[Regin Hardhammer]

Regin Hardhammer:

Regin impatiently drummed his fingers on the table and scowled. That morning, Hawthorne Brandybuck had promised him she'd help with planning the party, but she was nowhere in sight. Hawthorne had shown real responsibility in the weeks that she'd helped him with building the Inn. Regin hoped she wasn't falling back into her old, thoughtless ways.

Ah, well, he couldn't wait any longer. There were a dozen helpers seated at the large table in the Common Room, and they were getting restless. They wanted to start discussing the work to be done. Everyone had been so busy finishing up the little odds and ends related to reopening the Dragon that they'd only gotten around to the actual planning of the party at the last minute. Now, they had just seven hours before the first guests arrived. Regin didn't think the Innkeeper would be pleased if Meriadoc Brandybuck or Mayor Samwise came and found nothing had been properly prepared. According to Aman, the Dragon had a reputation for giving great parties, and Regin wanted to make sure that they managed to live up to this.

Regin stood up and explained to the others what was going on and how they could all pitch in, "Fortunately for us," he added, "Ruby and Buttercup have been hard at work baking and cooking. They have fine roasts and pies plus plenty of cakes and stews set aside for the party tonight. Still, they'd like it if some other folk, especially the hobbits from the neighborhood, could bring along samples of their favorite dish and set these on the buffet tables for everyone to sample. We need a few volunteers to arrange the tables and chairs close to the wall, so there will be plenty of space in the middle for dancing. Finally, Mistress Aman has mentioned she'd appreciate it if some of you could help with decorations by setting out bowls of flowers on the tables and stringing up a large banner across the entrance to the Common Room to welcome everyone to the "new and improved" Green Dragon!"

"What about entertainment for the party?" one of the local Hobbits piped up.

"Now, I'm glad you mentioned that.... Yes, we'll need some volunteers to bring their fiddles, and flutes and such to the party as well as a singer or two to get up and perform. So, with all we have to do, we definitely have our work cut out for the rest of the afternoon."

Regin was just about to hand out specific work assignments when he saw the front door of the Dragon push open and Hawthorne came racing into the room, out of breath and obviously excited.