The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Crystal Heart]

Crystal sat down in the chair beside Hama and smiled. He looked so worn, so tired. It was obvious that he had not heard all the horrid things that had occured to her in the time that they had been away from one another. She placed her hand upon his and gave it a squeeze and gave him a teary smile.

"Oh Hama. I thought I'd never see you again. Oh how good it is to see your face. Thank you. I thought I look a mess. . . I did return, Hama. Arty was found. . . alive. We. . . got married. . . I couldn't find you. I sent messagers, but no one knew where you were. . . . I stayed there. For a while. But . . .Arty is really dead now. Really. Along with our child. . . they died of a strange illness. . . . and I've returned to the Shire to live. Forever. Oh Hama . . . He was so . . . ." Crystal stopped.

Hama had always been the one constant thing in her life. When she couldn't find him through all that had happened she had been shaken. Especially after Arty and her child had died.

She had thought long and hard of what she wanted to say to him, but she couldn't recall what she had wanted to say. All she could get out was her stuttering. She clear away her thoughts and cleared her throat softly.

"But that isn't relevant any more. I just got back. I don't know what's been happening in the Shire. You look. . . handsome as usual. You always did. . . " Crystal said, then looked away quickly. She had thought of him so much, so often. She swallowed hard and turned back to him.

"You can mention it you know; the death of my father. I forgive him for all he did. I only pray that he is in a good place. For his sake. It's all right. I thank you for being his second in command. If you weren't. . . . . nothing good could have come from my life, Hama," she said quietly.

She searched his eyes and found that there wasn't something completely right and happy with the man. She took a slow breath and she watched the turmoil swim in his eyes.

"I'm here Hama. What is it? What is wrong? You know you can always tell me," she whispered softly, so only Hama could hear. Her heart beat wildly at seeing him again. She had missed him so.

[Witch_Queen]

Adu took Count on to the stables. Doing her best not to disturb the joyous party. She looked at her horse, "Count I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm going to go make sure Hama made it inside the inn safely." Adu placed Count in an empty stall and went back towards the inn. Everyone seemed so happy. Yet for some reason she wished the "group" was here together. Adu knew not why she was suddenly thinking of Crystal. She remembered when the girl was still little and running around like children do, without a care in the world. Times had changed and she knew the chance of her seeing Crystal again would be a miracle.

Carefully dodging drunk hobbits Adu made her way inside the inn. Everything was as she remembered it. The cares of the outside world never seemed to dampen the spirits of hobbits. The inn door opened just as Adu reached for the doorknob. "Excuse me." Adu looked down to see what appeared to be platters of food with feet. Hobbits... Adu walked inside only to see that in the corner almost hidden from site was Hama. But she didn't know who the other person was. Adu walked over to the table almost unnoticed. " General Dorian was not a very good man... You can pray all you want dear child but everyone knows... His life of torture has finally caught up with him....." Adu had heard alot and wished now that she hadn't heard anything at all. She knew not who was speaking on behalf of Dorian's soul."Hama, the horses are in the stable and they seem to be happy." Adu turned to look at the other person. "CRYSTAL?????"

[Crystal Heart]

Crystal jumped, turned, and saw the last person that she ever expected would be back in the good Shire once more. She jumped up and hugged Adu tightly.

"Adu! Oh my gosh! Rumors told me of death . . . How have you been?" She asked her, motioning her to sit down next to her. More tears of joy filled her dark eyes. Her two friends where here, in the Shire! Of all places in the world! The thought thrilled her greatly. She only hoped that Adu hadn't heard what Crystal had said to Hama.


"Did anyone tell you what happened? With me?" She asked her, unsure of what Adu would know. When she had sent the messangers no one could find Adu or Hama. It had been with a heavy heart that she had gotten married without the two of them by her side. In retrospect she never should have married at all. She shook the thought away and concentrated on her friends.

[piosenniel]

~*~ GREEN DRAGON INN FACTS ~*~

The Green Dragon Inn is located in Bywater, just off the Great East-West Road.

It is the 4th Age, year 12. By the Shire Calendar it is year 1433 S.R. (Shire Reckoning).

King Elessar is on the throne of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor.

Mirkwood has been reclaimed by the Elves and is now called Eryn Lasgalen.

