The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Firefoot]

Lily wanted to sit down and cry right there. She had been sure that Posco had loved her too, and so she had offered her heart to him, and he had broken it. For if he did love her, why hadn’t he said so? Her lower lip trembled, and she blinked rapidly to get rid of the tears welling up in her eyes. Why, Posco, why? How could you do this to me? her mind cried out. She was confused, terribly confused. All his actions and words to her contradicted this new message. Be bold, Marcho’s letter had said. Be patient. The words came unbidden to her, and for a moment she had hope. Could it be that she still had a chance? She did not think so. And how to recover from so great an admission? She fumbled about for something to say. She found nothing, and so she turned again and began to walk. Posco fell into step beside her.

I am sure Blanco will be thrilled, she thought bitterly. Then she realized how negative she was being. ‘There is nothing that hard work and determination can’t get you,’ her father used to say. Was it true? she wondered. She was heart-broken and hopeless, but she had to try. But where to start...

“It’s a lovely night,” noticed Lily wistfully. She was thankful for the dim light, for it hid her wince. Where had that come from? That was really profound, she thought sarcastically. How do you expect to win his heart like that?

[Nurumaiel]

'Why, yes, Lily, it is a lovely night,' said Posco, and he fidgeted restlessly. He had an idea that he had said something wrong, and that Lily was upset, but he did not know why. He always heard his father talking about how girls grew sentimental when it came to confessing love, but somehow he could not imagine this plague falling upon Lily. She walked a little away from him now, her little hand no longer on her arm, and her sweet eyes no longer looking up at him. His heart sank within him. Why was it that, after just confessing to love him, she turned coldly away from him like this? Perhaps she had just said it because she had been inspired by the dusky twilight that had descended upon them. That would be a shame, indeed! Maybe she was cold towards him now because she wished to make clear without words that she had not really meant what she said. He began to feel despairing, but he did not want his sorrow to overwhelm his courtesy, so he moved a little away from her so as not to impose himself upon her.

They were going towards the Inn, and Posco realized that he had not eaten yet. Then again, he realized that he could not eat even if he were hungry. His heart and mind were in turmoil. The only thing he could possibly desire was a mug of ale. Lily was standing in the doorway, and the light from within fell upon her and him, and he gazed up at her with adoration which he attempted to hide. Touching his forelock politely, he said, 'I bid you good evening for the present moment, Lily. I'm going to go search for my brother. I hope I shall see you when I return.' For a moment he suspected that he saw tears flash in her eyes, but with the light behind her it was impossible to tell, and all he was certain of was that she had turned and gone within, closing the door behind her.

Posco slowly turned away and made his way to the stable, too upset for musings. Thoroughly convinced that Lily did not really love him, for she had behaved so distantly towards him after her confession, he could do nothing but dwell sorrowfully upon this. Poor, silly lad! He did not understand in the least the heart of Lily, which was like the heart of any other lass in the world. When a girl steps out of comfort and goes so far as to tell a lad she loves him, when by all rights he should be the first to say it, she does not expect her statement to be answered in a way that is not likewise, and if the answer is not a similiar statement she cannot fall back to her usual cheery self. Posco knew nothing of this, but merely felt certain that Lily did not really love him.

Posco crossed the stable floor and stood before Blanco, who still sat silent and miserable. 'Blanco,' said Posco, 'I am very unhappy. Lily told me that she loves me and I think she's changed her mind now.' Blanco had resolved not to look at his brother, but at these words he looked up in utter amazement, and managed to stammer, 'She's changed her mind? Impossible!'

'Well, after she said it she started acting very odd,' said Posco. 'She wasn't happy and cheerful like she usually is, but she was polite... too polite, that is, for she's always been courteous. And she walked farther away from me then she used to, and she didn't say very much.'

'Why, what did you say to her?'

'Nothing, except that I agreed that it was a lovely night.'

'No, no, I do mean,' said Blanco earnestly, 'what did you say to her when she told you she loved you?' And he stood up, gazing anxiously at his brother.

'Well, I told her it was a very nice thing,' said Posco, 'and I wanted more than anything to say I felt the same towards her, but I couldn't when I'd known her only a day.'

'So you just said it was nice?' said Blanco, and his voice was strained. Posco nodded, and Blanco promptly struck out at him and hit him in the jaw. Posco sat down very quickly, and blinked up at his brother. He touched his jaw uncertainly, and then he said, 'Blanco, you've never done anything like that to me in your life, at least not since we were very small.'

