849 Fragment? Infection source? (1/2)

The Shire had a magnificent night view, but not a lot of people took the time to appreciate it. Most people here prefer to spend their evening in bars and taverns.

That was also the reason why Sheyan kept tossing and turning in his futile attempt to chase after sleep, despite the comfortable bed and warm blanket. The sound of clapping, laughing and Hobbit lutes kept being transmitted from the gap of the wooden floor in his room. Sheyan patiently bore with it until the lute sounds finally ended, but it was soon followed by a series of rhythmic knocking sound as if carpenters were continuously knocking on the tables.

Sheyan suddenly saw his old and blackened door bar shake and move by itself. A few thin branches somehow grew out from the bar. The door bar slowly and respectfully removed itself from its place, as if it was a bodyguard opening the car door for its queen.

The door opened by a crack and in came Melody, along with the fresh and passionate air she brings. Her smell completely submerged Sheyan; her cloudy eyes dreamy and lovely. Sheyan reached out to pull the soft but full figure into his embrace and gave her a deep kiss. His hands showed no restraint in caressing her lovely curves.

Sheyan whispered a few words into Melody's pointed ear, prompting her to lift her head and look at Sheyan those bright eyes of her while she asked.

”Is that really alright?”

Sheyan answered earnestly.

”Of course. I won't mislead you.”

”Then why is your smile so weird?” Melody blinked and asked in a confused and naive tone.

”Trust me,” said Sheyan. ”I'm your protector.”

Even though he said that with a serious expression, under current circumstances, he sounded really perverted.

”Come on. Hurry up.”

Melody finally gave in to his urging. She grudgingly held her hair back with a blush and moved down....

About 2 hours later, Sheyan lied contentedly on his bed. Meanwhile, Melody was punching him with watery eyes.

”You lied! It really hurt.”

Sheyan merely yawned lazily. He had a really high defense, while Elves - even Twilight Elves - had never been famous for their muscles. As long as Melody didn't pick up a weapon, her punches merely felt like a massage. He suddenly frowned as he said.

”Why aren't the people downstairs sleeping yet? They would knock on the tables after playing the lute, then after knocking on tables they would go back to playing the lute. Aren't they tired?”

Melody glared at him and said.

”They're not knocking on tables. That's the cancan dance spread from Anduin. The one performing today is Aunt Marilyn who's famous around here. Of course the crowd would be excited.”

When Sheyan heard the words ”cancan dance”, images of black stockings, long legs, and sexy red lips immediately formed in his mind. However, when Melody said ”Aunt Marilyn”, he suddenly lost all interest. He sighed and said.

”Let's just sleep early. Wait, how come you didn't close the door when you came in?”

Melody turned back in surprise as she exclaimed.

”No way! I did put the door bar back after performing the natural magic....AH! You liar! I don't want to be the one on the bottom....you're a bad man!”

**************************

The next day, Sheyan only stirred awake at noon. If it wasn't for the smell of Aunt Suchell's smoked meat, he wasn't sure what time he would wake up.

When he was getting dressed, Melody jumped slightly in surprise. She extended a hand and touched a wooden cupboard at the side. The cupboard shivered with a green glow and emitted some creaking noises. Suddenly, the bottom drawer of the cupboard shot out to reveal a brown patch inside. The patch looked suspiciously like dried bloodstain.

Green glow kept circling above the brown patch. Suddenly, a black, three-legged, toad-like creature leaped out from between wood shavings. It jumped up and down a few times before growing an odd pair of wings and tried to fly away.

Melody lazily pointed at the demonic creature. A lump of natural energy instantly wrapped around the creature to reduce it to ashes. She sniffed at the air and frowned.

”The wooden cupboard probably absorbed some death aura. The armour fragment on you is truly filled with darkness; even the aura it leaked out could turn anything it can corrupt into creatures of darkness.”

Sheyan was shocked but he maintained a composed expression and smiled instead.