The Green Dragon Inn - Part 9

[Linnahiril Tinnufinwen]

Halfred had certainly ordered a feast. Asphodel's eyes widened in disbelief as several servers came to their table carrying large, silver platters full of food. There was plump golden chicken and salted pork, slices of juicy roast beef, mounds of baked potatoes, legs of mutton, fresh tomatoes, purple grapes, green and red apples, celery, carrots, turnips; everything anyone could want. Asphodel half suspected her father of ordering every kind fruit and vegetable the Shire had to offer. Big loaves of freshly baked bread, and slabes of yellow and white cheese were also set upon the table, and a steaming hot silver basin of rabbit stew was placed in the middle.

"For love of the Shire, Halfred," exclaimed Asphodel's aunt, "this is a mighty feast for just four Hobbits! We are known to have good appetites, and mine is as good as any, but to eat all of this we would need at least one more companion."

"I'm afraid it will not be enough," said Halfred, "for I have four more coming at eight o-clock." He pulled out his gold pocket watch. "That is in but fifteen minutes."

"Four more?" exclaimed Asphodel. "Who could they be?"

"Well," said Halfred, "first there is Fastred Longfellow. Then Pinto Goldburrow, Gormadoc Chubb, and my nephew Tolman Brown."

"Cousin Tolman is coming?" asked Hanna excitedly. "Good! I can show him the Longbottom Leaf that I picked this morning!"

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:17 PM January 28, 2004: Message edited by: Linnahiril Tinnufinwen ]