The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Nurumaiel]

Posco gave Lily a rather despairing look and then, with a shrug, moved away. Blanco opened the door to the stable and went in, and after a brief hesitation Lily followed him. The door closed behind them, and Blanco began softly calling for Peony and Hal. Lily did likewise. They searched here and there, and at last Blanco stopped and said, 'Ah, what a silly little fool I am. They can't be here.' He looked towards Lily, but she did not question him, so with a bit of a pout he answered the question he was hoping she would ask. 'They can't be here because they would have either had to encircle the entire building, which we know they didn't do, unless they were running very fast, or they would have had to go back along the way they came, and they would have passed us by.'

'Then shall we go out?' said Lily, her voice light, but a note of anxiousness in her voice. Blanco looked keenly at her, and he sighed. He was more than certain that she wanted to go back to Posco. She was going towards the door, but he called to her to stop, and he went to her, and he looked despairingly at her. 'Miss Lily,' he said after a brief pause, 'would you tell me exactly how you feel about my brother?'

Hal and Peony had made their way back to the Common Room, where Hal had led her to a table in a dark corner of the Inn. 'Oh, come now,' said Peony, laughing, 'we can't hide back here. And why? You have already spoken to me.'

'I'm not done speaking to you yet,' said Hal rather grimly.

Peony sighed. 'How many times must I tell you?' she said. 'I cannot until my father gives permission.' Hal shot her a look of defiant desperation, and seated himself. 'Besides,' Peony went on, 'we cannot hide back here. Blanco would spot us, surely, and Bingo and Marcho have already seen us.'

'Perhaps we would have a little more time alone,' said Hal. 'Peony, when is the last time I have seen you alone?'

'When was the last time it was necessary?' she asked. 'There is nothing you can say to me but what you would say in the presence of others. Anything else you might say I have already answered.' He looked into her eyes for a few moments, and then he dropped his head and sighed sorrowfully. She reached out and touched his arm, smiling. 'Courage, Hal!' she said. 'I said wait; I did not say no. I hope still. Cannot you hope as well?'

Hal gave a nod that was barely perceptible, and he said nothing.

[piosenniel]

‘Best we leave her to her own thoughts and habits for now,’ said Cook, speaking low as she drew Ginger aside. ‘The Big Folk have their own way of facing down problems. Somewhat like those snapping turtles down at The Pool, or so I’ve come to think. They draw in their heads and legs all tight beneath their hard shells. And my, oh my, but they are snappish indeed if you try to prod them.’

Ginger furrowed her brow and looked over toward the Innkeeper. ‘My sister and I once tried to pry out one of those turtle’s heads when we were little. Lilly, she poked and prodded, and thumped on the old fellow’s shell.’ Ginger shook her curls at the memory. ‘Nearly bit her fingertip off, that old snapper did.’

‘Exactly!’ agreed Cook, nodding at the conjured image. ‘She’ll either come round,’ she went on, jutting her chin at Aman, ‘or she won’t. That’s just the way with them.’

Cook looked over toward the table where Derufin, Andwise, and the lads all sat. ‘Looks to me as if dessert should be offered round . . . don’t you think?’ she reached up to tuck a stray red curl behind the girl’s ear. ‘There! Now you look just fine,’ she went on, straightening Ginger’s apron a bit. Ginger picked up her tray and scurried off to the kitchen, giving the table where Aman sat a wide berth.

[starkat]

Gwenneth placed her tools down with a sigh. She had given Elenath a full going over and was a little tired. Bidding her horse good night, the elf headed back towards the Inn.

She had seen the Innkeeper come in from a distance, but had not spoken to her. Gwenneth thought that she might search out the innkeeper and ask her about a couple of the horses in the barn. Aman was nowhere to be seen at first. Just as Gwenneth took a seat at a table, Aman came out and began serving dinner.

The young elf maid noticed that Aman seemed preoccupied and decided not to say anything. Instead she looked around the room at the others. She recognized several patrons that she had seen before.

