[Faye Took]

~~~SHIRE~~

Odo was left alone down-stairs drinking his ale. Many things had been on his mind such as the journy. He sat in slince staring at the table. 'I wonder when the dwarves will arive.' He muttered to himself.

Then a crowd of men came around him. They all cackled horribly and they smelled of horses. 'Well, well well boys look who we have here.' said a tall man. Odo looked up at the man. The man was smiling and most of his teeth where gone. Odo smiled softly and went back to his drinking. The tall man bent down next to Odo, 'Arn't you a little too young to be drinking?' he said cackleing once more.

'I'll have you know I'm well over 25 sir. And I hold the record at the Green Dragon Inn from chugging the most beers.' Odo smiled largly and the men looked at him rather confused.

'Well I'll have you know little man, that I hold the record at this Inn.'
'How many?' Odo asked not worried about what the man would answer back.
'17 Ales and a half.' His possie began to roar and clap. 'And let me guess what yours is, 5?' They all began to laugh holding their large bellies.
'21.' All fell silent over Odo's words.
'21 aye? Well then, lets see if you can prove it.' The man took a seat across from Odo. 'Barliman! Bring out 40 ales.'

Barliman looked at the man rather curiously, '40, Harry?'

'Yes Butterbur, 30. We are having a contest to see who can chug the most ales until the pass out.' Odo looked the man in the eye and so did he. 'So your Harry I presume?' He nodded. 'Who might you be? I haven't seen you in these here parts.' Odo stood up and put his hands to his sides. 'I, sir, am Odo Took of the Shire. I am happy to announce that The Great Peregrin Took is my kinsman.' All the men looked at eachother confused.'Well Mister Odo are you ready.' Odo smiled, 'The question is, are you ready.' The men around them began to whisper to themselves as though they thought that their good friend Harry would loose to just a mere Hobbit.

Barliman came out along with other men helping him carry the ales over. Everyone in the Inn gathered around to watch the two. 'I forgot to mention one thing.' Harry said smiling rather evily. 'Whoever looses, pays for the ales.' Odo giggled. 'You better get your money sack out.' He said to Harry. 'Alright, lets begin. I'll count to three and We'll start. 1...2...3!' The drinking contest had began. Odo and Harry chugged their ales like no other could. The empty mugs began to pile up on the table. They had each gone through 8 ales. Odo looked rather perky still but Harry was a little woozy. The ales kept pileing up. 11...12...13...14... Odo was still in the lead! Harry could barely keep himself up.'Come on Harry you can do it! Don't let just a mezly hobbit beat you!' One of the men said. At ale 16 Harry fell face first onto the table, but Odo kept going. He was now very woozy. 18...19...20...21! 'I can't anymore, I just can't!' Odo cried out laughing. 'We have a winner!' Barliman cried out and the men roared with cheers. Stood up almost falling over. 'I did it! I did it!' he cried out holding up a empty mug. All of a sudden Odo passed out. The men still cheered. Barliman picked up the Hobbit and went up to the rooms. He silently opened the door so he wouldn't wake up Orlo, Hardo, and Brando. Barliman went back downstairs and cleaned up.

[ October 05, 2002: Message edited by: Faye Took ]