Finding suitable attire in Middle-earth had become quite the task. The clothes in the shop were interesting and very different from any others I had ever seen, but to me they were beyond just being foreign. They were all-out bogus. They were nearly medieval in style, hadn�t very much color to them, and had this quasi-archaic feel to them when I touched them.
As was acceptable in this type of society, common women (such as housewives and girls of varying ages) were to wear dresses that were the quintessence of simplicity. Though bordering on dull, I thought they were interesting because of their difference in comparison to my clothes, yet I held no desire to wear one. I also took into account that I did now know where the course of future events might lead me, so I figured travel-suited garb would be of greater use.
By the time I was done perusing and purchasing I had in my possession: one pair of heavy leather traveling boots, one pair of cloth-lined leather pants, three tunics (of a slightly feminine variety), three light undershirts, undergarments of various assortments, two sets of what I considered to be pajama-like clothes, a leathery jerkin-type thing, a heavy and comfy garment that I considered a jacket, gloves, and this really spiffy headscarf. Along with a traveling pack in which I could carry them wherever I needed, I hadn�t even spent half of the money that Aratan had given me. I knew I�d have to thank him later for it.
With that incredibly fascinating experience behind me, I now headed across the way to the tavern in which Aratan had said he�d be waiting. I made my way through the bustle of people seeking a well cooked meal and a nice pint of ale to where Aratan sat at a far table. He saw me over his mug and waved me over. I sat down across from him and he smiled at me.
�How did you fare?� he asked.
�Well enough. I bought what I thought I would need if I should ever have to leave the city. If I survive this whole ideal I think I�ll get away from here for a while,� I told him. �Thank you. I still have half of your money.�
�Do you? That is very well indeed. Hold onto it for a bit longer. After we eat I shall take you to my home. I would very much like that you should be introduced to my family. You will be more than welcome there. Perhaps then we shall allow you some rest. From there we shall see how everything plays out,� he explained.
Just then one of the tavern�s employees, a young lad of maybe nine or ten years, came bearing a tray of two steaming bowls of stew and two more mugs, one of ale and one of water. He placed them in front of us and scuttled back into the kitchen upon completing his task. I was absolutely famished so I dug right in, not really sure what Middle-earth cuisine was like. Much to my surprise, I found it to be positively delicious. It was simplistic, but you could taste every minute detail, down to the very herbs. The best part was how it warmed me inside and out the moment it hit my stomach.
Apparently Aratan noticed me reveling in the wonders of my meal. �They have the best in the city, I must tell you. This tavern is one of the most prosperous businesses around!�
I was too busy gulping down my meal to respond to his statement, but I knew he had to be right. Soon enough, both our bellies were filled and we were ready to head for Aratan�s home. So, we up and left and headed from the Third Circle to the Fifth Circle, where after a while, we found his home. It looked like a nice place, and for him to be living up so high in the city I figured that maybe there was more to this guy than was evident.
It was late, and Aratan informed me his mother and father, who resided with in his home, would already be retired to bed. I did get a chance to meet his wife, Iorene, who, at being five months pregnant with her first child, was slightly moody but pleasant all the same. With simple introductions and minor explanations having been made about the king�s disappearance and my showing up out of a land of evil, I was sent to a spare room for the night.
It was a simple room and had a wonderful homey feel to it. I had missed that terribly about my home, even though I hadn�t even been here for that long a period of time. I didn�t feel like going to bed dirty, so I changed out of my dirty not-of-this-world clothes and headed over to the washbasin, where I cleaned up and replaced the bandages on my feet with clean ones.
I changed into my Middle-earth style pajamas that I had bought, which were really no more than a lightweight shirt and a pair of lightweight breeches. I had, in all actuality, gotten sleeping garments that were meant for a man, but I didn�t feel much like a nightgown person. That had earned me some strange looks from the seamstress, but I didn�t really care. With all that done I got into the bed, which was incredibly comfy. I lay on my back and stared at the ceiling for a few moments, contemplating the course my life was taking.
I had survived my first whole day in an alternate world.
Closing my tired eyes, I slept, knowing I would have to survive the second.
