I stood outside the Inn and regarded it with suspicion.
"The Blacksmith Inn, Mr. Baggins. It looks like a seedy, disreputable place. Look at all the soot."
Mr. Baggins was staring quizzically at his feet. He leaned forward and tried to grab them; then he had to take a step to keep from falling over. After a moment he steadied himself and tried again. I watched the cycle accelerate until he smacked into a large barrel and fell on his back, unconscious.
"Looks like I'm on my own," I muttered to myself as I walked into the Inn.
Inside, it was dingy. A large fireplace at the back of the common room was making the place quite hot. There weren't many tables, and I couldn't spot the bar. A large man in the back was swinging a large hammer at a lump of something that glowed orange. The hammer made contact and sent up a shower of sparks. I made a mental note not to eat here.
"Good afternoon, sir," I called out.
The man turned and held up a finger, asking me to wait a moment. While he continued hammering away at his lunch, I looked around. The decor was rather harsh. The walls were unfinished, and had many hooks and shelves that contained a great many iron knick-knacks. The proprietor of the establishment was apparently quite fond of horseshoes.
I was examining a particularly well-crafted example of horse footwear when the man addressed me. "Need to have a horse re-shod?"
"Hmm? Oh, no, I was just looking at this. It's quite well done."
"Thank you. Many people have complimented me on my horseshoes."
"I can see why. You have quite the collection."
"It's always good to offer a variety to the customer. So, what can I do for you?"
"I am traveling with several companions, and I'd like to acquire lodging for this evening. I need a room for myself, and one for Mr. Baggins, which can be smaller of course. Um, if you have a cheap room, we can put the dwarves in there, but if it will cost any more than a copper piece, we'll just leave them in the stables with the horses."
"I beg your pardon?" The Innkeeper looked confused.
"ROOMS. A PLACE TO SLEEP." I repeated loudly and slowly. Apparently I had found the Innkeeper's lackey, or perhaps the stable boy. "Perhaps you should find your master, I'd like to speak to him."
"I'm my own master, and I don't have any rooms for you to stay in," the man said tightly.
"Ah, no vacancies. Well, I'm prepared to pay well if it might free up some space. If you catch my meaning."
"There are no rooms period. I don't put people up for the night. Ever."
"Perhaps a trade? I have a variety of... herbs... that I might be willing to part with. Or the dwarves. They're very useful."
"Look if you're not going to buy something, then get out of my smithy!"
"Temper, temper, dear fellow. I'm sure we can come to... no need to get violent! I'll just be going now."
I stepped quickly out of the inn, pulling the door shut behind me. Composing myself, I spotted Mr. Baggins lying on his back scrambling at the sky with his arms and legs.
"What are you doing there, my good hobbit? Tired? Want to take a nap? First we need to find a place to spend the night. Then we can sleep. On your feet!"
I hoisted Mr. Baggins out of the mud and held onto his head until he caught his balance. "Inn, Mr. Baggins. We need to find an inn."
"Wrzv. Bubbfble sqrmf ishtl LA!" Mr. Baggins said, indicating the place I had just walked out of.
"Haha. Nono. I was just in there. The proprietor was quite rude, and I think we'll be wanting to look somewhere else. Come, Everhome is a large city, surely finding another place of lodging will prove to be a simple task."
I put my arm around my companion's shoulders and led him off down the street. As we were walking by an alley, I happened to notice a slender figure with pointy ears crouching in the shadows.
"There, Mr. Baggins, an elf!" I lunged toward the alleyway, intent on speaking with the elf. No sooner had I moved, however, and the elf was off running down the alley away from me!
"Blast! After him Mr. Baggins!" I yanked hard on his arm and started to pursue my quarry.
We followed the lithe fellow around several twists and turns, and suddenly found ourselves back out on the street.
"I lost him around the last turn. Did you see where he went, Mr. Baggins?" I asked, while scanning the street for any signs of the elf.
Mr. Baggins wheezed at me, clutching his stomach.
I turned to my friend. "You're getting out of shape there. Putting on some weight." I prodded the hobbit in his prominent belly. "Perhaps you should lay off the ale."
At that point I noticed the a building we were standing next to.
"Ah! Look! Here's a proper Inn. 'The Slumber of the Gods'. Sounds pricy. You don't mind sleeping in the stables, do you, Mr. Baggins? Come along now, there's a good chap. It's getting pretty late, so we'll just go look for that elf in the morning."
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