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piosenniel · 10-06-2003, 03:53 PM

littlemanpoet's post - Falowik

Falowik had spent the day at Brandy Hall. Falowik had been brought straight to the Master of Buckland in Brandy Hall by Doderic Brandybuck. Master Meriadoc's mien had been simple, straightforward, and serious. Doderic took after his cousin in all but experience, for he had never left the lands of Hobbits. Master Meriadoc had thanked Falowik for his message, and wished him well on his mission. Doderic had accompanied him to Bree, along with Gorbilac Brandybuck, age 40 and youngest son of Merimac; first cousin of Meriadoc, second cousin of Doderic. Gorbilac, known as Gorby, was to represent the Master of Buckland as a member of the rescue party.

They passed through Stonebows, on the eastern bank of the Brandywine River. Stonebows had turned into a small village since the King's Edict, where hobbits from the Shire and other races might meet and trade. Stonebows Inn, a new building, had been planned and built under the direction of the Master of Buckland. It was styled after The Prancing Pony in Bree, for both Men and Hobbits, but was much smaller, having no need for the capacity of the inn at Bree; at least, not yet. Master Brandybuck had plans for the Stonebow, but they would be years away. Falowik had met the Elven lady, Uien at the Stonebow, for Falowik had avoided Bree, the place of his childhood, where bad memories lurked. Falowik had had time to speak with Uien at the Stonebow, and was heartened to learn that she had done well, finding as many as three willing souls to join their rescue party. He had had to rush on, and would wait for Uien to come later, for her recruits needed time to end their business in Stonebow and make their way to Bree.

Falowik was almost in Bree. On three points he was ill at ease. First, he had no desire to go back to the place of his birth and childhood. Second, he had not recruited anyone, save Gorby, who hardly counted as a recruit, sent along by the Master of Buckland. Uien had had more success. Which brought him to the third point: Uien. At Brandy Hall and on the road to Bree, he had had time to reflect on the heady events of his first night and the following day with Uien. Her healing touch was undeniable. The need in her for someone to love and be loved by, was just as real. His place in her heart was the crux of the matter. He was a Man. She was an Elf. A high Elf, as far as he could tell. He had no business meddling in the affairs of Elves. The saying had often been bandied about, and the more so the less merit it seemed to carry, but there was truth in it nonetheless. I may adore her, but I'm a fool to take her love and claim to be able to give it. He made an agreement with himself as he entered Bree, that he would give her all his courtesy, all his honor, all that she merited; but he would not demean her by courting her for himself. And no persuasions, no enchantments - if he coud help it- would dissuade him.

The three travelers arrived at The Prancing Pony. The Inn had a pleasant front, and two wings running back into the hill behind; the second floor windows were level with the ground toward the back. They came to the arch, framing a large doorway that was open. Above the arch, beneath a lamp that was not yet lit, for it was day, was a sign of a fat white pony reared up on its hind legs. Over the door was painted in white letters: THE PRANCING PONY by BARLIMAN BUTTERBUR. Falowik felt a strange sense of anticipation, and anxiety, for Barliman had been kind to him, and had given him work and shelter as he had become a man; and had warned him when gossipers had chosen him as their target to explain inexplicable thefts. He had made nothing of himself in the twelve years since, and was ashamed.

They led their ponies and horse under the arch, and leaving them standing in the yard, they climbed the steps. A Man in the company of two hobbits was not unusual, nor was it common. As they went inside and found a table, many faces turned their way; none recognized them as native of Breeland, for which Falowik was grateful. They might be left to themselves as they waited for Uien and the others to arrive. Falowik wondered if Falco Boffin might make himself a burden upon the company of rescuers. He hoped not. He would most likey be a burden only to Falowik.

There was Barliman Butterbur. Falowik kept his head down. Though the bitterness of his past had been eased by Uien, he still lived its shame. He hoped that Barliman would not recognize him.

