counter for her to work from, thankfully with a stool for her to sit upon. She walked towards the counter, slowly removing her cloak. Thankfully the previous owner had placed some hooks behind the counter for her to hang it upon. On another hook there was a small apron, perfect to prevent any ink splashes on her dark blue dress. As she looked upon her new domain, she checked her hair was still pinned up out of the way, and smiled. She was ready.

Slitan Bur

Ælfric has been all too pleased to have a day off, and it looked like he was making the most of it. Elarith had found a list of tasks in his childish handwriting, pinned to the counter top where she couldn’t miss it. She laughed aloud at his gall - there was no way she was going to get even half of these done. She put it in her pocket where it could stay as she considered how to pay him back. And whilst she actually did some work.

The delivery boy had been, so she had plenty to sort out. Elarith popped a few easily arranged things on display, but her attention was elsewhere. The carter had fetched a set of badgers, and aside from a couple of wheel marks from where they’d been run over, they were good specimens. It had been a while since she’d had badger burger, and she had quite the craving. She fetched the mincer from the workroom, set it up so she could keep half an eye on what was happening out in the streets, and began.

CweÞ Ciese

Taeth jumped a little as Thali squealed and swept both her and Culfinwen into an embrace. Thalionwen's joy was infectious, and as Taeth's arms settled around each of the girl's shoulders, she realized that while Rohan was certainly a part of it, what was truly home was here. With these dear friends.

She pulled back to wipe the tears off her face, and heard another strangely familiar voice from behind her as Thalionwen pulled away.

"Culfinwen? Taethowen? Thalionwen? What fates bring us together?"

Taethowen turned around just in time to catch a glimpse of the other woman's face before Thalionwen embraced her as well, greeting her by name. "Lail!"

Oh, Lailindeiel! She thought as she wiped her eyes with the cuff of her sleeve, grateful that Thali had remember her name and said it aloud. Even before her illness, matching names with faces after the passage of time had been difficult, and often these days it was downright impossible. They had served together in the Cavalry.

Taeth quickly shoved away thought of the Cavalry. She was uncomfortable with how she'd left, and while she knew she'd sent word of her illness, her memory was foggy enough that she wasn't sure she'd resigned honorably. Especially as a Marshal of the Riddermark. But for now, she would attend to her friends.

Turning back, she reached out and gave Culfy's hand a squeeze. "It's so good to see you," she whispered.

A quiet creak of wicker interrupted her, though, and Taeth looked over to see one of Thali's baskets tipping over, having been strained with its load far too long. She chuckled quietly, and was about to go retrieve the cheese, but Thali beat her to it, and so Taeth turned to greet Lailyn instead.

"Westu Lail hal," Taeth smiled before hugging her. "What fates indeed... To be greeted with so many familiar faces on my first day back in Edoras makes me think that good fortune surely lies before us."

Thalionwen invited them all inside, and Taeth wanted to go in and visit, but other tasks were calling her.

"I'm hoping to acquire the seamstress shop," Taeth confessed. "I saw on the sign earlier that it was for sale, so I should best make my way to see the lædenmanger before someone else snags the place. And then..." her face grew somber. "Then I need to take care of something else that worries me. But if you will all meet me at the inn tonight for supper, I will tell you all about it."

Taeth paused for just a moment more, looking from one friend to the next--Lail, Thali, Culfy--attempting to engrave their wiser, more beatiful faces in her mind. Not that she didn't love her memories of their youth, but to have their presence in the present was far better than only the memories. "I will see you all again very soon!"

The Streets

As she turned and walk back toward the lædenmanger's office, Taeth took a deep breath and lifted her face to the morning sun, allowing it to dry the remnants of her tears. She'd been uncertain about returning to Rohan for a long time, but now she knew she'd made the right choice. Though she'd never been this darned weepy before, and if this kept up it would become annoying.

When her tears had dried and she'd wiped away the remaining saltiness, Taeth inquired from a passerby where she might find the lædenmanger. They pointed out Ye Olde Pet Shoppe, and she was pleased to realize that it was just a few doors down from where she stood. She thanked the other person, and then, with a new lightness to her steps, followed a woman (Shivased) and a young man (Jacen) into Ye Olde Pet Shoppe. They seemed to be unloading a cart.

