The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Envinyatar · 08-19-2004, 01:05 AM

“Is this to be a surprise for the hand fasting I have heard so much talk about?”

Derufin brushed his arm across his forehead. It was hot in the noontime sun. Shading his eyes with his hand, he smiled widely at the young woman. ‘It is a surprise . . . Mistress Cornthrift, is it?’ With his free hand he made an open gesture toward the great oak tree. ‘Let’s finish our talk in the shade, what do you say?’

Egbert Proudfoot left them as the three headed toward the table set in tree’s shade. ‘You’ll join us for lunch won’t you,’ he said to Jinniver, making it more of a statement than a question. ‘Buttercup!’ he called out to serving lass as she buzzed about the table setting out baskets of bread and pots of butter. The five lads who had been helping at the cottage followed close behind her – she’d commandeered their assistance in setting out the bowls and table ware and mugs. She looked up and smiled to see him approaching.

‘We’ve another for lunch, Buttercup,’ he grinned, nodding at Jinniver. ‘Can you and Cook accommodate her?’

‘Her and half the Shire, if need be,’ laughed Buttercup. ‘Don’t you know Cook’s gone and made enough stew and blackberry tart to feed a multitude?’ Buttercup motioned for Ferdy to come near. ‘Be a love, now won’t you! Just go and fetch an extra stool for the lady?’ she instructed him, turning him about and pushing him toward the kitchen’s door. There were baleful looks from the other lads as Ferdy stumbled past them, his cheeks crimson.

‘Listen, Buttercup,’ said Derufin pulling the Hobbit aside. ‘Can you keep Zimzi from the cottage until after the wedding? I’ve a little surprise for her that I don’t want her to know about.’ Buttercup looked round Derufin to where Ferdy was just seating Jinniver. ‘And I suppose that one there has something to do with the “surprise”?’ ‘As a matter of fact she does.’ Derufin hurriedly explained his ideas as Buttercup nodded her head. ‘I’ll let Cook know. She’ll find plenty to keep Zimzi occupied.’

Derufin seated himself next to Jinniver just as the servers were going about the table pouring cold cider or ale. ‘I have to say that I know nothing, really, of flowers . . . only that my lady is fond of them and I would have her happy. Horses I know about and the fixing and building of things. But the mystery of growing things escapes me. If you are agreeable, Mistress Cornthrift, I would be happy to leave the planning and plantings in your hands. Something bright and colorful and welcoming would be enough for me.’ ‘There is one other thing you should consider . . .,’ he said, passing her the basket of bread that Andwise had passed to him. ‘The hand-fasting will be in a week’s time. Will that be enough for you to work your magic?’

piosenniel · 08-19-2004, 01:49 AM

It is noon-time at the Green Dragon Inn. Lunch is now being served. The fragrant scent of lamb stew and blackberry tart is hinting that lunch is indeed ready.

The day is proving to be a fair one so far . . . no clouds on the horizon as yet.

Lalwendë · 08-19-2004, 03:26 PM

Jinniver had found herself urged to join Derufin and Andwise for lunch under the shade of the ancient Oak. Her head was spinning a little, whether this was the sun or the hospitality, she could not tell, but she gratefully took a large draft of a mug of cool cider before helping herself to a warm bread roll from the basket.

“A week? Oh yes, I am sure I could plant you a fine little garden in a week.” she said, answering Derufin’s questions. “But….” she took another draft of the cider. “I wouldn’t call it magic.”

Derufin raised his eyebrows and Jinniver laughed a little nervously. “Well, what I mean to say is, I wasn’t being rude, but spending all these years with plants, you get to know what they like. And this Shire soil is supposed to be most rich, what with how all those trees grew back so fast after the trouble. This is a happy place for plant to be, and a happy plant grows true and strong.” None of the hobbits looked at her oddly for this statement. Such odd things were often said in The Shire by the many gardeners. Some hobbits, it was said, even spoke to their plants. Jinniver would not have found this strange, she had spent many lonely hours in the fields and often found herself chattering away though there was nobody to listen.