A plate of food and a glass of tea were set before her and Gwenneth smiled at the server. She realized that she was very hungry and began to eat.

[Witch_Queen]

Adu sat there staring at the floor. She didn't know what else to say. She figured that Count would be awake now. "Fáinu, do you perhaps have a horse? Mine is in the stables and it would be nice to go out for a ride. Count could use the exercise and I could really use the fresh air." Standing she motioned Fáinu to follow her. The stables wasn't but a short walk and it would do her some good to get away from such merriment. He understands me more than I do. Perhaps we aren't that different. Maybe, just maybe he won't leave me for a while. Lets just hope Hama does come back to me. I just don't want my father to be right. I will amount to something in my time in Middle Earth.

Going through her mind Adu could hear the words from her father. "Aduthondiel you will always be alone. It doesn't matter what you do. It doesn't even matter anymore. You have already began the road that will lead to your own downfall. You are like your mother. Unfortunately you are strong like me. Your stubborness is something you should be happy with. 'Cause not all things are given to you by your parents. You know what I mean, if you mother was still here with you then you would be as spoiled as all the other females." "Being raised by my father was the worst part of it all. He molded me into the elf I am today. Yet even now I know that all he wanted was for me not to be like my mother. Now look at me. Look at what I have become." Adu realized that she wasn't talking to herself anymore. Her words were almost directed to Fáinu.

Realizing what she was doing Adu quickly stopped her mumbling and even stopped walking. She turned towards Fáinu, "I'm sorry, my father was a bad man, though everyone else said different I knew him better than everyone else. My mother died when I was young. She was killed by one of the spiders Bilbo woke up. Sadly for me I was raised by him and even now I am glad he has left these lands. Fáinu, it is wierd we are from two different areas yet our history and our pain links us together." She knew that her words were not as she had meant them. The way they sounded only confused Adu. Deep down inside there was one word Adu didnt' want to say. Yet before she could shut her mouth it came out. "Fáinu, perhaps this is fate."

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Yet before she could shut her mouth it came out. "Fáinu, perhaps this is fate."

At this Fáinu's smile faded. Fate was a word that had haunted him for a long time. He looked about the stable for his horse; it was standing in the far corner and eating some hey. He led the horse out of its standing place and stopped it just in front of Adu. He was using this as time to think of how to react to what Adu had said.

"You speak of fate as if you understand It." he began, "I thought I did, but it is now hidden from me. For now, my fate is shrouded in cloud and dust." He placed his left hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes. "Do not tempt fate, it has a nasty habit of hewing off hope like a limb." he smiled at her trying not to put her into despair,

"I cannot see the future in myself, however, in thee, I perceive that your future is long and arduous, yet I do not think you shall be alone for ever. That is not your fate, as I can see it." He hoped that this would cheerer her up, and he smiled as he lead his horse out of the stables and awaited Adu to follow.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Snaveling watched in dismay as Aman retreated into herself. He knew well what it was like to live behind a mask, and could see the contours of the one that she was trying to wear, as well as the shape of her true feelings beneath it. He knew the ache of an unrequited affection, and was not unaware of the bitter irony of their situation. Her words came back to him: it is only Aman the Innkeeper who you came for. The truth of those words stung him deeply with shame and regret. He should not have returned to disturb the Innkeeper in her life, but the purpose of his quest gripped him so that he could not do other than come here. Here is where he had met Roa, here is where he had the best chance of finding her again.