Ye Olde Pet Shoppe

"Westu hal," Taeth smiled and nodded when they noticed her presence. "I came seeking the lædenmanger. I wish to run the seamstress shop. I worked there before about ten years ago, and would love to see to it once more."

The lædenmanger introduced herself then, and as Taeth waited for the key, she couldn't help but pet a puppy and cuddle one of the kittens.
Once she had the key in hand, she thanked Shivased, and then did her best to remember where her new shop had been before.

Awesnis gærwe nædleprica

As Taeth approached Awesnis, she was surprised to see that it was open. (Also, she was overjoyed to see that her shop was very near to Thalionwen's!) Based on the condition of Se Riddermarket, and also what she had glimpsed of the inside of Thali's shop, she'd expected her own to also be closed up and vacant.

But she had the key in hand, and so whatever might be going on here, her right as proprietor would stand.

When she stepped inside Awesnis, Taeth was pleased to see that it seemed to have been kept neat and tidy, and that there were rolls of cloth, baskets of ribbons, and bobbins of thread all neatly in the places she remembered from her youth, though the colors and patterns had changed.

She looked around for the seamstress, but her eyes fell first on a couple of young Rohir (Caddrick and Ailura). The brother seemed to be teasing his sister with a coin pouch.

"Hello," Taethowen spoke as she walked over to them. "Are you the seamstress's children? I am the new proprietress of Awesnis gærwe nædleprica, and I need to speak with her."


OOC @Veowyn - Heeeey, finally here, lol!

Awesnis gærwe nædleprica
~ Caddrick and Ailura

While teasing each other, both Caddrick and Ailura had missed the group at the cheese shop dispersing of a sort. They did not notice that one of those women had found her way to where they were. Also, why was the seamstress taking so long with their coins. They both made separate mental notes to count the coins before leaving. Ma had told them how much to expect. When this new lady (Taethowen) entered the shop, they both stopped and looked at her for a moment.

Ailura was quickest to respond. And she did so with a laugh, a head back, belly holding, laugh. Caddrick was quick to shut it down with a furrowed glare at her. The teenager looked back at Taethowen. "No, ma'am. The seamstress is not our Ma. The blacksmith is our Pa, though." "Our Ma does help out though." Caddrick glared at his sister again. "What? If she is the new owner, she needs to know that our Ma is the one who makes all the things have all the wonderful colors!" He had to give her that. "True. He looked at the new shop owner again. "Our Ma, Jakie Ellenweorc, gets special dyes through trade with Gondor, and uses them to supply this shop with most of the bright or bold colors as well as the lighter ones."

He motioned to the cloth and crate, full of thread and ribbons, he had just brought in. The yellow, the blue, and the green. "The seamstress is just bringing us the payment her and Ma had agreed to." She called loud enough that she hoped the seamstress would come faster. It seemed to work, and the seamstress brought the pouch to Caddrick, with an eye roll at the little red haired child. The lad opened it and counted it on the spot. When he was satisfied that it was all there, he handed the pouch to his sister absentmindedly. She then tried to make their good bye. "Here is your seamstress, miss. Welcome to the Riddermarket. Good day." She made for the door, but stopped when she heard her brother add, "Is there any thing else we can help you with, before we go, ma'am?" "Caddrick! The nobleman? I already said good day!"

CweÞ Ciese

Surveying the state of her new shop with a trace of dismay, Thalionwen's heart warmed at Culfinwen's offer.

"I could use a hand, if you're offering," she said gratefully. "Is that a duster in the corner? Perhaps you could dispose of the cobwebs and I'll see if I can find a rag and a bucket, to wipe everything down. This place has more dust than shelving at present."

The rag and bucket were easily found, and Thali set to work, enjoying the sharp smell of soap and the satisfaction of a simple, straightforward task.

"So where have you been all these years?" she asked Culfinwen as she scrubbed. It still seemed impossible that her old friend could be here, and Thali stole glances at her occasionally, just to reassure herself that she hadn't dreamed it all. "I heard so many different rumors--something about the Shire, and Gondor, and goodness knows where else. You've certainly been getting about, now the war's over!"

