The Green Dragon Inn - Part 4

[Amanaduial the archer]

The night was growing late, and it seemed more of the Inn's customers had stayed later than usual. Midnight had come and gone some time ago, but still quite a fair few remained. There was, of course, always the rowdy bunch; tonight it was a group of hobbits who were celebrating Eru only knows what- Aman doubted that, if asked, they would be able to tell her themselves- and had been getting thoroughly drunk all night in this cause. Aman smiled as she thought of Derufin- more than one of these would be in a state as bad as the stablemaster had been.

"Gentlemen, if we could start clearing up now, I'm sure many of you have lovely wifes who will be wondering where you are," Aman's voice was business-like, but she was smiling. At the last sentence, a cheer went up and several almost empty glasses were raised unsteadily in the direction of the red-faced hobbit in the middle, who wore a paticularly outrageous bright green waistcoat. Aman grinned- stag night then.

"Well, y'see, Miss Pio..." Aman let the mistake pass as she gently pushed the hobbit who had fallen against her upright and, taking his arm and that of another, began to lead them outside. "Y'see, Bill here, he's about to mistake that make...I mean, that mistake make...maybe..."

"Don't be so pessimistic, Rumpo!" Aman laughed. She knew Rumpo Brandybuck, this hobbit, moderately well, for he had been a regular in Pio's time, before he himself got married, and still popped in occasionally. Rumpo appeared confused by this.

"Pemisticsic? Whassat?"

"Never mind," Aman patiently helped another few hobbits to their feet firmly, and slowly, the crowd began to make their unsteady way towards the door. After they had left, the Rohirrim Innkeeper watched them staggering away unsteadily down the road, and soon a ragged, good natured chorus rose up from them, of something that sounded like a bawdy version of 'The Wizard and the Hedgehog' but with half the words missing. Smiling and shaking her head, Aman turned back into the Inn, stifling a yawn. At this rate, she wasn't going to be able to go to bed at all. Wiping her eyes, she remained otherwise outwardly alert, and clapped her hands, standing at the front of the room, letting her voice carry throughout the common room.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Inn is closing for the night now. It's late, and if you're not staying the night, you will need to start on your way home- 'tis a fine starry night, don't worry."

There was a murmered assent, and a few groups stood, shaking hands over tables formally, or patting one another on the back and embracing, or simply staggering away into the night with a good natured "g'night to Aman. Still a few groups remained though- sober, secretive looking ones, glancing around and speaking even more urgently and furtively. Aman would deal with them in a minute, but first she needed to uproot the various people, mainly weary travellers, who had simply fallen asleep where they sat. She approached one young man, clothed in rather dishevelled black clothing, who had slumped across the table, asleep. The firelight played on his tired face, dancing over his cheeks and lighting the jagged scar on one cheek. He looked peaceful when asleep, and Aman had the feeling that this young man could do with a room, certainly, although she was loath to wake him up when he looked so peaceful. It was a good thing there were at least spare rooms now, though.

"Excuse me, sir..." Aman tried, a little tenatively. The man didn't stir and she repeated this, a little louder. When this too passed without any movement, she laid a hand on one arm lightly and carefully, shaking the man lightly, then stepping back prudently- she had recieved blows before from men waking from dreams, or from grumpy ones who resented being awoken. The young man jerked awake and peered at Aman, and she cut in quickly, as he looked ready to fall asleep again. "It is past closing time, sir. You're obviously tired- would you like a room for the night? Have you a horse that you wish to be stabled for the night?"