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

piosenniel · 12-26-2005, 02:08 PM

Cook hurried along, the heavy iron poker grasped firmly in her hand. It was not long before she neared the smokehouse, its door hanging a little ajar. She stopped, casting her gaze about the area. She could see nothing or no one lurking nearby, nor hear any movement in the smokehouse itself.

With as quiet a step as she could muster, Cook crept up to the door, the poker held bravely before her. She got just close enough to swing open the door with the tip of her erstwhile weapon, then stepped closer, peering into the smoky interior.

A loud voice from behind startled her. And she rounded on what she thought might be the thief-returned, the poker held high.

Arry · 12-26-2005, 02:20 PM

‘It’s just us, Cook!’ cried Gil, as he and the others stood up from their hiding place in the bushes. Farron’s hands pushed him out of the way as Cook swung on them with the heavy iron poker.

They were just scrambling to get out of her way, when Halfred and his two deputies came pounding toward them on their ponies, stout clubs in hand. ‘After them, men!’ the Shiriff commanded, finger pointing at the scattering lads.

Minto and Mungo soon had them subdued and rounded up, ignoring their protests of innocence. ‘Oh to be sure,’ said Minto poking Tomlin in the back as he nudged him toward the Shiriff. ‘And isn’t that what they all say when they’re caught in the act!’

‘Well, now, Miz Bunce,’ Halfred began, a smile of satisfaction on his face for a job well and quickly done. ‘What got taken by these miscreants?’ Halfred smiled again, this time at the chance to try out a new word he’d recently learned.

Koobdooga · 12-27-2005, 03:11 PM

Ciro is invited to sit down

‘Welcome, Master Ciro!’ Ibun rose to his feet and indicated that the man be welcome to sit down with them. ‘Were passing time until the party this evening,’ he went on, waving his hand over the pitchers of ale and the plates of bread cheese and ham that had been brought to the table.

‘Please join us, if you will.’ He introduced those at the table starting with himself and working round to Fror, then Penn and her now sleeping ferrets.

He held up the pipe he was smoking. ‘And after, if you’ve a mind to, there’s good Shire leaf aplenty to settle down the last of the ale.’ Ibun poured a mug of ale for their new tablemate and offered him the basket of bread and plate of cheese and ham. Then, taking some for himself, he took a few bites and munched on them appreciatively.

‘So – if you don’t mind my asking. Where have you come from and where are you bound?’ Ibun took a swig of ale and sat back as the man considered the question.

piosenniel · 12-28-2005, 03:13 AM

‘Now hold on, Halfred,’ cried Cook, coming to her senses. ‘These fool lads were trying to catch whoever or whatever it was that broke into the smokehouse.’ She gave Gil and his companions a shake of her head. ‘And here I almost brained them! My golly, they scared me half to death!’

Minto and Mungo released the four suspects once Halfred had assessed the situation all round and come to the conclusion that none of them were the thief. Cook ordered the lads back to the Inn. ‘Let Halfred manage here,’ she said, giving Tomlin the poker to take back to the kitchen. ‘And we’ve a party to think of this evening. Best you lads lend your strong backs to getting it set up.’

Halfred, in the meantime had been inspecting the smokehouse while his deputies looked at the surrounding area. ‘Took some raw meat, whoever it was,’ said the Shiriff, noting the dried blood trailing out of the door and into the more forested area. ‘And two-legged, too,’ chimed in Minto, pointing to the scuffed tracks about the smokehouse.

Mungo, his father a locksmith from Hobbiton, stood looking at the broken latch. ‘Let me just ride to my father’s workshop. I’ll get that fixed up right as rain in no time.’ Halfred nodded and off Mungo went.

‘I’ll leave it in your good hands, Halfred, to find the culprit,’ Cook said as she started back toward the Inn. ‘Oh,’ she went on, turning back toward the Shiriff and his deputy. ‘Bring your wives to the Inn this evening. There’s a fellow in with some casks of ale he wants us to try out. There’ll be plenty of food and the drink to wash it down with. And dancing.’ Then she was on her way again and soon back in the kitchen.

Undómë · 12-29-2005, 12:57 PM

‘Well, then, we shall both have to learn to dance!’ She grinned at him and shook her head as they entered the Inn. ‘I doubt the Shire folk dance any of the steps I learned.’ She looked about at the Hobbits in the front yard. ‘They seem a merry folk. I’m thinking their tunes will be quite lively, their dances, too.’ She looked him up and down, then back at the more casual dress of the Halflings.

‘I think you might want to wear something a bit less formal for the party,’ she said, her gaze assessing his present clothes. ‘Something you’ll feel free to work up a bit of – sweat.’

The innkeeper set the two of them to different tasks. Farael was asked to help set up the tables and chairs outside. And haul the barrels of ale out and the racks of wine. Telu was asked to gather flowers for table decorations and to help string the little lanterns along the verandah and in the trees that bordered the yard.

The two went their separate ways, promising to meet that evening when the merriment began.

