The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Kitanna]

"Farowik Stonewort, is that you?" Jean said as he rose from the table. Peony just sat where she was. She hoped Jean would sit back down so they could finish their conversation.

Once again she looked for Deva; she caught sight of him across the common room. He was having an ale, not much of a surprise to Peony. He saw her and waved merrily, but he made no motion to join her and Jean. Peony looked up to Jean, hoping he would sit back down.

[piosenniel]

Ruby and Buttercup

‘Hmmph!’ said Ruby, catching up with Buttercup. ‘I saw you wink at that cheeky Hobbit!’

Buttercup flounced her skirts as she pushed open the doors to the kitchen and gave Ruby a wicked smile. ‘And why shouldn’t I? You know you’re dying to do the same, Miss High-and-mighty!’ Ruby’s cheeks bore two spots of high color as she followed after her friend. Buttercup pulled her into the kitchen quickly, shutting the door firmly behind them. ‘Cheeky, he is,’ she said, laughing at the flummoxed Ruby. ‘I’ll give you that. And puffed up like a big bullfrog during spring courting at The Pool!’ She took Ruby by the hands and twirled the both of them about in a circle.

‘Admit it, though, he’s a fair one to look on. And fun to do a bit of flirting with. We don’t get many of those passing through here, now do we? The local lads are more interested in pipeweed and the bottoms of their flagons and well . . .’

‘And well . . . a lass needs a bit more excitement than that, doesn’t she?’ said Ruby, grinning broadly as she caught her friend’s drift. She opened the cupboard door and brought down a pretty little teapot with a bouquet of Shire flowers painted on it. ‘Here,’ she said, depositing the pot in Buttercup’s hands. ‘You bring the tea to Uien. And mind you she likes honey with it.’

Ruby pushed her curls behind her ears and smoothed her skirt. To the amusement of Buttercup she grabbed the bottle of vanilla and added a small dab of the sweet liquid to each of her wrists. She fetched several bowls on a tray along with a basket of cut bread and a crock of sweet butter. Utensils she piled in a mug, and last, filled a tureen with savory rabbit and taters stew. Calling for one of the other servers to follow her with a large pitcher of ale and more mugs she sailed out the door toward the adventurers’ table.

It was all Buttercup could do to keep up with her. She composed her face as best she could when she came to the table, though one eyebrow crept high on her forehead at her friend’s antics. Ruby was fussing about, seeing to everyone, ladling out generous portions of stew . . . and all the while smiling quite prettily at Falco.

[piosenniel]

~*~ Discussion Thread Opens Tomorrow - June 5th ~*~

Durelin invites you to look at the discussion thread for the new game:

~*~ Bloodstained Elanor ~*~

Click HERE to view it.

Come play!

Players already in the game are: Amanaduial the archer, Arvedui III, Aylwen Dreamsong, Fordim Hedgethistle, and, of course, Durelin.

[Sirithheruwen]

After a little pause, the hobbit lad stood up. "Thank you for your help, miss," he said. "Bingo Cotton, at your service." Twylight's face lit up at the hobbit's little bow. Rummaging in the pocket of her slightly worn cloak, she pulled out the parchment and her writing-rock. Smiling again at his curious look, she wrote,

It is very nice to meet you, Bingo. I'm sorry, but my throat...it hurts and I can't speak at the moment.

To her surprise, Bingo smiled warmly. She had expected some sort of strange look or a polite but hasty good-bye, but he just bowed again.

Oh, no need for such formality. Would you care to join me in the common room for a bit of dinner. That is, if you think Iadarian is all right...

The last bit she added as the hobbit glanced at Iadarian, still sleeping like a baby.

[Nurumaiel]

Bingo's eyes shone at the offer and he smiled widely at her. "I would love to join you for dinner, miss," he said. He looked towards Iadarion, a thoughtful look coming to his face. He trusted the herbs that Master Alwin had given him to work quite well, and even when Iadarion did wake up he would be merely confused. His drunkeness would have left him and he would cause no trouble.

"I think it is quite safe to leave Iadarion," he said, his voice decisive. He moved to the door and opened it, gesturing for her to go through. "After you, miss." She thanked him with a smile and they went to the Common Room.

