The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Green Dragon

piosenniel · 02-03-2003, 03:31 AM

The two riders went slowly down the hill. It was not a great distance to Amaranthas' house, but there was much to tell Laurie about the venerable Hobbit. Laurie's eye's grew wider and wider as Pio spoke. And when the Elf mentioned that one of the nicknames for her was the Old Dragon, Laurie blanched.

They had reached the house, and Laurie dismounted first to hold 'Falmar as Pio clambered off. A few steps along a clean swept stone walkway brought them to a freshly painted green door. To each side of the entrance were stone planters with a riot of red, yellow, and orange blooms spilling over the sides. Pio tapped twice on the door, then stepped back to await its opening. Laurie had come up behind her, and stood hesitantly peeking round the Elf.

‘WHAT WOOLY PATED HOBBIT IS DISTURBING MY AFTERNOON TEA! TOLMAN BYWATER, IF THAT’S YOU AGAIN PLAYING TRICKS ON AN OLD LADY, I’LL HAVE YOUR HIDE FOR IT!’

The door cracked open the barest of inches. One baleful, bright black eye peered out at them. Pio stepped up close to the door. ‘It is Piosenniel, my dear Amaranthas. I have come to ask your advice on something. And I have brought a friend.’

The door swung open slowly, and the tiniest Hobbit Laurie had ever seen came forward, leaning on her silver handled hawthorn stick. She had been no more than three feet tall in her prime, and now age had bent her spine, making her even smaller. Her face was as wrinkled as a wizened winter’s apple with cheeks stained red, and her eyes were still keen and took in all. Dressed in her usual black, widow’s weeds with a white starched cap securely covering her thinning grey curls, she looked the Elf up and down taking her measure.

‘Those babies are getting bigger by the minute, Miz Pio!’ She looked over to where ‘Falmar was grazing on the greensward. ‘Tell me you didn’t ride the horse here today! Are you trying to bring them out early, you little fool.’

Laurie could not stifle a giggle at this comment. Who was this tiny Hobbit to call Pio a little fool! She heard the loud crack as Amaranthas tapped her cane hard on the stone porch.

‘COME OUT YOU SHYBOOTS! I’M NOT DEAF. I HEARD THAT SILLY GIGGLING!’

She tapped her stick firmly on the stone again. ‘Come out here, girl. No need to hide behind Miz Pio. Let me see you.’

[ February 03, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

02-03-2003, 03:31 AM	#402
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	The two riders went slowly down the hill. It was not a great distance to Amaranthas' house, but there was much to tell Laurie about the venerable Hobbit. Laurie's eye's grew wider and wider as Pio spoke. And when the Elf mentioned that one of the nicknames for her was the Old Dragon, Laurie blanched. They had reached the house, and Laurie dismounted first to hold 'Falmar as Pio clambered off. A few steps along a clean swept stone walkway brought them to a freshly painted green door. To each side of the entrance were stone planters with a riot of red, yellow, and orange blooms spilling over the sides. Pio tapped twice on the door, then stepped back to await its opening. Laurie had come up behind her, and stood hesitantly peeking round the Elf. ‘WHAT WOOLY PATED HOBBIT IS DISTURBING MY AFTERNOON TEA! TOLMAN BYWATER, IF THAT’S YOU AGAIN PLAYING TRICKS ON AN OLD LADY, I’LL HAVE YOUR HIDE FOR IT!’ The door cracked open the barest of inches. One baleful, bright black eye peered out at them. Pio stepped up close to the door. ‘It is Piosenniel, my dear Amaranthas. I have come to ask your advice on something. And I have brought a friend.’ The door swung open slowly, and the tiniest Hobbit Laurie had ever seen came forward, leaning on her silver handled hawthorn stick. She had been no more than three feet tall in her prime, and now age had bent her spine, making her even smaller. Her face was as wrinkled as a wizened winter’s apple with cheeks stained red, and her eyes were still keen and took in all. Dressed in her usual black, widow’s weeds with a white starched cap securely covering her thinning grey curls, she looked the Elf up and down taking her measure. ‘Those babies are getting bigger by the minute, Miz Pio!’ She looked over to where ‘Falmar was grazing on the greensward. ‘Tell me you didn’t ride the horse here today! Are you trying to bring them out early, you little fool.’ Laurie could not stifle a giggle at this comment. Who was this tiny Hobbit to call Pio a little fool! She heard the loud crack as Amaranthas tapped her cane hard on the stone porch. ‘COME OUT YOU SHYBOOTS! I’M NOT DEAF. I HEARD THAT SILLY GIGGLING!’ She tapped her stick firmly on the stone again. ‘Come out here, girl. No need to hide behind Miz Pio. Let me see you.’ [ February 03, 2003: 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.