[Nurumaiel]

"Ugh! Ugh, ugh, ugh!"

Falco Headstrong took three quick glances about before he spoke, and when he ascertained that no one was about to hear him, he expressed his disgust with vehemence, though not too loud. He didn't want to wake anyone... because they might look out to see who was making so much noise and see him. See him! Ugh again! They would wish they hadn't. But what did it matter what they thought? The devastating fact was that he, Falco Headstrong, was trudging along a road, muddy but not so muddy as himself, at three hours after midnight! How they would laugh if they saw him, all those lads back home. They thought he was a prissy, so they did! How could he, Falco Headstrong, be a prissy? Why, back when he was their age he spent all his time... doing... well, he didn't do things that were prissy, anyway. He had fished and climbed trees. Ha! Was that prissy?

The Green Dragon was becoming quite a famous and popular Inn. He hoped it would live up to its reputation. If it didn't... well, they'd never see him again. They'd regret that, wouldn't they? He was a very well-to-do hobbit, and the Inns were all alike. They wanted to take whatever was in their guests' pockets and put it into their own. At least, the people in the Inn did, even if the Inns didn't.

Blast the sky! Why had it taken a notion to rain when he, Falco Headstrong, was walking along the road? Oh, and blast the pony that had kicked him off and run away, too! On the way home he'd demand his money back. He'd been a fool to buy a pony from that shifty-eyed lad. He might have known he'd be given the wickedest and most brutal steed of them all. Especially when he didn't know how to ride! That boy ought to have known better than to give him a pony when he didn't even know how to ride. The young folk had no respect for their elders.

Oh, so that was the Inn? Was it lit up inside? Probably. He'd heard rumours about that Inn. Men and Elves and Dwarves took shelter there. No doubt they'd be up all night singing and dancing. No doubt! Nobody would get any sleep in that Inn. At least he wouldn't. What was wrong with Innkeepers nowadays? Not everyone was a heavy sleeper. He, Falco Headstrong, was a very light sleeper. They ought to know that there were light sleepers in the Shire, and make their guests be quiet. No matter that he didn't hear any noise. They would start shouting as soon as he, Falco Headstrong, came through the door.

Eh, what? What was this here? What was all this... this nonsense. There were... things... hanging on the trees. They were preparing for a party, were they? What, a party to celebrate the drunkeness of all the young lads at the Inn. No doubt that had worked it up because he, Falco Headstrong, was coming to the Inn, and he couldn't stand drunken parties. No doubt! They had known that. Surely they had! They had known he was coming. What wicked little creatures they were. No doubt they had all the doors locked, too. No doubt! He'd have to sit in his wet clothes the whole night through.

Eh? What was that crouched on the doorstep? Falco drew closer. It was a girl, was it? Sitting out because she couldn't get in, no doubt! Well, he'd have to sit down and wait, too. In his wet clothes... the whole night through! What kind of an Inn was it, where they locked their guests out. No doubt they'd want money the next day for the use of their doorstep. No doubt!

The girl stood when she saw him approaching. No doubt she thought he was a murderer. No doubt! But there was no fear in her bright, brown eyes. She had golden hair. That wasn't natural. She shouldn't have golden hair. So many girls were having golden hair, now. They thought too much about their looks. What was the Shire coming to?

"I'm so glad you're here," the girl said, with a little laugh, and a toss of her head. Showing off her gold curls, no doubt. No doubt! And was she expecting him? No doubt his sister had told some orphan he was going to meet them there. No doubt!

"Of course, I wasn't waiting for you," she added, hastily, "but I'm glad I have some company. I was enjoying myself at first, but I got lonely after awhile."

"You enjoyed yourself sitting out in the rain?" he said gruffly, sitting down beside her. "They've locked the doors on you, then, have they, eh?"

"Why, I don't know exactly. I didn't try the door, but I assumed it would locked at such an hour."

"No doubt you're right," he said. "No doubt!"

"I was having such fun, imagining things to myself," said the girl. "I was thinking of what this yard would look like soon. They've already hung up the lights and garlands. Soon they'll have the dancing and singing and merry-making."

"The drunken carousing," said Falco with a scowl.

"Oh no, I don't think so," said the girl. "You see, it's a hand-fasting they're celebrating. People usually don't get drunk at hand-fastings... at least I don't think... I wouldn't like to have people getting drunk at my wedding. It seems as though most brides wouldn't."

"Eh, well, if it's going to be a hand-fasting it won't be so bad," said Falco, softening a little. He'd always liked weddings. It made him think of his youth, when there were still things to look forward to. "But," he added, "they'll still be drunk, no doubt. No doubt!"

"I think we should hope for the best," said the girl. "That's what will be most likely to happen. I hear this Inn is a very good place."

"You've heard. Can you trust it?"

"I'd like to think I could," she said, her eyes very serious. "I do dislike it when people say things that are so very untrue. But at least it would be an untruth about the Inn that was good. People usually say bad things about other places and people when they're saying something untrue."

How she talked! It was giving him a headache. What a bright outlook she had on her life. Well, she was still a little girl yet. She'd soon grow out of that. She should be happy while she could. But she'd be talking all night, no doubt.

No doubt!