Valier · 12-29-2005, 01:57 PM

Penn looked up into the man Ciro's blue eyes."No apology needed good sir,for we are or were all travel worn at one time or another,your look does not startle me."
"Please have a seat."

Penn's attention was again wavering,for she saw a woman,possible from Rohan with the most gorgeous of auburn hair approaching the bar.I must greet her and ask her where she hails fromTurning to the dwarves and Ciro,Penn proclaimed shyly "Do you gentlemen plan on participating in the festivities?"

Penn's shyness was due to the fact she knew there would be dancing,and she could not dance well at all ,having never really been taught."I would excuse myself for a little while,I would like to see if I could help with the preparations."She smiled sweetly at Ciro and bowed to the Dwaves."you have both bested me ...for now on the ale,I dare say I will rejoin you in a bit?"

Penn stopped at the bar to see if she could offer her help for the party,and smiled at the woman with the auburn hair."Greetings! Are you coming to the festivities this night?I could not help but notice are you from Rohan?For I also hail from there,and it would always be nice to chat with another from our great realm."

Penn twisted her hair absentmindedly waiting for the woman's response.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 12-29-2005, 02:44 PM

Ciro sat down as Penn left. He thought her a nice girl; but he had no time to dwell on that. It was imperative that he concentrated on the Dwarf's question and that he mask his troubles.

"Here's to you fine Dwarves!" Ciro said politely, and drank long from the pint Ibun had offered him. The ale of the Green Dragon was fit for a King, and Ciro was eased within seconds of tasting it. He steadied himself.

"As to your question" Ciro said, "where should I begin? For I have arrived here from a broken road, always careering this way and that; and where I am bound I do not know." Ciro watched the Dwarves silently assessing his performance and, once again, considered exactly what he should tell them. Ciro now spoke in a quite low voice.

"I seek a man. He is scheduled to meet me at this here Inn. He is from the South, and East somewhat. He has information which I would hear because it concerns matters that are close to me. You may have marked my nervous entrance; well, this meeting has been rather a long time coming.

"But I have not long since been in the North and the East. It was around two years ago now when I was rather busy over in that direction." And now raising his voice, Ciro exclaimed "For this reason I have been lucky enough to mingle with a number of Dwarves. Tell me! where do you hail from?"

Ciro leaned back in his chair, feeling more comfortable despite the look of interest in the eyes of the Dwarves. He took some much-needed bread.

12-26-2005, 02:20 PM	#2
Arry Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 704	‘It’s just us, Cook!’ cried Gil, as he and the others stood up from their hiding place in the bushes. Farron’s hands pushed him out of the way as Cook swung on them with the heavy iron poker. They were just scrambling to get out of her way, when Halfred and his two deputies came pounding toward them on their ponies, stout clubs in hand. ‘After them, men!’ the Shiriff commanded, finger pointing at the scattering lads. Minto and Mungo soon had them subdued and rounded up, ignoring their protests of innocence. ‘Oh to be sure,’ said Minto poking Tomlin in the back as he nudged him toward the Shiriff. ‘And isn’t that what they all say when they’re caught in the act!’ ‘Well, now, Miz Bunce,’ Halfred began, a smile of satisfaction on his face for a job well and quickly done. ‘What got taken by these miscreants?’ Halfred smiled again, this time at the chance to try out a new word he’d recently learned. __________________ If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world – J.R.R. Tolkien

12-27-2005, 03:11 PM	#3
Koobdooga Animated Skeleton Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 33	Ciro is invited to sit down ‘Welcome, Master Ciro!’ Ibun rose to his feet and indicated that the man be welcome to sit down with them. ‘Were passing time until the party this evening,’ he went on, waving his hand over the pitchers of ale and the plates of bread cheese and ham that had been brought to the table. ‘Please join us, if you will.’ He introduced those at the table starting with himself and working round to Fror, then Penn and her now sleeping ferrets. He held up the pipe he was smoking. ‘And after, if you’ve a mind to, there’s good Shire leaf aplenty to settle down the last of the ale.’ Ibun poured a mug of ale for their new tablemate and offered him the basket of bread and plate of cheese and ham. Then, taking some for himself, he took a few bites and munched on them appreciatively. ‘So – if you don’t mind my asking. Where have you come from and where are you bound?’ Ibun took a swig of ale and sat back as the man considered the question. __________________ Outside a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read. -- Groucho Marx

12-29-2005, 12:57 PM	#5
Undómë Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 400	‘Well, then, we shall both have to learn to dance!’ She grinned at him and shook her head as they entered the Inn. ‘I doubt the Shire folk dance any of the steps I learned.’ She looked about at the Hobbits in the front yard. ‘They seem a merry folk. I’m thinking their tunes will be quite lively, their dances, too.’ She looked him up and down, then back at the more casual dress of the Halflings. ‘I think you might want to wear something a bit less formal for the party,’ she said, her gaze assessing his present clothes. ‘Something you’ll feel free to work up a bit of – sweat.’ The innkeeper set the two of them to different tasks. Farael was asked to help set up the tables and chairs outside. And haul the barrels of ale out and the racks of wine. Telu was asked to gather flowers for table decorations and to help string the little lanterns along the verandah and in the trees that bordered the yard. The two went their separate ways, promising to meet that evening when the merriment began. __________________ 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 . . .

