Brewster of Lake-Town

"Come in, but don't let anyone see you. If you got caught by the Master for frequenting an illegal inn, you're on your own. I have nothing to do with this." Independent role-play blog for the brewster Maäriah, more commonly known as Ma of the Poison. OC of Lake-Town Faceclaim: Lynn Cohen M!A: None, but accepting Disclaimer: none of the images on this blog are mine, unless stated otherwise.

[brewsteroflaketown]

He stood behind her watching with curious eyes as she stirred a concoction she had made in the kettle, which stood over the fire. "What do you make?" He questioned, leaning ever closer to peer inside. It was an overwhelming scent to his nose and one he had not smelled before. "I do not wish to taste any," he added, before she could think to suggest it

@hisloyalvassal

Mam was tempted to bring her wooden spoon up to Feren’s nose. Elves! They may be centuries old, but show them something they had never seen before (granted, given their age, it was hard to find such a thing) and they became like curious children, hanging around the pot to catch a glimpse of it. Instead, she turned around to take the fish heads and throw them in the kettle.

              — “I’m testing a new beer. With fish. It goes well in soup, so why should it not work in beer? Smell. That’s some fine aroma. Will open your nostrils like nothing else, I tell ya. Sure you don’t want a try? It’s not like ye lot can get ill.” 

[brewsteroflaketown]

A slight rosy coloring brightened her cheeks as a fair chuckle rang out in the quiet home. The blatant speech of her host reminded her of being within the tavern’s of her home. Sure it was not a place for a princess, yet something about the atmosphere always brought the same giddy smile to the maiden’s face that she had here.

“I shall be sure to give him enough trouble for the both of us then. But if you feel that is not enough, I shall convince him to visit soon so that you may give him more.”

               --- “Do so. It’s been years since he visited me. Think he got frightened by me wrinkles. Psah! They don’t fear anything, those elves, but they do fear wrinkles. Fled like a puppy back to his forest!” 

Taking a sip of her own brew (the one yet untested), the old woman almost choked and started to cough violently. Goodness, that was a pithy drink! Perhaps something for Bard...

[brewsteroflaketown]

“I did interrupt him as he spoke, I most likely threw him off course with his speech about being careful what I drank.” While the older woman’s muttering didn’t go unnoticed, the fey did not pay much mind to it as she took another sip of the ale.

“Oh. I can see why that would be important information for me know… Next time I decide to go somewhere, I will assume Legolas is not rambling on and listen.”

Sharp eyes studied Sasha, but they softened when she spoke. So quick to defend the elfling. She seemed quite protective over him... or was there more? No... more a kind of fierce loyalty. She’d ask Legolas about it, when he ever visited her again.

                            --- “By all means, child, do interrupt him when he is rambling - and especially when he is spouting nonsense about being careful what to drink. Everything in my house is perfectly in order.” 

[brewsteroflaketown]

Glancing up at the woman for a brief moment, she noted a slightly disappointed look upon her face as she took a sip of the ale. The faint apple taste earned a pleased hum from the maiden, even as the alcohol burned down her throat, letting her know that one drink would be enough for her visit. Placing the mug down, she offered a smile the the older woman stretching out near the fire.

“I am glad I did, this ale is far better than what is served within my lands. However while I know a little about this house from my friend, he failed to mention this deal. May I ask what it is?”

                                --- “Dratted elf speaks about everything, but he forgets to mention the Deal. Sometimes I wonder...” She was mumbling again. How many times had she told herself she would not become an old, mumbling woman who could not speak her thoughts anymore? Mam shook her head.

                 --- “This is not a tavern. Taverns need to pay taxes. I do not pay taxes. Therefore, I am not a tavern. However, I cannot refuse a drink to friends, or friends of friends, or friends of friends of friends, can I now? Do you see, lass?”

[brewsteroflaketown]

“He is a very talkative fellow… But I must say there is never a dull moment around him. Whenever I am around, the halls never seen to be quiet.” Setting her pack upon the ground, the maiden took a seat at a small table close to the fire. A slender brow rose when two mugs were placed before her, yet without a word she grabbed the one closest to her.

“I thought it would be nice to see what lay beyond the Elven Realm, and Legolas recommended I stop here for a drink.”

Ol’ Girion. How disappointing. The other brew would have to wait till someone else came in who didn’t know her tendency for experimenting. Some even called it poisoning. They had called her home after it. The old woman snorted. Poison! Ha! The youth didn’t know how to appreciate home-made ale anymore. She stretched her cold limbs to the fire and let the warmth sooth them.

                   --- “Well, ye’ve come to the right house then. I am sure that elfling has also told you about the little... deal the Master and I have?”

[brewsteroflaketown]

A fair blush followed by a shy gaze cast at the ground, was the immediate response to the woman ushering her inside. “I did not know that Legolas spoke about me so often… Thank you, an ale sounds wonderful at the moment.”

                          --- “Is there anything that elf doesn’t speak about? Wonder whether elves ever hear silence.” Fish-gutter. Dragon’s Fire. Ol’ Girion. Aye, Ol’ Girion would do for her, unless... She made a new brew yesterday - untested. Perhaps now was the time... She filled two cups, one with Ol’ Girion, and one with the news drink, and placed them in front of her. Let’s see which one she takes.

               --- “Wot brings ye here, if I may ask?”

[brewsteroflaketown]

Erestor couldn’t help but raise a brow at the elderly woman. It was a judgemental look she gave him, yet he supposed that was normal for humans. They got used to how their life was within one hundred years. Such a short amount of time.

“Do you have any wine? Sindar will do if it’s all you have, dear,” he replied softly.

                        --- “I don’t have any Sindar, mister elf. We don’t deal in elvish goods, because this is not a tavern - but for a wary, cold traveler, I may be able to fetch some hot gluhwein.” 