Paladdin Took, Pippin’s father, is Thain of the Shire. (Thain is an honorary title for the military leader of the Shire. The title has been held in the Took Family since the position was first established in 3rd Age 1979 with Bucca of the Marish as First Thain.) Paladdin Took dies in year 13, and will be succeeded by his son, Peregrin, ‘Pippin’, Took.

Samwise Gamgee is Mayor of the Shire, having succeeded Will Whitfoot in 1427 S.R.

The Innkeeper, in the Green Dragon Inn of this forum, is: Aman – a young woman from Rohan.

Before her, the Innkeeper was Piosenniel, and before her it was Dwarin, the Dwarf.

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Other ongoing characters in the Inn:

Ruby Brown, Hobbit – not married – server and maid

Buttercup Brownlock, Hobbit – not married – kitchen assistant and maid

Vinca Bunce, widowed, Inn Cook (character played by Piosenniel)

Derufin, General handyman/jack-of-all-trades round the Inn; Man from southwestern Gondor (played by Envinyatar) - AWAY AT PRESENT

Zimzi (Zimziran), wife to Derufin; a skilled potter from Lindon(played by Pio) - AWAY AT PRESENT

Meri - Stablemaster

Tim Woodlock - Stableboy; Wren - his younger sister: humans, originally from Breeland (characters played by Folwren)

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Ongoing characters from outside the Inn:

Halfred Whitfoot – local Shiriff from Bywater and Postmaster for this area of the Shire; his pony’s name is Dumpling.

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Please Note:

No 'SAVES' are allowed in the Inn (except for modifications needed to be made by the Moderators or Innkeeper).

With the exception of the Innkeeper and the Moderators, no OOC (Out Of Character) comments are allowed in the Inn.

Only the Innkeeper, Amanaduial, or the Moderators move the timeline for the Inn forward.

Visitors to the Inn will need to read the posts that come before theirs to get an idea of what time it is in the Shire, what the weather is like, and what is happening.

No violence is allowed in the Inn or on Inn grounds.

Please be familiar with the rules for the Inn and Games in The Red Book of Westmarch, the first topic in the Shire.

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About Elves in Shire RPG's:

Please use this description from Tolkien when crafting an Elf:

Return of the King – Appendix F: Tolkien’s description for the Quendi (The Speakers) – the name given to the Elves by themselves after they first awoke in Middle-earth.

“They were a race high and beautiful, the older Children of the world, and among them the Eldar were as Kings, who now are gone: the People of the Great Journey, the People of the Stars. They were tall, fair of skin and grey-eyed, though their locks were dark, save in the golden house of Finrod; and their voices had more melodies than any mortal voice that is now heard . . .”

Please use this as a guideline for describing your Elven character’s appearance.

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EVERYONE

Please be familiar with The Red Book of Westmarch which gives the rules for posting in the Shire RPG's and in The Green Dragon Inn.

Thanks!

Piosenniel, Shire Moderator


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TIME OF DAY

It is now a fair night in the Shire; the stars are out.

There is a large party in the Inn's front yard - tables are loaded with food, desserts, drinks. Several barrels of ale have been tapped, compliments of one of the Hobbit brewmasters.

There are tables and benches scattered over the front lawn. Twinkling little lanterns hang from the trees. To one side of the verandah there is a little stage set up for the musicians and a large area cleared for dancing.

[Hama Of The Riddermark]

Hama sat, looking at Crystal with the same mournful expresion on his face. "I'm sorry, Crystal...I know what it is like to lose the ones you love. When I came back from the war I found my home burnt, and everyone I loved dead. My son was just a boy, barely fourteen, and my daughter was growing into a beautiful woman. And they were both taken away...taken from me forever by raiders..."

He paused, the barest vestige of a tear forming in his eye. "I wish I could have done more for you, Crystal. I wish I had known..." he smiled weakly, a kind, fatherly sort of smile, taking a deep breath in through his nose. "I should have been there to help you..."

[Witch_Queen]

"We both should have been there for her." Adu turned to look at Crystal. "I heard. "Tis sad that you should be going through this alone. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised of the rumors. Even after all this time there is still people that are loyal to Dorian." Adu could sense something between Crystal and Hama but she knew whatever the feeling was she was not concerned. Adu was happy to be back in the shire with all her friends.

Adu was known for very well for being unseen when the time called. She knew she should have made her presence known but the talk was serious and it was best she remained hidden. "Now Hama are you glad that you did come along with me. Or else you might have missed seeing Crystal."

