The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

piosenniel · 01-30-2004, 11:21 AM

Berilac

It was very late in the afternoon as Berilac made his way back to the Prancing Pony. Rosco had promised his brother he would meet him and they would go to Mausi’s from there for supper. The Ranger was looking forward to a relaxing evening before he saw to the night patrol around the hedge.

Berilac stood blinking for a moment in the entryway, his eyes adjusting to the dimmer light in the Common Room. Rosco waved to him as he entered, motioning over to where he sat. A pint of ale sat on the table waiting for him, and Berilac took a swig of the heady brew as soon as he sat down.

‘Long day, eh?’ commented Rosco. He held his empty mug in the air, signaling for one of the serving girls to come over. Berilac nodded his head as he leaned back in his chair. ‘Everything is ready to go, though,’ he said, watching the girl scurry over with a pitcher of ale. ‘The bowmen are in place, the teams for manning the bucket brigade are all notified, and the Watch at the Gates has been stepped up.’ The girl had arrived at their table, and though she smiled as she topped off their mugs, she looked distracted and a bit harried.

Rosco leaned toward her, a frown on his face. ‘Is there something we can help you with, miss? You look as if things are on the verge of falling apart for you.’

The poor girl nearly burst into tears at Rosco’s question. Berilac stood and pulled out a chair for her, urging the now weeping girl to sit down. ‘It’s Miss Andreth. She’s gone missing. And here it’s near time for us to be serving supper.’

‘Missing?’ asked the Ranger, a look of puzzlement on his face.

‘Well, not missing, really. It’s just that she’s gone off with some friend, and she hasn’t returned. And Cook is all atwitter, because she always consults with Miss Andreth.’ Berilac passed the red nosed girl a clean kerchief to wipe her eyes and nose. Then both the Hobbits reassured her that Miss Andreth would probably be back soon, and that they had every faith in Cook to pull through. The girl sniffed and sighed, saying she hoped so, then was called away by another table. Berilac waved her away when she held the kerchief out to him with the admonition to keep it, he had plenty.

‘Best we get back to Mausi’s soon,’ said Rosco draining his mug. ‘She’s making a lamb stew for us,’ he grinned, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

The two brothers drew on their cloaks and headed out the door. Berilac stood on the steps for a moment and looked toward the Hedge. ‘I just hope Andreth hasn’t done something foolish . . .’ he murmured. ‘Why do you say that?’ asked Rosco, heading down the path to the main road.

‘Because,’ continued the Ranger, striding alongside him, ‘the gates are locked tight. And getting back in will prove difficult . . . very difficult . . .’

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 3:04 AM January 31, 2004: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

01-30-2004, 11:21 AM	#244
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Berilac It was very late in the afternoon as Berilac made his way back to the Prancing Pony. Rosco had promised his brother he would meet him and they would go to Mausi’s from there for supper. The Ranger was looking forward to a relaxing evening before he saw to the night patrol around the hedge. Berilac stood blinking for a moment in the entryway, his eyes adjusting to the dimmer light in the Common Room. Rosco waved to him as he entered, motioning over to where he sat. A pint of ale sat on the table waiting for him, and Berilac took a swig of the heady brew as soon as he sat down. ‘Long day, eh?’ commented Rosco. He held his empty mug in the air, signaling for one of the serving girls to come over. Berilac nodded his head as he leaned back in his chair. ‘Everything is ready to go, though,’ he said, watching the girl scurry over with a pitcher of ale. ‘The bowmen are in place, the teams for manning the bucket brigade are all notified, and the Watch at the Gates has been stepped up.’ The girl had arrived at their table, and though she smiled as she topped off their mugs, she looked distracted and a bit harried. Rosco leaned toward her, a frown on his face. ‘Is there something we can help you with, miss? You look as if things are on the verge of falling apart for you.’ The poor girl nearly burst into tears at Rosco’s question. Berilac stood and pulled out a chair for her, urging the now weeping girl to sit down. ‘It’s Miss Andreth. She’s gone missing. And here it’s near time for us to be serving supper.’ ‘Missing?’ asked the Ranger, a look of puzzlement on his face. ‘Well, not missing, really. It’s just that she’s gone off with some friend, and she hasn’t returned. And Cook is all atwitter, because she always consults with Miss Andreth.’ Berilac passed the red nosed girl a clean kerchief to wipe her eyes and nose. Then both the Hobbits reassured her that Miss Andreth would probably be back soon, and that they had every faith in Cook to pull through. The girl sniffed and sighed, saying she hoped so, then was called away by another table. Berilac waved her away when she held the kerchief out to him with the admonition to keep it, he had plenty. ‘Best we get back to Mausi’s soon,’ said Rosco draining his mug. ‘She’s making a lamb stew for us,’ he grinned, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. The two brothers drew on their cloaks and headed out the door. Berilac stood on the steps for a moment and looked toward the Hedge. ‘I just hope Andreth hasn’t done something foolish . . .’ he murmured. ‘Why do you say that?’ asked Rosco, heading down the path to the main road. ‘Because,’ continued the Ranger, striding alongside him, ‘the gates are locked tight. And getting back in will prove difficult . . . very difficult . . .’ <font size=1 color=339966>[ 3:04 AM January 31, 2004: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.