The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[piosenniel]

It is noon-time at the Green Dragon Inn. Lunch is being served, The fragrant scent of lamb stew is in the air, accompanied by the tantalizing aroma of blackberry tart.

The day is proving to be a fair one so far . . . no clouds on the horizon as yet.

[Lalwendë]

Jinniver’s pale eyes had widened with fear when she heard Andwise mention the tale she had heard related in the inn on the previous evening. She had almost thought to herself that this tale had been a mere horror story, but from what Andwise said, it was plainly true. She kept hold of her knife, remembering the black dagger of the tale. Wherever this Annuminas was, it was too close for comfort. She told herself to be sure to include in her message a note to her father to remember to lock the kitchen door at bedtime.

She was shaken from her thoughts by the teasing of the hobbit lasses and welcomed the chance to giggle along with them, laughing aloud when Derufin was given a white handkerchief by one of the hobbit lads. Spotting the remains of the blackberry tart, she took another small helping for herself and listened as Derufin became serious once more.

‘Safe enough, I think. Though, as with anything as ever has been touched with shadow, it’s best to err on the side of caution.’ Jinniver nodded at what Derufin had to say. Nowhere, she thought, was this more true than in Bree.

“After those black riders had terrorised the Pony, I was been forbidden from going there alone. Certain…men…had already come to Bree, “she said haltingly, choosing her words carefully. “And they had gained our trust, difficult as that is with a Breelander. But we did not see that they were touched with shadow. And we were not cautious. It is all as the result of shadow that you see me here today.”

Jinniver gulped down a spoonful of the tart and had to wash it down with cider so she did not choke. Trying to steel herself after her awkward speech, she urgently said “But I hope there is no shadow on me. You don’t think that? Do you?”

[Envinyatar]

“But I hope there is no shadow on me. You don’t think that? Do you?”

‘To be quite honest, for I see you ask that question in all earnestness, I cannot say one way or the other. I have not known you long or seen you often enough in your commerce with others.’ He leaned back in his chair, thoughtful as he looked at her. ‘You appear fair and your speech seems forthright. But appearances can deceive even the wisest of men. And I am far from wise.’ He looked consideringly at her, noting she did not flinch under his gaze. ‘I’m one to accept you at first meeting,’ he went on. ‘I’ll assume from the first that you are as you present yourself . . . I prefer to give you that chance. And from then on, either your actions will bear that out or they will show your true nature.’

Derufin pulled the pot of fireweed honey that had been left on the table near the teapot to him, helping himself to a generous spoonful of the sweet stuff for his own mug of tea. The sound of his spoon clinking against the sides of his mug as he stirred the honey in was loud in the quiet pause.

‘In some way, we all have some shadow on us,’ he said in a soft voice. ‘Or so I’ve come to believe. It’s how we handle the temptation the shadowy part of us is heir to that proves our mettle.’ He sipped at his tea as he considered his next words. ‘I should like to think that someone who works with the growing of plants, whose fingers sink deep into the dirt to help it bring forth the beauty of flowers . . . that this sort of someone is one to be relied on for their firmness of character, their integrity.’ He nodded toward Andwise. ‘As is someone whose hands craft wood or other materials with great skill and care . . .’ Derufin laughed, recalling the oft time criticism of his more cautious acquaintances. ‘Some say it is my folly . . . but I say it puts the burden where it belongs . . . on the other to show me the rightness of my trust by their actions.’

‘What “I” think is really of little importance . . . what you “do”, is . . .’

Derufin's chair scraped back from the table, and he stood up, offering her his hand in assistance. ‘But enough of this grave conversation!’ he grinned, blowing away the previous weighty words with a laugh. ‘What do you say we walk back to the cottage – you and Andwise and I? Have a look-see at the flowerbeds. See what you want to do with them. We have about six days to get things in order. And Master Proudfoot has offered the services of his two grandsons for the digging up of things and any heavy work you require. I’ll get Aman to set you up with a room in the Inn as a worker; Cook will see to it that your meals are provided.’

‘I am curious,’ he said as they ambled back toward the cottage. ‘Curious about something you said – “But we did not see that they were touched with shadow. And we were not cautious. It is all as the result of shadow that you see me here today.” What did you mean by this?’