There was quiet for a moment as the company all started to tuck into the bread. The only sounds were the odd mumbled “Umm” and “Mmm”, and the scraping of butter knives. The sharp but sweet smell of blackberry tart filled the air, mingling with the aroma of lamb stew. Jinniver thought of fragrant herbs and night-scented stock and the smell of lavender. These would be lovely in the garden. She would have to send a message back to the farm this very afternoon.

The silence was broken by one of the hobbits cheering as Buttercup brought the stew. Plates and spoons rattled as the meal was served up and there was a lot of excited chattering. “I’ll make a start today,” said Jinniver, reaching for more bread. “After I’ve delivered Mr Proudfoot’s order, I’ll send word to my father and what plants I don’t already have with me, will be here by the day after tomorrow at the very latest.”

Yes, colourful and fragrant, that was the garden a young bride might like. It was the same kind of garden she had helped to make for her brother’s wife, when they had set up in Bree just before the southerners came. One day, she might have made herself a garden like that, but now she had the whole farm and no need for her own garden, and certainly no time to be getting married. Not that she wanted to, she had thought of getting married once, but he had turned out to betray her and her family.

“I’ll make sure you get as fine a garden as any in The Shire. After all, you did provide my horse with the finest hay in The Shire,” she laughed, thinking about how sentimental she could be about her old horse. “Is all of The Shire as fine as here?”

Rose Cotton · 08-19-2004, 03:52 PM

The door of the little inn swung open for a moment alowing a ray of sunshine to penetrate the room. In through the door stepped a small hooded hobbit lass. Pulling back her hood revealed her ruddy, weather- worn face. Her furry feet and the edges of her cloak were caked in drying mud. Her attire, which was thread-bare and torn hinted at the hobbit's long and distant travels.

After shaking back her curly brown hair the young hobbit ordered a drink at the bar and then settled herself in a secluded corner to rest and observe the crowd of people.

Rose is back home. She thought to herself.

08-19-2004, 03:52 PM	#4
Rose Cotton Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: A place worse then Mordor........School! Posts: 1,075	The door of the little inn swung open for a moment alowing a ray of sunshine to penetrate the room. In through the door stepped a small hooded hobbit lass. Pulling back her hood revealed her ruddy, weather- worn face. Her furry feet and the edges of her cloak were caked in drying mud. Her attire, which was thread-bare and torn hinted at the hobbit's long and distant travels. After shaking back her curly brown hair the young hobbit ordered a drink at the bar and then settled herself in a secluded corner to rest and observe the crowd of people. Rose is back home. She thought to herself. __________________ "There's nothing you can do, Harry... nothing... he's gone."-Remus Lupin "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm."-Pippin (now how can you argue with that logic?)

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08-19-2004, 01:05 AM	#1
Envinyatar Quill Revenant Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Wandering through the Downs..... Posts: 849	“Is this to be a surprise for the hand fasting I have heard so much talk about?” Derufin brushed his arm across his forehead. It was hot in the noontime sun. Shading his eyes with his hand, he smiled widely at the young woman. ‘It is a surprise . . . Mistress Cornthrift, is it?’ With his free hand he made an open gesture toward the great oak tree. ‘Let’s finish our talk in the shade, what do you say?’ Egbert Proudfoot left them as the three headed toward the table set in tree’s shade. ‘You’ll join us for lunch won’t you,’ he said to Jinniver, making it more of a statement than a question. ‘Buttercup!’ he called out to serving lass as she buzzed about the table setting out baskets of bread and pots of butter. The five lads who had been helping at the cottage followed close behind her – she’d commandeered their assistance in setting out the bowls and table ware and mugs. She looked up and smiled to see him approaching. ‘We’ve another for lunch, Buttercup,’ he grinned, nodding at Jinniver. ‘Can you and Cook accommodate her?’ ‘Her and half the Shire, if need be,’ laughed Buttercup. ‘Don’t you know Cook’s gone and made enough stew and blackberry tart to feed a multitude?’ Buttercup motioned for Ferdy to come near. ‘Be a love, now won’t you! Just go and fetch an extra stool for the lady?’ she instructed him, turning him about and pushing him toward the kitchen’s door. There were baleful looks from the other lads as Ferdy stumbled past them, his cheeks crimson. ‘Listen, Buttercup,’ said Derufin pulling the Hobbit aside. ‘Can you keep Zimzi from the cottage until after the wedding? I’ve a little surprise for her that I don’t want her to know about.’ Buttercup looked round Derufin to where Ferdy was just seating Jinniver. ‘And I suppose that one there has something to do with the “surprise”?’ ‘As a matter of fact she does.’ Derufin hurriedly explained his ideas as Buttercup nodded her head. ‘I’ll let Cook know. She’ll find plenty to keep Zimzi occupied.’ Derufin seated himself next to Jinniver just as the servers were going about the table pouring cold cider or ale. ‘I have to say that I know nothing, really, of flowers . . . only that my lady is fond of them and I would have her happy. Horses I know about and the fixing and building of things. But the mystery of growing things escapes me. If you are agreeable, Mistress Cornthrift, I would be happy to leave the planning and plantings in your hands. Something bright and colorful and welcoming would be enough for me.’ ‘There is one other thing you should consider . . .,’ he said, passing her the basket of bread that Andwise had passed to him. ‘The hand-fasting will be in a week’s time. Will that be enough for you to work your magic?’ __________________ ‘Many are the strange chances of the world,’ said Mithrandir, ‘and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.’ – Gandalf in: The Silmarillion, 'Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age'

