The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post

Aylwen Dreamsong · 05-11-2004, 03:46 PM

The night went on, full of songs and stories about the War. No physical brawls, though, and for that Aylwen was glad. She missed Talan, the sturdy young man who used to help if any such problems did occur. Strangers had become friends, and friends learned about each other. Still, the hour had grown late, children had grown grouchy, and adults grew equally weary. Aylwen decided that the night had gone on long enough, and a final song was due to float upon the air.

“Patrons, friends, visitors!” Aylwen cried, catching the crowd’s attention. “One last song, and then it will be high time for everyone to march on home or up to their rooms and get some sweet rest. Especially Hearpwine, and any others participating in the faire and competitions tomorrow,” Aylwen smiled. “Yes, the night has been full and I think the time has come to wrap things up.” The Innkeeper went to Eadman and whispered something in his ear. When she’d finished, Eadman nodded with a low chuckle. He picked up the flute that belonged to one of his companions, and whispered something to his sister. When Eadman and Eadwen were ready and had a slow, sad tune flowing, Aylwen sung the final song herself.

“Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward, the sailors cry
Carry the lad that's born to be king
Over the sea to skye

Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,
Thunder clouds rend the air;
Baffled our foe's stand on the shore
Follow they will not dare

Speed bonnie boat....

Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep
Ocean's a royal bed
Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep
Watch by your weary head

Speed bonnie boat....

Many's the lad fought on that day
Well the rapier could wield
When the night came, silently lay
Dead on Pelennor field

Speed bonnie boat...

Burned are our homes, exile and death
Scatter the loyal men
Yet, e'er the sword cool in the sheath,
Charlie will come again.

Speed bonnie boat...”

When Aylwen finished the song, some clapped, others said naught and merely began to pack up their things. Many went upstairs, others were heralded out by a tired Aedre. Aylwen went to the door as well, wishing all who had visited a cheerful (but exhausted) good-night. When all but Eadman and his friends had left the Mead Hall, Aylwen gave a sigh of relief and smiled to Aedre.

"Aedre, you've done very well today. Rest, sleep well. I'll wake up to open tomorrow," Aylwen assured the girl, who smiled briefly before leaving the room. Then Aylwen went to Eadman and thanked him with an embrace. "Will you be staying with us?" Aylwen asked, and Eadman nodded, handing Aylwen coins enough to pay for rooms. Aylwen thanked him again and showed him the open rooms. When it seemed all was finally done, Aylwen took her leave as well...

The next morning dawned bright and chill, and Aylwen rose with the sun. She had a steaming drink on her desk as she waited for the first customers to wake on that fest-filled morning.

05-11-2004, 03:46 PM	#117
Aylwen Dreamsong The Melody of Misery Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Island of Conclusions (You get there by jumping!)... Posts: 1,156	...Exeunt... The night went on, full of songs and stories about the War. No physical brawls, though, and for that Aylwen was glad. She missed Talan, the sturdy young man who used to help if any such problems did occur. Strangers had become friends, and friends learned about each other. Still, the hour had grown late, children had grown grouchy, and adults grew equally weary. Aylwen decided that the night had gone on long enough, and a final song was due to float upon the air. “Patrons, friends, visitors!” Aylwen cried, catching the crowd’s attention. “One last song, and then it will be high time for everyone to march on home or up to their rooms and get some sweet rest. Especially Hearpwine, and any others participating in the faire and competitions tomorrow,” Aylwen smiled. “Yes, the night has been full and I think the time has come to wrap things up.” The Innkeeper went to Eadman and whispered something in his ear. When she’d finished, Eadman nodded with a low chuckle. He picked up the flute that belonged to one of his companions, and whispered something to his sister. When Eadman and Eadwen were ready and had a slow, sad tune flowing, Aylwen sung the final song herself. “Speed bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing, Onward, the sailors cry Carry the lad that's born to be king Over the sea to skye Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunder clouds rend the air; Baffled our foe's stand on the shore Follow they will not dare Speed bonnie boat.... Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep Ocean's a royal bed Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep Watch by your weary head Speed bonnie boat.... Many's the lad fought on that day Well the rapier could wield When the night came, silently lay Dead on Pelennor field Speed bonnie boat... Burned are our homes, exile and death Scatter the loyal men Yet, e'er the sword cool in the sheath, Charlie will come again. Speed bonnie boat...” When Aylwen finished the song, some clapped, others said naught and merely began to pack up their things. Many went upstairs, others were heralded out by a tired Aedre. Aylwen went to the door as well, wishing all who had visited a cheerful (but exhausted) good-night. When all but Eadman and his friends had left the Mead Hall, Aylwen gave a sigh of relief and smiled to Aedre. "Aedre, you've done very well today. Rest, sleep well. I'll wake up to open tomorrow," Aylwen assured the girl, who smiled briefly before leaving the room. Then Aylwen went to Eadman and thanked him with an embrace. "Will you be staying with us?" Aylwen asked, and Eadman nodded, handing Aylwen coins enough to pay for rooms. Aylwen thanked him again and showed him the open rooms. When it seemed all was finally done, Aylwen took her leave as well... The next morning dawned bright and chill, and Aylwen rose with the sun. She had a steaming drink on her desk as she waited for the first customers to wake on that fest-filled morning.