The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[piosenniel]

The dishes were done; the flour and bowls were on the table, awaiting the early morning task of daily breadmaking. The staff had all been sent to bed. Tomorrow would be the start of two days of final preparations for the handfasting. The last of the baking would need to be done; the Inn decorated; the lantern lights strung in the trees about the Inn’s front yard.

Cook set out the baskets for the lasses to gather eggs from the hens in the morning, banked the little hearth fire, and placed a tea pot in waiting near it for her early morning cuppa. Last thing on her list was fresh water for the cat . . . no, she reminded herself . . . cats, now. The old grey tabby had settled into her nest of old blankets near the fire. But the other one, the new one, was still out and about on whatever rounds he’d thought up for himself. She left one of the small windows near the back door open a crack in case he chose to come in.

One last look about the kitchen, then her tired old feet slap-slapped across the clean wood floor and into her room.

[Primrose Bolger]

Ginger peeked in the window of the kitchen door. The room, or what she could see of it was dark, save for the banked glow from the fireplace, and the one small lamp Cook left lit on the drain board by the stone sink. It threw out a soft glow, guiding any thirsty person to the pitcher of water she left out near the stack of mugs. ‘Cook’s in bed already, she whispered to Ferdy, who’d seen her back safely to Inn. ‘Best I’d be getting in myself. There’s so much to finish before the party.’ She barely stifled a yawn, hiding it as she could behind her hand. ‘And besides, I’m quite tired really. That walk has just about done me in.’ She threw a quick smile at Ferdy. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow, won’t I?’

She touched his arm lightly as she asked the question, wishing quite hard that he would say ‘yes’. He smiled back at her, a quite foolish grin, really, and said nothing. Just bent toward her straight away and planted a hasty kiss on her cheek. He stepped back then, giving her a little wave and strolled off with a light step. Ginger returned the wave, then closed and locked the kitchen door securely. She leaned back for a moment against the door, hugging her cloak tight about her. Shivering, but not from the cold night air.

The old tabby raised a sleepy eye at her, and mewed in an inquiring manner. ‘Just fine – no need to worry,’ Ginger whispered with a giggle; then, collecting herself she took off her cloak and hung it on one of the pegs by the door. With a light step herself, she made her way up the dark stairs to her little room. And it was not long before she found herself settling her head comfortably onto her pillow and falling deeply into pleasant dreams.

[piosenniel]

~*~ NOTICE OF TIME CHANGE IN THE SHIRE ~*~

It is now the next day; very early morning.

The pervasive smell of berried muffins is winding through the Inn. As well as the sounds of bacon popping on their racks over the fire, and the sizzle of scrambled eggs cooking in the great iron skillets on the stove.

Pots of hot tea are being made; bread has been set to toasting.

The clouds of yesterday have cleared away, and the sun is shining brightly as it rises.

[Envinyatar]

Morning came too soon for Derufin. Late into the night, he and Zimzi had talked, enjoying the small talk of close friends. There was an easiness between them, unhindered by their time apart. But night was gone now, and they parted, each to see to their own tasks. ‘Just two days,’ she had told him. ‘And my family will be here to celebrate with us.’ He had leaned in for a little kiss, but she pushed him back with a raised brow. ‘None of that, now! We promised Miz Amaranthas there would be no jiggery-pokery, as she put it.’ He’d made a forlorn face at her, barely concealing a smile as he did so. But she would not be turned from her promise.

With a sigh, and a glance at the quickly setting moon, Derufin took his leave. He stood and offered his hand to her, pulling her to her feet, and close to him. She shook her head and sent him on his way, saying wasn’t there a house to be finishing up for them? And surely he didn’t expect her to live in his dusty quarters in the Inn’s stable, did he? Gently put in his place by her reminders, he watched her as she walked the short way to the old Hobbit’s house. She turned once and waved to him before she went in. With another sigh he mounted his horse and rode back to the Inn.

And now here he was, back at the Inn, yawning over his cup of tea, his head lolling at times over his plate of eggs and toast.

[Nimrodel_9]

Keleth rose early, and went outside for a stroll around the Inn, and then went back inside for breakfast.

He took a seat at a table. He listened to the sounds of breakfast being made in the kitchen. He turned his head to look over his shoulder. A man, Derufin, he had been called sat at a table near his. He thought about going over to sit with him, and then shook his head. He looked tired, and as if he didn`t want to be bothered. Keleth turned back around and stared at the table.

[Noinkling]

The tired Hobbit had slept late. Not meaning to, really, but the bed had been so comfortable and the heavy curtains drawn over the small window in the room had kept the sunlight out. Tolly woke with a start. He’d slept so heavily that he was not quite sure where he was. He hopped out of bed, and poured a little water from the pitcher into the washing bowl. A few splashes of the cool liquid against his face and he recalled that he had traveled to Bywater on business and had spent the night at the Inn.

His stomach growled as he dressed hurriedly and ran his fingers through his hair. He could smell the scent of freshly toasted bread and eggs fried in butter. With eager anticipation of a fortifying breakfast, he ran down the stairs and headed through the door to the Common Room.

It was already getting full, he could see as he looked around. But there, to his left was one of the Big Folk, sitting by himself. Tolly walked up to him and put his hand on the chair opposite the man. Keleth, it was, the fellow said, when Tolly introduced himself.

‘Mind if I join you for breakfast?’ Tolly asked.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Strolling slowly into the inn, Fáinu peered around looking fir Cree. Her horse was still outside, he assumed she was still resting. He had expected to see her here in the inn, and complaining about having to wait for him. He ordered a light drink from the bar and sat at the fireside. He thought back to when he had first entered the inn. There he had met Adu, what a turning point that had proved, if she had not kept him there, he would not have seen Cree.

What was he to do? He had a horrible feeling that he would be leading Cree to her death if she came with him. However she had promised to stay by him, not fearing anything, not even death. All choices seemed ill fated. Was he to leave her behind, to die alone some time after ages had passed, curing his name till the end of days? Or to take her to meet death in a horrific and bone chilling way. Either way, he felt his own death would be immanent also, and not less horrendous.