Swéte Hunig

Why thank you. *he offered, opening a coin purse and counting out six cupper pieces, which he offered on a flat hand, strong and with telltale callouses on it that you might recognize. Taking the bag he offered a polite nod at the exchange; didn't even haggle this time, though he liked doing so, just for the sport of it. It was part of the market experience was it not. His eyes went to the bird and he chuckled once more.* Better you than me. That is, not that I have anything against birds, and that one certainly is a rare beauty. Never seen anything like it. But I prefer horses any day of the week. Less tempestuous. And they don't fly.

*True, each horse had their own temperament and there were horses that took a long while to bend to the owner's will, a case where man and beast finally ended up in accord with one another, rather than one breaking the other's spirit. But he couldn't imagine the patience it would take to train a bird. Nor did he have the inclination. But to each their own, and he could hardly deny it might come in handy if any urchins had the thought of coming to grab a handful without paying, or at least asking.*

Can you tell me perhaps if there's an Apothecary around that you would recommend as well, either here on the market or elsewhere?

Awesnis gærwe nædleprica

Taethowen laughed softly as the two youth (Caddrick & Ailura) squabbled as they replied to her. "Jakie Ellenweorc?" Taeth filed the name away, but she would need to write it down in a bit to make sure she remembered it. "Those are lovely colors indeed. Will you tell your ma to come in and meet me soon? I don't know what the terms of agreement the current seamstress has made, but I'll handle that from now on, and it seems her work is good quality."

Taeth stepped to the side as the seamstress appeared with the money pouch in hand. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the seamstress roll her eyes. While sometimes the action could be a friendly, teasing one, the tension between the youth and the seamstress did not indicate it to be such, and

Taeth didn't like the air of disrespect emanating from the other woman.

"Here is your seamstress, miss. Welcome to the Riddermarket. Good day." The girl said, then moved for the door. Her brother lingered a moment, asking, "Is there anything else we can help you with, before we go, ma'am?"

Taeth shook her head no as the sister hollered for her brother. "Caddrick! The nobleman? I already said good day!"

"Not right now, thank you," Taeth smiled. "But if you swing down to the cheese shop, my friend Thalionwen could probably use some help setting her shop up. It's a bit of a mess right now from being vacant."

As the two children--well, perhaps more on the cusp of adulthood than childhood, but at her age they were children--darted out the door, Taeth turned to the seamstress.

She saw the woman's eyes widen as she took in Taeth's appearance. While Taeth certainly had a weary, travel-worn look about her, her clothing was still something she took pride in. Underneath her dusty cloak--which was made of a fine, lightweight blend of gray Gondorian wool and Harad silk, and embroidered with silver running horses all along the edges--she wore a lightweight woolen dress of dark blue, with a split skirt for riding. The drape of the fabric across her torso showed the skill of a seamstress with years of experience, and there was not a loose thread or odd pulling along any seam that could be found. Both the construction and material of her garments displayed that the wearer was willing to pay high coin for quality.

"H-how can I help you, miss?" the seamstress almost stumbled over her words while Taeth watched the potential coinage to be earned calculating on the woman's face.

Taeth sighed. So that's how it would be. With a bit of a scowl, she lifted up the key Shivased had given her.

"I am Taethowen, and I am the new proprietress of Awesnis gærwe nædleprica. I was under the impression that the shop was for sale, and thought it would be vacant since the lædenmager held the key, and I know the Riddermarket has been closed up entirely. On what grounds have you been operating your business here?"

The seamstress' face paled to an ashy white, and Taeth had her answer. She'd suspected as much when the children earlier had taken as many precautions as they did to make sure they were not cheated of their mother's hard-earned coin.

She sighed, again. "I have no desire to cause a scene, but I do not abide swindlers. When I realized there was a seamstress in residence here, I had hoped to possibly hire her on, but that cannot happen under these circumstances."

The seamstress opened her mouth to protest, or possibly explain, but Taeth had little patience for that under these circumstances. She held up her hand. "I'm sure you had your reasons, and I have no desire to cause you any financial distress. You may pack up your current projects, and any personal tools and possessions you have in the shop, and I will allow you to keep whatever clients you currently have work for. But please leave, and do not return. If I find that you are implying to your clients that you are still running Awesnis gærwe nædleprica, I will not be so kind."

