The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Firefoot · 03-26-2005, 07:24 AM

Old Thistle Bracegirdle had not felt like cooking supper for herself this night, and so had decided to stop by the Green Dragon, a reputable inn by all accounts. She was hungry, and feeling rather grumpy. Here she had been waiting, and yet no one had noticed her or asked if she might like something to eat. Hmph! Her interest was caught by the young lass and her brother puzzling over the sign, but she hung in the background, unnoticed. When the hobbit server had stopped to read the sign out loud for them, Thistle strained her ears to hear how it read. Her ire grew as she heard what was being said. Reading, 'riting, 'rithmatic... Elven lore and tales... Hmph! What did hobbit lasses and lads need to learn such outlandish things for? Better they were off learning from and helping their Mas and Pas about cooking and gardening and farming and other sensible activities.

As the excited youngsters bounded away from the sign (Little’uns are so boisterous these days), Thistle hobbled up to get a look at it for herself, though she could not read a word of it. Looks like little more than chickenscratch, she thought. Now why does anyone need to learn to make the little marks beyond 'ritin their name? She scowled at the sign and thumped her wooden cane irratably on the floor. Didn't this Miz Bella have anything better to do with her time?

One of the hobbit maids came by (So someone finally notices me!). “Is something the matter, ma’am?”

“I should say so!” stated Thistle loudly. “What kind of nonsense is this, anyway? What do our lads and lasses need to be learning all this for? Elven lore and tales of dragons - hmph! Ninety-six years I’ve lived without knowing more letters than how to write my name! They’d be better off helping out their folks at home - learning to cook and work in the garden. Not good for hobbits to learn too much about the outside world. Get queer in the head, they do!”

Primrose Bolger · 03-26-2005, 03:01 PM

Ginger takes Miz Bracegirdle's order

‘Yes, m’am,’ said Ginger as Miz Bracegirdle made her points, the old gal thumping on the ground with her cane to emphasize each one. Truth be known, Ginger had stood near as Buttercup read the notice to the children and was thrilled at the notion. ‘Yes, m’am. Queer in the head.’

She put on as polite a face as she could. She didn’t believe all that for one minute. If queer in the head meant having a little adventure in your life, Ginger was all for it. Shy as she might be about going out on an adventure herself, still she was glad that others had made the bold step. She shivered a little with anticipation and delight. She could stay safe in her own little burrow and venture out to visit the Elves and see about dragons and treasure and such without setting foot out of the Shire.

Tomorrow, she would see Miz Bella about joining up in one of her classes. She didn’t mind sitting in with some of the littler children. She liked the little ones. And maybe she could help Miz Bella with keeping them in order. Goodness knows she had enough practice with that between her younger brothers and sisters and her older siblings’ little ones.

Miz Bracegirdle was looking up at her as if she thought Ginger had gone daft. Regathering her wits about her, Ginger asked what the old dear would be wanting to eat and drink.

Undómë · 03-27-2005, 04:29 AM

‘Well, Strawberry, here we are! Let’s get you unharnessed and into a nice stall for the night. Clean straw and a nosebag of oats for all your long traveling today, m’lassie.’ Hobson Bridger pulled his small cart up to the stable and hopped down to the ground. With a practiced series of motions he quickly unharnessed his red chestnut pony from the shafts and led the tired little horse into the stall the stableboy had pointed out to him. A few coins exchanged hands, with the boy promising to rub the pony down and brush her in the morning. The cart was pulled close to the side of the stable and secured beneath the overhanging eaves.

Satisfied his four-legged companion was well taken care of, Hob picked his way across the darkening Inn yard and up the steps to the door. A rush of warm air greeted him as he entered, and he stood for a moment blinking in the lamp and fire lit interior of the common room. His eyes adjusted, he made his way to a small table occupied by several other Hobbits. They offered him the empty seat, passing their jug of hard cider to him along with a clean mug. ‘Green Dragon cider. Put hair on your toes, it will,’ they assured him. He in turn offered a pipeful to each from his pouch of pipeweed. One of the servers came by, and he allowed as how he might try a large wedge of that mushroom pie he’d seen being brought to others. And some bread and butter would be nice and a small wedge of cheese. It had been a very long day on the road from Budge Ford to Bywater, with only a few apples and some cold cornbread from last night’s supper to see him through.

