The Green Dragon Inn - Part 8 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

piosenniel · 01-19-2004, 01:24 PM

Buttercup and Ruby

‘So!? Give it up, Ruby! I saw you with that Hamfast fellow.’ Buttercup nudged her friend. ‘What’s he like?’

‘Nice enough, my nosy friend,’ Ruby replied, her brows arching at the questions. Her lips curved into a smile as she grabbed her friend’s arm. ‘Oh, if you must know . . . I do fancy him a bit. But mum’s the word – there’s nothing worse than some lad with a swelled head.’

‘Meat!’ came the cry from the Common Room. ‘Back to work,’ grumbled Buttercup, picking up a platter of sliced venison while Ruby put the pot-holders to the large tureen of taters and carrots she was to lug out.

There were Hobbits and Big Folk queuing up for the evening meal – some for firsts and many, by the looks of them, for seconds and possibly thirds. Buttercup and Ruby grinned broadly at the group; being Hobbits they enjoyed the sight of people enjoying food, and as many plates as they wished.

A young woman stood at the bar, red haired with glittering green eyes. Her cloak was pulled about her as if she were cold, though the room it self and the mass of people in it was quite warm. ‘I’ll bring her a drink to warm her,’ offered Buttercup as she heard the Innkeeper take the woman’s order. Minutes later, and the Hobbit had returned with a steaming cup of sweetspice tea in her hand. She handed it to Crystal, who had introduced herself as Buttercup stood before her.

‘Tea!? But I has hoping for something stronger,’ Crystal said, clasping the warm mug in her chilled hands. The warmth of it was welcome . . . and what was that aroma? Something strong and heady mixed with the lemon and honey sweetness of the steam that rose from the mug.

‘Tea, ma’am, it is – but with a little of the special Dwarven spirits the Inn stocks. Whiskey, I think it’s labeled. Sets a glow in your tummy . . . or so I’ve been told,’ she said winking at the woman.

‘More bread!’ The cry for food rang out again.

Buttercup excused herself and ran back to the kitchen. Ruby threw her a loaf as she entered the door, and soon several baskets were filled with thick chunks of Green Dragon bread to sop up the last of the juices on an empty plate. Another tub of sweet cream butter was loaded onto the tray, as well as a jar of fireweed honey.

‘And just where is Miss-High-And-Mighty-Hawthorne now?!’ grumbled Buttercup as they placed the tray on the bar top and another call for “meat” was heard over the general clamor in the Inn.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 2:55 PM January 19, 2004: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

01-19-2004, 01:24 PM	#11
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Buttercup and Ruby ‘So!? Give it up, Ruby! I saw you with that Hamfast fellow.’ Buttercup nudged her friend. ‘What’s he like?’ ‘Nice enough, my nosy friend,’ Ruby replied, her brows arching at the questions. Her lips curved into a smile as she grabbed her friend’s arm. ‘Oh, if you must know . . . I do fancy him a bit. But mum’s the word – there’s nothing worse than some lad with a swelled head.’ ‘Meat!’ came the cry from the Common Room. ‘Back to work,’ grumbled Buttercup, picking up a platter of sliced venison while Ruby put the pot-holders to the large tureen of taters and carrots she was to lug out. There were Hobbits and Big Folk queuing up for the evening meal – some for firsts and many, by the looks of them, for seconds and possibly thirds. Buttercup and Ruby grinned broadly at the group; being Hobbits they enjoyed the sight of people enjoying food, and as many plates as they wished. A young woman stood at the bar, red haired with glittering green eyes. Her cloak was pulled about her as if she were cold, though the room it self and the mass of people in it was quite warm. ‘I’ll bring her a drink to warm her,’ offered Buttercup as she heard the Innkeeper take the woman’s order. Minutes later, and the Hobbit had returned with a steaming cup of sweetspice tea in her hand. She handed it to Crystal, who had introduced herself as Buttercup stood before her. ‘Tea!? But I has hoping for something stronger,’ Crystal said, clasping the warm mug in her chilled hands. The warmth of it was welcome . . . and what was that aroma? Something strong and heady mixed with the lemon and honey sweetness of the steam that rose from the mug. ‘Tea, ma’am, it is – but with a little of the special Dwarven spirits the Inn stocks. Whiskey, I think it’s labeled. Sets a glow in your tummy . . . or so I’ve been told,’ she said winking at the woman. ‘More bread!’ The cry for food rang out again. Buttercup excused herself and ran back to the kitchen. Ruby threw her a loaf as she entered the door, and soon several baskets were filled with thick chunks of Green Dragon bread to sop up the last of the juices on an empty plate. Another tub of sweet cream butter was loaded onto the tray, as well as a jar of fireweed honey. ‘And just where is Miss-High-And-Mighty-Hawthorne now?!’ grumbled Buttercup as they placed the tray on the bar top and another call for “meat” was heard over the general clamor in the Inn. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 2:55 PM January 19, 2004: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.