Despite his wish to respect Aman’s privacy he was anxious for news of the Ranger, and it was only with the greatest effort of will that he was able to prevent himself from joining Aman at her meal and asking for more news. He did not wish to cause her any more grief, but he could tell that for the time being there was not way he could speak with her without making the situation worse. He cast about for another option, and his eyes landed upon one of the hobbit lasses working as a serving maid as she emerged from the kitchen, her tray laden with food. She was new to him but she seemed to know what she was about. It occurred to Snaveling that if Roa had come through the Inn recently, this hobbit lass would be sure to know about it. The fact that she was new also appealed to him, for perhaps she was not yet aware of his history at the Inn…

The room was growing warm so he removed his cloak and cast it upon an empty chair at a small table. Seating himself, he called out politely for the lass. She looked at him pertly and came to the table. “Would you like some supper, Sir?” she asked. A lifetime spent as a vagabond is hard to shake loose, and Snaveling was immediately wary of her tone, for in it he sensed some slight reluctance toward him. Was the lass aware that he was the cause of Aman’s distress?

He smiled at her. “As a matter of fact, yes, I would like some supper. But might I trouble you with a question first?” As he spoke he nudged a chair toward her with his foot by way of invitation. The lass did not sit down, but looked at him, her eyes slowly growing more serious.

“What would you like to know, sir?” was all she said.

“Well, for the first, your name if you don’t mind giving it to me. I am Snaveling.”

The lass’s eyes betrayed nothing at the mention of his name. She replied simply, “I’m called Ginger”

“Thank you, Ginger. I am looking for a friend of mine,” he began as carefully as he could. “A woman named Roa. She is a Ranger, quite young with red hair and green eyes,” his heart caught at the memory, “she was once a regular at the Inn, and may have been through here some months ago. Have you seen her?”

[piosenniel]

GREEN DRAGON INN FACTS:

It is the 4th Age, year 12. By the Shire Calendar it is year 1433 S.R. (Shire Reckoning).

King Elessar is on the throne of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor.

Mirkwood has been reclaimed by the Elves and is now called Eryn Lasgalen.

Paladdin Took, Pippin’s father, is Thain of the Shire. (Thain is an honorary title for the military leader of the Shire. The title has been held in the Took Family since the position was first established in 3rd Age 1979 with Bucca of the Marish as First Thain.) Paladdin Took dies in year 13, and will be succeeded by his son, Peregrin, ‘Pippin’, Took.

Samwise Gamgee is Mayor of the Shire, having succeeded Will Whitfoot in 1427 S.R.

The Innkeeper, in the Green Dragon Inn of this forum, is: Aman – a young woman from Rohan.

Before her, the Innkeeper was Piosenniel, and before her it was Dwarin, the Dwarf.

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Other ongoing characters in the Inn:

Ruby Brown, Hobbit – not married – server and maid

Buttercup Brownlock, Hobbit – not married – kitchen assistant and maid

Vinca Bunce, widowed, Inn Cook (character played by Piosenniel)

Derufin, the Stablemaster (played by Envinyatar)

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Ongoing characters from outside the Inn:

Halfred Whitfoot – local Shiriff from Bywater and Postmaster for this area of the Shire; his pony’s name is Dumpling.

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Please Note:

No 'SAVES' are allowed in the Inn (except for modifications needed to be made by the Moderators or Innkeeper).

With the exception of the Innkeeper and the Moderators, no OOC (Out Of Character) comments are allowed in the Inn.

Only the Innkeeper, Amanaduial, or the Moderators move the timeline for the Inn forward.

Visitors to the Inn will need to read the posts that come before theirs to get an idea of what time it is in the Shire, what the weather is like, and what is happening.

No violence is allowed in the Inn or on Inn grounds.

Please be familiar with the rules for the Inn and Games in The Red Book of Westmarch, the first topic in the Shire.

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About Elves in Shire RPG's:

Please use this description from Tolkien when crafting an Elf:

Return of the King – Appendix F: Tolkien’s description for the Quendi (The Speakers) – the name given to the Elves by themselves after they first awoke in Middle-earth.

“They were a race high and beautiful, the older Children of the world, and among them the Eldar were as Kings, who now are gone: the People of the Great Journey, the People of the Stars. They were tall, fair of skin and grey-eyed, though their locks were dark, save in the golden house of Finrod; and their voices had more melodies than any mortal voice that is now heard . . .”

Please use this as a guideline for describing your Elven character’s appearance.