The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[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.

[Arry]

They were waiting for Buttercup to get the fresh linens from the laundry and make up their beds, when the door banged open and a man with fiery hair blew in with a gust of evening breeze at his back and the fragrance of the evening blooming phlox rushing in around him. Alwin looked with interest at the new fellow, wondering if he were another adventurer come to The Green Dragon.

Little Jack slipped his hand from Alwin’s and climbed up on one of the stools near the bar to catch a better look at the newcomer. ‘Look, Grandfather,’ he said, grinning at Alwin. ‘He’s as hungry as I was from our long walk to get here!’ The two watched as Buttercup, having asked them to wait just a bit while she helped Ruby bring the man’s meal out, toted platter after platter of food to the new fellow’s table, along with Ruby who brought him a pitcher of ale.

Just as he was finishing his meal and pushed his plate away looking tired, Jack scurried over to his table and pulled on the sleeve of the man’s tunic. ‘Begging your pardon, sir, but my grandfather’s sent over a little pouch of pipeweed from the Southfarthing.’ Jack smiled and held out the little leather pouch.

Alwin had by this time come over to the table. ‘It’s true – finest weed in the Shire.’ He chuckled as he thought back on the farmer who had given it to him. ‘We passed through the Southfarthing on our way up to the Green Dragon. Spent the night with one of the farmers in Longbottom. He was very proud of his crop this year and pressed a goodly quantity on us. ‘You just show those Hobbits up north how good the Southern leaf can be!’

Jack put the pouch onto the tabletop, then sat in one of the empty chairs. ‘My name’s Jack,’ he said. ‘What’s yours?’

Alwin shook his head and smiled indulgently at the boy. ‘Eleven years old and not one to beat about the bush.’ He bowed slightly to the man, then nodded at Jack. ‘We’re just traveling through the Shire. My name is Alwin. We’re bound for Bree next. How about yourself?’

[piosenniel]

NOTE: Durelin's game is now filled.

Thanks for your participations!

~*~ Pio

[Sarin Mithrilanger]

Sarin looked at Jack and smiled warmly as he slightly bowed his head. "Thank you, lad. I'm certain that this will be the best pipeweed of had yet. My name is Sarin Mithrilanger. I'm just passing through the Shire as well. I'm not sure where I'm heading next. I'm seeking adventure and am yet to find it. What is in Bree for the two of you?"

Sarin packed his pipe with the new pipeweed and took a long puff. He sent a smoke ring up to the ceiling and gave Jack a small wink as he drank his ale. Ale ran down his beard as he drank. He lowered his mug and offered some ale to Alwin.