Taeth turned away and began to inspect the shop as she waited for the seamstress to leave, and she was grateful that the woman did so quietly several minutes later. As quietness settled over the shop, Taethowen finally removed her cloak, hung it on the hook by the door, and retrieved a pencil and parchment from under the counter. She needed to inventory everything.

"What in the green fields have I been thinking???" Thalionwen gasped as Lail mentioned her empty stomach. She stopped mid-scrubbing and dried her hands quickly on her apron. "Of course you're both hungry! It's nearly midday by now, and I'm the most dreadful scatterbrain, not offering two old friends something to eat. Here, I've brought along a few things for making samples, but there's plenty to do up a lunch for the three of us. And under no circumstances are you ever allowed to buy something from me, Lail, I won't hear of it. I'll keep you and Culfy in free cheese from now until we've all lost our teeth, and even then I'm sure we can manage the chevre."

Reaching into her seemingly bottomless baskets, Thali pulled out an assortment of goat's cheeses, several loaves of crusty bread, fruit, honey, a packet of aromatic herbs, a large wooden platter, and a knife. Laying it all out on the freshly cleaned counter, she set to work, assembling a small noontime feast for her friends.

"There," she said brightly after a few minutes, standing back and beaming. "Have at it. And whatever it tastes like, try to look like you're enjoying it, in case someone's passing by and glances through the window."

Awesnis gærwe nædleprica to CweÞ Ciese
~ Caddrick and Ailura

Little sister heaved a sigh of relief when the dress shop's new owner did not accept her brother's offer for help. Caddrick gave the woman a low sweeping bow, causing another eye roll from Ailura. As they walked along toward the new cheese shop, she looked up at him. "Are you really going to offer to help at the cheese shop? We don't have all day you know." Caddrick smiled, instead of being annoyed. "I really do like to help. If I can put a smile on a sad face, or even just take one stress away from someone, then I feel like my life has a purpose of it's own, and not one that every one expects of it..." He stopped rambling, knowing his little sister might not understand. She was still a child, though he knew she could be rather insightful at times.

"Well, right now, aren't you helping Ma? She is like the most important of all people to help." Again, he caught himself smiling at her. "Right you are. However, that lady said that the cheese shop is new and a bit of a mess. Don't you think if we help, the shopkeep can help up with what we need, faster?" She looked at him, suspiciously. She did not argue though, maybe he had a point, she thought. And the faster they got through the cheese shop, the sooner they could go to the sweets shop!

When they got to the door of the shop, he stopped. "Can you at least be a little more polite, and let me do the talking this time?" "Sure. But we need to get in there, before they eat all the cheese." Her tone was teasing, but he still took the bait and looked through the window. Once he realized he was peeping like that, he blushed an looked away. He cleared his throat, also masking the chuckle he almost let spill. He held the door and they went in. He looked at the 3 Thalionwen, Lailyn, and Culfinwen. He was not certain of who the owner was.

"Excuse me. We were sent to buy 'some of the fanciest cheeses available'." He addressed the group, but the teen's face quickly colored when he realized how silly he sounded. "Our family runs an inn. One of the guests wants the fanciest we can find, It is lucky that you got here today." Ailura added, whether Caddrick liked it or not. He gave her a half smile then added, "We could help you set up real quick, if you need a couple extra hands." Ailura did not like being lumped into it, and was still suspicious of her brother's logic, but she kept it to herself for now. She too would help, but he owed her. What? She didn't know yet.

OOC @Thalionwen feel free to send them on their way, with some cheese of course, if you think you have enough help

Swéte Hunig

The man before you seemed utterly satisfied with the transaction, paying little attention to where you put the coins. Instead he dug into the cone of sweets, and found one of the smallest of the strawberry sweets, then placed it on the palm of his hand.* Can he? *He asked, gesturing to the Macaw, admiring the colors, though he wouldn't invite the bird nearer without your permission, clearly somewhat intimidated by the beak and not wanting to risk being clipped by it. Then again, cowardice wasn't a trait he'd embrace and it was indeed a beautiful animal.

