The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Elora]

"....... and that's how it was done," the old hobbit announced with obvious pleasure and more than his fair share of curiosity. Uien smelt the end of the long tale coming and brightened a subtle measure.

"A fine story to while away a busy afternoon, Master Hobbit," she said with a kind smile. "It will cheer me whilst I help Aman keep ahead of the pints." She began to rise, smoothing her skirts and trying desperately not to run away before the elderly hobbit cranked up again. Despite his age, though, he was quick. His hand was featherlight but tenuous. It wrapped around her wrist. Uien had two choices. Walk away and drag the talkative oldtimer after her, or remain to listen longer. After a moment of contemplation for the former option, she decided to listen a while longer. The hobbit cackled and struggled to lean up on his toes. Uien was not going to sit, oh no! She watched him wheeze with the effort, a canny hobbit as he was, and bent her ear.

"They say that there are ships still at the Havens," he whispered conspiratorially. Uien was entirely unsure where this was going, and so cautiously responded, "I do not know, good sir." He waved that aside like an annoying gnat. "That's what they say, make no mistake. Ships that have taken hobbits before, like Crazy Baggins and that other whipersnapper.... what was his name.... odd fellow like his uncle...."

"Frodo Baggins," Uien carefully said with deep reverence for the Ring Bearer that had ended Sauron's dominion. "Yes," said the old hobbit, seizing on the name, "That's the fellow. I gots to thinking.... Those Bagginses, they had contacts... friends in high places. If they can gets themselves a place on a ship, why can't I? All I need is a... friend..." He smiled winsomely up at her and Uien found her struggle was to not laugh. He mistook her silence for something else and sighed windily.

"I can make it worth your while," he added a little ruefully, disappointed that his charm had not been all that was necessary and wondering why those odd Bagginses had managed to wheedle their way onto a elven ship. Uien patted the old hobbit's hand fondly.

"It is a long journey even from here to the Haven's. Two days ride, longer still by wagon. I doubt you will find a ship waiting at harbour once you arrived," she said and he seemed crestfallen. "But, should you make that arduous journey, and find a ship, then you may have my place." The old hobbit brightened. He grinned at her in joy as his grandson at last returned from the crowded bar with two pottery tankards. Uien straighted as he nodded gratefully at her. As the old hobbit gushed thanks, his grandson shot her a quizzical look.

"The Havens," he asked and Uien nodded. "I'm terrible sorry about that, my lady," he awkwardly said. "He's been on about the Havens ever since it were first heard that the Bagginses took ship."

"The ships do not leave any longer, or so I believe. But if there is a ship, your grandfather is welcome to my berth for I have no need of a Westward journey. Only, do not have him come to the harbour and find none waiting. Go to the towers, climb them. You will see a ship if it is there. Do not expect to see one at all. Mayhaps he will find some peace in his days now that he has a berth." The grandson, mystified, nodded and Uien took her leave.

Aman was lost behind a crowd of customers all seeking ale. Uien took up the battle against the tide of empty tankards. Over the hubbub, Uien smiled across to Aman. The innkeeper returned a warm grin of her own. "Some things do not change," Uien observed as she handed back four full tankards and received another three empty ones for her trouble. Aman laughed, "Not round here, Uien." When she had the chance, Aman would speak to her and Uien could ask her questions. For now, she was happy to help as she had upon a time, for behind the bar she was afforded an excellent view of the common room. Indeed of one particular table, and one particular man who sat there in contentment. Her Laurëatan.

"My name ain't Laurëatan, but it can be if it gets me my ale," grinned a customer at her. Uien flushed and returned to the task at hand, handing him a full tankard and an apologetic smile. The bar, during the busy afternoon session, was not the place to drift in daydream. Despite that, Uien's eyes could not help but always wonder back to Falowik and sometimes when she looked up she found she met with his own gaze. At such times, all thought of all, tankards and a busy bar fled right out of the window.