He took a long pull on his drink and then looked about expectantly for someone who might be the Innkeeper. He’d need lodging for the night and perhaps the next few days, depending on how his trading went. Hob leaned back in his chair, listening to the small talk of his tablemates, joining in when he could. His keen brown eyes swept the room slowly as he puffed on his pipe. Just might be a good day at the market tomorrow, he reckoned, that is if the weather held

Tevildo · 03-27-2005, 05:35 AM

Lilly's face had gone beet red when she heard that Bella mistakenly believed that she and Master Falco were all part of one family. She was relieved that Falco had slipped away from the table in order to go make some music with the others and hadn't heard everything that was being said. Still she had best clear up the confusion and explain.

"I am pleased to meet you, Miz Bella. My name is Lily, and I am the mother of Rory and Camille, just a poor widow who lives down by The Water. Master Headstrong is a friend of our family, a newly acquired friend to be sure but still a dear friend and benefactor. If you wish to inquire about the young lass Marigold going to your school, you had best ask him."

"As to my own children attending your school, I would dearly love that, but I am afraid we have few extras for such an indulgence. My daughter secured a position at the Inn only today, and I have arranged to do Master Falco's laundry. We'll be needing every penny from those two jobs for food and blankets and other necessities."

Camille looked quite happy, even relieved, upon hearing her mother's response but when Lilly looked over at her son, she saw a look of sheer disappointment registered on his face. Lilly wished she could reply differently to Miz Bella, but food had to come first. It would be foolish to think otherwise. At that moment, before Bella could even respond, two young hobbits scampered over to the table and blurted out another question about wanting to come and attend the school.

elf-girl-63 · 03-27-2005, 11:41 AM

Aranel looked around the room. Most of the inn's customers seemed to be enjoying the music, and she was too, although she was beginning to miss Ferdy's company. He had been accosted by some younger hobbits and was now busy teaching them the basic rhythms of the songs. She smiled at how relaxed he looked with them. He must have realised she was staring because he raised his head suddenly and winked at her. Blushing, she immediately turned away, not used to such actions.

The room was full of hobbits eating loudly but Aranel jumped at the door banged shut and in entered yet another hobbit with dark brown eyes. He sat down with some acquaintances (or were they friends? SHe couldn't quite tell) and began puffing on a particularly large pipe. The smoke, however, began to drift over to her table, making her cough and splutter. After wiping her eyes in a dark green handkerchief, she eventually got up to order some food. For some reason the journey had left her weary and hungry... the late lunch she had eaten only a couple of hours ago had done little and so she made her way to the bar.

A young hobbit girl was there with bouncing curls and a pleasant face, 'Would you like some supper Miss?" she enquired politely.

"Yes could I have the chicken with vegetables, the spice cake and some water please?"

The girl nodded and asked to her seat, "Oh, just over there in the corner near the window, thank you." Aranel swept her long hair out of her face and made her way back to her quiet table.

Firefoot · 03-27-2005, 12:07 PM

"Some dinner, of course - whatever it is that smells so good," answered Thistle. "And make sure it is hot. Cold dinner's no good. With apple cider." Thistle could not help but feel she was being put off. And this girl, Ginger; why, did she not have anything of her own to say? Only a "yes m'am" and the repetition of Thistle's own words. Didn't these young folk think for themselves anymore? Ginger had got right dreamy-eyed, too, once she had finished talking. This was what happened when a hobbit interested themself in tales about elves and dragons - not a sensible thought left in them! Thistle bet that Ginger had probably been one of the first to sign up for these hogwash lessons.

"Yes m'am," said Ginger. "Why don't you have a seat and make yourself comfortable? We'll have it ready shortly."

Thistle allowed herself to be ushered to a small table, but not without a few more admonishing words to Ginger. "Make sure you don't go filling your head with this tomfoolery about dragons. You be sensible, help out your folks at home. Life'll go better for you, you mark my words..."

"Yes m'am. Your dinner will be right out, all right?"

Thistle nodded sourly. Of course she'd leave her all alone like this. No one ever cared to give her company any more. Not even the children came to visit with their families.

Thinking of children, why were there so many of them here? And noisy children. Noisy, rambunctious, singing children. Was this how children were raised these days? In fact, those nearby seemed to be encouraging it! Hmph. What was the Shire coming to these days?