12-29-2005, 01:57 PM	#6
Valier Twisted Taleswapper Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: somewhere between sanity and insanity Posts: 1,706	Penn approaches Naria Penn looked up into the man Ciro's blue eyes."No apology needed good sir,for we are or were all travel worn at one time or another,your look does not startle me." "Please have a seat." Penn's attention was again wavering,for she saw a woman,possible from Rohan with the most gorgeous of auburn hair approaching the bar.I must greet her and ask her where she hails fromTurning to the dwarves and Ciro,Penn proclaimed shyly "Do you gentlemen plan on participating in the festivities?" Penn's shyness was due to the fact she knew there would be dancing,and she could not dance well at all ,having never really been taught."I would excuse myself for a little while,I would like to see if I could help with the preparations."She smiled sweetly at Ciro and bowed to the Dwaves."you have both bested me ...for now on the ale,I dare say I will rejoin you in a bit?" Penn stopped at the bar to see if she could offer her help for the party,and smiled at the woman with the auburn hair."Greetings! Are you coming to the festivities this night?I could not help but notice are you from Rohan?For I also hail from there,and it would always be nice to chat with another from our great realm." Penn twisted her hair absentmindedly waiting for the woman's response. __________________ grand return?........ Last edited by Valier; 12-30-2005 at 12:26 PM.

12-26-2005, 02:08 PM	#1
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Cook hurried along, the heavy iron poker grasped firmly in her hand. It was not long before she neared the smokehouse, its door hanging a little ajar. She stopped, casting her gaze about the area. She could see nothing or no one lurking nearby, nor hear any movement in the smokehouse itself. With as quiet a step as she could muster, Cook crept up to the door, the poker held bravely before her. She got just close enough to swing open the door with the tip of her erstwhile weapon, then stepped closer, peering into the smoky interior. A loud voice from behind startled her. And she rounded on what she thought might be the thief-returned, the poker held high. __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.

12-28-2005, 03:13 AM	#4
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	‘Now hold on, Halfred,’ cried Cook, coming to her senses. ‘These fool lads were trying to catch whoever or whatever it was that broke into the smokehouse.’ She gave Gil and his companions a shake of her head. ‘And here I almost brained them! My golly, they scared me half to death!’ Minto and Mungo released the four suspects once Halfred had assessed the situation all round and come to the conclusion that none of them were the thief. Cook ordered the lads back to the Inn. ‘Let Halfred manage here,’ she said, giving Tomlin the poker to take back to the kitchen. ‘And we’ve a party to think of this evening. Best you lads lend your strong backs to getting it set up.’ Halfred, in the meantime had been inspecting the smokehouse while his deputies looked at the surrounding area. ‘Took some raw meat, whoever it was,’ said the Shiriff, noting the dried blood trailing out of the door and into the more forested area. ‘And two-legged, too,’ chimed in Minto, pointing to the scuffed tracks about the smokehouse. Mungo, his father a locksmith from Hobbiton, stood looking at the broken latch. ‘Let me just ride to my father’s workshop. I’ll get that fixed up right as rain in no time.’ Halfred nodded and off Mungo went. ‘I’ll leave it in your good hands, Halfred, to find the culprit,’ Cook said as she started back toward the Inn. ‘Oh,’ she went on, turning back toward the Shiriff and his deputy. ‘Bring your wives to the Inn this evening. There’s a fellow in with some casks of ale he wants us to try out. There’ll be plenty of food and the drink to wash it down with. And dancing.’ Then she was on her way again and soon back in the kitchen.

12-29-2005, 02:44 PM	#7
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Ciro sat down as Penn left. He thought her a nice girl; but he had no time to dwell on that. It was imperative that he concentrated on the Dwarf's question and that he mask his troubles. "Here's to you fine Dwarves!" Ciro said politely, and drank long from the pint Ibun had offered him. The ale of the Green Dragon was fit for a King, and Ciro was eased within seconds of tasting it. He steadied himself. "As to your question" Ciro said, "where should I begin? For I have arrived here from a broken road, always careering this way and that; and where I am bound I do not know." Ciro watched the Dwarves silently assessing his performance and, once again, considered exactly what he should tell them. Ciro now spoke in a quite low voice. "I seek a man. He is scheduled to meet me at this here Inn. He is from the South, and East somewhat. He has information which I would hear because it concerns matters that are close to me. You may have marked my nervous entrance; well, this meeting has been rather a long time coming. "But I have not long since been in the North and the East. It was around two years ago now when I was rather busy over in that direction." And now raising his voice, Ciro exclaimed "For this reason I have been lucky enough to mingle with a number of Dwarves. Tell me! where do you hail from?" Ciro leaned back in his chair, feeling more comfortable despite the look of interest in the eyes of the Dwarves. He took some much-needed bread.