What is an inn to a traveler? It is a place where one can drink, eat and communicate with others. It is a place that offers a shelter to those far away from their home. And it is a place where one can hear the latest news and gossips. Should a traveler arrive in Bree-town, the Prancing Pony, or shortly the Pony, is the first place to go to. Its ale is well known and warm atmosphere is one of a kind. It is a place where I first headed to when I arrived to Bree-town, and where I much later worked as a barmaid. And it is a place that sometimes seemed to be a center of happenings.
I worked as a farmhand first. I am still not sure how I got the position. Most likely the farmer found me charming enough and decided to hire me, despite my lack of interest towards the work itself. And to be honest, I usually made others to do the work for me, while I wasted my time in dreaming of better times. But one day the farmer and I disagreed over my payment and work tasks, and I lost my work. Dear Reader, I am not certain if you have ever found yourself from situation where you have no work, but it was devastating to me. Even though I had a roof over my head, and both Celnessyn and Osyth had their work, I needed to find a new work and soon. I did not wish to be a burden to them.
However I found new work much quicker and sooner than I first though. On the very same day I was hired to work in the Pony. That time I had befriended Ellae, a barmaid who worked at the Pony. I told her of my situation and she asked if I would wish to work in the Pony. And I took the offer. I had worked as a barmaid before, but I was nervous nevertheless. I feared that I would somehow ruin my new chance. I do not know any longer how could I have done that, for I did succeed in my work quite well.
I had troubles first, naturally. It is not easy to start in a new work. But after a while I seemed to get respect from my co-workers and employer, and compliments as well. And soon I felt as I had always worked there, in the Pony. Quite often I found myself working behind the counter and I truly enjoyed it. It was often a busy work, as thirsty patrons demanded for my attention. And sometimes it was quite boring, during the quiet hours and days. Though as much as I liked to work behind the counter and tend to the wishes of patrons, I liked to work in the kitchen. Thus often in the beginning of my work day, I started from the kitchen and cooked the day’s stew, if no one else had done it before me. Cleaning the floors was also one of the morning duties. Taking care of the rooms however was Ellae’s responsibility and I only took care of those when she was not able.
There was only one matter that caused me trouble in my work. And that was my lack of being able to remember numbers. It was such a bother to remember all the prices of different kinds of drinks! Patrons often wished to drink ale, sometimes mead and wine. But when someone asked for a more rare drink, I could not remember how much it cost. Master Butterbur seemed to be amused by this, and not bothered at all. Perhaps I did so well overall that my constant confusion with the prices was not a problem.
Dear Reader, you may now wonder if the patrons ever caused trouble. They did indeed, I can assure that. There were demanding patrons, patrons who spilled their drinks upon the floor and sometimes the contents of their stomachs as well. There were patrons who fought and caused mischief. Dear Reader, if only I could tell you some stories of what people do in an inn, you would not believe your ears! But those stories do not belong in this journal.
There were certain behaviors of certain patrons that I could not entirely understand. Firstly, there were patrons who wished to sit on the floor, even though there were plenty of free chairs and benches about. Ellae and I worked hard to keep the floors clean, but as you can imagine, the floors did not stay clean for too long. So why did these people wish to sit and dirty their clothes? Their pretty dresses? I cannot understand. There was this particular lady, a blind one, apparently abandoned by her wealthy family, who often sat in a corner. This particular corner was very popular among the patrons, but not for sitting but to release the extra ale they had drank during the evening. And this lady wished to sit in a corner like this. We had no heart to tell her about it, but I truly wished her family would take much better care of her.
Secondly there was this lot who liked to sharpen their weapons in the middle of the Pony. Now, can you imagine the mess they caused? I am quite certain that there are better places to sharpen ones weapon than middle of the inn.
Thirdly there was the certain group of patrons who never ordered anything to drink or eat. They entered the Pony and chose to stand around, doing absolutely nothing. Sometimes their friend joined them and they exchanged few words, neither of them having any drinks. And after a while, they left the inn. Now, it really makes you wonder why these people act like this, do you not agree dear Reader. Do they not find ale of the Pony likable? If this is the case, why do they even bother to come there? There are plenty of other places that offer drinks and a meal.
In many ways the Pony and its patrons have affected my life more than one way. First it was a place to stay in, a home when I was new in town. Then it was a place to relax after a long day at work. And lastly it was my workplace. In the Pony I have laughed, cried and spent many great moments. In the Pony I have met Terry, Skarly, Ellae, Celnessyn and Osyth, among many others. If the Pony would not exist, where would I be? Perhaps I would be lonely and left Bree long time ago.
I truly did like my work at the Pony, I honestly did. Even though there were days when I wish I would have been elsewhere, I gladly went to work every day. But now it has become a place where it is hard for me to return. That place holds so many memories, happy memories. When I returned from our rescue mission to find Celnessyn and tell her the bad news, I felt that my time there has come to its end.
Will I ever return to work in the Pony? I do not know, for I do not have the answers. Should my life continue a bit longer and my wounds heal, perhaps I will. Only time will tell. But I do know this. I shall miss sharing gossip with Ellae, exchanging words with Master Butterbur and talking with the patrons. I will miss the Pony.
