Against all Odds {Middle-Earth fanfic}

Chapter Twenty-Three

Markis turned to Nikandros, "What do you need, sir?"

"Well," Nikandros thought through what he needed, "I would like you to go to town and get some things for me."

Markis nodded, "What would you like me to get?"

"I would like some fruit, but make sure it is not too expensive." Nikandros began, "and I would like you to go to the local seamstress and ask her to make a simple white dress."

Markis nodded, "Anything else?"

Nikandros shook his head, "No." He reached into his pocket and felt around. Withdrawing his hand, he produced a few small coins. "This is to pay for what fruit you can, and then please ask Hammond for the dress money." Nikandros continued, "Just tell the seamstress to make an inexpensive, simple dress, but make it a pretty dress." Nikandros thought to see if he had forgotten anything, "I think that should be it. You may go."

Markis nodded once, took the money, and then ran off to find Hammond, "Sir," he began, "Nikandros said he wanted a dress and fruit. He gave me a few coins for as much fruit as I could get, but he said to see you about the dress. He said to make it a simple one, so it shouldn't cost very much."

"Okay. Here." Hammond handed a handful of coins to the younger man, "Bring back any extras." He instructed, "And if you don't do exactly that, you will be in big trouble, got it?"

Markis nodded, took the coins and ran off towards the town, making sure to come into the town from a different direction from the camp.

He trotted around the streets, looking for fruit and a seamstress. 'Seamstress first.' He decided. Glancing around, he saw a sign with scissors and thread, marking a seamstress. Walking briskly over to it, Markis pushed open the door and looked around. The room was relatively small, with wraps of fabric stacked up everywhere. In one corner, there was a table, where a woman sat sewing speedily.

"Excuse me miss," Markis began, "I'd like to place an order."

"Alrighty. What would you like?" She asked cheerfully, still sewing.

"I'd like a simple white dress. Very simple, and easy to make, but still pretty." Markis began, "And I'd like it to be done today or tomorrow, if you can."

"And what might you have to spend on it? For it does matter what I do to it." She stopped sewing and started looking through the mounds of fabric.

Markis counted through Hammond's money and told her how much, "But," he added, "I would prefer not to use all of it."

"That's fine, lad." The seamstress pulled a white fabric out from one of the mounds. "Here we go. I should have it ready day after tomorrow. Lace or no?"

"Will it cost extra?" Markis asked, "And could you have it ready in the morning?"

"It might cost a little. Tomorrow morning?" She turned to face Markis. "How tall and wide is the lady?"

"Ah," Markis hesitated and thought, "About maybe 5, 6 feet?" he gestured with his hand, "and skinny." He told, "How much would one band of lace around the waist be?"

"One band around the waist should be about two coins. Do you want a train?" She asked, starting to cut the fabric out.

Markis thought for a moment, "No train. And let's say one band of lace around the waist."

"Sleeves or no sleeves?" She pulled out a roll of lace and set that out on her table.

"Sleeves that go over the shoulders, but flowing down and uneven." Markis said after a moment's thought. 'Sheesh, I'm becoming a fashion guy.' He grumbled to himself, "Is that all the questions?" He asked hopefully.

"I think that's it." She said. "Wait! I forgot. Do you want shoes?"

"No." Markis said definitely, to himself he added, "I don't want to deal with the three thousand options of shoes." To the seamstress he said, "I'll be back day after tomorrow to pick up the dress. Goodbye." He turned and walked out of the shop.

"Good grief." He sighed, "I am glad to be out of there." Markis strolled around the streets until he found a place selling fruit. "Hullo." Markis greeted the store owner.

The owner looked up, "Aye, what brings you here to my shop?"

"I'd like to buy some fruit. How much for each one?" Markis asked.

"Well we don't have much of a selection left...seeing as it's almost winter, but I've got a couple apples and pears left. You can by'em for a small price." The shop keeper hoisted up a crate of the fruit. He riffled through the box and pulled out some apples and pears.

"How much can I get for this much?" Markis piled half of Nikandros' coins on the table.

The man squinted, "How about two apples and a pear?"

"What? You said it would be cheap!" Markis exclaimed.

"My fruit is in high demand. That is cheap for this late in the season!" The man argued.

Markis thought quickly, "Well, I guess I can take my business else where." He shrugged and turned to walk out the door.

"Wait! Now hold on a minute...perhaps I can cut you a deal."

Markis turned, "What sort of deal?" He asked.

"What about two pears and two apples?"

"I'm looking for more." Markis said stubbornly.

"Well, what if I throw in one more apple?" The man offered reluctantly.

"And two more pears."

"What? No!" The man argued.

"Alright. I'll go somewhere else." Markis turned around to leave again.

"Fine!" The shopkeeper sighed, "Here." He handed over the fruit and took the coins from the table.

"So that's four pears and three apples." Markis nodded and took the fruit, "Now," he said slowly, "I would like three pears and four apples for this amount of money." Markis left a few of Nikandros' coins in his pocket and drew the rest out, displaying them in his hand.

The shopkeeper shook his head, "Yur already rippin' me off, Laddie. I gotta make a living, ya know."

"Alright, then." Markus turned and started walking out the door.

"Lad..." The shop keeper whined, "cut me some slack here."

Markis thought for a moment, "I'll make a deal." He said finally, taking one coin and putting it in his pocket, he said, "Three pears and three apples for this." He displayed the rest of the coins on his open palm.

"Fine. Take them!" The man thrust more fruit at Markis and grabbed the coins, putting them in a pouch that laid over his rotund belly.

Markis nodded, "Thank you." He bowed, turned and left the shop. Once he was outside, he sighed in relief, "Glad to be out of there." He muttered to himself.

Briskly, he started to walk towards the edge of the town, making sure to enter the forest in a differant place than the camp was located.

Hello lovelies!
I hope you are all having a wonderful week! Please vote, comment, or follow if you liked it^_^ It is greatly appreciated!

Writers:
Sameil: Ithildae
Hammond: Ithildae
Markis: Evara
Shopkeeper: Ithildae
Seamstress: Aris
Nikandros: Evara
Thea: Ithildae

Thank you for reading!

Ithildae, Aris, and Evara (BananaBam03 )