"Hopeless," Aman muttered goodnaturedly at her. Uien sighed and looked back to Aman. "Absolutely,' she said without a trace of remorse.

[Firefoot]

Lily was surprised to see how much the Common Room had filled up since she had left on her walk. There were now several larger groups of people and the mood of the Inn seemed livelier somehow. She realized that Mira and Willow had apparently decided to stay outside for a while longer, and that she was alone. She made her way over to the bar and requested a cup of tea. It warmed her hands, and tasted very good as well.

She looked around, wondering if there might be a group that she could join. Let's see... she thought. She spotted a group of four hobbits and a woman, one of the Big Folk. That didn't put her off one bit; she was, after all, from Bree. She decided to make her way over there and introduce herself. She smiled and tucked that same stray wisp of hair behind her ear again, and wove her way between chairs and tables over to them.

As she got closer she was able to see them more clearly. The hobbits all appeared very different. One had a rather gruff expression on his face, glaring almost. That put Lily off a bit, but she kept on. A second seemed rather shy, and a third was smiling, and the other... Lily wasn't sure about him. She noticed the parchment held in the woman's hands, and wondered a bit about that. There's nothing for it, I suppose, she decided, and took the last few steps toward them.

"My name is Lily," she said. "Do you mind if I join you?"

[littlemanpoet]

"Mr. Falowik, if I may ask, where do you hail from? And what brings you to the Green Dragon?"

"Falowik Stonewort is the name, Miss Peony, and I hail from Bree. I am happy to meet you and ask forgiveness for my ill mannered ways. I am not used to being among so many people." It was thanks to one Elven woman in particular that he was as free of speech as he was. He cast his glance over the crowd, to the bar, and saw Uien behind it, helping Aman with a crush of customers seeking refills. Their eyes met. His heart filled, and he could not help but smile.

"And what brings you here?" Peony reminded him.

He turned his attention back to the maiden. "Forgive me. I have been on an errand into the Hills of Evendim to the north, and have lately returned, my errand completed. You may have heard Master Eodwine of Rohan telling his tale. It was I who saw him captured and reported it here, and the Master of Buckland, a friend to Master Eodwine, put out a commission and reward to bring Eodwine back. I did little but help steer the errand runners on their way, but those with me have proven themselves to be heroes and Hobbits, Humans, and Elves of great heart. But I run on and on without answering your question. Aman and others here took great interest in the fate of Eodwine, and we are here to deliver the news that he is alive and well."

"And what of you?" Falowik gave Jean and Peony glances, including them both in the question. "I am eager to hear both your stories, but far be it from me to say who should be the first teller!"

[Kitanna]

Peony smiled and moved a strand of red hair out of her eyes. "I come all the way from Minas Tirith with my companion, Deva the dwarf. He is lurking around the inn somewhere, maybe he will come join us in a little while."

Peony paused a moment, before continuing her story. "My father was a great traveler and it was him who got me started on my own. Orginally I was supposed to head to Bree on an errand for my brother, but once we got there I saw the need to adventure a little farther. That is how I ended up at the Green Dragon."

[Eowyn Skywalker]

Really, she had wanted to stay outside longer, but the chill was starting to catch up to her. Willow sighed. Lily had went back into the Inn, not that Willow had anything against that, and she had wanted to stay out there longer. It was getting too chilly for her thin cloak though, and she couldn't stay out there, unless she had wished to risk getting a cold.

And once again, her sleepyness was catching up to her, and she sighed hard. The Hobbit stood up from the stump she had been sitting on, and walked back towards the Green Dragon Inn.

She was chilled through and through, leaving no trace of warmth within her. Willow's first though was that the wind had picked up, or something, to cause the extra chill, but it soon became obvious that that was not the case. Seemingly, she had picked up on a slight cold, or something.

