The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Milady Revenwyn]

Revenwyn hadn't eaten anything hot since she left her home in Rohan. "I'll take the bean and ham soup please. I haven't had a decent meal since I left Rohan." she said after following the server to the larger chair. It fit her 5'10" height pretty decently. She sat there, legs outstretched, her large sword in its scabbard resting on the ground. She didn't anticipate needing it on her person here.

In the light of the fire she rolled up the left sleeve of her tunic to reveal a bloodied bandage. Revenwyn knew she'd have to change it at some point in the night, but she wouldn't do so until she'd at least eaten and gotten her room.

[Mithalwen]

" Don't blame Mr Snaveling Mr Headstrong" said Mithalwen, using her fair voice to full effect. "if anyone is to blame, I am - I let Marigold have a ride on my own horse who is trained to respond to my will, above that of anyone who happens to ride him - a babe would be safe on Aeglos' back. Then I am afraid she climbed onto another horse who did not prove so docile. I should have watched her more carefullt and I am very sorry. Yet, she has come to little harm, for which I am much relieved. If she spends the rest of the day quietly and has an early night, she should be right as rain in the morning - apart from the scratches and bruises which will take a few days. She has a lot of spirit, this child...."

Mithalwen's charm offensive was beginning to have some effect on the hobbit man. "So please do not be harsh on Lord Corondir ...... Mr Snaveling as you call him ... he really just happened to be there". Mithalwen had an instinct that Mr Headstrong might be the type to be impressed by titles. She smiled down from nigh on twice his height. Mr Headstrong started to bluster and she felt she was nearly home. As she spoke she had cleaned and dressed Marigold's wounds, propped her up on cushions and wrapped her in her own soft scarf which served well as a stole for the hobbit child.

"Tell me if your head hurts more or if you feel drowsy .. you should rest but you should not sleep yet". Mithalwen knelt and touched the child's forehead gently but Marigold did not know if the tingling she felt came from the poultice or simply from the elf's fingers, however her head was feeling clearer and she returned Mithalwen's smile.

[Sophia the Thunder Mistress]

"Uh," said Sherman, "you can put your foot down." He pointed at the foot still dangling in the air by his face.

"Oh! Of course!" said Denegal, and dropped his colorfully garbed foot.

The two discomfited Gondorians recognized a man of noble bearing enter the inn with a purpose, and left Denegal and Falowik, to speak with the newcomer.

"Denegal, friend, perhaps Uien and I could help you with your footwear. We had planned to leave Bywater this afternoon, but there is no hurry. What say you?"

"You would go to such trouble for a stranger?" Denegal asked.

"I assure you," Falowik said, "it would be no great trouble. I think that Uien would like as much to make a friend of you as would I."

Denegal's eyes widened in surprise. After the somewhat caustic exchange with the Gondorians, this Falowik Stonewort's friendliness was almost a shock.

"So be it then! I tell you I would be glad to get my feet out of these circus boots!"

Falowik grinned. "Very well. Let us go fetch Uien in the stables. What say you?"

[Milady Revenwyn]

As Revenwyn waited by the fireplace she started to get warmer. It had been quite wet outside, and the rainwater had seeped through her cloak as well as her tunic and leggings. She hoped that they would dry out overnight before she left to continue her journey the next morning.

It had been a very long trip from Rohan. She and her husband were travelling as they always did. Revenwyn now stared at the simple ring that adorned her left ring finger. Her eyes closed, trying to hide the tears that were building up inside of her.
"Excuse me." she said, "I'll be back inside in a minute." She walked out the door, and around the corner to the back of the inn. There, her tears broke free and convulsive sobs wracked her body.
"Dorian.... why?"

[Milord Aldagrim]

It had been along day for Aldagrim Proudfoot. First, his dog got out again and he had to chase it down all through the town with everyone laughing at him. Then he was late to the brewery and was yelled at by Milo Bolger. He always wanted to get Milo, and now would be a perfect time. He just didn't know what he would do. Then one of the caskets of ale burst all over him and there they were again, laughing at him.

He had gone home for supper, but since he still wasn't married, he had to cook for himself, and even he admitted he was a bad cook. So, he came to the inn every night. He walked up to the inn. The hobbit was rather short for hobbits, and somewhat chunky.