03-26-2005, 03:01 PM	#2
Primrose Bolger Wight Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Bywater Pool Posts: 196	Ginger takes Miz Bracegirdle's order ‘Yes, m’am,’ said Ginger as Miz Bracegirdle made her points, the old gal thumping on the ground with her cane to emphasize each one. Truth be known, Ginger had stood near as Buttercup read the notice to the children and was thrilled at the notion. ‘Yes, m’am. Queer in the head.’ She put on as polite a face as she could. She didn’t believe all that for one minute. If queer in the head meant having a little adventure in your life, Ginger was all for it. Shy as she might be about going out on an adventure herself, still she was glad that others had made the bold step. She shivered a little with anticipation and delight. She could stay safe in her own little burrow and venture out to visit the Elves and see about dragons and treasure and such without setting foot out of the Shire. Tomorrow, she would see Miz Bella about joining up in one of her classes. She didn’t mind sitting in with some of the littler children. She liked the little ones. And maybe she could help Miz Bella with keeping them in order. Goodness knows she had enough practice with that between her younger brothers and sisters and her older siblings’ little ones. Miz Bracegirdle was looking up at her as if she thought Ginger had gone daft. Regathering her wits about her, Ginger asked what the old dear would be wanting to eat and drink. __________________ . . . for they love peace and quiet and good tilled earth . . . are quick of hearing and sharpeyed, and though they are inclined to be fat and do not hurry unneccesarily, they are nonetheless nimble and deft in their movements . . . FOTR - Prologue

03-27-2005, 04:29 AM	#3
Undómë Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 400	‘Well, Strawberry, here we are! Let’s get you unharnessed and into a nice stall for the night. Clean straw and a nosebag of oats for all your long traveling today, m’lassie.’ Hobson Bridger pulled his small cart up to the stable and hopped down to the ground. With a practiced series of motions he quickly unharnessed his red chestnut pony from the shafts and led the tired little horse into the stall the stableboy had pointed out to him. A few coins exchanged hands, with the boy promising to rub the pony down and brush her in the morning. The cart was pulled close to the side of the stable and secured beneath the overhanging eaves. Satisfied his four-legged companion was well taken care of, Hob picked his way across the darkening Inn yard and up the steps to the door. A rush of warm air greeted him as he entered, and he stood for a moment blinking in the lamp and fire lit interior of the common room. His eyes adjusted, he made his way to a small table occupied by several other Hobbits. They offered him the empty seat, passing their jug of hard cider to him along with a clean mug. ‘Green Dragon cider. Put hair on your toes, it will,’ they assured him. He in turn offered a pipeful to each from his pouch of pipeweed. One of the servers came by, and he allowed as how he might try a large wedge of that mushroom pie he’d seen being brought to others. And some bread and butter would be nice and a small wedge of cheese. It had been a very long day on the road from Budge Ford to Bywater, with only a few apples and some cold cornbread from last night’s supper to see him through. He took a long pull on his drink and then looked about expectantly for someone who might be the Innkeeper. He’d need lodging for the night and perhaps the next few days, depending on how his trading went. Hob leaned back in his chair, listening to the small talk of his tablemates, joining in when he could. His keen brown eyes swept the room slowly as he puffed on his pipe. Just might be a good day at the market tomorrow, he reckoned, that is if the weather held __________________ Young she was and yet not so. The braids of her dark hair were touched by no frost, her white arms and clear face were flawless and smooth, and the light of stars was in her bright eyes, grey as a cloudless night . . .

03-27-2005, 05:35 AM	#4
Tevildo Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Curled up on Melko's lap Posts: 425	Lilly Lilly's face had gone beet red when she heard that Bella mistakenly believed that she and Master Falco were all part of one family. She was relieved that Falco had slipped away from the table in order to go make some music with the others and hadn't heard everything that was being said. Still she had best clear up the confusion and explain. "I am pleased to meet you, Miz Bella. My name is Lily, and I am the mother of Rory and Camille, just a poor widow who lives down by The Water. Master Headstrong is a friend of our family, a newly acquired friend to be sure but still a dear friend and benefactor. If you wish to inquire about the young lass Marigold going to your school, you had best ask him." "As to my own children attending your school, I would dearly love that, but I am afraid we have few extras for such an indulgence. My daughter secured a position at the Inn only today, and I have arranged to do Master Falco's laundry. We'll be needing every penny from those two jobs for food and blankets and other necessities." Camille looked quite happy, even relieved, upon hearing her mother's response but when Lilly looked over at her son, she saw a look of sheer disappointment registered on his face. Lilly wished she could reply differently to Miz Bella, but food had to come first. It would be foolish to think otherwise. At that moment, before Bella could even respond, two young hobbits scampered over to the table and blurted out another question about wanting to come and attend the school. Last edited by Tevildo; 03-27-2005 at 05:42 AM.

