The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Nogrod]

"What is it, that you would have to hide? Is he someone you know?" asked Reddie, stretching himself up. "If there is trouble, I'll help you just for the sake of having this good night to go on better than it started". He made a look towards Tindo and scorned him.

Here Naria got in. "That's their bussiness, don't get involved into it". Reddie looked up to Naria, and was quite baffled. What had he been doing? Just one ale, and he was losing his grip.

"Sorry", he said to Naria, and took to his pint. But Naria would not let him go that easily. "What were you thinking about? You really would like to go between a brother and a sister? On whose side would you be in, and why?"

Reddie was clearly not his own master now. His hands were starting to shake. "I said sorry, isn't that enough? What do you want?" he asked Naria , and concentrated on his pint again.

[Farael]

"Don't worry Master Reddie, fighting would be of no use this time... yet I guess I have gotten between these brothers once, I might as well do it another time. Telu, you will get into a lot of trouble if your brother finds you drunk like this... yet the only other option I can think about... well, it could get you into as much trouble. We can't stay here... so would you well.... would you..." Farael blushed, then got mad at himself for being so shy "dancewithme?" yet then he blushed even more.

Tindo was slowly making his way towards the table, yet he did not seem to have seen them. Farael stood up and still holding Telu's wrist bowed and smiled at her, hoping she'd accept.

[Lhunardawen]

“That’s it. This has gone long enough. My life is wasting away, and I will not let you ruin whatever little is left of it.”

Tilionwen’s tear-stained face was as stern as it could manage, but deep inside she was overcome with doubt. She tried her best to suppress the quavering in her voice, for the most part hoping to convince herself to believe in what she was saying. Yet despite her best efforts, He saw through her pretense. He reached out to her in condescending kindness, at the same time casting a smug, pitiful look at her for her futile attempt.

Reluctantly, Tilionwen found herself succumbing once again. The Moon’s bright rays seemed to lovingly caress her and it just felt so warm, so comforting. But she knew in her heart that she would never find peace unless He finally leaves her be – and that is as impossible as His light stopping from shining on everything in its path. But for her own sake, she also knew that she had to try. Mustering the fragments of courage left within her, she held herself as high as her low spirits would allow and turned abruptly on her heel.

She had been hearing that dull noise for quite some time now, and she was certain that it came from a gathering of some sort. She strode purposefully towards the direction of its source and hoped that she would lose the Moon in the crowd. Optimistic now, she increased her pace and even began to skip a little. She was aware that He was still mocking her in her trail, but with some effort she managed to ignore Him.

An inn loomed in view, and Tilionwen cheered inside when she realized that a party was being held there. She halted a stone's throw away from the inn, untangled her long, dark, wind-messed hair with her fingers and wiped her face with her palms in an effort to look the least bit presentable.

The Green Dragon, as she found out the inn is called, seemed to her a delightful place. But what she was hoping to find there was at least one kind, inviting face, and so far there was none. She urged herself to adapt to the festive mood of her surroundings, yet something was holding her back. She felt caged, alone, and isolated – and suddenly paranoia seized her. Do they know? she repeatedly asked herself as she looked warily around. Now all she wanted was to get away from her hoped-for refuge. Walking some distance away from the tables and the people, she found a spot where she can be by herself. Her slender form drooped like a flower bereft of rain, and after a long moment of hesitation, she looked up apologetically at the Moon.

[Undómë]

There was a strain of silliness that themed this night, or so it seemed to Telu. ‘I am drunk,’ she said aloud, trying out the title on her tongue. ‘Drunk!’ She laughed, a silvery sound as if there were a myriad of little bells all tinkling sweetly in a gentle breeze. ‘And then again, I am drunk . . . my reason consumed by the ale, by the music, by the stars set in the sky above . . . and by you, I think, my dear Farael.’

She grasped him by the hand, nodding her acceptance to his question. ‘Come Master Reddie, Mistress Naria. Won’t you join us?’ She smiled at the both of them, daring them to rise and follow along.

Tindo made his way slowly along the edge of the crowd. She and Farael made their way to the little dancing area, following along the edges of the crowd far opposite her brother.

The band was playing a lively tune. They watched the other couples and the steps seemed simple enough. Those dancing near them bade them come into the ring. With each passing refrain of the melody, it seemed their feet grew accustomed to the pattern of dance.

‘We seem to be doing quite well,’ Telu said, as she hiked her skirts to her knees, like the Halflings were doing, and curtsied to him. He bowed and they passed each other on the right side, going round each other’s back and returning to where they first stood. They then linked arms and promenaded forward and back. Over and again the patterns repeated themselves.

There was another quick stepping dance that followed close on the heels of this first one. And it was Telu, this time, who asked him for the dance.