'No, I didn't,' said Blanco, sitting down sorrowfully in front of his brother. 'And, Posco, I tell you I'm sorry now, but I couldn't help it. I'm so miserable at myself and so angry with you.'

'But whyever are you angry at me?'

'Because you've probably hurt Lily's dear little heart.'

'Oh,' said Posco, and nothing more. He could not understand it. Surely Blanco was wrong, for he had said nothing unkind to Lily. Vaguely he realized what sort of answer she was expecting, but he set his jaw (though it did cause him a little bit of pain, considering the blow that had just been dealt to it) and shook his head. He should not answer correctly, at least not yet. He would explain to her if he must, but he could not make any promises until he was certain he loved her. Absolutely certain.

[starkat]

Gwenneth had finished her dinner. Being alone, she had time to think. Her travels so far had been interesting. The rangers, elves, and hobbits that she had met had told interesting tales of their homes and of their travels.

The young elf maid got up from her table and headed outside. She decided to wander around the Inn grounds for awhile. After a few minutes, Gwenneth took a seat under a tree and looked up at the night sky.

I wonder what my family is doing. Right now everyone must be gathered around for storytelling or singing. Her thoughts flew to the note she had recieved not long after reaching the Green Dragon and the meeting with one of her brothers. Father wants me to come home and cut my journey short. I am not ready. My journey through these lands has just begun.

A tear slid down the elf's cheek. Her love for her family was real, but she was young for an elf and wanted to travel more before she left Middle Earth. Voices drew her attention and she watched as two hobbits went there seperate ways after a walk.

Gwenneth returned her gaze to the night sky and sighed. The conversations that she had taken part in today had kept her from missing her family and from thinking about her conversation with her brother. Her thoughts turned to her time in the Shire and she smiled to herself.

Relaxing a little, the young elf decided to stay where she was for a little while. The sounds of the Inn could be heard as well as the sounds from the stables. Gwenneth reached her hand up to the jewel she wore around her neck and she leaned back against the tree.

[Firefoot]

When Lily entered the Inn by herself, she did not feel like joining the jovial crowd in the common room. She could see that Marcho and Bingo saw her enter because they had tried to wave her over, but she pretended not to see them and hurried up the stairs on the other side of the room. The tantalizing smells of food followed her up, but she cared not for food right then. In fact, she felt sick. Posco had gone after Blanco, which was understandable, but all he had said was "I hope I will see you when I return." What was that supposed to mean? She wished she could sleep, but she was much too restless and despite the busy day she did not feel tired. For the first time since that morning, she looked down at herself. Her dress was splattered with mud, and there was a small tear in the hem. Her hair was tangled, and the wreath of flowers Posco had given her... it was gone! Panicked, she looked around the room as if it might have fallen off there. It must have fallen off when she climbed into that tree, she realized. It was like the last brick that broke the cart, and Lily fell down onto the floor right there and sobbed. Not loudly that anyone downstairs or in adjacent rooms could hear, but the soft, heart-wrenching tears of someone who is utterly hopeless.

When no more tears would come, she chanced to look up and saw Marcho's letter lying on her little dresser. She felt the inclination to burn it, or at least rip it to tiny shreads. Something stopped her, however, and she put the letter into her bag where she would not lose it. Suddenly she laughed. If things really were as bad as they could get, they could only get better. She did not know how they could, but certainly they would not get better while she sat up here. It strengthened her resolve, and the first step would be getting herself cleaned up. She changed her dress; it would have to be washed and mended later. She brushed out her hair as well, and washed her face with the water in the basin. She now felt much better, and returned downstairs into the Common Room.

She spotted Peony and Hal sitting together in at a corner table first, and Lily felt a wave of jealousy that she quickly subdued. She did not want to interrupt them, as they seemed very comfortable in each others' company. She saw Blanco and Marcho sitting together at the same old table by the fire, and since they were the only others that she recognized, she walked over there.

"Is everything all right?" asked Bingo. "Where are Blanco and Posco?"

"You mean they haven't come back yet?" asked Lily. "We got separated from Hal and Peony, and Blanco insisted on looking for them. We split up, and when Posco and I got back here we saw no sign of Blanco so Posco went to find him. They should be back shortly." She had purposely dodged his first question, and Marcho seemed to sense this by the look he gave her, but he passed over it in silence. She was not terribly keen on spilling her troubles out to them, and half-wished that she had one of her good hobbit-lass friends from Bree here to talk to, or perhaps her aunt. She felt slightly homesick, but that was a futile wish. Besides, if she went back to Bree she might never see Posco again. There was little more conversation between them, and they settled in to wait for the twins to return.

