The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Sapphire_Flame]

Takua flagged down a passing servant and ordered an ale. She hoped the brew at this place was decent...

She noticed a woman just standing in a corner of the room, looking around. Her eyes lighted on Takua for a moment, moved off, then returned. Takua's mouth twisted into a half smile, and she raised her newly-delivered tankard in acknowledgement. Then she took a long drink.

The ale was good, anyway.

[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

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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.

Fredgar Hornblower – local Shiriff from Hobbiton – played by Fool of a Took
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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.

[piosenniel]

IT IS EARLY EVENING, AND SUPPER IS JUST STARTING TO BE SERVED.

THE WEATHER IS FAIR - A LITTLE RAIN HAS COME AND GONE.

THE EVENING STAR CAN BE SEEN PERCHED JUST ABOVE THE HORIZON.

[littlemanpoet]

Falowik and Uien walked hand in hand along the roadside, as the stars came out. They came to the tree that both remembered as the place where things began.

"I sat at the base of this tree," Falowik said. Uien had come to him, wondering if he needed anything. He had needed so much, and had been afraid to receive it, afraid to ask for it, afraid of anybody coming near at all. Yet she had come, and touched him; no more than a touch of kindness, and it had been too much.

"I gave you blankets." Uien's smile was in her voice.

"You gave me much more than that."

"And you have given me far more than I dared to hope." She breathed deeply of the cooling air, and her eyes rose to the evening star. Falowik knew that this was her favorite time of the day. It was why he had brought her away from the inn.

[Elora]

How to begin, Uien wondered as she gazed skywards at the emerging stars. She remembered a similar night, but this time he did not shrink away. Still, even as he had she had seen something else glimmer within, a hint of the spirit and man that shone beneath the recent years of toil and weariness. Blankets she had given him, and watched over his sleep from her vantage in the hayloft through the rest of the night. He had been bewildered then, and truth be told she too had wondered at what had moved her to cast aside years of wariness and safe reserve to approach him. The star she gazed at gleamed, a shifting dance of silver and Uien returned her gaze to the man she had named Lauréatan. The answer was written in his face.

"I do not think I could have guessed at what lay before us on that night, beneath this tree," she murmured softly. The corners of his eyes crinkled as Falowik smiled.

"Nor I, Fair One."

Did he guess now at what lay on the tip of her tongue? The words she would let free of her heart's hold? Uien gathered his hand in her own, cradling it's strength between her palms gently. A tremour ran through her.

"Are you cold," Falowik asked in concern. Uien smiled at his hand and shook her head. "I am not, yet," she replied mysteriously. The tremour was not one of chill, nor fear, though by no means could she foresee what would follow what she was about to say. She raised his hand to her lips and pressed a soft kiss to his knuckles. Uien raised her eyes to Falowik's and set the truth free, sending it out into the twilight.

"Not yet, but winter will come, Lauréatan and I will feel it's cold breath. The years will pass, season upon season, and I will mark their passing now. They shall not sped by in a blur, too fast for me to catch, bleeding one into another. I shall paint them, I think, now that I will be able to hold their passing in my life.

"My love, do you know of what I speak of?"

Falowik was very still, studying her intently in the velvet shadows of the evening. He slowly shook his head from side to side.

"There once was a time when years meant nothing to me. Either I willed them to pass me by, longing only for oblivion, or their passing made no difference to me. For what matter the passage of time to those who are immortal?

"My road, wherever it may lie, will take me not into eternity, either here or across the Sea. It lies with you, as does my heart and my joy. Such have I chosen, and joyfully."

Uien fell into silence, though the truth of her joy could not be quietened. It was writ upon her and leapt within her own starlit gaze. Falowik's brow furrowed a little.

"Do you mean to say," he started. Did he dare not finish his question, or wish never to ask it?

"A mortal life is mine now, Lauréatan. The years shall pass, and I with them." Uien's heart was racing. She could hear its gallop threading faintly through her. Falowik's eyes drifted to the bole of the tree they stood by, in deep thought. Uien released his hand and freed him to the paths of his mind. She watched the breeze ruffle his hair and wondered if she had troubled him. Perhaps he did not wish to pass the years with her and fretted now at the spectre of being fettered. Uien let the moments pass her by and clasped her hands before her. What would be, would be. She could not undo what had happened, and never would she regret her choice. She'd make it again in a heartbeat. That certainty steeled through her.