Again, there was some hesitation in the old woman, but again, she began to move again and placed a kettle on the freshly poked flames, whereafter she poured some wine in it. All the while however, she kept an eye on the visitor. When the wine was well steaming, she filled a cup with it, and placed it in front of the elf - and then she sat down on the other side of the table, watching him sharply.

                  --- “How did you know visitors could have a... drink here?”

[brewsteroflaketown]

@sashaofravenlock

                 --- “You must be that maiden Legolas keeps speaking about! Come in dear, and have a seat! You must be cold! Let me see whether I can find some hearty ale for ye.” 

[brewsteroflaketown]

Like this post for a starter!

[brewsteroflaketown]

@theelvenscholar

                       --- “Goodness.” Maäriah did not startle easily. When one had lived so many years in the same town, one had the feeling to have seen it all - but what she had not seen yet, was an elf sitting in the mostly deserted Poison (most of her common visitors were out on the water at this time). 

For a moment, the old woman hesitated - then she shuffled inside, closing the door against the icy wind inside, and went over to the fire to poke some more flames in it. The elf may not need warmth, but her old bones for sure did!

            --- “Greetings, mister elf. Can I bring you something?”

[brewsteroflaketown]

Like this post for a starter!

[brewsteroflaketown]

Closed Starter for ofdaggers

[brewsteroflaketown]

                      — “They would brew their own drinks - and the healers would have loads of work.” Maäriah conveniently let out the many times her new brews had sent her victims to the herb masters. After all, she, contrary to those man, knew what she was doing - only the results weren’t always as she had wished them to be. 

As the woman helped her steady the boat, she nodded gratefully and turned towards her. Her knobby hands lingered over the belly, just an inch away from it, but she did not touch it, grief for what could never be briefly darkening her eyes, but she shook it away quickly.

          “Ye’re having a bet with Bard? To any other I would say that’s not a good idea. He’s from noble lineage, that one, even though he has forgotten it. However, it seems he has found his match in you. What was the wager?”

     “I remember many a man who had to leave work for a few days because of that.” A soft chuckle left her, glancing down when Bain cuddled close to her side. His head was buried in her side, just where her stomach bulged. 

     Her smile left for just a brief moment, catching the look. But she spoke nothing of it. It was not her place and as such, she wouldn’t pry. 

     “Just a friendly one. And one that should be heard for little ears.” Her hand disappeared into Bain’s dark curls,   

[ofdaggers]

                    --- “No need to tell me then, my dear. I may be old, but I know well enough what wagers could be made in the secrecy of the home.” Ma winked knowingly, just to the lady, and then - with effort and creaking bones - she knelt so that she was on eye-height with the small lad. One wrinkled hand disappeared into her bags. She still had some, had she not? Or had she thrown it away the last time she had cleaned...? No, there it was. Carefully, she pulled up a branch, and broke it in two.

          “I have something for ye, Bain, because you have been so good. It’s licorice - have you ever tasted it? Sweet as honey, if you nibble upon the wood.”

[brewsteroflaketown]

Closed Starter for *beardedbowman*

Twas quiet today. For one of those rare moments in summer, the pale sun had assembled all of her energy and was turning the misty air around Lake-Town almost into an agreeably warm blanket, luring its inhabitants out of their houses, for once not to work, but to enjoy simply being outside.

It made the Poison quiet. Not that Maäriah minded in particular. Twas a good time to test out some new brews, and the peace was welcoming after spending so many months in a crowded in. However, the rest was soon disturbed by the creaking of the front door (the house was so much part of her that she could distinguish the specific sounds of the front door and back door, and most of the windows). With a scowl she looked up, but her face softened when she saw who the visitor was.

          “Bard. Welcome. What can I do for ye?”

[brewsteroflaketown]

Closed Starter for ofdaggers

[brewsteroflaketown]

One of her hands reached out, without hesitation, to make sure the raft didn’t tip over. It was a reaction one learned to have when kids were around. Striking her arm out lighting fast to make sure they didn’t tip over themselves. 

“Drink, be merry - honestly, no idea how these men would do it without you.”

Her fingers rubbed her belly, her smile widening. 

“Another girl, you say? Well, you were right about the other two. This only means I win the bet my husband and I have going.”

                      --- “They would brew their own drinks - and the healers would have loads of work.” Maäriah conveniently let out the many times her new brews had sent her victims to the herb masters. After all, she, contrary to those man, knew what she was doing - only the results weren’t always as she had wished them to be. 

As the woman helped her steady the boat, she nodded gratefully and turned towards her. Her knobby hands lingered over the belly, just an inch away from it, but she did not touch it, grief for what could never be briefly darkening her eyes, but she shook it away quickly.

          “Ye’re having a bet with Bard? To any other I would say that’s not a good idea. He’s from noble lineage, that one, even though he has forgotten it. However, it seems he has found his match in you. What was the wager?”

[brewsteroflaketown]

*demands free drinks

                    — “Ye’ll get yer drink if ye pay fer it, like everyone else.”

sonofesgaroth

[archiril]

Short Hiatus Notice

I’m doing this far to often, but, since I will be traveling to California this month, this blog will go to hiatus again from

July 4th until July 28th

We’ll be driving from hotel to hotel, and I’m pretty sure they’ll have internet, so I will be able to get online minimally. This means

NO threads

NO public asks

YES private asks

YES ask threads if I’m the one sending the ask, not receiving it

I think that’s about it ^^ Thank you so much for all of your lovely messages! People in Europe at the moment, stay hydrated! People anywhere else, stay whatever you want where you want! ^^ See you all in about three weeks ^^

[the--starless-saint]

Can we please take a moment to admire Bard