[Witch_Queen]

Count was glad to be out of the stables and in fresh air. "Steady Count." Adu said as she stroke his mane. Adu was in a better mood though the day was to her just beginning. She turned as she heard someone say that supper was being served. She still didn't feel like going back inside. The air felt good to her and nothing else mattered. Fáinu was right beside her and Adu knew that perhaps everything would be ok. "Fáinu what do you know of fate. After what you have said it seems like fate has turned her back on you." She couldn't keep her mouth shut. Though she meant for it to sound serious she knew instead it sounded cold like her heart.

Adu kept on riding until she noticed that she was alone. She turned Count around. "Fáinu, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it the way it sounded. Its just... Oh never mind. I'm going to say something that I will regret. Just know that I'm sorry about that." Adu felt bad now and she knew that unless Fáinu let her know that everything was ok that she would hate herself for the rest of her life. Adu dismounted from her horse and walked over to him. Her grey eyes reflected his face and her soul. Count walked behind Adu even though she didn't have her hands on the reigns. Adu swore she over heard Fáinu say, "Adu, your eyes are the window to your soul. I understand what you mean." Instead Adu realized that deep down inside it was herself telling her that.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

"Fáinu, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it the way it sounded. Its just... Oh never mind. I'm going to say something that I will regret. Just know that I'm sorry about that."

Fáinu leaped up upon his horse and looked at her.

"There is nothing to forgive." he said with a smile, "I only tell you what it is I feel I can see in you, I may be wrong, but then I may be rite, who can tell?"

He moved his horse, (Grey mane) forward and nodded as if to ask her to follow. They had not gone far when Fáinu thought he saw a fire in the corner of his eye. Sharply he turned his head and saw that a farmer was making a bonfire. Adu saw that Fáinu had his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Fáinu’s face was pale and Adu thought he had seen something that had haunted him. soon he turned and smiled at Adu, then drew his sword. It was long and pale; the blade glittered in the little light that was about. There were runes on the blade, but the light was dim and Adu could not see them clearly. one set of runes went from the middle near the hilt upwards, another set was just above it in a curved shape.

"This, " Said Fáinu, "is Anganárí, the iron flame. I found it in the lonely mountain. When I heard that Smaug was dead, I went there and met Dwaline. While walking through the halls I saw this sword, broken into five peaces and a part of the hilt was missing.

'Why has this sword not been fixed?' I asked,
'It is an elvish sword' replied the Dwarf, 'your smything of swords is different to ours, it is difficult for us to re-forge any elvish sword. You are welcome to it.'

I picked it up and saw that the runes going upwards read; 'Falokrist' that is 'Dragon cleaver'. I thought that it was fate telling me that this sword had come to me to live up to its name."

He paused and re-sheathed the sword. Adu then saw that the hilt was silver and had yet more runes and a picture of a flame in the centre. The grip was purple and at the end was a green gem.

"I took it back to Rivendell and asked the smiths to fix it." he continued "They did so, and the scalars told me that it was probably made in the second age, and used to slay Dragons in the far north before the Dwarves were driven out. However, they did not think the name was fitting any more and so named it a new, Anganárí, and this name is in an ark shape above the original name." he paused and looked over at Adu, who looked slightly confused, "I know it dose not seem to have much to do with anything, but I feel that one day, perhaps, Anganárí will re claim its name of old. I always felt it was fate that lead me to find it... then again, perhaps I am wrong."

They stood in silence for a while. Fáinu left his sword alone and seemed to smile as stood there, no direction in which to ride did he have in mind, in fact, he did not know if he wanted to leave and return to Imladris as he had been bidden. He did not know what to do... as usual.

[Lalwendë]

Jinniver had joined the noisy supper table occupied by Andwise, Derufin and the hobbit lads; two of the hobbits sat on either side of her and spent most of the meal trying to make her laugh. Now they were holding a smoke ring blowing contest and mocking each other with ever more ridiculous insults. Jinniver had spent suppertime with a smile on her face because of their antics and now she couldn’t help but start giggling. The two hobbits cheered when they saw they had succeeded in amusing her and bowed their heads in mock honour. “Miss Cornthrift, your smile is as beautiful as sunrise after a rainy night” said one and the other topped it by saying “And your laughter is like the sound of birds at dawn”. Jinniver laughed even more and toasted the hobbits as they all drained their tankards.

