[Evisse the Blue]

Primula Rose listened to the singing of the band with pleasure, her stubby feet keeping the beat of the lively rhythm. She would have liked to dance a merry jig to it, but her husband, Dob, was totally preoccupied with the food and seemed to ignore her restlessness.

From time to time, he turned towards her and make a remark about a particular dish:

"You should have some sausage stuffed mushroms, Primula Rose, they go down very well with the fine ale"

Or: "Don't trouble yourself with the blueberry pancake, I tried some and it isn't much to write home about."

"We should go talk to Vinca, and thank her for the invitation. That would polite of us. And I expect she would want to see me. You would have a chance to compliment her cooking then, Dob."

"Yes, I suppose, so. But later. I don't want to leave the table just yet. All that talking can wait, there'll be time enough for it." He lowered his voice to a whisper: "And I don't feel that comfortable with all the Big Folk and the Elves about, if you ask me. Not the best place for hobbits to be hanging around, if you get my meaning..."

"They look like very nice people", Primula Rose said, looking around.

In the mild light of the afternoon sun all the faces of the wedding guests seemed more gentle, more friendly. She caught the eye of a little hobbit lass and smiled at the look of wonder on her face. The girl shyly hid herself behind her mother, but then peeked out to examine Primula Rose more closely. Finding the older woman still looking at her, the lassie broke into a fit of giggles.