An Adventure of Hobbit Proportions RPG

[Gwathagor]

Though Brown had passed by the home of Gaffer Hugo and his clan many times on his trips through Brandy Hall, he had not met any of the inhabitants. Certainly he had traded "good day" and "hullo" with Rudy and even the gaffer himself on occasion, but he was best acquainted with Snatch. The terrier had often chased him down the lane or barked at him along the fence. Brown often tried to feed him bits of biscuits or meat, but had rarely got more than cordially territorial glares or growls in return. Snatch was never aggressive, just very, very official, as if he was saying, "I'm sorry sir, but I don't believe we've had the pleasure. Be on your way." Nevertheless, to Brown, Snatch became one of the familiar sights (and certainly sounds!) of Brandy Hall.

When they had walked out that morning (the girls chatting away in front, Brown following in the rear), he had no idea it was the Chubbs they were going to see. Snatch's ferocious barking, followed by the creature himself, careening around the corner, was a surprise.

He decided to let Bunny and Tansy handle these new people, so he stood back by the gate, shifting his weight uneasily from leg to leg and keeping an eye on the sun and wind, while Snatch circled him and a safe distance, growling. It was a good day for traveling, and the roots of his curly brown hair told him that it was likely to stay that way.

It occurred to him to try to size up the Chubbs, so he watched while Bunny and Gaffer Hugo negotiated. He had picked up their names by listening to Tansy and Bunny's conversation, and quickly managed to attach names to faces. The old fellow was surely Gaffer Hugo, and those two were clearly Mira and Peony (it didn't matter much to him which was which, as long as they stayed close together), and that other must be Rudy.

That fellow, thought Brown, Looks as if he had his bacon cut too thin and then burnt.

Though he was uncertain about Rudy and the dog, Brown had already taken a liking to Gaffer Hugo, disarmed by the old gentlehobbit's easy and amiable manner.

[littlemanpoet]

It was not long before Gaffer Hugo and Rudy had Mosy and the cart all situated and ready to go. As it turned out, the other hobbits seemed not to have been aware of the passage of time, for they were making new acquaintances and renewing old ones, amid plenty of laughter. Bunny was so busy in chatter that she did not even notice that the pony and cart were ready.

Even Snatch seemed to have decided to do some socializing, for he was wagging his entire rear end, intent with a huge smile on his face, with a slightly rough looking gentlehobbit Hugo swore he'd seen around before but did not know well. The hobbit had a stick and he was waving it about, grinning, with Snatch ready to give chase once it was thrown.

Hugo grinned. He could tell a dog lover right off, and this lad was such a one. The stick was thrown. Snatch raced after it and tackled it with his whole body, and pranced back to its original owner with the prize in his mouth. When the hobbit reached down for it, Snatch clamped down hard on the stick and growled good naturedly, his tail wagging furiously.

Hugo stopped Mosy and walked over to the hobbit and his dog. "Hullo there! I see you've met Snatch! And he's met you and likes you, and that's a good sign. I'm Gaffer Hugo Chubb." Hugo extended his hand in greeting.

[Gwathagor]

Brown took it, and smiled.

"Brown Barrabury. I'm from Woodhall over thataway." Here he gestured southwest with his hand. "Pleasure to meet you Mr. Chubb - and Snatch, too, of course."

Brown had relinquished the stick to Snatch, who dropped it my Brown's feet and sat between Brown and Hugo, looking from one to the other, and seeming to have lost all interest in the stick he worked so hard for. Brown knelt down to help the dog with an itch he seemed to have behind his ear. He looked up at Hugo.

"You aren't planning on bringing him with us, I hope? It's rather rough territory when you get past the North Bounds, and a small dog might have difficulty keeping up. Though, I daresay he's a tough little creature. Seems quite ferocious when you first meet him."

Brown laughed. He found that he felt quite at ease, which he rarely did around new people.

[littlemanpoet]

Gaffer Hugo chuckled. "Oh, aye, he's a ferocious one all right, to strangers at least. But o' course he's friendly as anything to folks as knows dogs, which it's clear you do. An' truth be told, he's been hankerin' for a bit of adventure for some time, now; so he'll come. Matter of fact, he's no doubt in better shape for bein' in the wild than I!

