The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Undómë]

Hob sipped the warm cider. Combined with the heat from the fire he was feeling quite toasty. Breakfast had been quite satisfying; the eggs and potatoes and toast running with honey had filled up every hollow. He sat back satisfied in his chair and pulled out his worn leather pouch of pipeweed. ‘One pipe-full,’ he promised himself, ‘just time enough to let everything settle in nicely, then old Strawberry and I will be off to make our rounds.’

Near him, enjoying their own platters of the Shire’s morning offerings, Benat and Anyopâ sat enjoying each other’s company. The room was not that noisy, many were still abed, and he could not help but hear their little discussion. He puffed quietly on his stained clay pipe, wondering where their thoughts would take them next.

[Saelind]

Slowly, the sun inched higher in the heavens and the cool breezes of the Shire crept through the half open window under which both Thalion and Neviel continued to sleep. The young Elf slept peacefully, his body curled up in a lazy little ball, his head buried deep in the soft goose-down pillow that Ruby had given to him. His father, however, was not so fortunate. Thrashing and turning from side to side, Thalion found his sleep interrupted by eerie images and whispered words that echoed uncomfortably through his head.

The visions he saw were lifelike and disturbing. Thalion struggled to wake but found he could not. He could not even tell whether he was still sleeping soundly in the Shire and had simply fallen into a troubled dream, or if the master of visions had whisked his body and fea off to Aman without his consent. He had never been to the isle, but the misty gardens, silver willows and soft beauty of the place lookedly exactly like Lorien, the resting place of the Valar and Eldar. Thalion gazed across a small lake and spied a willowly figure approaching. For a moment, his heart pounded furiously. Surely, this was his wife. But coming more closely, he could see that the woman, although familiar to him, was not Anoriel.

Mother, mother? Is that you? Thalion recognized the woman and ran forward joyfully for it had been many years since his mother and father had left for the West.

Yes, it is me, Thalion. Your mother. But do not step closer. You do not belong here.....at least not yet.

But, why not? I am an Elf. I have a right to sail West, just as you have done. Neviel and I are on our way to the Havens and soon we will join you on the shores of Aman.

Why do you do this thing, Thalion? You were ever a headstrong child, and I see that you have not changed. Did you not listen to your beloved wife and the words she shared with you the night before she lay down her life.

Anoriel, have you seen her? Has she come to the Blessed Shore, and does she fare well?

Well enough, my son. But she would fare better if you would heed the wise advice she gave you. There are few children here, Thalion. Aman is not a place for the getting of families. There would be no one with whom Neviel could romp or play. Give your son that chance to be young. For he will have many years to live till the end of Arda comes about.

His voice full of sadness, Thalion objected. But here too we have few young Elves. Everywhere I journey in Middle-earth, I see only tattered remnents of what used to be. There is so much loneliness....so many Elves have left. Should I not bring Neviel to Aman so he can be with his people?

In time, Thalion, all in due time. But are there not children in Middle-earth? Are you so proud that your son can not play with a hobbit or a human or a dwarf. Would you deny him the chance to laugh?

But I am an Elf. It has always been our way to hold to the side.

Always? That is a strong word. Have you not heard of Legolas Greenleaf who is close friend with Gimli the Dwarf and King Elessar? Are you so proud that you and your son can not do what he has done......to learn something of the ways of the other free folk of Middle-earth?

I don't know, mother. I have heard of this Legolas but I had never thought in terms quite like that.

Then, think again, and remember the words of your wife. The sea-longing has not yet come upon you or Neviel. Someday, it will come, and you will find your way west in Cirdan's vessel or in a ship made with your own hands. But for now, look about and open your eyes. There are beautful things to see and learn. Share these with your son.

The words trailed off, and the images receded. Thalion awoke with a start, leapt from his bed, and ran to the window. Outside he saw a fine green land, hills and fields tended with loving hands. It was as if he had never truly seen them before....

[Noinkling]

Benat chewed thoughtfully on his mouthful of toast, then waggled his fork slightly in the air as if a thought had just formed and was trying to make its way out. ‘I think you’ve hit on something, my friend,’ he said to Anyopâ, perching his fork on the edge of the plate. ‘And no I’ve not been put off my food. It would take more than a bit of speculation to do that.’ He took a mouthful of now lukewarm tea and washed the toast down.

‘I’ve not traveled to many places, mostly just those about my own home. But those men who have traveled through have seemed to have their particular customs they cling to; little supports that gird their lives. I’ve seen the Rangers that pass through the northern vales use that same custom as did you just before a meal. And there are others that I’ve noted and of course those of my own people. And I assume your people have many others of their own, too.’ Benat was thoughtful for a moment. ‘Things as you say that keep us on a right track . . . or a better track . . .’

He leaned forward, a considering look on his face. ‘I’ve often wondered about the Halflings. They are Men, too, or so I’ve come to think. Smaller in stature, but not in spirit. At any rate that’s the way the stories go, even from my own Granda. I’ve seen them now from Breeland to Bywater. They’ve a lovely way about them, a solid sort of way, though sometimes guarded with us bigger folk.’ Benat furrowed his brow and pushed about a bit of egg with his toast. ‘I wonder what customs strengthen them?’

[Tevildo]

It did not take long for Camille to set the room in order. She had soon deposited the trash into a bag, swept and mopped the floor, and used her rags to polish the shelves and furniture. Since most of the items in the room were light and easy to move, she had even managed to arrange everything without having to disturb Miz Bella. Most of the tables and chairs were set up in cozy clusters so that several students could sit at a single table and help each other, just as Miz Bella had suggested she do. She had dragged a few pieces of furniture out the door and left these things to be carried off and stored in one of the small wooden sheds that sat out at the back of the yard.

Fresh from these small victories and feeling more confident than she expected, Camille went over to open the two larger crates. The boxes were overflowing with an assortment of books. Camille couldn't read most of the titles, but even by looking at the pictures she could see that they covered a variety of topics. There were beautiful books showing birds and animals in the Shire, thin books with a page for each of the alphabet letters, fat books with pictures of dragons and heroes, and still other books with lots of words but no nice pictures to tell her what was happening. Camille dumped the latter to the side and began rummaging through the others, looking over the pictures and maps. She was especially intrigued by one that showed pictures of Elves, even some that had drawings of Elven children playing games.

To tell the truth, until Camille had come to the Dragon, she had never met an Elf in her life. The ones she had met in Bywater seemed quite nice, but they still frightened her. They seemed to know everything, and Camille could not understand why they would even want to bother with a hobbit. Still, the Elf Mithalwen had smiled at her and had been especially kind to her brother, something that counted a lot with Camille.

Although she was enjoying looking at the pictures in the books, Camille reminded herself that she should starting doing what Miz Bella had told her. She quickly unpacked all the volumes and set them on the shelves so she could see the titles and then started trying to put things in order. She remembered the letters "A, B, C" but beyond that the letters disappeared into a hazy mist and things got a little jumbled. After working for about thirty minutes, she had arranged just six books, and she wasn't sure about the order of the last two. She sat in frustration, wondering what to do next, when there was a slight rapping on the door.