A/N: Hello! If you're reading this, I'm looking for feedback, critique and comments on storywriting, like pace, tone, enjoyment. I haven't written in a long time and it's been more than a year since I'd done something for LotRO RP, and decided to pen up a multi-part story on this character's current plotline, so that I can get back into the habit of writing and improve my storytelling skills.
Any feedback I get is very very appreciated! It would help me a lot towards getting back into the flow of things!
Dedicated to the player of Perlene. Thanks for being such an awesome RP partner!
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V
Alekay Darrowfeld sat on the edge of the tavern patio, legs crossed and staring across the village square at the green, dented door that belonged to his house.
What was the time? He vaguely recalled the sky being streaked purple and red with the first indications of twilight roughly an hour ago, but since then he had magnificently managed to lose track of the sun and it was still only just dusk, owing to the warm and pleasant summer. The breeze tickled his prickly chin and blew stray strands of ashen brown hair into his face, much to his great annoyance.
Still, even the warmth of the humid air had a limit. He could see grey storm clouds creeping closer over the horizon, rising into the sky and extending its ashen tendrils outward, as if wishing to swallow and engulf the entirety of Bree-land into its relentless grip. He shuddered as another gust of wind, much cooler this time, swept across the countryside, leaving Goosebumps to develop on his skin.
Combe, as usual, was the pinnacle of village activity in the “outback” areas of Bree-land, deemed too far away or insignificant to be included into the central village of the eponymous Bree-town. People were dotted onto the faded red cobblestone square like splotches of moving paint, scattered or bunched together here and there to create a sparse and hectic image of small-town life: Fair young maidens gossiping, old blacksmiths deep in discussion, mothers and grandmothers picking out vegetables and meat from the vendors. Only the frolicking neighbourhood children – the ones not orphaned, at least – were missing due to the late hour, but the adults and those without parents still had the last bits of lingering warmth to keep them outside.
“Alex?” A woman’s voice called, and he heard the sound of footfalls behind him. He twisted around to look over his shoulder and saw a russet-haired woman staring at him with hazel eyes, clad in a homely, faded dress that was nonetheless well-kept and clean. She looked far more tired and worn out than he remembered, with dark circles under her eyes.
But she was a welcome sight, nonetheless.
Penny was stood behind a table, a lute and purse laid out upon it. No sooner had he turned opened his mouth to address her she snatched her belongings off the wooden surface and strode over to join him, claiming the empty spot to his left. A few people working in the stables below saw their legs dangling off the edge of the roof and scowled. They did not pay those underneath any attention.
“’Ey.” He began, finding himself immensely cheered up by her presence. The sullen look on his face faded and he felt the dreary mood fade as his… friend? Lover? Betrothed? – seated herself, momentarily allowing him time to be distracted by her company. She still appeared as mischievous as always, with that playful spark to her eyes and the thinly amused smile.
“What’re you doin’?” She asked, in a much heavier and rougher accent than his own, one which was indicative of her much more downtrodden upbringing when compared to his own more privileged childhood.
“Jus’ thinking an’ all that, y’know. S’good to see you.” He said with a small, tired smile of his own, slumping forward to wrap an arm around her shoulder casually, “There’ll be a big party soon enough.”
Penny leaned into his shoulder with a laugh, “Bes' o' luck wi' tha'. Sure i'll turn ou' grea'.”
Alex snorted derisively at her tone and chuckled, “Oi oi oi, you're invited to tag along! It'll be glorious!” He leaned in to press his nose to the side of her temple in an affectionate nuzzle, savouring the familiar scent of tavern ale and light sweat; An odour he had gotten used to by virtue of Penny’s profession as a barmaid, a profession that he had only learned (and asked about) after their reckless marriage agreement.
It made him relax.
Notes: There wasn't really any specific genre in mind when I randomly wrote this, but I guess if one really had to sort, I'd categorize this story/chapter/whatever it is into Slice of Life, with Romance and sprinkles of drama, because who doesn't love good ol' drama? 
On Class Divide: Although Bree isn't anything else but a simple village in the middle of an important crossroads in the books, the game makes it out to be larger, with places such as Beggar's Alley that suggest that there's still a subtle wealth gap (No doubt influenced by the presence of Saruman's lackeys) among some Bree-folk in-game, hence class wealth divide being a part of the tale. Probably not as bad as, say, Gondorian society with their Númenorian-blooded nobles and plain common folk, but still a bit present underneath.
