The Seventh Star Inn - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 06-05-2008, 08:19 PM

"It's just as good in the living as in the reading or the telling," said Raefindan to his guest. "Look around you!" The young man with the moppish head of red hair gestured grandly at the bowshaped promontory that overshadowed the city, and his hand continued in an arc encompassing the whole city and the plain below and the rising mountain above.

Raefindan's guest closed his eyes, not to shut out the wonder but to take a moment to take it all in. A small smile came to his bearded face. He opened his mouth to speak his thought, but all that came was, in a murmur, "It's wonderful."

"Is that all you have to say? You're supposed to be such a wordsmith!"

"You're teasing me," Raefindan's guest said. "Well, okay then, so strange it seems, and good, here at the end of all things, as a true hero once said, that you are with me, Raefindan."

"And how could I not be with you, you made me what I am today."

"How could I not have helped you become what you are? You're a part of me."

"Enough of that, here we are," said Raefindan, "The Seventh Star. They're waiting for you."

Raefindan's guest shook his head, the smile of incredulity remaining on his face. "Well, let's not disappoint."

They passed through the front doors and found inside a decorous common room, rich wood beams and clean tables. There was Pio, and Undómë, and Lindo and Hiriest along with some Ents who somehow did not look out of place.

"Greetings, friends!" cried Raefindan, and named himself. "I bring you littlemanpoet!"

Littlemanpoet grinned, abashed, for he saw the plaque on the wall and was humbled at the honor. "Greetings! Please, call me Elempi."

Arry · 06-05-2008, 09:29 PM

Arry stomped along the road leading up to the Inn. One hand was stuck in his pocket, fingering the crumpled notice from The Golden Perch. Hmmm . . . let’s see he said squinting his eyes toward the sign he saw swinging in the breeze. The sign read “The Seventh Star” . Arry pulled the parchment from his pocket and held it up close, confirming that that was indeed the Inn named for the party.

He remembered elempi from The Yule Log. Wenda had been his character there . . . a very interesting character she’d turned out to be. Arry recalled how he’d thought Elempi a quite good writer then and from what he’d read in the Rohan Mead Halls his writing had gotten better and better. And, oh, there was that old memory of another encounter. Yes – the old Green Dragon Inn! Elempi played Falowik to Elora’s Uien. A lovely couple; well drawn.

Arry shouldered open the Star’s door and stepped into the welcoming light. He was a bit discomfited as one of the silent servers slid up alongside him and with a wave of his grey-clad arm offered to show Arry to a table.

‘Thanks, but I’ll find my own,’ Arry said, nodding back as the server gave him a deferential bow. His eyes were drawn to the place where Elempi stood with yet another familiar face . . . a blue eyed, tall young man with a mop of red hair. Now he recalled the young man’s name – Raefinden, from the Tapestry stories.

Arry drew close to the knot of well-wishers about elempi. ‘Been good to write with you, sir,’ he said extending his hand. ‘Just wish there had been time for another opportunity to game together.’

Durelin · 06-06-2008, 12:14 PM

Durelin snuck into the Seventh Star just in time to hear, “I bring you littlemanpoet!” from a vaguely familiar voice, and to join in with the applause. She had been away from both Rohan and Gondor, and even The Shire, for far too long. She had nearly just returned home – as Rohan was becoming her home now, now that she had settled in with some Southerners and a Dwarf with short-term memory loss – when she received the message. But there was no way she was going to miss such an event.

“Speech!” Durelin shouted before ducking deeper into the crowd of well-wishers and/or freeloaders and/or pistachio eaters, slipping behind them and looking for a seat not in the middle of things. She was just plopping down on a chair when she noticed Valde Delego sulking in the very back of the common room. She smiled, and gestured for him to join her. He obeyed, though he dragged his feet and hunched his shoulders as if he wished to be invisible. Durelin was not sure if it was because he did not want anyone to know he was attending such festivities (whether purposefully or not), or if he simply did not want to be seen with her. Probably both.

“Yes?” he drawled as he slid gracefully onto the seat opposite her.

“Fancy seeing you here,” Durelin said with a grin. He knew she was getting a good deal of amusement simply out of his presence. “But of course you’d have a soft spot for Elempi.”

Valde sneered, but did not speak for a moment. He seemed to struggle with himself before admitting,

“I assigned littlemanpoet to the Shire.”

mark12_30 · 06-06-2008, 07:19 PM

The grey-clad wait-staff appeared with three tall earthen vessels brimming clear-gold. THey seemed to glow.

"I say, " said Beech.

"In honor of the new Bard, " said Oak.

Willow said nothing, only swaying a little as he reached for his draught.

Hiriest protested. "They brought none for me? None for the harper?"

"You're tall enough, " replied Oak.

"Perhaps I should try some," said Lindo.

