The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Gird]

Luz walks along the path towards the Green Dragon in shadow. This looks like a pleasant inn , he thinks to himself, I'll have to do my best not to be revealed and spoil it for them. Pulling his hood further over his face, he quickly and quietly ascends the steps to the inn.

Looking around he sees many cheery faced hobbits, happy humans and a few smiling elves. It's popular, I'll have to take that seat in the corner there. He scuttles over to the seat and sits down, never taking his eyes too far off of the ground. Luz sits and ponders what he will have to drink today.

Luz also ponders ways of making a better looking fake beard then the one he has on now

[Undómë]

Hob noted the odd fellow as he entered the door. He had his hood pulled up, and his head tipped down, and with the sun behind him in the doorway, it was impossible to see the fellow’s face. As the door closed and the glare of the outside light receded, Hob thought he caught a glimpse of an odd looking growth on the man’s chin.

‘Well, I’ll be,’ he said to himself. ‘That is the strangest beard I’ve ever seen in my life.’

Hob was sitting in the corner of the room, his legs stretched out on the bench, his back up against the wall. The new fellow ambled to another table nearby and sat down, his face still in shadow.

‘Would you like a mug of ale?’ asked Hob, pointing his pipe stem at the pitcher on his table. ‘There’s an extra mug if you’re thirsty.’ ‘Name’s Hob Bridger, from Girdley Island, he said pulling out his pipeweed pouch and offering it to the stranger. ‘Smoke?’

[Amanaduial the archer]

As a chorus of juvenile voices broke into song, Aman nearly leapt out of her skin. Feeling a little foolish, Aman smiled sheepishly at Bella. "You are a braver woman than I, Bella," she said with a wink. "And of course it is a pleasure to let you use the Inn - why, I can't think of a better use for the room than as a schoolroom; 's not like the Dragon is a particularly unsuitable environment." Although the irony of an Inn doubling as a schoolroom for young children has not escaped me, she added mentally, but deemed that maybe the teacher would not appreciate this comment.

She continued, "It is more about the subjects that are being taught than the place in which they are taught. I'm not criticising, Bella, and I don't mean to interfere, you're doing a cracking job," she added hastily. "It's more about a possible...expansion of subjects."

Bella cocked her head to one side, her eyes bright as she folded her arms, apparently interested. "Go ahead, Aman?"

Relieved that she hadn't managed to offend the schoolteacher (yet), Aman continued, outlining the general idea. "Bella, it seems to me that the Inn is a perfect environment for learning not just because of the location or the general atmosphere, but...well, because of the very customers themselves!" Warming to her subject, Aman became more animated. "Think, Bella; where else in Middle Earth will you find met together and with free time on their hands such characters as are here? Consider the wealth of knowledge and the skills that they possess: Uien, a talented sculptor and herbalist; Mithalwen, a musician and maker of all manner of things, I understand, including instruments; Vinca Bunce, the very gem of the Green Dragon with her cooking, if I may say so; Snaveling, a first-hand witness of the history of the Dunedain and a member of Elessar's court... the list goes on! Artists, musicians, craftsmen, historians, speakers of a whole range of different languages...!"

Catching herself in her enthusiasm, Aman tried to bring together the strings of her plan. "My idea, Bella, is that maybe, if you approve, you could bring these things into the schoolroom. Why, the onset has already begun: Hearpwine the Bard has already shown himself to be a useful, if unusual, addition to the classroom. The basic necessaries would, of course, remain, as they have done and no doubt will do until the kingdom falls; but to add to Reading, Writing and Arithmatic the likes of history, geography, languages, crafts, cookery, even etiquette for the lasses... why, such a school, with such a wealth of teachers, would be unmatched in all of Middle Earth!"

Caught once more of anticipation in a whirl, her green eyes glinting with excitement, Aman took a breath, her eyes searching Bella's face. "What do you think, Bella? Hearpwine, I hope, has shown you that it would not be a complete waste of energy, and to give the children such a range of skills... The Shire remains unchanged as the years roll by, no matter how many young bucks follow the ways of 'mad baggins', but outside it the world is always changing. What do you say, Bella? Worth a try, or should this Innkeeper just stick with pulling pints?" She grinned, almost shyly despite her excitement, hoping the teacher might give her a go.

