[Primrose Bolger]

Ginger sat next to Ferdie at the table, listening to the songs. Gil and his band had done a funny one, she thought. Though it seemed a bit odd that the fellow in the song would rather have a flagon of wine than his lady by his side. Then, she remembered Uncle Otho on her Da’s side. He had a liking for Old Winyards that many a lass could not compete with, or so she’d heard her Da speak to her Ma about it.

Of course, Azalea had put and end to that infatuation as she called it. And now she was Aunt Azalea and Otho was rationed to cup of ale on week days . . . two on the weekend . . . ‘Anyways,’ Ginger thought, ‘it was a funny song as long as you weren’t having to worry about your own sweetheart throwing you over for a drink or two or three.’ She stole a glance at Ferdy. ‘No, he’d never do something like that, I’m sure.’

As if reading her thoughts, he looked at her and grinned affectionately. She blushed and grinned back, snuggling into the arc of his arm about her shoulders.

One of the Big Folk got up next and recited a short verse, A good one, too, she thought. She was sure it was about Mister Frodo and his adventure and she wondered how a Ranger would be knowing a poem about a Hobbit from the Shire.

She had just taken a drink of her cider when she saw Larien stand up to sing. Her new friend was full of surprises! Ginger was much too shy to ever get up in front of a crowd to perform, but there was Larien going to sing. And she’d made up the song herself!

As Ginger listened to the words a certain sense of sadness stole over her. Someone’s mother dead. And the father, too, she thought. A poor baby left all alone and found by some kind man. Ginger hoped the story had a happy ending. Did the man find the baby a new home? Did he take the baby in himself? Ginger found herself nearly crying as she listened to the song and thought about it.

‘I wouldn’t change a word of it, Larien,’ she said, going over to where her friend was sitting after she’d sang. ‘It was beautiful!’ Ginger smiled and wiped her own eyes. ‘But what happened to the baby? I have to know it was alright.’