The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Nurumaiel]

Marcho's face turned red with rage and he scowled at Lily's back before whirling back to the counter. He saw that Ruby stood not too far away, eyeing him carefully and waiting for his reaction. He took three deep breaths and then muttered to her, his voice filled with restrained anger, "Did you hear what she said to me?"

"Yes," said Ruby, "and I apologize for hearing, as perhaps it might be considered eavesdropping. I do think she's right, you know."

"It's different because Posco is my little cousin."

"How is it different because he's your little cousin? Isn't he still your friend, and don't you still want to help him? In fact you should feel more obligated to help him because he's your relative."

Marcho's whole form was trembling with rage but he restrained himself and waved Ruby away. "Go back to the table where that Falco is," he said. "I think you're needed more there than you are here. And besides, you might find them more of pleasant company that I, a grouchy, mean old hobbit." He felt a sudden and strange sadness come over him as he remembered the way he had studied Bingo before, and how the latter always looked at everyone kindly while he was exactly that... a grouchy, mean old hobbit. He hoped his thoughts did not show on his face. He would not want Ruby to notice. She did not stay any longer but went back to Falco's table. Marcho sat in a chair by the counter and buried himself in his own anger and resentment.

Posco was immensely relieved that no one had been angry at him for his questions, and he straightened about the slightest bit. He felt comforted by Lily's presence, the presence of another hobbit who spoke kindly to him and tried to comfort him. As he looked into her smiling face he suddenly thought that she was rather pretty like most hobbit lasses, and he become suddenly aware of his dishevelled hair, his torn clothes, and his muddy face. He cast a glance towards Blanco, smooth and sociable and very neat and tidy, listening with wide eyes to the tales of the adventurers at the other table. He began feeling miserable again and stared weakly at Lily, muttering in a voice barely audible, "You must think me an awful sight."

[Faragorn]

Faragorn looked up to see a woman standing there, next to the table. She offered him some company. He accepted with his eyes still wandering around to see if anyone was watching. “I can only speak for a while for I have places to see, places to discover, and most of all I have to finish my brandy.”

With that said he called the waitress over and asked for another brandy. He pulled out a chair and invited her to sit down with him. Maybe he would make a new friend.

[Kitanna]

"Finishing your brandy eh? I can see how that would take precedence over other things." Peony smiled and took the seat Faragorn had offered to her. "Exploring you say? Very interesting. Now tell me then are you exploring because you want to or is it your job of sorts?"

She stopped, remembering her manners. "But before I allow you to answer that I believe introductions are in order." She extended a hand. "Peony Minyatur and if I can have the pleasure of knowing your name, sir?"

[Sirithheruwen]

Lily had left the table after soothing Posco. She disappeared behind the rugged stranger Twylight expected was hiding Marcho. She emerged soon afterwards, red and shaking with anger the way Twylight had been just moments before. She figured some confrontation had happened, and despite the little voice in her head telling her to ask, she did not.

Turning an eye on Posco, she was amused to see him trying to flatten his hair (though all in vain). His eye was on Lily, and he was blushing. "You must think me an awful sight," he whispered just loud enough for the table to hear when they strained their ears just a little bit. Iadarion opened his mouth to speak, but Twylight grabbed his arm and tilted her head slightly in Lily's direction. He looked from Lily to Posco with his mouth still wide open when a look of understanding lit up his features. He winked slightly in Twylight's direction, and she let go of his arm as if it were on fire.

[Faragorn]

Faragorn extended his right hand to Peony. “Faragorn at your service. I guess I am a stranger here. It’ll take some getting used to.” He waited a moment to recall the question Pheony had asked. “Now you asked of my business in exploring – Well, I guess you could call it just a hobby, or maybe you’d rather call it an interest. I do not get paid, nor am I hired. My explorations are simply done of free will. Now that you know a little about me I’d like to know some more of you.”

He quickly grasped his brandy mug and took one large gulp. His glass was now nearly half-empty with a small ring of water below it from where it had been sitting. Faragorn took a quick glance into the center of the room to find a group of about five whispering amongst themselves. Only one girl was not speaking at the time. It appeared as though she had to let go of a man’s arm quickly, as if his arm had caught ablaze.

[Firefoot]

Lily noticed Posco looking at her. "You must think me an awful sight," he mumbled. Lily looked at him. His clothes were slightly torn and muddy, and his hair was mussed, but that wasn't what Lily saw. Lily saw a sweet but very shy hobbit lad who, if he was cleaned up a bit, might actually look quite nice. She could tell that he wasn't very self-confident, and that he was getting depressed again. She still couldn't believe how Marcho had treated him, whether to his face or not. It certainly wasn't what Posco needed. Watching Posco, Lily completely missed the interchange between Twylight and Iadarion.

Lily smiled at him. "No, not at all," Lily replied. "You've been travelling in the rain today; no wonder you're a bit muddy." Lily thought she saw a hint of a smile on Posco's face, and she wished he would smile more often. I bet he's actually quite nice, Lily thought. Just a little shy. She tried to think of something that he would feel comfortable talking about as she subconsciously straightened her light blue dress.

"Where are you travelling?" she asked. "Are you from around here?"

[Kitanna]

"There is really nothing much to say of myself. I am on an errand with my friend. We have come from Minas Tirith." Peony watched as Faragorn took a large gulp from his brandy.

"And you? Where do you hail from?" Peony looked quickly around the inn for a moment. Just to see what was happening around her. Not really anything she would bother with.