"Glad tidings, Lauréatan, or so I believe them to be... Yet if they are not so for you, I ask one thing of you only. To say as much, to speak freely. Please Falowik, my love."

His eyes drifted back to her own, which were large in the darkness. The expression upon her face was of a vulnerable shyness, yet she did not appear ready to pull away. Uien remained where she was, open to Twilight and whatever words the man she loved so much that she had chosen mortality might have to say.

[Sirithheruwen]

Twylight was now in a state of depression. She did not feel well being horrible to anyone, and Marcho was no exception. She set her head in her hands, her half-empty cup of tea cold and forgotten in front of her. The man next to her had neither moved nor spoke.

The door to the Inn opened slowly, and a figure entered, but she was too busy wallowing in her own feelings to notice. The figure circled the Inn slowly, looking around at everyone sitting or standing, talking or silent. He came to a stop behind Twylight, and stood there for a moment, studying her carefully. With work-hardened fingers, he reached out to tap her shoulder...

Twylight felt the fingers on her shoulder, and she jumped so much that she fell off the stool she was sitting on. A deep booming laugh sounded behind her. She stood up hurridly and whirled on the man standing behind her, laughing. Her face changed rapidly from anger to delight. To the surprise of everyone watching, she reached out her arms and pulled him into a deep hug.

Long ago, this unlikely pair had grown up together. They had found that Twylight's muteness was no stumbling block whatsoever, and they had invented a language with their hands, just between the two of them. Twylight now made rapid motions with her long, slender fingers, which the strange followed with large hazel eyes. What are you doing here so early? You weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow! she signed. "Well," he boomed, "I figured I'd been away from you for far too long! It's nice to see you again, Twylight!"

She pulled him into another strong hug. It's nice to see you again too, Marin. she thought with a smile.

[Nurumaiel]

Posco smiled shyly when Lily consented, and then became worried again. It seemed to him he had just said another thing you only said if a hobbit lass was your sweetheart. Isn't that was lads did? Ask the lasses to go riding with them? But Lily didn't seem at all offended; in fact she seemed pleased. He blushed a little and, attempting to ignore his seemingly awkward request, said, "Perhaps we might go tomorrow morning?"

"That would be very good," she said, smiling at him. Another silence fell between them, and Posco began to fidget in his chair. His nostrils picked up the hearty smell of supper coming from the kitchen, but it had not yet been served, so there would be no distraction from there. He would have to think of something to say once again.

"Please, Miss... er, Lily," he said, stumbling over the fact that he need not give her the courteous title, "would you tell me a little more about yourself? Do you have any family?" He felt he should know this. If she did have a husband he should more careful that he didn't tell her how lovely she was, even if he did think so. She might be offended, and he would not offend her. "I mean, as in a husband and children?"

[Firefoot]

"Well, I hope everything works out with your sister," said Lily. She fumbled about for what to say next. There had to be something that they could talk about. She realized that she was quite hungry, and the serving maids were starting to serve supper. It wasn't much, but it was something to save her from silence.

"Are you getting hungry?" asked Lily. "Because I am, I mean-" Lily felt very awkward. That wasn't quite how she had wanted to say it.

"I suppose so," said Posco. Lily waved the serving maid over; she was pretty sure it was the one called Buttercup. "Would you mind getting us our meals? Thanks," said Lily. Now she really had to think of something to say.

"How long do you think you will be in Bywater?" she asked finally. Just then the hobbit came around with their meals, and Lily happily began to eat.

[Crystal Heart]

SAVE for reworked post. Please check your PM's

~*~ Pio, Shire Moderator

[Nurumaiel]

Posco stared at Lily in distraction. He realized now he did not know how long he was to be staying in Bywater before he went home. A few days previous he had been rather hoping it would be soon, but as he looked at Lily now he felt queerly that he decidely would not like to go. She was eating her supper now and waiting patiently for his answer. He fumbled with his thoughts and at last said in a stumbling voice, "I... I don't know. I don't think we'll be staying too much longer, but for at least three days. You would have to ask Blanco."

