Aspen hadn't really known what to expect upon his arrival, mostly because it was his first time stepping foot out of his own country but also because of the diplomatic reason for his journey. That in mind, he definitely didn't expect the two ladies that made up his welcome party. One of them, the overall more personable-looking of the two if he were to be honest, greeted him with what he imagined was all the vigor and courtesy of the kingdom. The other... Well, if the glare she had given the first woman for her kindness was any indication, she didn't seem like the friendly type.<br/><br/>"I appreciate it," he thanked the noblewoman with a smile, briefly bowing his head. He wasn't used to addressing someone like that. For the most part, those in Lothrien bowed their heads to<span style="font-style: italic">him</span>even when he had no bearing on any family name or royalties. It felt oddly humbling, both to bow his head in respect and to be addressed so pleasantly from a noblewoman that wasn't of his country's royal court. He hadn't expected to be outright ridiculed or hissed at when he arrived, but he also didn't expect to be so eagerly met.<br/><br/>The second woman, the soldier, addressed him next with a polite, if somewhat stiff, welcome. "Good afternoon to you as well. And I am, actually; I was hoping someone could point me in the direction of one or both of them."<br/><br/>Aspen adjusted the rich forest-green bag more securely to his back. It wasn't something that he couldn't have left the king's guards take with what little other luggage he had brought with him, but being so far away made him uneasy and despite the fact that the bag contained both bow and quiver and sat uncomfortably against his back, it really did ease the homesick feeling that he had started to get the past few days.<br/><br/>"Oh, manners," he half-laughed to himself, his hand coming to pinch the bridge of his noise in a mock frustration before offering it for either woman to take. "I'm Aspen, and who might the two of you be?"