08-19-2004, 01:49 AM	#2
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	It is noon-time at the Green Dragon Inn. Lunch is now being served. The fragrant scent of lamb stew and blackberry tart is hinting that lunch is indeed ready. The day is proving to be a fair one so far . . . no clouds on the horizon as yet.

08-19-2004, 03:26 PM	#3
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Jinniver had found herself urged to join Derufin and Andwise for lunch under the shade of the ancient Oak. Her head was spinning a little, whether this was the sun or the hospitality, she could not tell, but she gratefully took a large draft of a mug of cool cider before helping herself to a warm bread roll from the basket. “A week? Oh yes, I am sure I could plant you a fine little garden in a week.” she said, answering Derufin’s questions. “But….” she took another draft of the cider. “I wouldn’t call it magic.” Derufin raised his eyebrows and Jinniver laughed a little nervously. “Well, what I mean to say is, I wasn’t being rude, but spending all these years with plants, you get to know what they like. And this Shire soil is supposed to be most rich, what with how all those trees grew back so fast after the trouble. This is a happy place for plant to be, and a happy plant grows true and strong.” None of the hobbits looked at her oddly for this statement. Such odd things were often said in The Shire by the many gardeners. Some hobbits, it was said, even spoke to their plants. Jinniver would not have found this strange, she had spent many lonely hours in the fields and often found herself chattering away though there was nobody to listen. There was quiet for a moment as the company all started to tuck into the bread. The only sounds were the odd mumbled “Umm” and “Mmm”, and the scraping of butter knives. The sharp but sweet smell of blackberry tart filled the air, mingling with the aroma of lamb stew. Jinniver thought of fragrant herbs and night-scented stock and the smell of lavender. These would be lovely in the garden. She would have to send a message back to the farm this very afternoon. The silence was broken by one of the hobbits cheering as Buttercup brought the stew. Plates and spoons rattled as the meal was served up and there was a lot of excited chattering. “I’ll make a start today,” said Jinniver, reaching for more bread. “After I’ve delivered Mr Proudfoot’s order, I’ll send word to my father and what plants I don’t already have with me, will be here by the day after tomorrow at the very latest.” Yes, colourful and fragrant, that was the garden a young bride might like. It was the same kind of garden she had helped to make for her brother’s wife, when they had set up in Bree just before the southerners came. One day, she might have made herself a garden like that, but now she had the whole farm and no need for her own garden, and certainly no time to be getting married. Not that she wanted to, she had thought of getting married once, but he had turned out to betray her and her family. “I’ll make sure you get as fine a garden as any in The Shire. After all, you did provide my horse with the finest hay in The Shire,” she laughed, thinking about how sentimental she could be about her old horse. “Is all of The Shire as fine as here?”