03-27-2005, 11:41 AM	#5
elf-girl-63 Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Osgiliath Posts: 58	Aranel looked around the room. Most of the inn's customers seemed to be enjoying the music, and she was too, although she was beginning to miss Ferdy's company. He had been accosted by some younger hobbits and was now busy teaching them the basic rhythms of the songs. She smiled at how relaxed he looked with them. He must have realised she was staring because he raised his head suddenly and winked at her. Blushing, she immediately turned away, not used to such actions. The room was full of hobbits eating loudly but Aranel jumped at the door banged shut and in entered yet another hobbit with dark brown eyes. He sat down with some acquaintances (or were they friends? SHe couldn't quite tell) and began puffing on a particularly large pipe. The smoke, however, began to drift over to her table, making her cough and splutter. After wiping her eyes in a dark green handkerchief, she eventually got up to order some food. For some reason the journey had left her weary and hungry... the late lunch she had eaten only a couple of hours ago had done little and so she made her way to the bar. A young hobbit girl was there with bouncing curls and a pleasant face, 'Would you like some supper Miss?" she enquired politely. "Yes could I have the chicken with vegetables, the spice cake and some water please?" The girl nodded and asked to her seat, "Oh, just over there in the corner near the window, thank you." Aranel swept her long hair out of her face and made her way back to her quiet table. __________________ ~Nuinyulma~ All that is gold does not glitter... Last edited by elf-girl-63; 03-27-2005 at 01:34 PM.

03-26-2005, 07:24 AM	#1
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	Old Thistle Bracegirdle had not felt like cooking supper for herself this night, and so had decided to stop by the Green Dragon, a reputable inn by all accounts. She was hungry, and feeling rather grumpy. Here she had been waiting, and yet no one had noticed her or asked if she might like something to eat. Hmph! Her interest was caught by the young lass and her brother puzzling over the sign, but she hung in the background, unnoticed. When the hobbit server had stopped to read the sign out loud for them, Thistle strained her ears to hear how it read. Her ire grew as she heard what was being said. Reading, 'riting, 'rithmatic... Elven lore and tales... Hmph! What did hobbit lasses and lads need to learn such outlandish things for? Better they were off learning from and helping their Mas and Pas about cooking and gardening and farming and other sensible activities. As the excited youngsters bounded away from the sign (Little’uns are so boisterous these days), Thistle hobbled up to get a look at it for herself, though she could not read a word of it. Looks like little more than chickenscratch, she thought. Now why does anyone need to learn to make the little marks beyond 'ritin their name? She scowled at the sign and thumped her wooden cane irratably on the floor. Didn't this Miz Bella have anything better to do with her time? One of the hobbit maids came by (So someone finally notices me!). “Is something the matter, ma’am?” “I should say so!” stated Thistle loudly. “What kind of nonsense is this, anyway? What do our lads and lasses need to be learning all this for? Elven lore and tales of dragons - hmph! Ninety-six years I’ve lived without knowing more letters than how to write my name! They’d be better off helping out their folks at home - learning to cook and work in the garden. Not good for hobbits to learn too much about the outside world. Get queer in the head, they do!”

03-27-2005, 12:07 PM	#6
Firefoot Illusionary Holbytla Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 7,547	"Some dinner, of course - whatever it is that smells so good," answered Thistle. "And make sure it is hot. Cold dinner's no good. With apple cider." Thistle could not help but feel she was being put off. And this girl, Ginger; why, did she not have anything of her own to say? Only a "yes m'am" and the repetition of Thistle's own words. Didn't these young folk think for themselves anymore? Ginger had got right dreamy-eyed, too, once she had finished talking. This was what happened when a hobbit interested themself in tales about elves and dragons - not a sensible thought left in them! Thistle bet that Ginger had probably been one of the first to sign up for these hogwash lessons. "Yes m'am," said Ginger. "Why don't you have a seat and make yourself comfortable? We'll have it ready shortly." Thistle allowed herself to be ushered to a small table, but not without a few more admonishing words to Ginger. "Make sure you don't go filling your head with this tomfoolery about dragons. You be sensible, help out your folks at home. Life'll go better for you, you mark my words..." "Yes m'am. Your dinner will be right out, all right?" Thistle nodded sourly. Of course she'd leave her all alone like this. No one ever cared to give her company any more. Not even the children came to visit with their families. Thinking of children, why were there so many of them here? And noisy children. Noisy, rambunctious, singing children. Was this how children were raised these days? In fact, those nearby seemed to be encouraging it! Hmph. What was the Shire coming to these days?