The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[piosenniel]

THE SCENE IN THE GREEN DRAGON INN'S FRONT YARD AT PRESENT . . .

It's a warm, sunny day in the Shire – late-afternoon.

All have gathered outdoors where the party is taking place.

The tables are groaning with the plenitude of food brought out to stave off hunger . . . most of the local Hobbit families have arrived, and all of them have brought a special dish or two to share at the party. The staff from the Inn has already brought out great platters of meats and cheeses and baskets of bread for sandwiches along with mustards of all sorts and pickles. Mushroom pasties, jam tarts, and cookies of all sorts.

The big cake that Cook has made for Derufin and Zimzi is now on the dessert table. It's four layers high, frosted in white, light frosting, with candied violets of all colors all over it. There is a line-up as guests come for a slice of it.

A number of the kegs have been tapped and tried, much to the satisfaction the thirsty crowds. For those who don't care for ale at the moment, there are pitchers of cold cider, tea, wine of all sorts, and of course, sweet, cold well water.

The three local grannies - Granny Chubb, Granny Oldbuck, and Granny Heathertoes have made their special punch – only for the women at the party. They are fending off, with their stout wooden stirring paddles, those bold lads who try to slip in and steal a taste.

Mayor Samwise and his wife, Rose, and a number of their brood (up to baby Daisy) are at the party. Ginger has most of the young ones in tow while Same conducts the handfasting ceremony. Rose is seated with a group of ladies and is delighted to have only the baby to look after.

Gil and his friends, Tomlin, Fallon, and Ferrin are playing and singing on the raised stage near the front of the Inn. They are intermittently joined by Falco Headstrong, Rasputina, Caity, Seamus, and Owen.

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The handfasting ceremony is now done.

Derufin and Zimzi are a proper couple.

They are at the mathom table at present, looking over the gifts they’ve been given. The band is playing and any number of couples are dancing. Later, when it's dark, the little lights in the branches of the trees will be lit and there will be fireworks.

And there is food and drink, of course, flowing in abundance from the good folk of the Shire . . .

[Witch_Queen]

Avalon
"Nelek? Nelek was my grandfather. Well atleast thats what my mother said. I have heard of Rark, my father told me stories about him. They were once friends. Both of them traveled together. To me Rark was the uncle I never knew." Avalon looked down at the dwarf. She couldn't believe that Dwaline had known her grandfather. She had rarely ever talked about her parents after all both of them had been black as the night sky. "My parents didn't want me to be white. They figured that if I was the way I am then perhaps some of my grandfather is actually in me. Perhaps I am suppose to meet you."

Avalon went on to talk about how she had met one human that treated her with respect. Cree had been the only one that listened to her when she needed someone. It was Cree that showed Avalon that not all humans are mean and cruel. "Cree was the only elf that ever showed me that I was not different. But she left me. I needed her and she needed me even more. Now she's gone and I am once again left to wander this world alone."

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Dwaline looked up at Avalon is slight astonishment; he did not expect to meet a relative of Nelek. Or even more so, a relative of Rark.

"This would make you Rarks great grand daughter," he said, "Now this is an odd occurrence. Tell me, where did 'Cree' go? Perhaps I can find her and bring news to you. I may be old, even by the count of my people, but I have a reputation for news gathering."

He went on to tell her of his adventures as a young dwarf, how he and Rark would find out secrets and how he had had a way with words to get news from even the most suborn and tight-lipped dwarf masters. Avalon listened to the tales with a reassurance about this strange old Dwarf.

"And so," he concluded, "I met an odd Elf at the lonely mountain. We became friends and used each other’s services. He told me of his wishes for revenge on a Dragon who is thankfully now dead. However, Not many days ago now, I met with him and told him tidings of a most unsavoury nature. Of a Fire breathing terror in the northern mountains. I have come here to find him and tell him of the lords of Rivendel and their orders."

He looked up at Avalon, expecting her to have fallen asleep with his tale telling, but she had not. She stood perched on the fence next to him and peered into his eyes. A few reckless Hobbits who had enjoyed the party a little too much laughed at Dwaline for talking to a bird, he smiled and bowed to them as they stumbled around in search of more ale.

[piosenniel]

Ruby spies Shaeowyn . . .

Ruby spied the bedraggled looking woman as she made her way to one of the tables. ‘Land’s sake!’ she murmured to herself. ‘Poor thing looks like she could use a bit of drink and a bit of food.’ She fixed a small plate of savories and bread, meat, and good Shire ham, placed it on her serving tray, then fetched a cup of cider.

