The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Green Dragon Inn #11

piosenniel · 03-31-2005, 03:11 AM

Willi is brought into the kitchen

kachink!

The sound of the ha’penny hitting the backboard was accompanied by wry expressions of sympathy and a muttered ‘Blast this deuced game!’ ‘Better luck next time, Derufin!’ came the call from the Hobbit who had won the game. ‘We’ll call this a practice game . . . you can buy us each a tot of brandy and we’ll be even. Next time, though, better you fill your pockets with ha’pennies!’ There was laughter and the clapping on the back of the poor man as he made his way to the bar.

On a shelf behind the bar was the brandy that had come in from The Golden Perch. Stout stuff, though smooth as silk to the tongue. Derufin grabbed the bottle in one hand and a wooden tray he loaded with small glasses in the other. With a grin, he poured each of them a drink, then knocked it back as they did, in an appreciative silence.

‘Lost, eh?’ Zimzi had come up quietly behind him as he gathered the glasses back onto tray. Her eyes sparkled, with no hint of sympathy for his plight in them. She put her arm about his waist, walking back to the bar and then into the kitchen with him.

Cook gave him an appraising look as he set the tray of glasses down. ‘Not going to just leave them there, are you? There’s soapy water there in the sink and you can just leave them on the drainboard.’ ‘Though, she said, turning back to her letter writing, ‘it might be nice for the girls if they didn’t have to wipe and polish them and set them back on the bar rack.’

‘I’ll dry, you wash,’ offered Zimzi, nudging him toward the soapy water. ‘Then grab my cloak, if you will, and we’ll make a dash for home.’ She nodded toward the kitchen’s window where the wind rattled at the shutters. ‘Sounds as if it might be starting to rain.’ She frowned as a thought occurred to her. ‘Have you see Falowik and Uien? Perhaps they should stay the night with us.’ Derufin handed her a rinsed glass saying he would look for them before they left for the cottage.

They were nearly done, when Ginger burst through the door from the Common Room, a pale looking little fellow in her arms. And thumping in a few seconds behind her came Thistle Bracegirdle.

03-31-2005, 03:11 AM	#1662
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Willi is brought into the kitchen kachink! The sound of the ha’penny hitting the backboard was accompanied by wry expressions of sympathy and a muttered ‘Blast this deuced game!’ ‘Better luck next time, Derufin!’ came the call from the Hobbit who had won the game. ‘We’ll call this a practice game . . . you can buy us each a tot of brandy and we’ll be even. Next time, though, better you fill your pockets with ha’pennies!’ There was laughter and the clapping on the back of the poor man as he made his way to the bar. On a shelf behind the bar was the brandy that had come in from The Golden Perch. Stout stuff, though smooth as silk to the tongue. Derufin grabbed the bottle in one hand and a wooden tray he loaded with small glasses in the other. With a grin, he poured each of them a drink, then knocked it back as they did, in an appreciative silence. ‘Lost, eh?’ Zimzi had come up quietly behind him as he gathered the glasses back onto tray. Her eyes sparkled, with no hint of sympathy for his plight in them. She put her arm about his waist, walking back to the bar and then into the kitchen with him. Cook gave him an appraising look as he set the tray of glasses down. ‘Not going to just leave them there, are you? There’s soapy water there in the sink and you can just leave them on the drainboard.’ ‘Though, she said, turning back to her letter writing, ‘it might be nice for the girls if they didn’t have to wipe and polish them and set them back on the bar rack.’ ‘I’ll dry, you wash,’ offered Zimzi, nudging him toward the soapy water. ‘Then grab my cloak, if you will, and we’ll make a dash for home.’ She nodded toward the kitchen’s window where the wind rattled at the shutters. ‘Sounds as if it might be starting to rain.’ She frowned as a thought occurred to her. ‘Have you see Falowik and Uien? Perhaps they should stay the night with us.’ Derufin handed her a rinsed glass saying he would look for them before they left for the cottage. They were nearly done, when Ginger burst through the door from the Common Room, a pale looking little fellow in her arms. And thumping in a few seconds behind her came Thistle Bracegirdle. __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.