Cold are the nights during this time of the year, but even that seems to lure people out of their warm homes. That we find ourselves graced with the presence of an elf in our quaint little village is quite rare, which is why the arrival of Morwen Elenlome turned a few heads, my own included.

Ale opens one's mouth, and curiosity always gets the best of me so I decided to join Morwen and share with you the tales she graced me with.

I heard you mention you were a teacher before so this must have been quite a change. Why the decision to do something entirely different?
Well, you see, being a teacher is extremely tiring. After you have spent a thousand years on the road, facing wars and horrors, you just want to stay quiet for a while, so when I was offered the position in Minas Tirith I was very excited to be able to stay in one place for some years and to teach the younger generations about the marvels of our world. But the problem is, I had underestimated said younglings. They have so much energy, require so much attention… and are so, so noisy! My poor office was a mess, my wonderful maps stained. Teaching was definitely way too much than I expected, and it was also clearly not my calling. So when the Queen offered me to run the Atheneum… I was ecstatic! How could I say no to such an enticing offering? The peace, the silence, the no one see me if I come to work clearly still drunk from the night before… it’s all marvelous!

We do not see a lot of elves here. It's a tiny village after all. You travel a lot to collect your books? Or what is the reason you find yourself here in Rohan?
You do have a point young lady. But have you ever tried living in a big ass stone city after spending your life in the wilderness? Well, it is a pain, I’ll tell you that! So every time I can, I escape outside. And I believe I have heard someone speaking very highly about Rohirric taverns, so I had to check myself! I have to say, they didn’t let me down…. Even the wenches are so nice. A great experience.

I will take that as a personal compliment then. Another drink?
Please! How can people even talk when they have a dry mouth? Listen to this, young woman: never trust someone who doesn’t drink, never! They are clearly hiding something. Do you want to know how someone really is? Get drunk with them. But why am I even telling you this, you see drunk people every day…

So I left her for a few moments, but managed to claim her attention again upon return. Ale works miracles, but I already knew that.

Where are you heading after this?
After this? Well, it depends if you keep getting the sweet sweet juice coming. I believe I’ll head in my chambers. Probably alone, but who knows what the night has to offer? Maybe you want to join me after work? Us elves don’t really sleep much anyway, you know…

My... such a gracious offer, but I fear the customers would destory the place if they are no longer being served. We do not get much sleep here either. Do you think you will ever miss your old profession? And what do you believe you miss most at the moment?
Teaching was not so bad. I will definitely miss having those young children looking up to me. But I shouldn’t be a role model for anyone anyway. I mean… what would they think if they could see me right now? I can barely stand; they don’t need me! But I much prefer the tall halls of the Atheneum. Books are the greatest treasure of them all, listen to me! Will you? Are you listening to me? Yes? Good… good girl. Yes.

Of course I am listening, but I believe some customers are getting a little impatient. One last question then: What is your most favourite thing you have ever read during your long short life?
Ohhh you want to know more about me huh? Well, what should I tell you… Hmm, the Third Age was such a mess. I mess I tell you! So much loss, so much tragedy… but one day, one day I found myself near Erebor. Now, this war before the Dark Lord revealed himself for the second time, mind you. They were happier times. So… what I was saying? Ah yes, Erebor. I was there and I found myself in this tavern that was filled with dwarves. And as I entered they all looked at me like I was clearly not welcome, so to break the ice I said that I could drink more than all of them! And they laughed and laughed and we started a proper drinking competition! Well, I don’t even have to tell you that the poor tavern owner had to go buy alcohol from other establishments as we kept drinking and drinking all night. And in the end, I was victorious! I bet if you go there, they still remember me as the Queen of the Ale. They declared my name the whole night. Maybe I should go back… yes… after… hmm… *falls asleep*

Thus I left the elven woman after that and found myself chuckling. I always thought elves were good at holding their liquor, but we can not believe all we hear...