"I think not!" said Beech.

"Well then, Lindo, we must stick together, and enjoy our ale, " said Hiriest. "And they don't need to grow any more, really. It's vanity."

THe five young men raised their drinks to each other, and Lindo smiled. "The Three Trees do have a leafy look. To littlemanpoet!"

"To the Bard!"

"Ode to the Bard! Ode to the Bard!" The chant arose, and caught on around the room. "Ode to the Bard!"

With ale and voices raised in song
We cheer the teller of tales along
and wait for the next tale to be borne--
Ode to the Bard! Ode to the Bard!

Not ale enough nor song have we
Forth to elempi sent in cheer
SO songs and many flagons of beer are
Owed to the Bard! Owed to the Bard!"

mark12_30 · 06-07-2008, 05:49 AM

Hiriest took his ale in hand, and turned to the various guests. Lindo rose to join him. Together they roamed the Inn; they approached Undómë and greeted her with a bow.

Oak, Beech, and WIllow lingered over their draughts a little longer, but soon they wandered as well. Arry chatted with Raefindan and elempi; Beech and Willow turned to join them.

Oak sought out Durelin, who sat with one Valde Delego. He peeered at them from beneath mossy eyebrows, and and watched as they popped pistachios, which smelled odd. He looked then at Piosenniel, sitting in the corner, watching the goings-on with interest.

"Hmmm, " he said. "These grow far to the south, in sandier places. I haven't seen pistachio trees since Beleriand." He sniffed them.
Pio's eyes sparkled, and she offered him a handful. WIth a wave of his leafy hand, he declined.

Groin Redbeard · 06-07-2008, 02:08 PM

Groin’s short, broad, dwarf stature helped him to enter the inn unnoticed. So this is what it’s like in Gondor, he thought to himself. Normally he wouldn’t travel this far south, out of the borders of the Shire and Rohan, but he had heard Little Man Poet’s stories and he could not help but to come and give his best wishes to the noble bard.

He surveyed the inn and its guests; he spotted Durelin, who he knew, talking with some strange folk. He stared in awe at the trees that moved, drank, and even talked. This certainly was a queer country.

He unfastened his weather stained cloak, which had faded from a deep forest green to a grayish color, and placed it on a hanger. His mail shirt glittered in the light as he walked up to the bar for ale, but he stopped when he had sighted the guest of honor surrounded by a host of people, who were all congratulating him. Groin chuckled to himself, continued to the bar and grabbed a mug.

“Here’s to Little Man Poet,” he said to the bartender, and raised his mug, “May his superb writing talents grow even more in the company of the esteemed loresmen of Gondor!” And having toasted LMP he drained his mug.

littlemanpoet · 06-08-2008, 07:42 AM

A hobbit came up. Elempi recognized Arry, and smiled.

The hobbit spoke. ‘Been good to write with you, sir,’ he said extending his hand. ‘Just wish there had been time for another opportunity to game together.’

Elempi shook the hobbits hand with pleasure. "I would have like that. I still wince when I think how I put words in your mouth that one time at the Green Dragon. Hope you can forgive me. I can get carried away, you know."

Before Arry could reply, a sudden shout arose.

"To the Bard!"

"Ode to the Bard! Ode to the Bard!" The chant arose, and caught on around the room. "Ode to the Bard!"

With ale and voices raised in song
We cheer the teller of tales along
and wait for the next tale to be borne--
Ode to the Bard! Ode to the Bard!

Not ale enough nor song have we
Forth to elempi sent in cheer
SO songs and many flagons of beer are
Owed to the Bard! Owed to the Bard!"

This was too much. Grinning, Elempi said, "Excuse me, Arry, I need a beer." With a grin and nod from Arry, Elempi and Raefindan made their way to the bar. Elempi asked for a tall frothy best of the house from Pio. Raefindan ordered a red ale. While he waited for the drink, Elempi looked around and saw off in the shadows both a young lady of pronouned writing skills (pardon the pun) and a lanky dark figure apparently trying to dramatically hide, and his eyes popped open. It was Valde Delego and Durelin! "I am going to have to have a chat with them before this is done!" he said to himself.

Pio set a tall one in front of him, and he took in a long pull of the smooth nectar.

"Not to mention, Raefindan, I must make the aquaintance of Oak, Beech, and Willow, shepherds of three of my favorite trees."

"By all means!" said his drinking partner.

A Dwarf bellied up to the bar and made quick work of his first one. Elempi recognized him. "Groin! Good to see you!"

The dwarf grunted his greeting which did not change his surly expression one iota, which Elempi figured was typical of Dwarves. He nodded his excuses and he and Raefindan strolled over to the Ents.

