[Nurumaiel]

Nuru accepted Alasse's congratulations, then took a deep breath and went back on stage. Before the audible groan could ripple through the audience, the Elf held up her hands and shouted, "I'm finished with my speech!" Smiling pleasantly and reassuringly, she said, "This is a presentation."

There was some laughter and scattered applause. When it had died down Nuru began nervously, making it quite obvious (though unintentionally) that she was having a difficult time.

"It can be rather difficult to take a character of Tolkien's -a character that has already been created and whose personality you must follow carefully- and play him wonderfully throughout all RPGs, at a range of all different ages, starting from perhaps 11 and going on and on. It is a difficult task, but one of us had done it with determination, dedication, and impressed many with how wonderfully she carried out this challenge.

"I'm standing on the stage at this moment to present The Sean Astin Hairy-Foot Award for Faithful Service in a Tolkien-Stretched RPG for Playing Sam Gamgee in Every Possible Configuration Known to Middle-Earth."

Laughter sounded at this long and amusing name, and also some confusion at the challenge of trying to make it out, for Nuru had spoken it quickly.

"I'm pleased to announce that this award goes to..... Orual!!!!!"

There was some silence, as Orual didn't come up on stage. Blushing hugely, Nurumaiel turned to the maestro. "I'm sorry," she said. "The Garden Song, please." Perfect for a Sam award.....

Inch by inch, row by row
Oh, to make this garden grow
All it takes is a rake and a hoe
and a piece of furtile ground
Inch by inch, row by row
Someone bless these seeds I sow
Someone warm and from below
'Till the rain comes tumbling down

Pulling weeds and picking stones
Man is made of dreams and goals
Feel the need to grow my own
'Cause the time is close at hand
Grain for grain, sun and rain
Find my way in nature's chain
Chewing my body and my brain
To the music from the land

Inch by inch, row by row
Oh, to make this garden grow
All it takes is a rake and a hoe
and a piece of furtile ground
Inch by inch, row by row
Someone bless these seeds I sow
Someone warm and from below
'Till the rain comes tumbling down

Planting rows straight and long
Pamper them with care and song
Mother Earth will make you strong
If you give her love and care
An old crow watching hungrily
From his perch in yonder tree
In my garden I'm as free
As that feathered thief up there

And....

Inch by inch, row by row
Oh, to make this garden grow
All it takes is a rake and a hoe
and a piece of furtile ground
Inch by inch, row by row
Someone bless these seeds I sow
Someone warm and from below
'Till the rain comes tumbling down
'Till the rain comes tumbling down

Orual's Post

Standing up from her seat next to Rie and Talômi, a young woman rushed up towards the stage wearing...a Sam costume?

Laughing and crying at the same time, Orual hugged Nurumaiel tightly as she accepted her award. She tucked her brown hair behind her ear as she tried to catch her breath.

"Thank you so much, Nuru. What an award...I may have to practice a while before I can tell people what I won! My first thank-you would have to go to Nuru, for inviting me to play Sam for the first time in The Hobbit's Gift. The idea of playing him as an eleven-year-old was a little intimidating at first, but it turned out splendidly. It was also my first RPG. More than that, you've always been such a good friend to me, Nuru. For that, I thank you more than I can say.

"Thanks to Piosenniel and Child of the 7th Age for inviting me to play In the Shadow of the Star, where I got to play Sam again, after the Quest, with a pack of kids this time, instead of being a kid himself. The opportunity to play with such incredible writers has inspired me. And I don't know how I could play a good Sam without a good Frodo, so I thank mark12_30 and, again, Child of the 7th Age, for playing wonderful Frodos."

She paused and took a deep breath, grinning so as not to cry. "For all of my fellow players, in all of the games that I have been in, my sincerest thanks and high compliments. You are all an inspiration. Thank you!" She blew a dramatic kiss to the crowd and went back to her seat.

[ May 06, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]