The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Maeggaladiel]

Eleniel blushed.

"Oh sir," she said. "I am not an elf, although I must say I am rather flattered. My name is Eleniel, and I am a human from Laketown. My dog Arrow and I are on a trip to purchase merchandise for my shop."

Hearing his name, the silver dog emerged from his hiding place under the table and sat down at Umwë's feet. His tail thumped noisily against the wooden floor. Whining, the dog sat up on its hind legs and pawed the air.

"Stop begging; I fed you five minutes ago," scolded Eleniel. Arrow cast her a dirty glance that clearly stated that one could never have too much food. Eleniel chuckled and scratched the dog's ears. He pointedly ignored her and turned back to Umwë.

"Don't mind him, sir, he's just spoiled," she said. "If he gets too annoying I'll send him into the stables." Arrow's head swiveled around and shot Eleniel the 'You Wouldn't Dare' look.

As Arrow slunk back under the table to search for remains of his breakfast, Eleniel looked back to Soronume to wait for his reply to Umwë's question.

[Arry]

‘Now what are they about?’ asked Derufin. The roof was patched, the wooden shingles in place. He had come down to see what hand he could lend to the finishing up of the extra room in the cottage.

Ferdy stood in the midst of his pals, a ways away from the work site. Tools lay idle as Tomlin, Gil, Ferrin, and Fallon gathered round him. ‘Like a gaggle of five geese,’ chuckled Andwise, looking up from his work on the cottage’s front door. ‘All honking out their advice and slapping their big feet about in the dirt, while the one in the middle looks on, eyes wide, and ruffles his feathers uncomfortably.’ Andwise motioned for Derufin to come nearer. ‘What do you think of the design I’ve started?’ he pointed to the twining holly and ivy leaves, all carved out carefully about the edge.’

‘What’s this?’ asked Derufin. ‘You’ve changed the design here in the middle, haven’t you?’

‘I have,’ said Andwise, running his fingers over the heart he had begun to tease out of the wood. ‘You told me you wanted no reminders of your past, so I’ve put your heart here and within it,’ he continued, pointing to the small design at the center of it, ‘will be Zimzi’s sea-star.’ He looked sideways at the man. ‘What do you think?’

[Envinyatar]

Derufin looked quietly at what the Hobbit had done. ‘Tis perfect,’ he said quietly, clapping Andwise on the back. ‘It will be a welcoming sign for all who come to our door.’ He looked away for a moment. ‘Thank you,’ he finished simply.

The clamor of voices from the five lads had risen. Two of them, Tomlin and Gil had hooked their arms through Ferdy’s, and appeared to be trying to convince their friend of something. Ferrin and Fallon stood before their three linked friends, nodding their heads in agreement and offering their own advice, their hands gesturing broadly to make their points. Ferdy had a serious look on his face as he sifted through the offered advice.

[Firefoot]

Lily and Posco had sat down and eaten lunch mostly in silence; both of them felt to be starving and were focused on the meal rather than chatting. Now, her hunger sated, Lily sat back contentedly. Life was good. She was about to say something to start up conversation again now that the meal was over, but she hesitated when she noticed a middle-age hobbit enter the inn. This was not unusual, but Lily’s interest was piqued as the hobbit looked about the room and began to head for her.

“Excuse me, miss,” he said as he approached her. “But would you be Miss Lily Thistlewool?”

“Yes, that’s me,” replied Lily cautiously. She wondered what this hobbit could want from her. He smiled at her response. “Very good, miss. Then I have a letter here for you.” He removed the envelope from his front pocket and handed it to her. Lily recognized her aunt’s loopy handwriting.

“Thank you, sir,” said Lily. She pulled a coin out of her pocket and handed it to him.

“Thank you, and good day to you,” he said, and with a slight bow turned and headed back outside. Lily was curious about the reason for the letter, and stuck her finger underneath the seal to break it.

“Do you mind?” Lily asked Posco with a questioning glance. She hoped he would not consider it rude to read her letter in front of him.