[Crystal Heart]

She patted Adu's wrist softly and shook her head. She didn't want her friends feeling responsible for what had happened. She shouldn't have married him. That she knew now.

"Do not blame yourselves for not being there. It was better that you weren't. You didn't have to see. . . . Arthur wasn't the same as you once knew him. As I once knew him. He had grown cold. Very cold. Tis better that he died. I loved our child, but he. . . . he would have grown to be his father. In that respect his short life was a blessing to himself," she replied softly, shaking away all the horrid memories.

Her eyes looked over at Hama's strong ones. It was clear that what he had seen had scarred him. She understood that scarring. "Oh Hama. I am so sorry for all that has happened. Your daughter and son were kind people. Very kind. Did your . . . .wife survive?" She asked, fearing the answer to that question.

[piosenniel]

Just a reminder for everyone from the moderator, since this is a new page:

Per The Red Book of Westmarch topic in the Shire:

SERIAL POSTING

The Shire would like to encourage writers to take time to do more thoughtful and descriptive posts.

Serial posting between writers is discouraged, especially since it tends to become more dialog oriented than descriptive.

Two and a maximum of three well done posts is enough for one day for a writer to a game or the Inn.

Please try to keep to this request.

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More than 3 posts per day each between pairs of posters will be returned to the writers.

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[Witch_Queen]

PROPOSTERIOUS... INSANE....What is the child thinking.. Adu wanted to scream out no but something just wouldn't allow her to do that. "Hama go ahead stay here, forget about all the good you have done in Rohan. I can go back and let your king, our king know what you wish. Your service to Rohan will not be forgotten. Perhaps someday when everything is settled, I will return to the Shire to see how you and Crystal have done." Adu had always remained loyal to the life she had learned. She was a soldier, a warrior and when the time came perhaps she would be able to retire and make a life for herself.

"Revenge isn't worth risking your own life, even if you lost everything. I know Crystal that you will take care of yourself, you always were able to. Remember, a woman is not a slave to her husband. No marriage should be one sided. You are a woman of Rohan, be strong and stand down to no one. I have seen you grow from a little child into a woman, if your mother were still alive she would be proud of you. I know I am."

Adu turned to Hama. "Hama my general, my leader, my friend, your heart maybe broken but remember true love is never forgotten. Freya would have wanted you to move on with your life. A soul can only take so much mourning before it eventually becomes cold and bitter. Your life is short, take advantage of the moments you have. Love the life you have but more than anything, don't let the great things in life pass you by. You never know when fate may present you with your destined love. Nothing is forever.... well unless your an elf...." Adu couldnt' help but smile. "Come on the two of you cheer up, today is a joyous day."

[Crystal Heart]

Crystal smiled at Adu. The elven woman was right. She was a woman of Rohan. It was about time she started acting like it. She straightened and laughed brightly.

"Oh Adu. How I have forgotten my roots. I allowed so much of my past to haunt my future. No more. I vow to you that I will never again be what I was. I shall always remember that I am a woman of Rohan. And thank you, my dear friend. I only wish I could have spent more time with you in my childhood. Also, thank you for your kind words. I only pray that my dear mother would have been proud of what I have become," she said brightly.

She clapped both of them on the shoulder and smiled brightly. Yes, Adu was right. It was a joyous time. They were together! In the Shire! What more could they have asked for. "Adu is right. Let us celebrate this time!"

[Dimturiel]

Ravennar had listened to Heather with great attention. He could not help asking himself whether she really was journeying alone only because she was the only one that had a reason to be on that journey, or whether her solittude was not due- as was his- to some kind of pride. Maybe she did not even realise that it was so. But what was he to do? The best thing for both of them was for him to mind his own business and stop digging into other people's pasts. He had his own to worry about.

Ravennar looked arround him, inspecting all the happy and carefree faces that he saw, and listening to their meaningless and yet pleasant talk as if it was something new and fascinating to him. He smiled as he caught Heather's eye.

"Great place, this inn," he said, voicing his thoughts aloud. "One could hardly expect rash words to be spoken here. One could hardly think that one's life could change in a place like this. Such are the inns of my country, also-or so I thought them to be. Strange, is it not, how strife can find a home even in the most peaceful places?"

He stopped abruptly, realising that he had said more than he should have. This sounded too much like the beginning of some confession, and confessions were dangerous. He avoided Heather's eye, and thought uncomfortably of what her reaction to his words might be.