[Crystal Heart]

Crystal and Arty walked in to the Green Dragon, bothing hoping to see familiar faces after the long journey to and from Rohan. Crystal smiled as she saw Adu over by the fire. She went over and sat down in the chair across from her. Arty grabbed one of the chairs nearby and brought it forward.

"I had wondered why no one could find you to invite you to our wedding. You're looking for Hama aren't you?" Crystal said, catching her friend's attention.

Hama had been invited as well, but he had been too busy to come. They had been told that he was travelling somewhere. Crystal had only believed it would be to the Shire, but she hadn't been entirely sure.

"It is good to see you, Adu. How have you been?" Arty asked, smiling at her gently, remembering how she had just got up and left during the reunion some months back.

[Witch_Queen]

"I've been good. I'm glad to see you. Hama is suppose to be on his way." Adu told them about her journey to Rivendell and how she didn't see Hama at all. "I have missed Hama the past few days. Count was exhausted when we arrived. The journey was too long for him, not to mention for me.I'm not as young as I use to be." Adu began to laugh. It seemed like forever since she had someone to talk to. Finally she had Crystal and Arty to be with while Hama was still away. There is only one thing I fear. Please dont' let Hama be hurt. Adu's smile disappeared and her gray eyes looked cold.

Adu began to think of all the possible reasons why Hama was no where to be seen. Could he be hurt? What if he needs help and no one is there for him? Oh Adu quit being such a worry-wart. He's going to be ok. He's a big boy. Realizing that she had missed out on part of the conversation Adu blinked her eyes and came back to the "real" world. "Sorry about that. So I hope the wedding was lovely. Crystal you should still be careful. On the way I over heard some of your fathers still faithfull companions. Your still in danger my child." Adu recalled how her discussion with her fathers companions went. How she told them Crystal was dead and not to worry about her "ruining" her fathers name.

"Luckily, I told them that I "took care of you". Those scum would believe anything. Then they heard from someone about your wedding. Oh well to bad for them." Adu stopped there,she wasn't going to talk about it anymore. "Crystal your still in danger even if you don't know it. There is always some one out there that blames you for the death of your father."

[Hookbill the Goomba]

At that moment, an elf came into the inn. Little heed was taken of him as he walked briskly over to the bar and ordered a strong ale. When the drink was received he paid the bar tender with many gold coins, then, walking like one who has had many toils and wishes for rest, he made his way over to a small table and sat at it. He was kind of face, grey eyed, brown hair and wearing ranger like clothes. One looked at him and thought he looked well travelled, so to speak. He wore a long black hooded cloak, a sheath of odd make and a dark green tunic. On his feet were sturdy boots and on his back, a large pack laden with many things. His name was Fáinu, which is "Released" in the Qenta tong. In his left hand he held the mug of ale, but his right hand had an old bandage on it.

Always Fáinu was rather quiet, often keeping himself to himself, but would converse if approached, or it is a topic that interest or concerns him. However, most of all he enjoys jests if no one is offended.

In the past he has sometimes grown angered and heedless of peril and gone in strife with another, even if he/she was say a dragon and he would surly perish. Once upon a time he mad put down weapons when a friend and lord was grievously heart.

He was born in the year 1520 III, Dwelt in Rivendell for much of his young life, before becoming a scout and befriending many Rangers and often going abroad alone or in a small company on an errand or no. Both parents died in 2770 when Smaug descended on Erebor, destroying it and the neighbouring town of Dale as they were visiting at that time. Fáinu escaped barely by leaping into the river and hiding. Ever after regret eats his heart, but he hides it well. Leaving Dale when it was safe he came to the woodland realm and found the aid of the wood elves. Fáinu was not his right name, but he uses it thinking it more fitting, when he came back to Rivendell none recognised him, for much toil had come upon him and he named himself Fáinu and only Elrond and others with powers of perception saw in him his right name, but he bid them not speak it. His name of old was, Mánstarmin, "one who helps", and he thought it unfit.

Sitting at the table he peered into his mug and said nought. Soon he looked up and saw that many people were merrily drinking and having generally an enjoyable time, he smiled and sipped his drink.

[Lalwendë]

Derufin’s words had been wise and Jinniver gained comfort from them. She had long thought that she had been touched by shadow, tainted by the past, but as he said, it was how a person acted that was the true test, and she had strived every day to be one of the good people.

