In the Shadow of the Star: Part 1 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Child of the 7th Age · 03-17-2003, 02:33 PM

It was mid-day by the time Bilbo came tapping on the door of Bag-end, leaving his cart round the side. He had promised Sam to help with preparations for the dinner, and had managed to get Bingo Chubb to go into the woods with his bow and arrow and secure a fine haunch of venison for them. In the back of his cart, in addition to the roast, there was also a barrel of ale he'd begged from Prim by using some of that famous Baggins charm.

"Where's Frodo?" Sam inquired.

"Probably off tramping somewhere in the fields. I left a note on our door, so perhaps he'll join us later."

"Any word on our guests?" countered Bilbo.

"Ah, yes. The overnight post brought news that Merry and Pippin will be joining us tomorrow evening. In fact, I'm hoping they get in earlier in the day. A bit of fishing or a tramp in the woods before dinner wouldn't hurt any of us. What have you heard?"

"Frodo and I will certainly be here. But I don't think Maura can make it. He and Cami have been wanting to go off someplace in private ever since he arrived. Everytime they try, something happens."

"Maura's family finally came through, but we're still waiting for Cami's daughter Rose Goodchild. But Lorien swears he's seen her in the Shire, and that she'll be here shortly. Hopefully, by tomorrow. If that's so, she and Maura have something planned for that evening and the next morning. And, goodness knows, they have little enough time to share, so I'm not going to press them."

Bilbo set aside his cane and began rolling up his sleeves, looking over in Sam's direction. "Alright, enough talk, where's that work that needs doing?"

Sam took him inside the kitchen and pointed to a heaping bushel of taters that needed peeling, and several buckets of mushrooms to be cleaned and cut.

"Goodness, gracious! So much?"

Sam grinned back. "Well, Mister Bilbo, my appetite hasn't gotten any less over the years, I'm afraid. Don't you remember how much we used to put away?"

"Let's just hope my nephew keeps his head on his shoulders and manages to get over here to help us."

[ March 17, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

03-17-2003, 02:33 PM	#11
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	It was mid-day by the time Bilbo came tapping on the door of Bag-end, leaving his cart round the side. He had promised Sam to help with preparations for the dinner, and had managed to get Bingo Chubb to go into the woods with his bow and arrow and secure a fine haunch of venison for them. In the back of his cart, in addition to the roast, there was also a barrel of ale he'd begged from Prim by using some of that famous Baggins charm. "Where's Frodo?" Sam inquired. "Probably off tramping somewhere in the fields. I left a note on our door, so perhaps he'll join us later." "Any word on our guests?" countered Bilbo. "Ah, yes. The overnight post brought news that Merry and Pippin will be joining us tomorrow evening. In fact, I'm hoping they get in earlier in the day. A bit of fishing or a tramp in the woods before dinner wouldn't hurt any of us. What have you heard?" "Frodo and I will certainly be here. But I don't think Maura can make it. He and Cami have been wanting to go off someplace in private ever since he arrived. Everytime they try, something happens." "Maura's family finally came through, but we're still waiting for Cami's daughter Rose Goodchild. But Lorien swears he's seen her in the Shire, and that she'll be here shortly. Hopefully, by tomorrow. If that's so, she and Maura have something planned for that evening and the next morning. And, goodness knows, they have little enough time to share, so I'm not going to press them." Bilbo set aside his cane and began rolling up his sleeves, looking over in Sam's direction. "Alright, enough talk, where's that work that needs doing?" Sam took him inside the kitchen and pointed to a heaping bushel of taters that needed peeling, and several buckets of mushrooms to be cleaned and cut. "Goodness, gracious! So much?" Sam grinned back. "Well, Mister Bilbo, my appetite hasn't gotten any less over the years, I'm afraid. Don't you remember how much we used to put away?" "Let's just hope my nephew keeps his head on his shoulders and manages to get over here to help us." [ March 17, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.