**Birthday Party in the Barrow** (May, 2005)

[Lalwendë]

The morning mists swirled gently about the stones and all was quiet after the night before. A shape appeared through the grey dawn, a small creature pushing a wheelbarrow. It was Lalwende, moving quickly over the dew soaked turf. She entered the barrow without stopping and a few minutes later reappeared.

In the wheelbarrow lay davem, sleepy but still clutching an empty bottle of Old Winyards in one hand, and his pipe in the other. He struggled to sit up but his head was sore and he decided it was far too much effort and lay back down again. "Just lay still now," scolded Lalwende. "We'll get to Mrs Butterbur's Pie Shop and have a nice fry up, that'll sort you out".

She pushed davem's arms back into the wheelbarrow and tutted before giving it a big push to get it going. "But I want a smoke!" wailed davem, trying to sit up again. He pushed down on the sides of the wheelbarrow with his hands, it gave a lurch and he was thrown from it. He rolled down the slope into the mist and Lalwende ran down after him, cursing.

"Will you do as you're told?" she snapped, hauling him back onto the wheelbarrow. And off they went, disappearing into the mist until only their voices could be heard, growing ever more faint until they too faded into the silence.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

The buffet table was still laden with many different foods. Although most of the best food had gone many hours ago. There were a few sandwiches, sausage rolls, and one or two cheesecakes. Hookbill took a plate and placed two sandwiches and a slice of cake and sat next to a small table. There were a good many wights sleeping on the floor near to him, one of them had a pouch of old Toby open and spilling onto the floor. Being careful, Hookbill took some and lit it in his long wooden pipe.

"Still no sign of B-Wight?" shouted Hookbill to a small group of Wights that were chatting and laughing in the corner, "Will he ever show?"

"Who can tell?" one said with a mouth full of food, "Barrow Wight comes and goes as he pleases. Perhaps he still sleeps."

[Witch_Queen]

She heard a familar voice. Hookbill is already here. Her black hair was pulled back into a pony-tail. The only hair still down was her white streaks in the front. The smoke from the pipes still lingered in the air. Slowly walking up behind the man Witchie decided to give Hookbill a little scare if she could.

She placed her soft white hands over his eyes. "Its good to see you Hookbill." Her journey to the party was one full of excitement but tiresome. "You know sometimes I actually do wish I lived in the trunk of my car. But then again I think it would be best if I had the car parked in Rivendell." She looked around to see who else she might recognize. "Do you mind if I hang out with you for a bit?"

[Hookbill the Goomba]

"Not at all," replied Hookbill offering Witch Queen a glass of wine, "the more the merrier." He took out his flute again and began to play a little tune. Some who were sleeping awoke, if only to throw things at Hookbill. Sitting back down in a huff Hookbill began to mumble something about people having no taste in music. He then picked up his pipe and began blowing smoke rings all about. Slowly he began yet another poem.

When spring unfolds the branchen leaf, and sap in the bough;
When Light is on the wild-wood stream, and wind is on the brow;
When stride is long and breath is deep, and keen the mountain air,
Come back to me! Come back to me, and say my land is fair!

It was the old ent's song. One which Hookbill had loved since the first time The Professor's work had been known to him. He was not a singer, and merely recited the poem while he sat in his chair.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Esty/H decided that it was high time all these sleeping wraiths were roused; after all, the party isn't over until the fat lady sings, she chuckled to herself. She winked conspiratorially at those who were awake already - or still - and wafted over to the grand piano, opening the lid wide for more volume. Then she played a rousing march to the tune of "Happy Birthday".

"Welcome to the second day of the Barrow Birthday Party!" she shouted. The reactions were as mixed as the previous day's celebrating had been - some smiled, looking forward to more fun; others groaned, wishing that they had chosen their drinks more wisely last evening. Esty/H noted with a grin that some of the wights were missing - she had seen Lalwendë bring davem out and wisely refrained from commenting.

"I'm glad you came!" she greeted Witch_Queen, the first new guest of the day. "We have lots of fun planned for today's celebration - I hope you enjoy yourself!"

"Now," she addressed all, "how about a bite to eat, and then we'll warm up with some more music. All those who brought their instruments can join in - perhaps we can rouse The Barrow-Wight today!"

[Hookbill the Goomba]

"Now," Esty addressed all, "how about a bite to eat, and then we'll warm up with some more music. All those who brought their instruments can join in - perhaps we can rouse The Barrow-Wight today!"

