The Green Dragon Inn - Part 4

[littlemanpoet]

Eodwine had slept in worse quarters by far. He stretched and yawned as his thought wandered back to the night before.

"Play for me!" The Lady Waen's anticipation had been hard to deny, but there had been many folk making merry, and others had been singing good songs. And it was not his way to pull others' eyes and ears toward himself. He had played before lords and ladies, but only upon request. He doubted he needed a request from the Innkeeper, but his songs and tales could wait. He had declined with the most courteous words he had known, and she had appeared crestfallen, as if there were more his refusal than he had meant. She had left the Inn to find her bed in the trees. He sighed and rolled over.

And Lespheria had remained busy with the doings of the Inn. Eodwine chuckled. Now that had been a surprise indeed! Not only the hobbit lady Camelia, but the Lady Lespheria of Rivendell, showing up in the same inn, in the Shire! No great stretch for Cami, but What, pray, lady, are you doing here?

There was whinnying and stamping and human voices below. Eodwine's eyes came open. I shall have to ask her just that! Maybe there's an adventure in it. That was, after all, the real reason for his visit to the Shire. His fellows back in Rohan had asked how he could expect to find any adventure in such a quaint and quiet place. He had let them have their laughs.

The King had blessed his journey before them all, and having taken him aside, had winked, saying there would be adventure aplenty if any of the likes of Masters Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took were to be found. "They've awakened something in their kin and country. See if it is not so." Eodwine had thanked his king for both blessing and good speeding words and went on his way.

He rose from bed, washed and clothed himself, and made his way to break his fast. He noted that the sun was well above the hills already, and he wondered if he was the last to rise. He went inside.