[piosenniel]

Zimzi held out a spoon to Ginger. ‘Here, take one of mine,’ she said to the wide-eyed Hobbit. The spoon gone from her fingers, she picked up several of the cookie cutters Cook had piled on the table for Ginger’s use. ‘These are lovely,’ she said looking at a tulip, a daisy, and a small, star-shaped one. She held the last one up and turned it over in her hands. ‘What’s this?’ she asked. ‘I don’t recognize it.’

Gwenneth came up to the table, having been asked by Cook to help Ginger with the cookies. She took the cookie cutter in her delicate fingers and held it up, smiling as she did so. ‘Why that’s elanor,’ she told the woman. ‘It’s a beautiful golden flower . . . sun golden. My people are quite fond of it.’ Gwenneth called across the room to Cook, asking who had made the cookie cutters. ‘My dear husband made them for me,’ Cook said. ‘A long time ago. Called them his everlasting bouquet for me, he did.’ She wiped her hands on her apron and came over to see which one they were looking at. ‘Oh,’ she said, taking the star-shaped cutter in her hand. ‘But not that one . . . t’was Master Samwise what made me that one, a few years after his daughter was born. She’s got quite the sweet-tooth, that one! Always make up a small basket of them with bright yellow frosting for her when her birthday comes round.’

Introductions were made by Cook, with an apology that it had not been done earlier. Zimzi thanked them both for helping out with the party, then went back to her meats and cheeses trays. Ginger and Gwenneth had the cookie dough done in no time and had just put it in the cooler to set up, when Cook called them over to help out with something else.

‘I’d do it myself, but I’m in the midst of the batter and the baking for the cake.’ She pointed to the middle drawer of the desk that sat near the door into the common room. ‘There’s paper in there . . . and quills. Ink’s in the larger drawer to the left. Make a few signs to put up in the common room, would you.’ Ginger and Gwenneth listened closely to what Cook said, then fixed up a couple of signs. Two for the common room and one for the porch post to catch the eye of those just coming in. It was nicely written, by Gwenneth’s Elven hand, at Ginger’s insistence, though she helped with the wording of it:

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~*~ Help Needed ~*~

** A few helpers needed for the handfasting party to take place tomorrow **

* A number of hands to gather greens for garlands to festoon the common room.

* And those willing to make the garlands and put them up, today preferably per the wishes of Cook.

* Strong backs to move the tables out to the front Inn yard early tomorrow morning.

* Several ladies to see to the ironing of the lacy table cloths for the cake and mathom tables (must have a light hand with the iron, per Cook’s request)

* A few lads to see to the hanging of the little lanterns in the trees around the party site.

* Several assistants to put out the flower arrangements on the outdoor tables mid morning tomorrow. (Miz Amaranthas will be directing this)

* Someone with a deft hand to take charge of making the punch and seeing to its serving. (see Cook for the bottles of Southron spirits she has laid by for the occasion.

*And any odd and assorted number of those who can volunteer a little time during the party to make sure the tables are kept full of food, and drink, and clean dishes and cups.

~*~ Come see Cook, in the Kitchen, to sign up for a task ~*~

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Any volunteers from hereabouts will be given free drinks and meals these next several days. And those from out of town, will also be given free lodging . . .

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Ginger and Gwenneth found a few nails and a hammer once they were done with the announcements, and tacked them up securely for all to see. A hastily scrawled note was put at the bottom of each one by one of the members of the local band who were to play for the festivity’s dancing.

* Flute/Penny Whistle player needed, too. Ours is down with a head cold. We’re a friendly lot, willing to accommodate your style. Or if you don’t play either of those – bring what you have and join in. – Gil