"Here, Here!" Cried Hookbill waving his pipe in the air, "My his skin never fall off!" There was mixture of dim laughter and people saying 'I don't get it'. Hookbill encouraged the other flautists and musicians to begin to play in order to arouse the sleeping wights.

[Nurumaiel]

Nurumaiel was well-pleased with Esty's announcement, and she went to that dark, dusky corner to retrieve her fiddle. In the ever thickening crowds, she had begun to become rather overwhelmed, trying desperately to remember names and faces as passing hellos were said. And she wondered helplessly if she were too dressed up for the occasion. Well, it could not be helped. Besides, the dress was lovely.

She had tuned her fiddle just before she left, so she had no concerns about that. Her concern was that she wouldn't be able to play the music that the others were capable of. Perhaps she was not skilled enough; perhaps she hadn't any idea of how to play that kind of music at all. The Harvest Home was a rather familiar tune... but, then again, only with a certain type of musician.

"But, thank goodness," she murmured, "I think I'm capable of just playing about with the others... I hope!"

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Putting away both book and CDs, Hilde got up and walked over to where a group with instruments was assembling. Ah the real thing! It was marvelous how so many knew how to weave this sort of magic. And as she plunked down close by to listen, she was greatful that the Barrow-wight had become so very tolerant of frequent guests.

Still the thought lingered in her mind that perhaps a disembodied arm might appear when least expected, and she was glad Ealasaide had Codijune to keep watch as she slept. Even the dead do not enjoy being disturbed, when sleeping. And Eala must have had a late night, indeed!

Taking out her barette, and shaking her head, Hilde perched on the arm of a small flowered sofa. Unfortunately, she looking more like Gloria Steinem than a proper hobbit, as she sorted with interest through the expensive and ancient baubles stewn on the side table.

[Maeggaladiel]

Maeggaladiel ran through the green trees, the wind rushing past her ears and the ground flying beneath her. Her eyes were wide as saucers and her hands were clenched into fists. The growling was louder now, and it was right behind her.

"Go away!" she screamed. Suddenly her foot caught on a tree root and she fell to the ground. Her momentum kept her rolling head over heels for a few moments before she came to a stop, slamming against a fallen tree.

The creature chasing her came closer. It was large, looming and....

"Johnny Depp?" Maeg said, confused. It was indeed Johnny Depp.

"Yeah. You dropped your iPod," Johnny said. "And I love you."

"It's not my iPod," Maeg replied.

"Oh."

There was a moment of silence.

"Wanna do the chicken dance?"

"Ok!"

Johnny turned on the iPod and they started to dance to the music.

"I wanna be your lover, baby,
I wanna be your man..."

Maeg woke up from the dream as the radio alarm clock switched on.

"Woo, that was weird," she said, vowing never to eat cookie dough before bedtime again. She looked at the clock.

"^&(*@@!!" she cried. The Barrow Downs Birthday Party had started ages ago! Running like a madwoman, she threw on the blue party dress and did her hair and makeup.

A few minutes later she arrived, slightly out of breath, at the party. She looked around. No Barrow Wight?

"Did I miss the entire party?" she grumbled, putting her gift on the table.

[piosenniel]

A new day it seemed had pierced the green haze of The Wight’s barrow. Partygoers were starting to rejuvenate themselves, waking from dreams. There was Eala, still sleeping - her dog at her knee. ‘Sleeps like the dead,’ Pio chuckled at her own poor joke. Hilde was up, though . . . and what were those shiny things just catching the light that her fingers were drifting through. Pio shut ‘The Atlas of Middle-earth’ which she’d been coloring in and put her colored pencils back into her pack.

Unfolding herself from the chair, she tucked the now cold remains of the cigar behind her ear. Max raised a Puggish eye and stretched out on the chair cushion . . . as if to say, ‘I’ll save this for your return.’ He soon fell back to snoring as Pio made her way to Hilde.

‘Good morning!’ she said. By the One! Pio thought to herself as the light from one of the crusted Noldorin lamps fell on Hilde’s hair. Reminds me of one of my icons from ages past . . . and hasn’t she aged well! She glimpsed a familiar bottle sticking out of the woman’s bag. ‘Little purple pill . . . know it well . . .!’ she laughed.

Pio’s gaze drifted down to where Hilde’s fingers played with the baubles. ‘Do you play or sing? she asked in casual conversation, her eyes on the alert for a promising piece of jewelry.