[Amanaduial the archer]

As a chorus of juvenile voices broke into song, Aman nearly leapt out of her skin. Feeling a little foolish, Aman smiled sheepishly at Bella. "You are a braver woman than I, Bella," she said with a wink. "And of course it is a pleasure to let you use the Inn - why, I can't think of a better use for the room than as a schoolroom; 's not like the Dragon is a particularly unsuitable environment." Although the irony of an Inn doubling as a schoolroom for young children has not escaped me, she added mentally, but deemed that maybe the teacher would not appreciate this comment.

She continued, "It is more about the subjects that are being taught than the place in which they are taught. I'm not criticising, Bella, and I don't mean to interfere, you're doing a cracking job," she added hastily. "It's more about a possible...expansion of subjects."

Bella cocked her head to one side, her eyes bright as she folded her arms, apparently interested. "Go ahead, Aman?"

Relieved that she hadn't managed to offend the schoolteacher (yet), Aman continued, outlining the general idea. "Bella, it seems to me that the Inn is a perfect environment for learning not just because of the location or the general atmosphere, but...well, because of the very customers themselves!" Warming to her subject, Aman became more animated. "Think, Bella; where else in Middle Earth will you find met together and with free time on their hands such characters as are here? Consider the wealth of knowledge and the skills that they possess: Uien, a talented sculptor and herbalist; Mithalwen, a musician and maker of all manner of things, I understand, including instruments; Vinca Bunce, the very gem of the Green Dragon with her cooking, if I may say so; Snaveling, a first-hand witness of the history of the Dunedain and a member of Elessar's court... the list goes on! Artists, musicians, craftsmen, historians, speakers of a whole range of different languages...!"

Catching herself in her enthusiasm, Aman tried to bring together the strings of her plan. "My idea, Bella, is that maybe, if you approve, you could bring these things into the schoolroom. Why, the onset has already begun: Hearpwine the Bard has already shown himself to be a useful, if unusual, addition to the classroom. The basic necessaries would, of course, remain, as they have done and no doubt will do until the kingdom falls; but to add to Reading, Writing and Arithmatic the likes of history, geography, languages, crafts, cookery, even etiquette for the lasses... why, such a school, with such a wealth of teachers, would be unmatched in all of Middle Earth!"

Caught once more of anticipation in a whirl, her green eyes glinting with excitement, Aman took a breath, her eyes searching Bella's face. "What do you think, Bella? Hearpwine, I hope, has shown you that it would not be a complete waste of energy, and to give the children such a range of skills... The Shire remains unchanged as the years roll by, no matter how many young bucks follow the ways of 'mad baggins', but outside it the world is always changing. What do you say, Bella? Worth a try, or should this Innkeeper just stick with pulling pints?" She grinned, almost shyly despite her excitement, hoping the teacher might give her a go.