[littlemanpoet]

Arry's post

‘Show his chops?’ Fallon looked the tall man up and down, as he nudged Ferrin. ‘What would we be wanting with chops . . . probably all nasty anyway if he’s got them hidden somewhere in his pockets. All linty and whatnot.’ Ferrin leaned as casually toward Seamus as he could, and inhaled deeply. ‘Don’t smell any chops,’ he whispered, leaning close back toward Fallon. ‘Pork, lamb, or otherwise . . .’

Gil apparently had some idea of what Seamus was saying as he was smiling and shaking his head . . . ‘no’. And the two Big Folk now had frowns on their faces. But Gil laughed all the harder. ‘Don’t need to hear you play, my friends. The more the merrier for the party, I say.’ ‘However . . . ‘ he went on, seeing the grins on the two men’s faces. ‘There is a bit of an audition you’ll have to go through. Show us your stamina, so to speak.’ Owen started to untie the bag that held his instrument. ‘Oh not that sort of audition,’ laughed Gil again. He pointed out the window across the room, then swept his arm about the room.

‘The yard is dry, I think. And we poor Hobbits have volunteered our strong arms and groaning backs to move these tables out there. Tell you what,’ he said eyeing the men. ‘Lend us your hand in this task, and we’ll see to you doing a solo.’

Tomlin had already stood up and was clearing the plates and mugs away from the table. ‘And if we get it done in good time,’ he added, ‘then the more time we’ll have for a bit of practice together.’

Ferrin leaned in toward Fallon as the group prepared to start their hauling. ‘Knew all along they were talking about playing,’ he whispered, trying to look smug. ‘Just didn’t want you to feel so bad about not knowing.’ Fallon punched him sharply on his upper arm. ‘Sure you did! You and your nose both were trying to make me feel better.’ Arguing amiably the two followed the others out to the yard to see where they should place the tables.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

littlemanpoet's post

Falowik and Uien

Kirsúl slowed as they came into Bywater. The sun was rising a good ways above the horizon. It had rained and the sun was drying the village. Uien and Falowik looked about them, their throats tightening at the onset of memories.

"See that tree by the lane?" Falowik pointed.

"Where you sat when I came to you with blankets, love."

"You changed me that night."

"As you did me. As if I became a different person altogether," Uien said.

"The roof is done."

"Little good we did about that," Uien laughed. "I cannot wait to see Derufin."

Kirsúl walked into the Inn's courtyard. Uien and Falowik dismounted and walked Kirsúl to the stables where an ostler they did not know took charge of the stallion. As they approached the Inn proper, they ran headlong into a bustle of little folk and big folk, every last one of them busy about something. All of the bustle was happy and fraught with joyful expectation. Some tables had already made it through the door and out to the courtyard.

"We are on time," Uien smiled as they made their way to the front door. They were almost run over by two hobbits carrying yet another table into the courtyard.

"Watch out, Gil! You almost runned them big folk over!"

"If you'd carry your end better, Tomlin, I wouldn't have to watch my step so careful!" He looked up at Uien and Falowik and grinned. "Excuse us!" He moved past them followed by the dragging and obviously reluctant Tomlin.

Uien and Falowik passed through the front door and their noses were smitten with the scents of breakfast. Their eyes were just as smitten with the colorful decorations for the handfasting. If there was a bustle outside, it was even more so within. There were two big folk and a monkey in one place; curious hobbits whispering about it not far away; at one large table sat hobbits devouring their breakfast as if they hadn't eaten in days, grinning and smiling at two women down the table, each with musical instruments beside them, deep in conversation between mouthfuls of delectable fare.

"I am hungry!" Falowik said. "Do you see anybody you know?"

"None yet, Laurëatan, but that will change soon enough." They made their way through the busy crowd, smiling and greeting the strangers they met until they found themselves at the bar. "The kitchen door looks so inviting!" Uien said. Many another time she had walked through and found herself companionably helping Cook or Buttercup or Ruby. It was so full of bustle now that she feared she would only be in the way, and remained with Falowik as they waited for someone they knew to come into the Common Room.