Her eyes travelled the Common Room and rested on Blanco with a look of inquiry. It was not difficult to tell that he was Posco's twin brother, though he was considerably tidier than Posco was. Posco set his supper to one side and got to his feet, murmuring that he would ask. Lily smiled at him though she said nothing.

Blanco appeared slightly annoyed that he had been interrupted in his listening of Falco Boffin and his friends, but did not refuse to answer the question. "Why, we'll be leaving very soon, Posco." He paused a moment and reflected, mentally counting how many days they had already spent at their aunt's house and then beamed as he came to the conclusion. "Peony is coming tomorrow, and so we'll be leaving the day after the day after tomorrow, I reckon. Two days, Posco."

Posco returned to Lily and sat down again, shyly beginning to eat his own meal. "We're going to leave in two days," he said, and when she nodded as a confirmation that she had heard, he ventured to ask, "When will you go back home, Lily?"

Bingo had been sitting in companiable silence with Tobias, caring watchfully for Iadarion, since Twylight had left, but glancing in her direction he saw that she had been joined by a man of the Big Folk. She had embraced him and seemed in deep delight at seeing him. Bingo stood, calling out her name, and when her head turned to him he beckoned her towards him, smiling the smile that disconcerted Marcho so. "Miss Twylight, I do beg you to introduce us to your newfound companion, and to invite him to dine with us this supper."

[Firefoot]

Lily watched Posco get up and go talk to his brother. She could see the resemblence between them easily enough, though Blanco was a good bit neater than his brother.

"Peony is coming tomorrow, and so we'll be leaving the day after the day after tomorrow, I reckon. Two days, Posco," Lily overheard Blanco say. Lily sighed. She had hoped it might be longer than that. Posco returned, and repeated the information. She nodded in acknowledgement. She was not smiling so broadly now for finding that he was leaving so soon, as were all the people she had met here. She supposed she wouldn't be staying for very long after everyone she knew left.

"When will you go back home, Lily?" asked Posco.

"Honestly, I don't have any real plans," said Lily. "I'll stay here for a few days, and when I have reason to leave I'll go on to the next place, which is, I suppose, wherever the road takes me. And when I'm done with the Shire, I'll go back to Bree. It could be a week from now, or a year from now."

[Sirithheruwen]

Twylight and Marin had hardly finished greeting each other when a call came from across the Inn. The speaker was Bingo, and he invited both of them over. He also asked Twylight to introduce her friend. She had left her piece of parchment over at the table with Lily and Posco, and the last thing she wanted to go was go over there and interrupt their conversation. Turning to Marin, she signed, These people are friends that I met earlier. I dare say they can introduce themselves, but they know I'm mute. Would you mind being my voice? "No problem!" Marin answered.

Both of them walked over and stood before the occupants of the table. "Hello, I'm Marin," Marin said without any prompting or hesitation. He then swept everyone a very deep bow. That was one of the things Twylight liked about him: he was always so comfortable around people.

"Bingo Cotton, at your service." He stood up and bowed. "Please, do sit down and join us for dinner!" Marin pulled out a chair for Twylight before sitting down himself. He was always so polite around company. Marin never acted like this when it was just them, and frankly, Twyligh preferred it that way. Marin and Bingo had already started on a conversation about something or other; she thought she caught the word "gardening," but she didn't know, and honestly, she didn't care. She was full to the brim with wonderfully happy feelings at seeing Marin again. How long had it been? At least twelve years! And that was far too much time, especially among friends. Her crystal blue eyes travelled over every inch of his face. The dark gently curly hair shorn about his ears; the long face with its large nose and full expressive lips, it's sparkling, shifting hazel eyes, unnaturally large.

He caught her looking at him from the corner of his eye, and winked slightly. You have very nice friends, Twylight, he signed under the table. I especially like this Marcho character. He seems quite nice! Twylight realized too late that Marcho had joined the table while she was wallowing in the happy memories she and Marin had once created. Twylight thought that Marin would have had sense enough to know Marcho for who he was. He was truely horrid to Posco. Though, I suppose Marin couldn't have known that. But she should have told him! Marin had turned back to his new "friend," Marcho. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do about it now. Marin was very stubborn, and unless he got rock solid proof against him, he would remain friends with Marhco until his dying day.

All Twylight could do was stare helplessly while Marcho continued to chat with her good friend Marin.