That left her without any options, but to head back into the Inn, whether she wanted to, or not. Willow didn't exactly fancy heading back in among all the people that had seemingly headed there for the rain, but she didn't exactly have a choice. Entering back in, she was struck by how many new people there were since she had went out for that little walk... so many people. All sorts of races too.

She shook her head. She had to go inside, or risk getting sick, but the amount of people crowding around... it was almost sickening in itself. Willow had never really liked crowds, she remembered all too well as she stepped back in, and hung her cloak back up, to look around and see if maybe Lily was still around, or someone else that she knew.

[littlemanpoet]

"We thought we were dead for certain," Gorby said. "Eighty mounted warriors, coming down three different hills at once, and there we were in the valley, back to back, with a half dozen horses in the middle of us."

Anson said, "It did not look pretty."

Gorby picked up his story again. "But Esghallugwen and Lumiel, the Elf maid warriors, they did fine work with bow and arrow at first, then with their swords."

"I wish I had been to see that," said Eodwine between sips of his ale.

"But Anson and me, we were of little use to the others, mere baggage, we felt, and one of our ponies went down, I cannot recall whose right now, and it looked as if we would be trampled."

"But Lira came to our rescue," Anson interrupted, "and we escaped to the fourth hill, and hid in a grove of trees up top. I was wondering where Falco was."

"I was staying low and our of harm's way among the horses while the big people fought. Maybe it seemed cowardly on the face of it, but I knew I was little use with just my dagger and cudgel. When the battle shifted to the hill Gorby, Anson, and Lira escaped to, all the others chased after the foe galloping that way, but I stayed behind. I had a thought that maybe where they came from was not so far away. So I went over the next hill, and sure as sure, there was a settlement, all stockaded about. I snuck over and discovered that all the Master's men, save four, were at the battle with my friends. It was not so hard to sneak inside and find my way to the prisoners and free them. Once they were freed, it was easy to overpower the four guards."

"Tell them how you turned the tide against Herugor, Falco," said Eodwine with a wink.

"Me? Turn the tide? All I did was hide and wait for the right moment, but that's getting ahead of our tale, don't you think? Besides, maybe I did my part, but if had not been quick thinking yourself, Master Eodwine, who knows how many of us the ugly Master might have killed besides Lira, may she rest in peace?"

"Oh, aye, we all had our part to play, and we each of us did our parts, and that is what makes the difference. Now Anson, why are you looking so glum suddenly?"

"I did not play much of a part, and I kept Gorby from joining you. Maybe if we had gone along, Lira would not have died." Anson's face was a picture of woe. He wiped his eyes.

"Do not overburden yourself so, Master Anson," Eodwine said. "I saw Lira fall to her death, and I doubt that there was anything you, or Gorby could do, short of calling one of the Great Eagles to drop out of the sky of a sudden, and they were far away. It was Lira's time. I wish I had known her."

[Sarin Mithrilanger]

Sarin rode along the wide grasslands of the Shire, as he puffed his pipe. His fiery beard shone in the sunlight. His brown eyes sat like pebbles under his heavy bushy eyebrows. His pony’s magnificently groomed hair seemed to glow. He had been traveling for quite some time now and it seemed as though he would never get to this Inn he was told about. He was tired and hungry. Perhaps it’s over this hill, he thought. When he had almost completely given up on this Inn he finally saw it. The Green Dragon Inn. Finally, I get to drink! His eyes began to water but he quickly whisked them away and tied up his pony.

As he strode into the Inn he took little time ordering his meal and drink. He went to the corner of the Inn just as quickly. His meal or, (as it might have looked to others) his small feast, was more than he could have asked for and he kicked up his shoes and struck up his pipe. He began to think just way he had come this way and not just going straight to the mountains. He wanted the adventures everyone else spoke of but he began to think how foolish it really would have been to go rushing up on those foul creatures by himself. Tomorrow is yet another day, perhaps something will find me if I stay here. After he finished his pipe he decided to get some sleep. He would talk to these fine folk later.