“No, go on ahead,” he answered. She pulled the paper from the envelope and found a full page of writing, written small so as to fit more into the space. For now, Lily began to scan the letter for anything interesting; she could read the news more closely later, when she was alone. Dearest Lily, I hope you are enjoying yourself in the Shire. I have missed your lively conversation... Lily was relieved to find everything was going well for her aunt, uncle, and brother. When she got to the final paragraph, she frowned and reread, hoping she had misunderstood:

I have saved the best new for last, and I am sure you will be as pleased as we are. I almost waited until you were home to surprise you, but I cannot resist. Perhaps a week back, young (though I suppose he is not so young any more) Tommy Banks came by the house, asking for you. He was disappointed to find that you were away, and instead asked your uncle for permission to court you when you returned. Your uncle, of course, granted it to him, and I am sure you will be pleased as Tommy is a fine lad...

Lily’s face paled. What would she say to them? She had no intention of allowing Tommy to court her; she had Posco now. Lily let the letter fall to the table. Breathing was difficult.

“Is everything all right?” Posco asked her, clearly concerned.

“Yes... just some surprising news from home is all,” Lily managed to get out. She did not care to think of it as a lie, exactly. She only knew that if she had told him the truth, she might very well succeed in driving him away, something she could by no means allow. She set her mind firmly: she would enjoy her time here with Posco, go home and get things straightened out, and return to Buckland to marry Posco. She could only hope it would go so easily as that.

[Nurumaiel]

Posco studied Lily keenly, and he shook his head. "Surprising news, and bad news, I'd think," he said. "It's not nothing, Lily, the lack of colour in your face shows that."

"It... it may be a little bad," she said, after some hesitation, "but nothing very serious. It will be resolved soon."

Now, Posco was a very shy lad, it is admitted, but he was by no means stupid. It was easy to see that the news from home was bad, and that it was bothering Lily. Very easy to see that. Her reaction to it made it obvious. And while he could not boast to know her well, he felt he knew her well enough (well enough to marry her, at least, and that must be rather well), and he was positive that in any circumstance she would tell him the bad news. But she did not want to tell him. Why? Because she was afraid to tell him. Why? Obviously because it concerned him.

"Did your aunt say anything about me, Lily?" he questioned.

"No," she replied.

"Then she said something that concerned me."

"She said nothing about you at all."

Posco sighed, and shook his head again. "Lily, my dear little Lily," said he. "I can't make you show me the letter, or tell me what was in it, but I know it involves me somehow, however indirectly. Indeed, I can't make you and I won't make you. But I'd be awfully glad to hear; I might be shirking some responsibility if I go unaware of it." He paused, and looked earnestly at her. "Perhaps I am wrong," he said, his voice low and musing. "Perhaps it doesn't concern me? But if it does, Lily... you decide what to do about it. Because, you see, it is mostly your business, even if it does concern me a little, and I wouldn't want to interfere."

[Firefoot]

“Oh, Posco,” Lily whispered. She knew he was right; it did involve him, at least a little, and he did have a right to know. What he had just said, however unknowingly, was exactly what she feared, though. If he felt he had some sort of responsibility, for example to let her go so she could do as her aunt and uncle wished and court Tommy, he might leave her. Or perhaps he would misunderstand her feelings. She would not bear losing him. Lily steadied herself. She had to tell him, and hope he understood. He was watching her, openly and expectantly.

“All right,” said Lily quietly, though loud enough to be heard. “I will tell you. But first, promise me that you will not misunderstand my feelings in this. It will not be as you might think.”

“I’ll try not to,” replied Posco, frowning slightly. Lily nodded, biting her lower lip before continuing. She could not meet his eyes.

“You are right in thinking that it involves you,” said Lily, slowly. She still was not exactly sure how to say this. “You see, there is a lad in Bree, Tommy Banks. Tommy comes from a good family, the type I’m sure my aunt and uncle might expect me to marry into eventually. He has asked my uncle’s permission to court me, when I return.” Lily’s voice sank to a whisper. “My uncle said yes. My aunt is thrilled, and expects I will be, too. I don’t know how I will tell them that I never could, and poor Tommy! My uncle is a fine hobbit so long as you meet his expectations, and there aren’t very many, but I could never live up to his expectations in this. It may complicate matters between us.” Lily looked up at Posco, imploring him to understand. Her throat felt dry, and her eyes wet. Everything had been going so well, and now this. She blinked back the tears. She would not let Posco see her cry. All she needed was for him to understand. Then it would be all right.

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