[ October 23, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

10-06-2003, 03:53 PM	#2
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	littlemanpoet's post - Falowik Falowik had spent the day at Brandy Hall. Falowik had been brought straight to the Master of Buckland in Brandy Hall by Doderic Brandybuck. Master Meriadoc's mien had been simple, straightforward, and serious. Doderic took after his cousin in all but experience, for he had never left the lands of Hobbits. Master Meriadoc had thanked Falowik for his message, and wished him well on his mission. Doderic had accompanied him to Bree, along with Gorbilac Brandybuck, age 40 and youngest son of Merimac; first cousin of Meriadoc, second cousin of Doderic. Gorbilac, known as Gorby, was to represent the Master of Buckland as a member of the rescue party. They passed through Stonebows, on the eastern bank of the Brandywine River. Stonebows had turned into a small village since the King's Edict, where hobbits from the Shire and other races might meet and trade. Stonebows Inn, a new building, had been planned and built under the direction of the Master of Buckland. It was styled after The Prancing Pony in Bree, for both Men and Hobbits, but was much smaller, having no need for the capacity of the inn at Bree; at least, not yet. Master Brandybuck had plans for the Stonebow, but they would be years away. Falowik had met the Elven lady, Uien at the Stonebow, for Falowik had avoided Bree, the place of his childhood, where bad memories lurked. Falowik had had time to speak with Uien at the Stonebow, and was heartened to learn that she had done well, finding as many as three willing souls to join their rescue party. He had had to rush on, and would wait for Uien to come later, for her recruits needed time to end their business in Stonebow and make their way to Bree. Falowik was almost in Bree. On three points he was ill at ease. First, he had no desire to go back to the place of his birth and childhood. Second, he had not recruited anyone, save Gorby, who hardly counted as a recruit, sent along by the Master of Buckland. Uien had had more success. Which brought him to the third point: Uien. At Brandy Hall and on the road to Bree, he had had time to reflect on the heady events of his first night and the following day with Uien. Her healing touch was undeniable. The need in her for someone to love and be loved by, was just as real. His place in her heart was the crux of the matter. He was a Man. She was an Elf. A high Elf, as far as he could tell. He had no business meddling in the affairs of Elves. The saying had often been bandied about, and the more so the less merit it seemed to carry, but there was truth in it nonetheless. I may adore her, but I'm a fool to take her love and claim to be able to give it. He made an agreement with himself as he entered Bree, that he would give her all his courtesy, all his honor, all that she merited; but he would not demean her by courting her for himself. And no persuasions, no enchantments - if he coud help it- would dissuade him. The three travelers arrived at The Prancing Pony. The Inn had a pleasant front, and two wings running back into the hill behind; the second floor windows were level with the ground toward the back. They came to the arch, framing a large doorway that was open. Above the arch, beneath a lamp that was not yet lit, for it was day, was a sign of a fat white pony reared up on its hind legs. Over the door was painted in white letters: THE PRANCING PONY by BARLIMAN BUTTERBUR. Falowik felt a strange sense of anticipation, and anxiety, for Barliman had been kind to him, and had given him work and shelter as he had become a man; and had warned him when gossipers had chosen him as their target to explain inexplicable thefts. He had made nothing of himself in the twelve years since, and was ashamed. They led their ponies and horse under the arch, and leaving them standing in the yard, they climbed the steps. A Man in the company of two hobbits was not unusual, nor was it common. As they went inside and found a table, many faces turned their way; none recognized them as native of Breeland, for which Falowik was grateful. They might be left to themselves as they waited for Uien and the others to arrive. Falowik wondered if Falco Boffin might make himself a burden upon the company of rescuers. He hoped not. He would most likey be a burden only to Falowik. There was Barliman Butterbur. Falowik kept his head down. Though the bitterness of his past had been eased by Uien, he still lived its shame. He hoped that Barliman would not recognize him. [ October 23, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.