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

Blanco had been watching the seven newcomers with deep curiosity, especially the hobbit he had heard called Falco Boffin, but now his eyes widened alarmingly and he stared not at Falco but at Ruby. "By all the green grass and flowers in my mother's garden, would you look at her, lads!" he said.

Marcho did and frowned in disapproval. "Don't tell me you've found another pretty lass, Blanco."

The hobbit looked quite indignant. "What do you mean, 'found another pretty lass?' I don't find pretty lasses, they just appear." He started suddenly, blushing crimson when he realized what Marcho meant. "Don't be absurd," he said. "Posco can tell you that I've never been in love and I don't make eyes at the lassies." He gestured towards Ruby. "I'm talking about the eyes she's making at him." He rolled his eyes in boyish disgust. "How coquettish!"

"Who taught you that word?" Posco demanded suspiciously, but Blanco merely flashed a smile at him and said, "I'm going over there to see if I can make friends with this Falco Boffin. Don't worry, Posco, you can stay right here where it's nice and safe. Oh, and excuse me, Mister Toby. Marcho will amuse you; don't worry." He sprang to his feet and walked in a direct line to Falco Boffin, stopping before him and thrusting out a hand while winking at the others about the table. "Hallo!" he cried in a loud voice. "My name is Blanco Brandybuck; at your service, sir."

[Arry]

From under his halo of fragrant smoke, Alwin kept one eye on the doings in the Inn. Jack’s attention was focused on the second helping of apple tart, he noted and much ado was being made about the group that had come in just recently. ‘Interesting lot,’ he thought to himself. ‘Odd mixture though. Elf, Men, and Hobbit.’ He chuckled a little to himself at a sudden thought. ‘Well, perhaps not so odd, after all,’ he thought bringing up stories he’d heard in Minas Tirith from the Great War. ‘All they need is a Dwarf of some sort.’ He sighed, moving himself into a more comfortable position on the seat of his chair.

Jack looked up asking if there were something he needed, but Alwin said no and thank-you for the offer. ‘These old bones are getting a bit stiff just sitting here.’ Jack set down his spoon, asking if he could fetch the old man’s packet of herbs. He’d seen him use a pinch of some powder at times to ease the pain from too long a day on the road.

‘No, no. You just finish your sweet. Don’t mind me! I just need to get up and walk about a bit.’ He stood up from the table, nodding toward the group who’d come in. ‘I’ll go see who these adventurers are. Come join me if you wish, when you’re done.’

Buttercup passed near, carrying a pitcher of ale for the adventurers’ table. They’d been joined by another Hobbit or two and the atmosphere about the group was merry. ‘Mistress Buttercup,’ the old man said, reaching out to touch her on the shoulder. ‘I should very much like to meet those fellows and hear their stories. If I may, let me walk with you. And if you would, please introduce me.’ The serving lass slowed her step to let Alwin fall in beside her.

[Sirithheruwen]

"I would love to join you for dinner, miss," Bingo said after a pause. While leaving the room, he held the door open for her. Twylight couldn't help but be pleased, and she hoped her smile told him so.

Out in the common room, a large group of people were gathered around the group of seven that had walked in the door right after Iadarion's drunken incident. Finding an empty table where they could see and hear most of what the group was saying, they both scanned the room for the serving maids. They both spotted them at the same time: one (the one who had helped Twylight arrange her room) was standing and talking with one of the hobbits of the group. The other was walking over with another hobbit to join the group with bowls of what looked like a nice thick soup. The aroma coming from the bowls was mouth-watering.

"Would you look at that!" Bingo said, rolling his eyes. Wondering what in the world he was on about, Twylight waited for him to continue. "Why am I not surprised that Blanco is over ther like a shot?" Twylight turned around to see a hobbit pulled up to his full height loudly say, "Hallo! my name is Blanco Brandybuck; at your service, sir." Turning back from the table to face Twylight, he shook his head. "Always ready to be the center of attention. His twin, Posco, thinks he is overly social. Ah, well."

Posco...Blanco...are these people traveling with you? Are you all related? What brings you to the Green Dragon?

He laughed. "I don't suppose you'll be satified until I tell you my story, eh?" Twylight blushed. "All right then. I will tell you, though I don't suppose Marcho will approve... "