He saw the woman sitting by the door of the inn crying and walked up to her. "Excuse me miss, are you alright?"


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[samsmyhero]

Denegal stood, ready to go with Falowik in search of Uien in the stables. Just at that moment though, Ruby brushed past heading for another table with a tray of soup bowls. With a guilty start, Denegal remembered the generous bargain Cook had offered, and that he had been shirking his part of it. True, they probably didn't expect him to chop wood in this downpour. But there might be some other work which he could lend a hand in. He had better check or they might think him lazy or a welcher, sipping ale at his leisure and then waltzing off to the stables.

"I don't know where my head has been, Falowik. But I must attend to something before I can take you up on your generous offer. You see, I'm practically penniless. The cook here made me a kind offer of food and a bed in the stable loft in exchange for some work which needed doing around the inn. I was distracted by my fellow countrymen and now that it's raining, I'm unsure what I should be doing. If you'll wait but a moment, I'll ask and see if they've a need for my services right this instant."

"Aye, that only seems right." was Falowik's affable reply. "I'll bide here a bit while you go see."

"Much thanks." Denegal said, as he hurried off after Ruby.

She was just in the process of hanging up a long, green travelling cloak on a peg by the door. Denegal took the cloak from her and hung it up, fanning it out slightly so that it might dry faster. "Why, thank you, Denegal! I'dalmost forgotten you were still about." Ruby gave him her friendly smile.

"Yes, I've been remiss in helping you out. The rain started before I could get to that tree that needs cutting up. (Well, that wasn't quite the truth, but it would suffice) Can I lend you a hand with anything else? You see, I've met someone, Falowik by name, you may know him." Here Denegal gestured back to the table where Falowik sat. "He's offered to help me find some more . . . " Denegal searched for a word that wouldn't offend the little hobbit's earlier magnanimous gesture. "Some more sturdy footwear, and . . . " His voice trailed off. Ruby looked with compassion and some amusement on the young man.

"That's alright! Me and the other girls can handle this crowd just fine. Off with you now, and see if you can't find some nice boots or such!" Ruby winked at him and hurried back towards the kitchen.

Denegal grinned. Well, that was taken care of. He promised himself that when the rain let up he would attack the fallen tree with a fury.

He quickly returned to Falowik, conjuring up a mental image of flinging the abhorent red slippers into the nearest river and slipping his feet instead into a new pair of boots. He was sure the slippers would never be missed.

"I'm ready - they've no need of me at the moment!"Denegal smiled and rubbed his hands together with glee, whether in anticipation of meeting an elf, or the thought of getting rid of the slippers, Falowik could not guess.

[piosenniel]

Cook and Benat

Cook padded after Ginger, wondering what could have gotten into the girl. A giant? A dog the size of a pony? And asking after Mister Bilbo, himself? But she had only to walk into the common room, and there he was. She couldn’t help but stare. He was the largest man she’d ever seen. Taller than any of the Fair Folk, too. And big . . . his chest was nearly the size of one of the huge barrels used for brewing. And those legs of his . . . the breeches could not hide the fact that they were as thick as a small oak’s trunk. Her eyes made their way to his face, and she breathed a sigh of relief as he smiled her way and nodded in greeting.

‘What was his name?’ Cook whispered to Ginger. ‘Benat,’ came the reply from the girl who passed by her and drew near the man’s table.

Cook could hear a loud THUMP . . . THUMP . . . that came in a steady and quickening rhythm. Ginger held out a hand and made some beckoning noises. And there, indeed, was the largest dog that Cook had ever seen. The creature came walking up to Ginger, his tail wagging so hard, it fair shook the tables it brushed against as it passed by them. ‘This is Cullen,’ laughed Ginger as the dog gave her a welcoming slurp on her cheek.

‘Oh my!’ said Cook, her right hand held against her wildly beating heart. She took a deep breath to recover herself, then stepped up near to Benat. She kept a wary eye on the dog; she was never one to take a shine to creatures of the canine persuaion, especially since they always seemed bent on bedeviling her beloved cats.

‘Master Benat,’ she said, giving the man a small bow. ‘I’m Vinca Bunce, the long-time cook here at the Inn. Ginger, here, tells me you’re asking after Mister Bilbo. Can I answer any questions for you?’