A break from work and a little music is made . . .
Tomlin had edged near to where Gil was speaking with a newcomer Hobbit lass. Ferrin and Fallon, pretending to inspect one of the tables they had just moved out from the Inn, were also all ears . . . and comments . . . ‘Who is that?’ whispered Tomlin, coming to stand about with them.
‘Don’t know,’ said Ferrin, daring a quick glance toward Gil. ‘But she’s quite lovely, don’t you think? What with those sandy curls just touching at her cheeks.’ Fallon jabbed him in the arm, causing the stricken Hobbit to utter a rather loud ‘Oof!’. ‘She’s not your sort, Ferrin . . . looks far too smart to be interested in the likes of you,’ whispered Fallon. Ferrin rubbed his arm, muttering at his brother. ‘Now me, on the other hand,’ began Fallon, ‘I’m just the sort to be handling such a fine flower of a lass.’ Tomlin laughed aloud, saying it was he who was best suited to the newcomer. ‘After all,’ he reminded Fallon, ‘didn’t you promise Buttercup you’d be dancing with her today?’
‘What’s this?’ came a familiar voice from behind the trio. ‘Did I hear my name mentioned?’ Buttercup stepped up with a pitcher of foaming ale and a stack of mugs; she was giving drinks to the thirst workers.
Tomlin seized the opportunity, and taking her by the elbow, turned her to face where Gil and the Hobbit girl were talking. ‘Who’s that?’ he asked. Buttercup gave him a knowing smile and a shake of her head. ‘She’s come to play with your band . . . talked to Cook last night about your notice on the door. Name of . . .
Caity.’ Tomlin took the tray of drink and mugs from Buttercup’s hand much to her surprise and went walking over to where Gil stood.
‘
Caity,’ he said, giving her his best smile and a nod. ‘I’m just bringing round drinks and all to the volunteers. May I offer you one?’ he asked, setting the tray on a nearby table. ‘Lovely instruments you have there,’ Tomlin went on, looking at the flutes and whistles and the little clay ocarina she’d laid out on the table to show Gil. ‘You’ll make a fine addition to our little group for the party. Won’t she Gil?’
Gil looked on with barely suppressed laughter at his companion. ‘Well, yes, Tomlin she will. I was just just asking if she’d like to play a little something for us to hear. “Sailor’s Hornpipe”, perhaps?’ he asked, nodding at
Caity.
‘Well, surely not by herself,’ said Tomlin. ‘I’ll just fetch my fiddle and accompany her.’
‘And I’ll get the hand drum,’ called Ferrin, who’d come up to Caity’s other side.
Buttercup winked at Fallon, saying, ‘Go on now! You know you’re itching to get your fingers on your fiddle , too.’ He grinned at her and ran to fetch his little case.
‘Well, I hope you’re ready for this rather impromptu practice,’ chuckled Gil to Caity. ‘I’ll just get my little
concertina and we’ll see what sort of music we can make.’
Gill called out to
Seamus and Owen, just setting down a table on the grass. ‘Grab your instruments. We need a bit of a break.’ He pointed over to the little raised stage. ‘Meet us there. There’ll be ale to moisten your parched throats and loosen your lips.’
An Elf was already seated on the stage, playing what looked to be a quite large fiddle. ‘
Rasputina, she said introducing herself. And ‘Cello’, in answer to his question about the interesting instrument.
‘Welcome,’ he said, introducing himself and Caity, along with Tomlin, Ferrin, and Fallon. ‘We’re just going to practice a bit and wet our whistles so to speak.’ He winked at Caity as he finished. ‘Join us, if you will, then,
Rasputina. Seamus and Owen, our other new players should be along soon.’
Noting another Elf who'd been sitting by the stage listening to
Rasputina, Gil asked her name. '
Mithalwen, he said, fixing the name in his memory. 'You look pretty interested in the music. Do you play an instrument? And more important have you brought it with you? You can practice with us. Or if not -- perhaps you'd like to sing a bit?' Gil took his concertina from its box and undid the latches. He filled the bellows with air, and played a few bars from a lively dance tune . . .