"Anyways, let's all pile into the cart, there's room enough for all."

With that Gaffer Hugo climbed the makeshift steps he'd had installed to make it easier for his old bones to get up into a cart a few feet off the ground. He sat down in the driver's seat, picked up the reins, then hollared and yodeled at the still jabbering lasses.

"Now I thought sure I heard one of you sayin' as you wanted to be off right quick, and here you stand talkin' while the sun rises! Come on up! There's room for all!"

Snatch was first up, climbing the makeshift steps fast as his four short legs could manage it, and onto Gaffer Hugo's lap, his tongue hanging out in a big smile, his eyes bright and happy, eager for the adventure to begin.

"Come on up, Brown! There's enough room on the front seat for both you an' Rudy! We can get acquainted while the lasses yack in back!" Hugo laughed at his rhyme as well as the prettily offended scowls on the faces of his granddaughtes and their friends as they daintily (and not so daintily in the case of Bunny) climbed into the cart.

[Boromir88]

Rudy had been very silent all day, it was no secret he didn't like this adventure. It wasn't that he was some grumpy, lonely adult that despised hobbit children, on the contrary, he was fascinated by the imagination of the younger hobbits. Mira could put a smile on his face in an instant.

Rudy just didn't want to have to handle the hobbits when their adventure ends in disappointment, and he knew that is what will happen. He remembers the youthful days of excitement, adventure, and danger, but those days are long passed. He has come of age, and he knows when they finally realize there is no such thing as Entwives they will be devastated and who would have to deal with them on the return trip home? He would.

Nevertheless, Rudy got in the cart and took a seat next to his Gaffer. "Well, I'm ready for this adventure." Rudy forced out a smile, to try to look excited about the adventure, but it wasn't going to fool anyone.

[littlemanpoet]

With every hobbit in the cart, Brown, Rudy and Gaffer Hugo (and Snatch) in the front seat, good-byes were said to Melilot, and well wishes made to be passed on to Lizzy by way of Melilot. Hugo gave the reins a hearty flick and a "Hyah, Mosy!" and they were off.

The countryside moved by quickly, for Mosy seemed to feel the excitement of the whole party of hobbits and gave it a good trot. Gaffer Hugo, Rudy, and Brown talked about many things, including the lay of the land north of the Road, and so got pretty well acquainted, and rather pleased with the suddenly blooming friendship.

It was not long before they reached the Great East Road and the Stonebow bridge, and the Stonebow Inn, just in time for second breakfast or first lunch depending on a hobbit's preference.

Everyone tumbled out and made their way to the front door while Gaffer Hugo waited. Then he flicked the reins to move Mosy toward the stable where he met the local ostler, quite a friendly chap who loved dogs no less. Hugo and Burt Boffin got to talking and the Gaffer almost forgot about food, then realized the others were probably waiting for him. In his hurry to get down from the cart he tripped and fell to the cobbled stones with a wrench of his right foot.

It hurt something fierce, but he kept his tongue between his lips. It would not do to go complaining about bodily ailments when they'd barely started.

"You all right there, Master Chubb?" asked Burt.

"I'll be fine, you jus' go see to Mosy." His words came out more irritable than he meant them to.

"Yes sir, Master Chubb!" Burt left him alone, leading Mosy to a manger of hay inside the stable.

Bother it, such a fall at a most inconvenient time! he murmured to himself. He got to his knees, then placed his sure foot beneath him. He rose on one leg, and gingerly tested his right foot .... ow! nope. He sat back down on the cobbles and decided to wait until the pain went away before he tried again.

[Gwathagor]

The Stonebow Inn was a low, broad structure with a thatched roof, many doors, and even more chimneys. To the left, across a cobblestone courtyard, stood several outlying structures: a stable, several sheds, and two outhouses. On the right side of the building was a large vegetable and herb garden, which had just been hoed and furrowed, ready for planting. Small signs had even been put up along the rows, denoting the future locations of beans, carrots, rosemary, tomatoes, and, naturally, potatoes.

