The Green Dragon

[piosenniel]

Pio handed the skillet and an apron to Nuru, pointing as she did so to the large basket of eggs still remaining. 'Better luck with those than I had!' she said ruefully. 'Three large platters ought to do it for now.' She handed her another large skillet and a long string of sausages. 'And while you're at it, better get these going. Hobbits will be asking for them.'

Pio took out five large loaves of bread she had done in the wee hours of the day, and plied her knife on them like a field surgeon among the injured troops - quick and efficient but a little irregular about the edges.

She strode to the door of the kitchen, and sent out another call. 'If you will be wanting any toast this morning, some of you better get in here and ply the toasting forks!'

Sluicing the crumbs from her hands under a thin stream of cold water in the sink, she moved on to her next victims - the cheeses . . .