On their way to inspect the flowerbeds, Derufin asked Jinniver what her halting speech about shadow had meant. She felt comfortable enough with her two new companions to say a little more, but she kept her head down all the same. It was still a painful memory and it was not so long ago.

“Before the Black Riders came, men came to Bree. They were not unlike us, though their manner of dress was somewhat foreign. At first, we avoided them, but soon we saw they wanted work, and lodging, and that they meant to stay. My father took on one young man as a hand on the farm and he became a friend to us, so much so that though I was young, we were betrothed quite soon. I was a silly thing, always dancing and singing. My head was full of dreams.

“My father said, and I thank the stars that he did this, that we must wait until we were both older before we were married. About that time the Riders passed through, and not long after came more men. My betrothed, he started to give me many gifts, urging me to go away and marry him. Something in me made me tell my brother about this, who told my father of course, and he turned out this…man” Jinniver did not want to say his name, that would be too much. “I did not see him again for some weeks.”

“One night, in the middle of the winter, myself and my father were woken by a gang shouting outside our farmhouse. They had flaming torches, and clubs, and they were brutish and drunken. I knew who they were, he was among them. ‘We are the masters now’ they shouted. ‘If you won’t give us this land then we are taking it’. My father, he came out in a fury. ‘Get you gone you ruffians!’ he shouted, and he made a run at them. He was still a lithe man at that time, but they were too many for him. They overpowered him, and had a knife at his throat, so out I came, grabbing the first thing I could find, my old hoe. I ran and took hold of the first man I could catch, throwing him to the ground. It was the man I had been going to marry.”

They had arrived at the cottage and Jinniver stopped a moment to look about her. This was a tale she did not like to think of, but it had still haunted her dreams ever since. It was a vivid tale to her, and her blood ran cold as she told it. She looked up and straight at Derufin and Andwise, fire in her eyes.

“I was shocked but I kept him pinned to the floor, his arms trapped under him. ’Release my father or this man dies’ I said. Of course they scoffed, so I swung the hoe about me using all the strength I had. Sharpened to a knife point it was, and I soon cut one of the men. He yowled like a dog, and they all shrank back into the darkness, dropping their weapons. I sat there until their voices had retreated far away. The man I had been going to marry, he had gone limp and lifeless and I tied his hands behind his back.

“My father and I, we left him in the road and packed all we could into our cart and rode into Bree as fast as we could go. And there we stayed through the winter while our farm was occupied. I saw the fight, and all those men were involved, but I did not see…him. When all was right again, and we returned to the farm, we found our crops spoiled and our nursery destroyed, and I forgot all about any dreams I might have had and set to work. I had to make amends, and that is why you see me here today. To earn a little more, that I might be able to give my old dad the retirement he deserves, and that he’d have had a long time ago, were it not for me being a silly girl.”

Jinniver looked away, and knelt to examine the old flowerbeds, gently handling a long forgotten rose which was struggling through the weeds. “This simple flower is worth more than dreams.” She sighed with relief and looked up, smiling at Andwise and Derufin. “That’s enough of dark and dramatic tales. You can be sure I will make you a fine little garden. I can already see what will flourish here, and that this will be a fair place.”

[Nurumaiel]

'Bah,' said Marcho, after a brief pause had commenced. His eyes travelled the Common Room critically, and disapproval was written all over his face. His voice was particularly harsh, and it was enough to make even Blanco turn towards him surprise. 'Bah?' that neat and bold lad repeated.

'Yes,' said Marcho. 'What is the Shire coming to? Look, do you see all the Elves? And the Men? Do you see any Hobbits?'

'Yes,' said Blanco, more than a little surprised. 'I see you, Marcho, and I see Bingo, and Peony, and...'

Marcho interrupted him with a growl, but Peony smiled in a gentle way. 'Don't you think, Marcho, that most hobbits adore to see Elves and Men in the Inn? This is one of the only places in the Shire they can be seen; I am full of wonderment at the sight of the Fair Folk. And to see the Elves, Men, and Hobbits speak with each other, in such a companiable way! Does it not strike you as sweet?'

'You strike me as sweet, Peony,' said Blanco, smiling fondly at his sister. Marcho said nothing but he grunted his lasting disapproval. Conversation once again drifted away, and in silence they waited for the return of Lily and Posco. Blanco was beginning to fidget restlessly in his chair.