Brown was the first one down out of the cart, and Snatch made as if to follow him, but Brown motioned for him to stay with Gaffer Hugo. Brown strode as quickly as a hobbit can across the cobblestones to the front door of the inn. Inside, he found the inn to be cozy and rough, framed with thick beams of dark wood. The tables and bar were built of similar material, and crowded around these were more hobbits than Brown had seen in one place for a long time. He paused in the doorway, and looked back. The others had just stepped down out of the cart and Hugo was driving it off to the stables. Brown turned back and stepped into the cheery, crowded, smoky hustle and bustle of the Stonebow Inn.

He slid up to the counter, and asked for a pint and a plate of bacon and beans. Perhaps he'd have time for a pipe before they left the inn.

[Boromir88]

Valier's post:


Bunny's spirits were lifted as soon as they entered the Inn. She loved Inn's, her brothers had taken her to many and this one was a favorite. "I'll have a pint...or two" laughed Bunny to the barkeeper. She motioned for the barkeep to bring three more for the other lasses, as she motioned for them to join her at a table. The boys seemed content for the moment to chat together at the bar.

Bunny took a sip from her frothing mug that the barkeep plunked down on the table. He waited for someone to pay him and when no one motioned to do so, he gave a little cough. "Oh yes, I do suppose we must pay for these..." Bunny gave a wide grin. "See those lads sitting by the bar there?" She pointed to where Brown sat filling his face with bacon and beans, next to Rudy. "He has been so kind as to pay for this round...and the next!" Bunny giggled as the girls tried to suppress their own giggles. "Hey you there! The barkeep motioned towards Brown. Brown looked round and Bunny lifted her drink.
Brown gave a nod, thinking Bunny was saying hello and went back to his meal. With a quick gleam in her eye and a twist of opportunity she caught the barkeeps eye and motioned for him to bring them two of his best Lamb hocks and beans. The barkeep looked satisfied with Browns reaction and when back to the bar to fetch the food..

Bunny burst out laughing no longer able to contain herself.
"Let us drink to the boys health then," Bunny lifted her mug and downed it in one large, long gulp. Bunny cleared her throat and began a little jotty dance, belting out,

"Food and drink we love so much, but even better when not paid by us",
"Beans and brew aren't so bad especially when paid for by a lad!
She finished with a little curtsy, sat and reached for her next mug.

Brown having not been really paying attention to his surroundings did not catch the words of Bunny's song, but let out a loud cheer anyways. Which only served to make the table of Lasses laugh louder.

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Boromir88's post:


After getting a nice, big pint Rudy went to go take a seat next to Brown. "This is how I get myself ready for adventures!" Rudy chuckled as he sat down. He wasn't going to have anything for second breakfast, he was still full from Melilot's breakfast! He made himself remember to grab some biscuits before leaving. Rudy liked biscuits about as much as he liked bacon. However, he could care less about fruit.

Rudy liked talking to Brown. Brown was quiet, reserved, and Rudy liked those qualities in a hobbit (especially since Rudy was the complete opposite). Suddenly, Rudy stopped, something was not right; where was the gaffer? Rudy quickly got up from his seat, "I'm sorry Brown, I got to find Hugo." He tried not to sound worried, as he didn't want to trouble anyone, but Rudy wasn't sure if it worked.

Mira must have noticed something in Rudy's face, she had gotten out of her seat as quick as he did. Rudy simply sent Mira a nod, which told her he was going to got get the Gaffer. He let out a 'real' smile for the first time in two days.

Rudy hurried out of the inn. He rushed towards the stables where he saw Hugo leaning up against the cart. "Gaffer! What are you doing out here? You're missing out on all the excitement. If you get yourself off this ground, the first pint is on me. Let me help you up." Rudy said.

Maybe the Gaffer didn't want Rudy knowing he hurt his foot and thought it would be ok to walk on now, or maybe he was just thrilled at Rudy offering him a pint, Rudy didn't know. But, when Hugo let out another cry, as he tried to get up; Rudy found out fast that the Gaffer was in serious pain. Hugo fell back to the ground.

"Gaffer!" Rudy was overcome with terror. "What happened!?"

"Oh, its nothin' I jus' wrenched my foot, that is all."

"Nonsense! Don't you try to move, not an inch, you understand!? I'm going to go get Burt." Rudy hated sounding so authoritative towards his Gaffer, but if Hugo was smart, he would listen.

In an instant, Rudy went racing towards the stables to try to find Burt.