The rest of the candy in the cone was put into the leather satchel he wore, as he considered the directions towards the apothecary, even while his hand stayed open and flat. He frowned as you mentioned it might not be open.* That.. is too bad. Do you know of perhaps a Haeland who would be willing to mix up a few things if the store is closed indeed? I'd rather not travel too far at the moment. It's the first time in an age I've been to the market and I hoped to kill several birds with one stone so to speak.
*He shrugged slightly, it was not a matter of life and death of course but it would be so much more convenient if they could find everything they needed here instead of having to travel all the way around. But if not, he'd have to send a message to Daric.. or see if someone had already reached the Shire.*

((OOC: Shiva, if no one is having the Apothecary at the moment is it ok if I npc a visit there??))

CweÞ Ciese

Culfinwen grabbed a duster, destroying the elaborate homes of several disgruntled spiders who had grown fat and lazy from a few years of undisturbed bliss. It was good, honest work. She hummed to herself, feeling a strange buoyancy that could only come from being once again with @Thalionwen and @Lailyn.

She started when the latter asked her about her travels, and the Shire. They settled down to the wonderful spread of cheeses and other appetizing tidbits that Thali offered. Culfinwen's stomach rumbled. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. Certain she was about to eat far more than her fair share, she slipped a coin under the tablecloth while Thali's back was turned.

She took a huge bite of soft cheese and crusty bread and reveled in the taste for a moment. Chewing meditatively, she considered Lail's question.

"The Shire." She swallowed and smiled. "Yes, I have visited. In fact, I spent a few years there. The hills and valleys are incredibly beautiful, and the temperature so mild; it was a blessing after the fierce winds of Rohan. I was rather bookish while I was there, I must admit; I spent all my time reading and writing... well, perhaps not all my time. The pubs there are excellent too, at least those big enough to admit a woman. Not that I am particularly tall. I still walked around with a perpetual bruise on my forehead for the first year."

She laughed at the remembrance. It felt good, thinking on those days with only joy instead of sadness.

"And then, well, I fell in with someone else who was a little taller than the average Hobbit. And taller than me, too. We would spend our days reading and our nights talking and, well, we fell in love. It took some encouragement, but he finally admitted his feelings, and after we felt we had had enough of the sweet Shire-life, he brought me back to his home in Eriador. We spent a few happy years there, together, but... well, not all happiness can last."

She expected her throat to tighten and her eyes to prickle, but instead she felt relieved, as though a heavy band of iron across her chest had fallen away.

A shrill voice sounded in the street. "Culfinwen Lihtarwe? Message for Culfinwen Lihtarwe!"

Culfinwen jumped up, excusing herself to her friends, and ran to the door. Out in the streets, a little boy with a sun-browned face saw her and handed her a little scroll. Culfinwen unrolled it and read quickly. Her face darkened. Turning back to the shop, she said,

"A little errand calls me back to Eriador for a week. There is some unfinished business. But I shall return, and soon." She smiled. "I don't think I could stay away now if I wanted to. It has been a pleasure, my dear friends. Give my best to @Taethowen as well. I'll have to give her my patronage soon--I'm sorely in need of some new clothing."

(OOC: On holiday for the next week and then starting a new job so thought it would be best to write myself out for a bit so you're not waiting on me! But I'll hop back in once all's more settled. )

Waving to Culfy as she left, Thalionwen turned her attention to the two youngsters who'd just come tumbling in. Eager and bright-eyed, their offer of help was gratifying, but after a good morning's work alongside Culfinwen and Lail, she felt she had everything well in hand.

"You're sweet to offer to help," she told Ailura and Caddrick with a smile. "But I think I'm alright. And you say you want some fancy? Let me see what I've got here...once I've settled in, there will be a better selection, but I've got a very nice variety from the borders of the Shire. It's got a lovely rich flavor--Bree cheese, they call it. I'll wrap it up for you! Oh, and do let your family know that if they need cheese and eggs for the inn, I'd be happy to supply them."

Thali wrapped up the wheel of cheese in brown paper, tied it with a length of twine, and tucked a sprig of rosemary through the bow.

"There you are!" she said, handing it to the young brother and sister. "You're my first sale since opening up, and that deserves something special."

Reaching under the counter, she pulled out a clear glass jar of butter caramels and gave both of the siblings half a dozen.

"I don't mean to compete with Swéte Hunig, so I keep these just for giving away. Do let me know if the guest at your inn enjoys the cheese!"