06-05-2008, 08:19 PM	#1
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	"It's just as good in the living as in the reading or the telling," said Raefindan to his guest. "Look around you!" The young man with the moppish head of red hair gestured grandly at the bowshaped promontory that overshadowed the city, and his hand continued in an arc encompassing the whole city and the plain below and the rising mountain above. Raefindan's guest closed his eyes, not to shut out the wonder but to take a moment to take it all in. A small smile came to his bearded face. He opened his mouth to speak his thought, but all that came was, in a murmur, "It's wonderful." "Is that all you have to say? You're supposed to be such a wordsmith!" "You're teasing me," Raefindan's guest said. "Well, okay then, so strange it seems, and good, here at the end of all things, as a true hero once said, that you are with me, Raefindan." "And how could I not be with you, you made me what I am today." "How could I not have helped you become what you are? You're a part of me." "Enough of that, here we are," said Raefindan, "The Seventh Star. They're waiting for you." Raefindan's guest shook his head, the smile of incredulity remaining on his face. "Well, let's not disappoint." They passed through the front doors and found inside a decorous common room, rich wood beams and clean tables. There was Pio, and Undómë, and Lindo and Hiriest along with some Ents who somehow did not look out of place. "Greetings, friends!" cried Raefindan, and named himself. "I bring you littlemanpoet!" Littlemanpoet grinned, abashed, for he saw the plaque on the wall and was humbled at the honor. "Greetings! Please, call me Elempi." Last edited by littlemanpoet; 06-08-2008 at 07:26 AM.

06-06-2008, 07:19 PM	#4
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	The grey-clad wait-staff appeared with three tall earthen vessels brimming clear-gold. THey seemed to glow. "I say, " said Beech. "In honor of the new Bard, " said Oak. Willow said nothing, only swaying a little as he reached for his draught. Hiriest protested. "They brought none for me? None for the harper?" "You're tall enough, " replied Oak. "Perhaps I should try some," said Lindo. "I think not!" said Beech. "Well then, Lindo, we must stick together, and enjoy our ale, " said Hiriest. "And they don't need to grow any more, really. It's vanity." THe five young men raised their drinks to each other, and Lindo smiled. "The Three Trees do have a leafy look. To littlemanpoet!" "To the Bard!" "Ode to the Bard! Ode to the Bard!" The chant arose, and caught on around the room. "Ode to the Bard!" With ale and voices raised in song We cheer the teller of tales along and wait for the next tale to be borne-- Ode to the Bard! Ode to the Bard! Not ale enough nor song have we Forth to elempi sent in cheer SO songs and many flagons of beer are Owed to the Bard! Owed to the Bard!" Last edited by piosenniel; 11-28-2009 at 11:33 PM.

06-07-2008, 05:49 AM	#5
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Hiriest took his ale in hand, and turned to the various guests. Lindo rose to join him. Together they roamed the Inn; they approached Undómë and greeted her with a bow. Oak, Beech, and WIllow lingered over their draughts a little longer, but soon they wandered as well. Arry chatted with Raefindan and elempi; Beech and Willow turned to join them. Oak sought out Durelin, who sat with one Valde Delego. He peeered at them from beneath mossy eyebrows, and and watched as they popped pistachios, which smelled odd. He looked then at Piosenniel, sitting in the corner, watching the goings-on with interest. "Hmmm, " he said. "These grow far to the south, in sandier places. I haven't seen pistachio trees since Beleriand." He sniffed them. Pio's eyes sparkled, and she offered him a handful. WIth a wave of his leafy hand, he declined. Last edited by piosenniel; 11-28-2009 at 11:33 PM.

06-07-2008, 02:08 PM	#6
Groin Redbeard Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Facing the world's troubles with Christ's hope! Posts: 1,635	Groin’s short, broad, dwarf stature helped him to enter the inn unnoticed. So this is what it’s like in Gondor, he thought to himself. Normally he wouldn’t travel this far south, out of the borders of the Shire and Rohan, but he had heard Little Man Poet’s stories and he could not help but to come and give his best wishes to the noble bard. He surveyed the inn and its guests; he spotted Durelin, who he knew, talking with some strange folk. He stared in awe at the trees that moved, drank, and even talked. This certainly was a queer country. He unfastened his weather stained cloak, which had faded from a deep forest green to a grayish color, and placed it on a hanger. His mail shirt glittered in the light as he walked up to the bar for ale, but he stopped when he had sighted the guest of honor surrounded by a host of people, who were all congratulating him. Groin chuckled to himself, continued to the bar and grabbed a mug. “Here’s to Little Man Poet,” he said to the bartender, and raised his mug, “May his superb writing talents grow even more in the company of the esteemed loresmen of Gondor!” And having toasted LMP he drained his mug. Last edited by Groin Redbeard; 06-07-2008 at 02:11 PM.

