After an exhausting morning's cleaning my dining /drawing room is actually fit to receive visitors so I am prepared to contemplate a dinner party. The table could sit 10 at most so alas it will have to be a select gathering but were it summer I would hold a far more extensive "garden party" which would also enable me to invite an entwife and discover where they got to all these years. There are a few surprises here - some Middle Earth people and some "downers" I would find just too daunting ....... I was tempted to invite a cave-troll so I wouldn't be the ugliest AND most stupid person at table but the chairs are increasingly fragile heirlooms and we cannot spare the elbow room if we are to seat ten.... two at each end and three along the long sides. Although it is not the best spot for accessing the kitchen I wish to be near all my guests so I will be in the centre of the long side.
In order from me we have
Glorfindel: I would want to hear all about Gondolin and the search for Frodo and his companions. And he is a very cute elf-boy
Eowyn: I am sure she would like to compare notes with Glorfindel on the Witch King and she is my heroine.
Imrahil: Hmm ... an interesting older man, I always wanted to l know more about the history of Dol Amroth and its Lords. Also he is surely up to the social challenge of the lady to his right -
Melian the Maia: Glorfindel will be opposite her and so they can talk about the elder days. Next to her will be
Boromir88: Well able to cope with both the serious and more light hearted ends of the table and might be prevailed upon to bring fireworks ( obviates the need to invite a certain grumpy old wizard). On his right will be a fellow American
Feanor of the Peredhil.... I am glad she doesn't drink... she knows too much now...
to her right, that most genial hobbit -
Meriadoc Brandybuck: amusing but not silly, intelligent but not stuffy and will be a smoking companion for..
Lalwende: Sometimes I feel we were separated at birth .......
the final place (although one of the first to be chosen) is
Heren Istarion. I cannot think of a better person to have at a dinner party, I am sure he can be relied on to fill awkward gaps in conversation or defuse any discussions that got too heated. That is why he has to sit next to me incase I "go off on one...".
Our menu (since it is a bleak midwinter) may be more to Hobbit tastes - I advise you do not eat for a while before hand.
On arrival you will be served with Pimm's No 3 (Winter)... and canapes
The first course will be crepes filled with smoked salmon served with the lightest, frothiest cheese sauce. The wine a crisp white .. maybe a chenin blanc
The main course will be rib of beef with yorkshire pudding, gravy made with red wine and mustard, potatoes roasted in goose fat and seasonal vegetables (all organic and locally produced of course..) ... the wine will be my beloved merlot of course.
Cheese board: (a legacy of living in France is a tendancy to serve this at this point in the meal) will include a really good genuine cheddar from Cheddar....
Pudding will be my special ginger one, with cream and ..... oh I don't really like dessert wine but sinceI have such illustrious guests .. maybe a Tokay.
Coffee - Blue Sumatra and my own homemade chocolates.
Port and Madeira will be available for those who care for it.... remember to pass it to the left...
Not sure if the Ladies will "withdraw" for a gossip session leaving the gentlemen to their brandy and cigars - on the whole I would prefer the smokers of either gender to withdraw to the garden...
If it were summer we would probably eat there and the menu would be
Pimm's No1 and crudites
Feta cheese, parma ham and fresh figs served with salad and ciabatta
Poached salmon, new potatoes, french beans
Tarte au Citron with fresh raspberries
The wines would be light and fruity and there would be champagne at some point... and it might be lunch preceding that garden party..to which a much wider group would be welcomed ...
Suitable alternatives would be provided for vegetarians and teetotallers and I am sure I could find Merry a pottle of Old Thumper....