[piosenniel]

Tea with the Elf

The problems with the booth for the Spring Faire had been sorted out to Granny Oldbuck’s satisfaction. A nice large spot, beneath one of the large oak trees would be roped off for the herbs and medicinals tables. And not too far from the path up to the Inn. They’d be better seen there, Cook had told her. And it would be a shorter walk to the Common Room if they wanted to rest up a bit and have a smoke by the fire. She’d left Granny to supervise the two ‘lovebirds’ as she termed them who were sitting at the smaller table in the kitchen talking quietly. Granny’s attention, though, she noted as she picked up her basket and headed for the door was focused more on the warm plum tarts and mug of sweetspice tea in front of her than on Ginger and Ferdy.

Cook stopped at the door and put her basket down for a moment. She grabbed her cloak from the peg and fastened it round her shoulders with an economy of motion. Her bonnet she clasped on her head, tucking a few stray curls beneath it. ‘Just going out to have tea with a friend,’ she called out to no one in particular as she opened the door. ‘Help yourself to a few more tarts is you will, Miz Oldbuck. And Ginger, you make sure she has plenty of hot tea if she wants it.’

The sun was bright as she stepped out from the kitchen. Shading her eyes against it, Cook took stock of the back yard. All seemed in order. She stepped off the porch and headed toward the edge of the Inn yard, toward the bower of trees near the groundskeeper’s cottage.

‘Are you there, Master Lithmîrë?’ she called out. ‘It’s just me, Vinca Bunce. I’ve brought some refreshments.’

[Lasbelinion]

In hiding . . .

The sound of wheels coming along the gravelly path that ran by the bower startled him. Surely Mistress Bunce would not be coming such a short distance in a cart. He stepped back behind the cover of the trees and leaves, watching warily. In a short time, a cart did pass by, pulled by a single pony. It went on up the path toward the cottage, coming to stop at the steps up to the small verandah.

A tall, slender woman, dark haired, stepped down from the cart and began unloading cloth covered buckets from the back of it. The contents of the buckets was covered by cloth. Lithmîrë frowned, wondering what she was doing.

As he stood there, a familiar voice called out. Mistress Bunce! He hesitated in reply, not wanting to draw the attention of the other woman.

[Noinkling]

The visit to Sam and Rose’s place recounted

Benat sopped up the last of his soup and sat back satisfied in his chair. He’d told Derufin and Anyopa a little of his visit as they sat eating, too. But mostly just the details of the Gamgee hospitality. Mistress Rose had set up a place beneath the big Elm tree in their back yard, with a table that held a large pitcher of cider and a number of platters of tempting sweets.

The children had been all agog at the big man who’d come striding up the path to their burrow. And despite the chiding of their father, one of the younger ones had managed to ask if he were indeed a giant. Rose had diverted their attentions be giving them each a mug of cider and a sweet and sent them off to play. Benat in like manner, and much to the delight of the children, sent Cullen off to play with them.

It was then, he told the two men, that Master Sam had brought out a large book, bound in Red Leather. Accompanying it had been some other slender volumes, three of them to be exact, also in red leather.

Dipping into The Red Book had been a wonder, he told Derufin and Anyopa. In it had been the story of Master Bilbo’s travels with Gandalf and the Dwarves. Benat wiped his hands clean on the legs of his breeches and turned eagerly to the story of the journey. Sure enough, there was the visit to his Granda’s house and after that the travels east under the dark eaves of Mirkwood and then to The Lonely Mountain. There were wolves and goblins and great eagles and the creature in the cave.

And the dragon! What a foe that would have been to face. Benat chuckled, ‘Imagine facing such a fierce being with only one’s wits as a weapon! That Master Bilbo must have had quite a large spirit to have done so.’ A little sparrow, he told them, in the end brought the bowman’s arrow to bear on the one chink in the dragon’s armor. ‘A little sparrow, mind you!’ he said again. ‘The small creatures are something one should not dismiss. My father taught me this as did his father before him. By such oversight are the mighty brought low.’

After that had come the great battle over the rights to the dragon’s treasure. Wood Elves and Men of the Lake on the one side. The Dwarves of Thorin and Dain on the other. Then had come, too, the Orc armies of Bolg. ‘My Granda came then to the battle, slashing the Orcs with his great paws, crushing Bolg in his mighty grasp. And the eagles, too had come to lend aid.

After this had come the return home for Master Bilbo and then in a second section of the Red Book was how he had traveled to Rivendell to live with the Elves. ‘But, oh what a story his nephew, young Master Frodo, had!’ Benat went on. ‘Sam promised that before I left I could look through that part also.’ Benat shook his head, remembering the short telling of it Sam had given him. ‘Went all the way to Mordor, that one did. And Sam by his side. Seems it was he, and not the new King and his armies, that brought down the foul shadow that dwelt there. Though I’m not saying the High King didn’t lend a hand as needed.’

