The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Child of the 7th Age]

Hawthorne had finished ironing all the table linens and had now slipped out to go to her room. As she climbed the stairway to her chamber, she thought how different the Inn was from her own home. Brandy Hall was built deep inside a hill, with rambling tunnels running out in all directions. The Inn was just the opposite: it stretched straight up instead of down and around. Many Hobbits lived in buildings instead of smials, although Hawthorne swore that she never would. Still, there weren't many Hobbit homes that had staircases leading to a second floor.

Next year, if she stayed out of trouble, Uncle Merry had promised to take her along when he visited out east and introduced his new wife to his old friends from Rohan and Gondor. Hawthorne was trying very hard to behave because she was excited by the idea of such a trip. Uncle Merry had told her that the entire city of Minas Tirith was built up in the air, with several layers extending upward, each one higher than the next. The Hobbit lass couldn't imagine such a thing, but she wanted to go and have a look. Uncle Merry had said she and Estella would be the center of attention. Folk from Gondor and Rohan had seen several Hobbit lads during the war, but a young lass would be a pleasant surprise for them

Hawthorne brought her thoughts back to the present and looked over to where her new gown was carefully laid out on the bed. She had brought it all the way from Brandy Hall. It was pale yellow with green lacing and a bright green vest. The skirt was full and billowing and came up high on her waist. She slipped the dress over her head and fastened the lacings. She intended to dance a great deal tonight and wanted to look her best. Tying back her curls with a bright green ribbon, she smoothed out her skirt and slipped out in the hallway, preparing to go downstairs and see if anyone else had already dressed for the party.

[Primrose Bolger]

Ginger decided that perhaps one cup of the Grannies’ brew was enough. Her cheeks were quite warm, and she imagined actually quite red, as she put the back of one hand to her left cheek. She wriggled her toes in the soft grass where she stood and could feel the tingle in them as promised. The music from across the way set them tapping. Oh, my, but this would be a good night for dancing! She shivered in anticipation.

She noted, as she stood there, casually looking about for any sign of Ferdy, that many of those working earlier that morning had now returned to the yard dressed in their partying clothes. Ginger looked down at her skirt, stained with frosting from cookies she’d put in baskets and her blouse, wrinkled because she’d thrown it hastily on the floor last night. Now her cheeks were indeed crimson, and she hoped that not many had noted her messy state.

With wings on her feet, Ginger flew toward the Inn. Just as she reached the steps, she saw a cart enter the lane toward the Inn. Not Ferdy and his Da and Gran, she decided, her face falling a bit. Her sense of disappointment evaporated as she caught sight of who was driving. With a whoop of glee she dashed through the Inn and tried to push through the doors to the kitchen. They were locked!

Ginger banged with both fists on the doors and yelled out loudly. ‘Cook! Cook! Master Samwise is here with his family!’

On the other side of the door, she could just hear the sound of rapid footsteps nearing the door and the sound of a key in the lock . . .

[Arry]

Gil put down his concertina and stepped off the stage. The others had already gone off to fill their cups with ale or cider. He, too, was thirsty and stood looking at the two ale kegs that had been tapped. One was a heart stout. He could see the darkness of it swirling about in the mugs of those who’d chosen it for themselves. Enticing . . . but he stepped to his left, instead, and held out his mug for a bit of the Dragon’s nut brown ale. The smooth liquid flowed over his tongue and eased the dryness in his throat.

He stood, cradling the mug in his hands, and looking at the folk in their festive finery. His own clothes were not too dirty or rumpled he decided, looking down at them. With one free hand, he straightened his vest, then pushed back his wild curls. He was a well dressed as he was going to be . . . and what’s more, he was comfortable.

A sudden movement at an upstairs window caught his eye. Zimzi stood there, her hands on the window’s sill, smiling. She leaned out, her dark eyes glinting in the light as she looked about the yard. Her long dark hair was undone, and fell forward brushing her fair cheeks. He was struck by the beauty of her, caught up in her simple pleasure at the day. It was no wonder that Mister Derufin had caught her up and made her his own.

She looked down for a moment, and seeing him, grinned widely. She waved, laughing in delight at having seen him. Her hands made the motions of playing a concertina and she mouthed a ‘thank-you’ to him followed by a small bow. In turn, he raised his mug to her and bowed back. He held up a finger, indicating she should wait a moment.

Gil rushed back to where his concertina lay. He drank his ale down in a quick few gulps and picked up the instrument, moving the bellows back and forth to fill them with air. As quick as he’d left he returned to where he’d stood. An empty table stood nearby, and he jumped on its top, playing the opening notes to a song he hoped she would like. With a nod and a smile, he broke into song, changing the words of the old traditional Mairi's Wedding to fit the occasion.

Step we gaily, on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe,
Arm in arm and row on row
All for Zimzi’s wedding.

Over hillways up and down
Myrtle green and bracken brown,
Past the camps through the town
All for sake of Zimzi.

Plenty herring, plenty meal
Plenty peat to fill her creel,
Plenty bonny bairns as weel
That's the toast for Zimzi.

Tomlin, too, seeing his companion singing to the fair lady, had grabbed up his fiddle and joined in on the accompaniment. Fallon and Ferrin, for their part, kept a firm grip on their mugs and sang along on the final chorus.

Cheeks as red as rowans are
Bright her eyes as any star,
Fairest o' them all by far
Is our darlin' Zimzi.

