Chapter 5 – Part 2 Chapter 5 – Part 1
Chapter 4 – Part 2 Chapter 4 – Part 1
Chapter 3 – Part 2 Chapter 3 – Part 1
Chapter 2 – Part 3 Chapter 2 – Part 2
Chapter 2 – Part 1 Chapter 1
by Silent Draco
Chapter 5, Part 3 – Visitations and Wonders
Handsome lords and gorgeous ladies came forward, and filled the air and trees with delightful tunes of harp, lute, pipes, and small horns. Three bards, one appearing young and two of considerable age, stepped forward and bowed, waiting their moment to begin. The King rose, gestured to the bards, and gathered in the Halflings. “Come one and all; to feast and rejoice we progress, setting aside all care and stress!” He brought Bilbo and Frodo to his right and left hands, and politely asked Olorin and Sam to escort Queen Eärwen. The Council, court, and guests followed, all to their places at fair tables arrayed in the Great Hall, the Open Garden, and the Arching Grove. It was their wont to feast and sing under sky and stars, stone, and trees, to celebrate the wonders and joys of the world.
All remained standing solemnly, while the King asked the blessings of the Valar, and thanks them for the food and drink raised on and around Aman, to include the products of the sea. The first song offered was to Varda, the Kindler of Stars, recalling the days when the Elves first awoke. The Teleri added a hymn to Ulmo, Master of the Waters, in praise and honor of their protector.
Oh Ulmo Lord of Foam and Wave,
We ask Thee now our lives to save.
Spare us from beast and storm and woe,
When on the Deeps our journeys go.
Oh Ulmo, Who with Manwe’s Hand
Doth rain sweet waters on the land!
Make stream and river nobly flow;
To succor all the life below!
The assembled company came to an expectant hush. The Halflings, with discreet advice, offered proper and fair greetings and thanks for the courtesies shown them. The King offered the first toast to the guests, and with a great cheer began the first course. This was a fine, light bubbly wine with new cheese and sliced fruits. Frodo marveled aloud at the slightly spicy-sweet fruit, and the wine bubbling like a mountain freshet. The king merely smiled, and nodded to his steward. The second remove amazed Bilbo and Frodo, who tried mightily to not indulge heavily: a finely sliced meat with a slightly spicy sauce, roasted nuts, with a light mead. “No inn of my knowledge could make a dish even a third as savory!” exclaimed Bilbo. The king laughed merrily. “Pace yourselves, Young Ones, for we have many wonders to sample, see, and sing!”
Between the courses, the bards sang tales of the Great Journey across Middle-Earth and the barriers raised against them – the River Anduin and Misty Mountains, among many. Great wisdom and feats of strength needed to find and secure the passages westward, and the hobbits listened in awe. “Frodo … now that I hear some of the plaints the ladies sing, it reminds me of somewhat. The Stoors and Oldbucks still have some obscure songs from the Old Vales, do they not?” “Yes, Uncle,” answered Frodo, “and the verses about treacherous bogs and grasping trees are echoed in those tales.” The king and the Lord of Harlond perked their ears at this, and invited the Halflings to share these with the Bardic Schola when time permitted. “Our peoples halted there, in the shadows of Misty Mountains, for some time. Some were daunted and turned away, or south. It may be our peoples shared abodes but in different Ages.” Bilbo bowed, adding “Yes, Your Majesty; some of the older songs or stories hint of fairy rings where evil things were loath to follow, or great stones with faint tracery, rising up in meadows.”
The second course was three removes: a squash soup, a pasty made with some manner of poultry, leeks, and an unusual pungent vegetable, and a clear poultry broth. This was served with a tart white wine, sparkling water, and pear cider. The hobbits enjoyed all, and began to hum along with the music once the cider took hold.
Musicians came to play between courses, but before they could more than tune, there came a call from the nobles gathered to the King’s right hand. “Your Majesty, are we missing one who should be heard?” Bilbo whipped round like an owl, recalling the voice. “By your leave … Queen Varda has granted my Lady and I a boon, that I may delay setting forth on my journey this evening. It would please me greatly, Your Majesty, if Bilbo Baggins may be persuaded to sing his version of the Lay of Earendil, as there were questions as to it being the work of one or two minds.” Bilbo turned the color of old parchment, and then took on a yellowish cast. “M-m-me, My Lord?” Olorin shook his head and laughed. “Master Baggins, you had the cheek to make verses about Earendil in his son’s house. At the very least, courtesy to your hosts requires that you sing the same verses to the subject of your cantos, and to his fathers as well, in their very hall.” As glad laughter and amusement circled round the flummoxed Halfling, Olorin put all protests to a firm end when he produced a sheaf of written verse, and noted sternly that he had expected Bilbo to “forget”; thus, Bilbo began in a quavering and a cracked voice, to chant:
Earendil was a mariner …
Concluding with a wheeze and cough,
And bear aloft his shining star,
The Flammifer of Westernesse!
Complete silence followed. Earendil looked into his lady’s eyes; rising, be turned and bowed with a broad smile, “Master Baggins, that was well done and described. I thank you for the gift of song, and the honor rendered to my House.” Bilbo could only nod and croak. Earendil continued, “Your Majesty, I fear I have gravely overtaxed one of your guests, who appears in dire need of drink and sustenance caused by his heavy labours!”
With great merriment and a Halfling who had flushed to the soles of his feet, the third course was served. This was roasted boar with root vegetables, in a hunter’s sauce. To the Halfling’s delight, it was accompanied by sauteed mushrooms, and was served with a moderate bodied wine, similar to the reds of the South Farthing. A partly-muffled Bilbo exclaimed “… far, far better than the last of the Old Vinyards, and the mush…” Unable to resist, he speared and devoured more of the succulent treat. The king could no longer maintain decorum as host, and laughing long and clear, he called to Olorin: “Master, what an elegant trap to set for wild Halflings! But we must be wary of the songs they hold!” All smiled or laughed, thinking of the Elvish fondness for mead and song.
Between courses, the first martial demonstrations occur. Noldori archers demonstrated fine control, shooting at small to tiny targets. Frodo recalled the Elves at Lorien and their sureness with bows. After another set of songs from the bards, three junior pairs of swordsmen competed for small favors from the queen’s ladies-in-waiting. All cheered and applauded the contestants, deft and flashing with blade and shield. The Lord of Harlond and two of the warriors sighed. “In our youth, the Wide World was a delight – until The Rider came. It remained a wonder as we traveled west, and came here to the feet of the Valar, and so lived in a garden of delights. The Great Enemy would not desist. Alas, that the world darkened as we grew! Martial feats, not alone for the pot or table, were necessary. Master Frodo, I see a similar shadow on your face, and that of your companion. But I will say no more; this is a night of delight and joy.”
The fourth course was a single sweet cake with apple cider, followed by instrumental competitions. Many of the guests took this as a sign to rise and mingle with friends, and to dance with the musical beats. Many danced, clapped, or called to strike, beat, or blast of the different players. Some rang small bells or tapped on tables, with some energetic dancers dropping gracefully as the bard ended. Sam nodded, tapped, and then rose and tried the first steps of the Springle-Ring to a particularly spritely set of pipes and fiddles.
To Be Continued…