On impulse, Benat called one of the servers over, and fishing in his pouch for some silver coin, said he was buying a round for the house. Questioning looks were cast at the servers as ale was poured all around followed by looks and nods of thanks to Benat. He raised his mug to those in the room saying in a great voice, ‘To the Shire Folk!’

[Arry]

Gil and friends

Along with Tomlin, Gil had come in early to the Inn. His reason being to pick up Woody and Hanson from class; Tomlin’s to flirt a bit with Buttercup. ‘Chat her up some,’ he’d told Gil. ‘Make sure we’re on for the Faire.’ Gil had laughed at his friend, chiding Tomlin for being tied to her apron-strings.

Tomlin grinned and gave Gil a knowing look. ‘Can’t wait til some lass snares you, Master Play-the-field.’ He laughed aloud at Gil’s raised brows and his snort of disbelief. ‘Twil be a quick hard fall for you. And we’ll be there to clap as you hit the ground!’

Fallon and Ferrin had joined them just as Tomlin nodded their way. ‘What are we clapping for?’ Ferrin asked, sliding into his chair. ‘Ah,’ he said as Tomlin explained.

‘We should put a wager on it,’ Fallon interrupted, before his brother could say more. ‘I’ll say a week would do it, once he’s met the right one.’ ‘Oh, a month at least,’ offered Ferrin. ‘Our Gil’s a cool one, he is.’ ‘What do you say, Tomlin?’ Fallon asked. ‘Being the one who brought this all up and such.’

‘Can’t say about the actual time it’ll take. But I know the sort it’ll be. None of the lasses we know . . . they’re too easily taken in by his quick smiles and silvered tongue. She’ll be the sort to ward off his charm. Pierce him with her bright, sharp eyes . . . straight to the heart of him.’

Gil laughed and was about to respond when a server came round with a pitcher of ale to fill up their mugs. ‘From the big fellow, over there,’ the server had said, pointing toward Benat.

Benat’s toast had rung out loud and clear through the Common Room. Gil and his fellows raised their mugs to him. Fallon, a grin on his face for the free drink, shouted back. ‘May the hair on your toes grow long, good Sir!’

They took a long drink and raised their mugs again in acknowledgement. Then Gil turned back to his companions, a twinkle in his eye. ‘And would any of you grand wizards watching over my poor life care to put a few coins in the pot to back up your predictions?’

[Undómë]

Hob noticed his companions from the previous evening were seated at a table not far from his. Benat, the tall fellow, was quite animated and appeared to be telling them a story. Picking his mug up, Hob made it to the table for the last of the story and joined in on the toast.

He settled back in his chair and waited for the hubbub of thanks and return toasts to settle down, then asked Benat to recount some of his story. It was a condensed version, but still exciting, nonetheless.

Talk came round to Hob and had he had a successful morning. ‘One of my best,’ he said, setting his mug down on the table. ‘Seemed as if whatever I had to sell was exactly what the merchants were needing. Can’t say as things have ever gone so smoothly before. I only wished I’d had more stock with me.’ He shook his head ruefully. ‘Ah well! Next time.’

He looked at Derufin and Anyopâ. ‘And how about you two? You look as if you’d put in a hard day’s work already.’

[Fairleaf]

The song continues

'Me and Hanson have worked up a verse, too!' said Reggie, nudging his friend to stand up with him.

Hanson reluctantly put down the last of the corn fritters he'd taked from Reggie's lunch pail and licked the honey from his fingers. 'Maybe we should just say it,' he whispered to Reggie. 'Cause I can't remember the tune that goes to it.'

The words came out hesitantly, and with much prompting of each other:

And when we’ve said good-bye
And when the party’s done
Then to our little beds we’ll go
To dream of all the fun
The friends we saw, the games we played
The food and dance and song
Oh, Party Tree, we love you so,
We’ll see you soon ‘for long!

'Well that's it for us.' Reggie looked hopefully at Master Hearpwine. 'Is that enough for the song. Can we go home now?'

[Huan]

‘A hard day’s work, and not yet done!’ laughed Anyopâ, rubbing the muscles on his arms as if to emphasize the point. ‘In my family’s metalwork shop I had not put these to such strenuous work and for so long.’ He gave Hob a considering look, as well as Benat.

‘You know,’ he said, looking toward Derufin with a smile. ‘We could cut what work remains us were we to recruit these two.’