‘Kind sir,’ she said, grinning impishly at him as she made a little curtsy. ‘Will you chance another stepped on toe or two?’

[Arry]

'Let's give them this one,' Tomlin said, fitting his fiddle below his chin, 'It's a quick one, and maybe we can take a wee break then. I'm needing a little refreshment. What about you lads?'

Fallon and Ferrin nodded their heads 'yes'. Ferrin banged his little hand drum to the beat, and got the song going . . .


As I was a going over Gillgarry Mountain,
I spied Colonel Farrell and his money he was countin'.
First I drew me pistol and then I drew me rapier,
Sayin' stand and deliver for I am your bold receiver.

Mush a ring a ra du ra ma da
Wack for the daddy oh, wack for the daddy oh
There's whiskey in the jar

He counted out his money and it made a pretty penny,
I put it in me pocket to take home to darling' Jenny.
She sighed and swore she loved me and never would deceive me
But the devil take the women for they always lie so easy

Mush a ring a ra du ra ma da
Wack for the daddy oh, wack for the daddy oh
There's whiskey in the jar.

I went into me chamber all for to take a slumber
To dream of gold and girls and of course it was no wonder.
Me Jenny took me charges and she filled them up with water,
Called on colonel Farrell to get ready for the slaughter.

Mush a ring a ra du ra ma da
Wack for the daddy oh, wack for the daddy oh
There's whiskey in the jar.

Next morning early before I rose to travel,
There came a band of footmen and likewise Colonel Farrell.
I goes to draw me pistol for she'd stole away me rapier,
but a prisoner I was taken I couldn't shoot the water.

Mush a ring a ra du ra ma da
Wack for the daddy oh, wack for the daddy oh
There's whiskey in the jar.

They put me into jail with a judge all a writin'
For robbing Colonel Farrell on Gilgarry Mountain.
But they didn't take me fists so I knocked the jailer down,
And bid a farewell to this tight fisted town.

Mush a ring a ra du ra ma da
Wack for the daddy oh, wack for the daddy oh
There's whiskey in the jar.

I'd like to find me brother the one that's in the army,
I don't know where he's stationed in Cork or in Killarney.
Together we'd go roving o'r the mountains of Killkenney,
And I swear he'd treat me better than me darling' sporting Jenny.

Mush a ring a ra du ra ma da
Wack for the daddy oh, wack for the daddy oh
There's whiskey in the jar.

There's some takes delight in the carriages and rolling,
Some takes delight in the hurley or the bowlin'.
But I takes delight in the juice of the barley,
Courting pretty maids in the mourning oh so early.

Mush a ring a ra du ra ma da
Wack for the daddy oh, wack for the daddy oh
There's whiskey in the jar.

[Dimturiel]

When the song ended, Aniriel was surprised to find herself clapping with the rest. Her mistrust was slowly dying away. She even managed to smile at those that caught her eye, although she still did not have the courage to engage someone in a conversation.

"But that will come, too." she said to herself. "It is bound to come. It is no use siting here and brooding on your past, Aniriel."


And what was there to cry about? Nothing, really. There had been no darkness in her life. It was not grief that made her leave her home, nothing drove her from Dol Amroth save desire to see the world and a rather unnatural passion for listening to songs and drinking ale in village inns. It was not as if she was exiled, she could return if she wished to. But she did not. She wanted to enjoy herself, to laugh and sing like the merry folk around her. Why should she let herself be overwhelmed by melancholy? Why should she be reminded that something had actually been left behind?

Aniriel shook her head trying to drive that thought from her mind. Feeling now more confident and much more at ease, she smiled and chanced another look around her.

[Kath]

Suddenly feeling as though trapped, Astilwen stood up and moved around the table. Seeing the startled and confused look this gained her from Ariane she smiled and tried to explain.

"I'm sorry. It's just that talking about never having left, and hearing tales of the world outside makes me feel that I should enjoy as much of what I have as I can. Would you mind if we continued our conversation outside?"

Ariane shook her head, picked up both their glasses and followed her through the Inn door and into the gardens. Astilwen led her to the bench she had found the night before. It was far enough away from the festivities that they would be able to hear what the other was saying, but not so far that they couldn't see what was going on.

Their conversation carried on, with Ariane telling happier tales of her time in Bree, and Astilwen telling tall tales to make the other woman laugh. Eventually they lapsed into silence, both thinking over what the other had said, and grinning every now and then as they remembered something they had found amusing.

Jumping up for a moment to stretch her legs, Astilwen turned and saw a shadowy figure a way off behind the bench. It was looking up at the moon, but she couldn't make out if it was male or female as it had it's back to her.