Step we gaily, on we go
Heel for heel and toe for toe,
Arm in arm and row on row
All for Zimzi’s wedding.

The lads bowed as they finished. And Zimzi, smiling, threw them each a small bunch of red Sweet Williams from the vase in her room before a soft voice behind her called her back from the window.

[Witch_Queen]

Avalon looked around at the celebration. The crow had seen gatherings before but normally remained at a distance. Now she was actually helping in the decorating. Avalon admired the garland and remembered that her helping made her some new friends. Avalon repositioned herself on the tree limb. Everything was crazy, she feared to get caught up in the hussel-n-bussel of the days work.

Turning her attention to the motion in Zimzi's room. Avalon thought that Zimzi would be lovely today. After all Avalon always thought of Zimzi as a gift from the heavens. Something below had caught Avalon's attention. All alone in the bushes was a single white flower. Gliding down from her branch Avalon noticed this flower was unlike all the flowers already gathered for the celebration. The white petals with red tips had Avalon caught up in a "spell". The beauty was of no comparison to that of the day's lady. Zimzi should have a flower so lovely.

Avalon used her sharp beak to snip the flower's light green stem right above the ground. Gently holding the large stem in her mouth, Avalon took flight. Perching on the window Avalon saw that the ladies were getting ready for the celebration. Laying the flower on the window sill between her golden talons, Avalon began to prepare for a squawk. Instead of the sound she was wanting Avalon instead let out a screech, causing the ladies to jump. If ever a crow could blush now would have been the time. Before Avalon could act, an unknown female came over to the window and began making an attempt to shoo the white crow away. This must be Zimzi's mother, I'm not going to leave until the lady has her flower.

Avalon bent down and picked the flower back up. Hopping to the floor, Avalon made her way to Zimzi. Raising her gaze to meet that of the fair, Avalon leaped into the air. Flapping her wings constantly Avalon was able to see Zimzi in the face. The flower still in her mouth, Avalon landed on the table near by and waited for Zimzi or someone to say something.

[Ealasaide]

Having leapt off of the stage mid-dance, Shimshin skittered along the ground under the startled feet of the folks, both hobbit and human, who had gathered at the foot of the stage to watch the musicians. His attention had been drawn by the shiny buckle of a lady’s shoe, but, upon seeing that it was well-attached to the lady, Shimshin lost interest and turned his attention elsewhere. Looking back, he could see that his human companions, Owen and Seamus, were still playing their instruments on the stage. The spider monkey felt a flash of affection for them as he looked at them. They were always kind to him and gave him fresh apples and cashews when they had them, unlike Shimshin’s former masters who kept a tight leash around his neck or locked him up in a smelly cage. He smiled back at his two current masters.

Just then, the song ended and Seamus and Owen both left the stage. They seemed to be looking for him. Shimshin decided that he would rather not be found just yet and, with a deft movement ducked under a nearby lady’s skirt to hide. Outside the sheltering umbrella of the lady’s petticoats, the band continued playing merrily. Unable to resist the pull of the music, Shimshin began to dance. The lady under whose skirts he had taken refuge let out a shriek. She pulled up her copious skirts and jumped back, revealing the dancing figure of Shimshin.

“Shoo!” she said, and feebly flapped her skirts at him. Then, after first looking back to make sure someone was there to catch her, she fell away in a dead faint. Her startled husband stuck out an arm, barely catching her in time before she hit the ground. Noticing his slow reaction, the woman cracked an eyelid and hit him with her fan before falling back into her swoon.

Shimshin, seeing the world’s eyes focused upon him, jumped straight up in the air, then raced for the nearest tree, a large, spreading oak, which stood near the gate. Headed off by a pair of well-meaning hobbits, he changed direction and made for the front of the inn instead. Getting there, he scrambled up the doorframe and leaped on to the window sill of a second floor room. Shimshin ducked inside the open window.

[Mithalwen]

Mithalwen had been pleased and reassured by Caity's compliment. the hobbit maid had been taking a break from her music making and Mithalwen decided to follow her example and went to fetch herself a drink. When she returned moments later, hoping to learn more of what to expect of the ceremony and festivities, Caity had caught the attention of the elf woman who played the strange viol. Mithalwen was pleased for she wished to learn more of her also. At least now she had learnt her name .. Rasputina .... it had a pretty sound but it was unfamiliar to her.

" Miss Caity," said the elf gravely " what will happen today? For I have never been to such an occasion as this" . She sat on the grass next to her. And then the attention of all was distracted by the antics of the tiny monkey. Mithalwen had never seen such a creature before and she laughed delightedly deeming that the woman was not truly hurt. These were a merry folk and the sorrows of the world seemed to have largely passed them by.

[Nimrodel_9]

"What region are you from?" Baradil had asked.

"Actually, I move from place to place," Keleth replied as the two of them carried another table outside. "My sister, Taryn, and I go where we can work. I normally work in a stable at an inn. Other times I run messages for King Elessar."

They set the table in place on the grass. Keleth straightened and looked around. "I think we`re getting very close to being ready for the party. You arrived just in time. Come, let`s go get another table."

As Baradil and Keleth made their way back to the inn, Keleth asked the question that had been bothering him since he had learned Baradil was from Gondor. "What brings you so far North?" He did not want to pry, but he was curious.