It was upon the steadily declining sun that the girl’s eyes were set, watching it’s slow descent from the heavens. Her curly red hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of her neck, the silken tresses bouncing stubbornly against the leather tie with each movement she made. A few stray strands fell about her round, childish face, the wispy curls shining with natural golden highlights in the light from the setting sun. Her eyes were wide and round, their deep viridian hue a delicate trait that didn’t fit the rest of her at all.
She didn’t look to be any more than perhaps 12 or 13, but that’s not counting her height, which, along with the pointed shape of her ears, made her race quite obvious to those nearby. Barely reaching two and a half feet in height, it was clear that she was a hobbit – more commonly known as a “Halfling,” since she was about half the height of a normal human. She was perfectly in proportion, just much, much smaller.
Her feet were bare, and an open violin case rested on the ground in front of her, a few stray coins or silver and copper scattered in the threadbare innards. What could safely be assumed to be the normal contents of that instrument case was held in one of the girl’s hands – a beautiful, cherry wood violin, the rich hue and grainy texture of the wood making it clear that the instrument was particularly nice. In her other hand was a matching bow, white horse hair strung tightly between its two ends. Her fingers were noticeably stubby - probably a trait of most hobbits; but then again, the violin was much smaller than most would assume a violin to be, so it was a perfect match. That made it easier to keep a hold of the instrument, as well; who’d want to steal a violin that no one but a hobbit could play?
As another coin was tossed into the violin case with a faint plunk, though, the girl was pulled from her daydreaming, and with a performer’s smile, she raised the violin to her shoulder once more. Placing the bow against the strings of the well-crafted instrument, she began to play. It was a tune that many sea-faring men would recognize, a folk song that was upbeat and had words, should they be sung, that were reminders of home. It spoke of the women, taverns, fresh food, and soft beds that awaited the traveling sailors.