She gently turned Ariane so she too could see this person and after a quick whispered conversation, the two decided it would be best to go and offer help to this creature, who stood so dejectedly. As the got closer, they could see that it was in fact a woman, and she looked as though she had been crying.

"Hello." She spoke quietly, not wanting to frighten the woman who had obviously not heard their approach. "Is there anything we can do for you?"

[Nogrod]

‘Come Master Reddie, Mistress Naria. Won’t you join us?’ Telu smiled at the both of them, daring them to rise and follow along.

Naria took a close look at Rían, as he hesitantly tried to look somewhere else. At last he had to face her inquisitive stare. Slowly he managed to utter a propositon that could save him: "We can't leave master Bredan here all alone, now can we?" But Bredan's answer was just chill to him: "You two just go, I have a pint here to finish off". He even made a smile after his remark.

As Naria rose and took his hand, Reddie couldn't but follow her. They joined the dance, not far away from Farael and Telu. They went along with the rhythm and the other dancing crowd; now in lines, now in rows - as a pair at a time, as a part of a larger group at another. Everyone seemed to be smiling, and the merry feeling even took Reddie Sundry over for a moment. He relaxed somewhat and managed even to smile a little, truly, not faking it.

As the piece ended, Naria looked at him, her eyes begging the question "one more?" with clarity and precision that didn't need any words to help with the delivery. Reddie took a firm grip of her waist and turned to the direction the other dancers had already turned. This was even faster paced one than the earlier: the band seemed to be playing so fast it could, just to get to their intermission a bit earlier.

Just as the dancers had reached their highest spirits, the music stopped. Tomlin announced, that it was a time for a break, and that everyone should tuck some ale and food into their stomachs so that they could dance some more later.

"For an easterling, you seem to know local dances quite well", remarked Naria with a smile. Reddie was confused. Should he pick the subject or not? At last he thought of correcting at least the obvious mistake - even though he knew, it had been made as a joke. Maybe he would still have to open himself a bit, it might be easier that way?

"Well, I'm not exactly an easterling to begin with. My father was a beorning and my mother from Esgaroth", he said and started moving back towards their table, still holding Naria's hand in his. Naria did not follow immediately, so that Reddie had to stop. "You said was?" she asked, raising her eyebrow a little. "Was, yes. Were. My mother died because of my birth, my father two years ago, trying to save me from harm." Reddie seemed to be delving in his memories for a second. He seemed to be quite moved - and was so. After a short, but victorius, battle against the tears, he continued, now with a calmer voice: "I seem to be lethal company, so watch out..." He drew Naria firmly to move with him towards their table. He let her hand go only after they had reached it.

[Naria]

The band had decided to take a short break and it's a good thing too because Naria was feeling a bit dizzy from the dancing and maybe the ale. She took a deep breath of air into her lungs thinking to herself isn't it a beautiful night couldn't have asked much better for a party. Before she let herself get swept away in her thoughts she remembered the man that seemed to have taken a fancy to her. She looked over to her right and watched him speaking to another man at the table and wondered what could make him almost come to tears during a grand time as this. She thought maybe he will come with me to the stables later so we can talk without interruption. After all, Naria hadn't checked on Flicker in quite some time and Master Sundry could come and meet her friend.

Naria's wooden cup was empty and needed some ale. She scanned the tables for the barrel and noticed that Penn was milling around aimlessly. "Gentlemen, I have spotted a friend in need of some conversation will you please excuse me." They rose too their feet and she gave them a gracious nod and took her leave from the table.

She poured herself another ale and walked over to Penn. "Where have you been this eve? I thought maybe we had lost each other." Naria said with apparent merriment in her voice.

[Lhunardawen]

Tilionwen did not really want to go back gazing at the Moon. She promised herself earlier that that would be the last time she would ever do so, lest she completely lose the will to turn away again. But seeing that she was unwanted, that nobody even bothered to speak with her, she realized that it would be better to go back to Him than to look like a desperate fool.

The Moon looked back at her in an expression that seemed to say the words I told you so. Tilionwen felt her cheeks grow warm, and her sad eyes drooped ever so slightly. Then at that instant, all the determination she previously had slowly ebbed away. She tried to fight the rising desire to give in, but her grip on herself continued to weaken...

That's when she heard a soft voice behind her. "Hello. Is there anything we can do for you?"

Tilionwen smiled inwardly and gave the Moon a look of triumph, but He was not about to give up just yet. For a few moments He continued to strive with her, but Tilionwen found new strength in that pleasant-sounding female voice. It was an intense struggle, and eventually she succeeded. Slowly she turned her face away from the Moon to find two ladies. With a grateful expression in her glazed eyes she answered the hobbit, "I think I'll be quite fine, thank you. I would not want to burden such kind people as the two of you."