[Child of the 7th Age]

Hawthorne Brandybuck:

As late afternoon gave way to early evening, the preparations for the party were drawing to a close. The tables had been arranged along the wall with a spacious area cleared out in the middle of the floor that would soon be filled with many folk dancing once the music had begun. There was a small niche to the side just adjacent to the bar where Regin had reserved a spot for the musicians to perform. Large bowls overflowing with flowers graced each of the tables, adding to the overall festivity of the room.

Ruby and Buttercup had been feverishly engaged in cooking and baking for the past two days. They were particularly eager to please Cook who was expected to return sometime that evening. The two Hobbits had outdone themselves preparing a vast array of recipes designed to please the palates of all the guests who would be attending-- Hobbits, Men, Dwarves, and Elves. In addition to the efforts by the staff, there were a number of other platters and bowls overflowing with delicacies that the residents of Hobbiton and Bywater had dropped by the kitchen earlier that day.

Eel stew, fine beef pasties, and steak and kidney pie were crowded together on the main table along with crusty loaves of brown bread, a large bucket of apples and a varied assortment of dishes that featured mushrooms as their main ingredient. On a side table sat many deserts: apple cobbler, sweet honey cakes and dishes of candy reserved especially for the children.

Hawthorne and Regin stood together at the front of the Common Room mentally checking off last minute preparations to make sure that nothing had been forgotten. Hawthorne looked down at the list of musicians that Aman had just presented to her. At the head of the list was Mirabell's name who'd been the last one to sign up. Regin and another Dwarf had worked hard to put the finishing touches on the giant banner that now hung above the Inn's front door. Emblazoned in bold letters, the sign welcomed partygoers to the rebuilt Dragon and invited them to join in the celebration.

The front door to the Inn was still latched shut. At that moment, Hawthorne heard a scuffling noise in front as the silver bill repeatedly pealed out. The Hobbit lass ran to answer the door. Throwing it back, she spied a number of partygoers standing on the steps anxious to begin their celebration. At the head of the column stood her Uncle Meriadoc Brandybuck who'd just arrived in from Buckland. With a warm hug to Merry, Hawthorne welcomed them all inside. The party to celebrate the rebuilding of the Dragon had finally begun!