‘Sorry,’ she said as she placed the plate in front of the woman. ‘I didn’t hear that you wanted water.’ Ruby pushed the cider in front of the woman. ‘Ruby’s my name. Work here at the Dragon,’ she said by way of explanation. ‘Drink this. It’ll fortify you til I can bring back a cup of water. And go ahead and eat. There’s more on the tables over there.’ She waved away the woman’s offer to pay. ‘Party, you know,’ said Ruby, nodding her head. ‘Handfasting. No one pays when there’s a party!’

Ruby turned to fetch the woman a glass of water and noticed the embroidery on the boots. ‘Shaeowyn . . . pretty name,’ she said. ‘Is it yours, Miz?’

[Encaitare]

The episode with Snaveling, the little girl, and the cake had attracted much attention and laughter from the guests, and a look towards the towering cake made Caity realize how very hungry she was. Gently setting her whistle down on the stage where it wasn't likely to get stepped upon, she descended the stairs and made her way over to the table. It took several minutes for her to manage to get to the table, but soon a plate with thick slice of cake on it was passed to her.

There were several empty tables, but she was perfectly content to sit on the grass, so she found a nice lush spot and plopped down contentedly with her cake. She lifted a forkful to her mouth and tasted the cake. It was absolutely delicious.

I must remember to present my compliments to the cook, she thought. Everything is going so well today.

The band played on as she ate, and the lively tune they played made her wiggle her big toe in time. When she was finished, she bounded up, barely remembering to take the empty plate with her. She put it on a table which was full of used dishes. Yet the rich cake had left her throat feeling somewhat dry.

Nearby, the three old grannies were still tending their vat of punch, stirring it every so often between handing out cups to the ladies. Caity decided she wouldn't mind a taste. She politely asked one of the gammers for some, and the elderly hobbit gave her a knowing wink as she handed her a cup. It was a curious-looking drink, golden and yet ruby red at the same time. Glad for something to moisten her dry throat, Caity took a sip and found it to her liking. Soon the cup was empty.

The band struck up another fast song, quite fit for dancing. The guests were coupling off in front of the stage. Caity suddenly felt like dancing, too. Her foot was tapping to the music, and had she turned around, she would have seen the three grannies chuckling to themselves. She looked about the crowd of people, wondering if maybe there was a nice hobbit lad about her age who she might dance with.

The woman looked at Ruby with a faint smile. "Yes, it is customary to have one's name displayed thusly upon demonstrating a certain level of horsemanship - where I come from. Thank you for noticing!" As Ruby turned to go Shaeowyn called after her, "and the comfort of food and drink is much appreciated."

The lines around her eyes and mouth seemed to soften as she began to observe the happy bustling of life within the Inn. Her thoughts strayed to happier times long past, and she felt herself relaxing in the party atmosphere. After a bit she stretched and moved in the direction of the food Ruby had pointed out. Even her limp seemed improved.

[Envinyatar]

The gifts from Rasputina . . .

‘Do sit down with us, if you will,’ said Derufin, rising from his seat as the Elf stood at the table, gifts in hand. One of the servers brought them a small flagon of chilled Dorwinion wine at his request and a plate of mushroom tarts.

‘Oh, look at these,’ Zimzi said with delight, turning the brooches over in her hands. ‘My mother has woven us new cloaks.’ She grinned, ‘Ah, she will roast me over the coals for telling you that; it was to be a surprise.’ She held one of the tree and wave pins up near her left shoulder. ‘See how pretty that will be . . . and handsome for you, of course, my dear . . . when they are clasped on the dark blue cloaks she has made us.’

Derufin admired the brooches, they were simple, yet elegant in their artistry. But more so was he interested in the compasses she had given them. They were of a unique sort, one he’d not encountered before on his travels. ‘A wondrous gift,’ he exclaimed, trying his out. He leaned down from his seat and placed it on the ground. Thinking of Bree, he spelt it out, using the orb’s dial and watched as the compass spun a little before orienting in an eastward direction. ‘Excellent!’ he murmured, picking the orb up and placing it handily in one of his vest pockets.

Zimzi turned hers over in her hand as she wondered aloud. ‘Will the power to use it die with us,’ she asked the Elf. ‘Is there any way our children could use it after us?’ She put the ball on the table top in front of her and rolled it slowly back and forth beneath her index finger. ‘You said that the gifts were as much from your people as from you.’ She tapped the wave form on the brooch. ‘Are you and they from somewhere near the sea, then?’

Derufin poured the Elf another small glass of wine. ‘Yes, where do your people live, Rasputina? Have you traveled far?’