Cole introduced himself to the newcomers or, rather, his new companions – that is how he should start thinking of them, he reminded himself. His eyes went to the dwarf first, who seemed to be just as solid and straightforward as those few of his kin that Cole had met in Bree. Next was the burly man who had been present in Eorl’s hall. The King’s own smith, his words made it known, before he generously ordered another round for the group. The Bree-lander nodded in gratitude as he took another sip from the hearty brew. While he had been somewhat sceptical of the local ale at first, he had to admit that it was beginning to grow on him. In fact, the first tankard was already running rather low, making Eōrwīga’s gesture all the more welcome. 

And finally, there was the Rohirric woman, who Cole now realised had also been there for Eorl’s meeting. With her armour and blonde hair, which was common among the people of Rohan, he had taken her for yet another of the keep’s fighters, albeit a slimmer one. Of course, up close there was no denying her features marked her as a woman, one which might have forced the normally timid Cole to blush if he still wasn’t caught up in the events of the past few hours.  

Her words of greeting were kind, though admittedly Cole had seen little that he could call pleasant in Rohan. Aye, the land was beautiful, as were its people, but the stern-faced warriors with their harsh words and cold cells hadn’t left the best of impressions. Still, the fact that he was now here, among these folk and not in a dungeon was testament to their mercy. The old blacksmith that had honed his sword had also been hospitable, no doubt about it. All in all, Eorl’s folk had strange ways, but he could see that they were kind to those they considered friends and they were certainly more adventurous than the people of Bree!

Not wishing to concern the others with his musings, he merely nodded and turned toward the blacksmith, sensing the jest in his words. 

“Master Eōrwīga, I have never embarked on a quest to reclaim a long-lost item straight out of legend before, so it is hard for me to gauge how prepared I am.” Cole replied with a smile, the tension from his shoulders disappearing as the warmth of the tavern – and the ale – coursed through him. 

“Will you be coming with us on this journey?” He inquired. “As a master smith, surely you know more about anvils than the rest of us combined, save perhaps for Master Branack.”  Cole quickly added the last part of the sentence, remembering how touchy a dwarf could get should someone even suggest that their knowledge of metalworking was lacking.