06-08-2008, 07:42 AM	#7
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	A hobbit came up. Elempi recognized Arry, and smiled. The hobbit spoke. ‘Been good to write with you, sir,’ he said extending his hand. ‘Just wish there had been time for another opportunity to game together.’ Elempi shook the hobbits hand with pleasure. "I would have like that. I still wince when I think how I put words in your mouth that one time at the Green Dragon. Hope you can forgive me. I can get carried away, you know." Before Arry could reply, a sudden shout arose. "To the Bard!" "Ode to the Bard! Ode to the Bard!" The chant arose, and caught on around the room. "Ode to the Bard!" With ale and voices raised in song We cheer the teller of tales along and wait for the next tale to be borne-- Ode to the Bard! Ode to the Bard! Not ale enough nor song have we Forth to elempi sent in cheer SO songs and many flagons of beer are Owed to the Bard! Owed to the Bard!" This was too much. Grinning, Elempi said, "Excuse me, Arry, I need a beer." With a grin and nod from Arry, Elempi and Raefindan made their way to the bar. Elempi asked for a tall frothy best of the house from Pio. Raefindan ordered a red ale. While he waited for the drink, Elempi looked around and saw off in the shadows both a young lady of pronouned writing skills (pardon the pun) and a lanky dark figure apparently trying to dramatically hide, and his eyes popped open. It was Valde Delego and Durelin! "I am going to have to have a chat with them before this is done!" he said to himself. Pio set a tall one in front of him, and he took in a long pull of the smooth nectar. "Not to mention, Raefindan, I must make the aquaintance of Oak, Beech, and Willow, shepherds of three of my favorite trees." "By all means!" said his drinking partner. A Dwarf bellied up to the bar and made quick work of his first one. Elempi recognized him. "Groin! Good to see you!" The dwarf grunted his greeting which did not change his surly expression one iota, which Elempi figured was typical of Dwarves. He nodded his excuses and he and Raefindan strolled over to the Ents. Last edited by littlemanpoet; 06-13-2008 at 07:32 PM.

06-05-2008, 09:29 PM	#2
Arry Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 704	Arry stomped along the road leading up to the Inn. One hand was stuck in his pocket, fingering the crumpled notice from The Golden Perch. Hmmm . . . let’s see he said squinting his eyes toward the sign he saw swinging in the breeze. The sign read “The Seventh Star” . Arry pulled the parchment from his pocket and held it up close, confirming that that was indeed the Inn named for the party. He remembered elempi from The Yule Log. Wenda had been his character there . . . a very interesting character she’d turned out to be. Arry recalled how he’d thought Elempi a quite good writer then and from what he’d read in the Rohan Mead Halls his writing had gotten better and better. And, oh, there was that old memory of another encounter. Yes – the old Green Dragon Inn! Elempi played Falowik to Elora’s Uien. A lovely couple; well drawn. Arry shouldered open the Star’s door and stepped into the welcoming light. He was a bit discomfited as one of the silent servers slid up alongside him and with a wave of his grey-clad arm offered to show Arry to a table. ‘Thanks, but I’ll find my own,’ Arry said, nodding back as the server gave him a deferential bow. His eyes were drawn to the place where Elempi stood with yet another familiar face . . . a blue eyed, tall young man with a mop of red hair. Now he recalled the young man’s name – Raefinden, from the Tapestry stories. Arry drew close to the knot of well-wishers about elempi. ‘Been good to write with you, sir,’ he said extending his hand. ‘Just wish there had been time for another opportunity to game together.’

06-06-2008, 12:14 PM	#3
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	Durelin snuck into the Seventh Star just in time to hear, “I bring you littlemanpoet!” from a vaguely familiar voice, and to join in with the applause. She had been away from both Rohan and Gondor, and even The Shire, for far too long. She had nearly just returned home – as Rohan was becoming her home now, now that she had settled in with some Southerners and a Dwarf with short-term memory loss – when she received the message. But there was no way she was going to miss such an event. “Speech!” Durelin shouted before ducking deeper into the crowd of well-wishers and/or freeloaders and/or pistachio eaters, slipping behind them and looking for a seat not in the middle of things. She was just plopping down on a chair when she noticed Valde Delego sulking in the very back of the common room. She smiled, and gestured for him to join her. He obeyed, though he dragged his feet and hunched his shoulders as if he wished to be invisible. Durelin was not sure if it was because he did not want anyone to know he was attending such festivities (whether purposefully or not), or if he simply did not want to be seen with her. Probably both. “Yes?” he drawled as he slid gracefully onto the seat opposite her. “Fancy seeing you here,” Durelin said with a grin. He knew she was getting a good deal of amusement simply out of his presence. “But of course you’d have a soft spot for Elempi.” Valde sneered, but did not speak for a moment. He seemed to struggle with himself before admitting, “I assigned littlemanpoet to the Shire.”