She looked around to see if anyone was coming by to refill drinks. She didn’t want to go to the bar herself as she had taken a little more drink than she knew was good for her, and she recalled her clumsy episodes of the previous evening all too well. This was strong ale, and it had got the better of many men who had drunk less than she had. But she did want at least one more drink, as she was loathe to leave such good company.

Aman soon passed by the table bearing a large pitcher of ale, and she refilled her tankard. Jinniver thanked her kindly and Aman nodded gracefully. Jinniver was immediately struck that there was something out of place about her. ‘Her smile seems forced, and though she looks jovial enough, her eyes say that she is unsettled.’ Jinniver watched the innkeeper move through the smoky, raucous room. She recognised distress when she saw it.

She noticed Aman seemed to falter as she passed by a richly dressed, intimidating looking man; his bearing was proud, and she felt almost too humble to look at him, but the ale had conquered her normal reserved self enough to allow her to take him in. Then out of the corner of her eye she saw Derufin giving the innkeeper a meaningful glance. ‘Well, there’s an interesting tale in that’ thought Jinniver to herself. Taking up the offer of a pinch of tobacco for her pipe, she chatted to the hobbits next to her while she watched to see what would unfold between these three. She hoped that she was not staring, and each time she took a drink, she peered curiously over the top of her tankard.

[Hama Of The Riddermark]

Adu looked to the left, down the path leading to the Dragon. She had heard hoof beats coming up the path and her heart skipped a beat. The sillhouetted outline of a man loomed into view, he wore Rohan armour, with a ornately decorated helm. As the lantern light from the windows shone onto his face it revealed a weary expression, just as four more shadows came into view, they too were clad in Rohan armour. Adu looked at the closest, she saw the cloak flap in the wind, she saw the legend on it. It was of an eagle rampant inside the circle of a garter, the crest of the Haukrson family, Hama's family!

She saw his face as he removed his helm slowly, the general's plume flapped in the breeze and she saw Hama's rugged features in the darkness. Adu choked back a sob of happiness as she ran to him. He dismounted and stood, receiving her as she came, and embracing her with equal gusto as she embraced him.

His four guards dismounted and led their horses and Hama's to the stables. Hama led Adu inside with one arm around her neck. As he entered the Green Dragon he was greeted by a gasp. Many people knew the heraldry he bore was the mark of a general of Rohan, and the hobbits, who knew little of such things, simply becase of his imposing build and stern face. He sat down and called for the barmaid. When she came, she meekly took his order for two pints of ale, roast lamb, potatoes, carrots and peas, with Apple-Brown-Betty for pudding. Hama's ale came soon, and as Adu looked at him with admiration he drank it with the air of a man who has not adequately drunk for days. He finished it in under a minute and called for another one.

Fainu entered and sat down next to Adu, he looked at Hama with a slight frown that quickly disappeared as Hama returned the frown with one of his own, and narrowed his eyes. Adu, sensing the conflict quickly said, "Hama, I went searching for you, you were not at Rivendell on your return." Hama grimaced and said quickly, "I did not come via Rivendell. The remnant of Dorian's loyalists is exactly as I feared. They are maniacally loyal to the dead man. I knew they would be waiting at Rivendell, so I did not come back that way...I'm surprised ou did not see them there." Adu cast her thoughts back, yes, if she rememreed rightly there had been riders there bearing Dorin's crest and asking about Hama...

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Fáinu sat there and looked at Hama, as if inspecting him. He was slightly suspicious of him, but he smiled and fained appreciation. He sat silently while Adu and Hama talked, but he noticed that as the converse continued, he felt forgotten. Slowly he went to the bar and bought a drink, he only drunk half of it and then stood there thinking. he was debating in his mind what he should do.

Perhaps now I should leave. Adu is happy, and I have done my deity.
Is that all it was? Deity?
No, I don't suppose it was. For I may have known her, but a little while, I feel she is a dear friend.
What of this Hama? Dost thou not trust him?
I know not. From what she hath said, he seems an honourable man.
That may be yet to be seen.
Then should I leave, or stay?
Stay a while, if it seems though art not wanted, or needed, then thou mustst depart.
I suppose so.

Fáinu looked sadly over at the table; Adu was smiling happily as she spoke with Hama. This gave him a feeling of rejection, he had felt this before, and hated his brothers all the more as the memories came flooding back... he did not know why, but he found that his good hand was resting on his sword hilt, while his other was clenched, though it hurt him.