Chapter 7 – Part 2 Chapter 7 – Part 1
Chapter 6 – Part 2 Chapter 6 – Part 1
Chapter 5 – Part 4 Chapter 5 – Part 3
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 8, Part 1 – To Please the Gardner
The king took his leave shortly, asking Olorin to convey the builders back to Tirion. Araunathaur stirred, stroking the tone absently, and spoke about the crafting. “Young Ones, Olorion, or Gandalf as you name him, spoke to us in detail concerning Halfling-lore. While we know somewhat of Men, mostly the Three Houses, your kind (if you will pardon me) appear to have dropped below our attention. The smial or tunnel-house intrigued us, as opposed to a cottage or small house; it seemed more in union with garden, field, and tree. We found this hillock with a fine drop on its southern side, and good earth below and around. I drew rocks in to make columns and arches to sustain the excavation, and brought good growing soil to the hillock’s top. It was easy enough to ask a small stream to wend this way, providing water, and to trim down the bank for windows and a bright courtyard.”
Siriendri added eagerly, “The waters danced to think of such a thing, The stream wanted to run high and trickle low, but found the climb tiring. Instead, we sang:”
To wend on high and trickle down so low,
A bubbling, dancing, journey for my flow.
Alas! The climb had left me very sore;
Let middle run provide, with steps of four!
The stream liked the middle ground, and sent one smaller branch to a place where we could fashion a small pond by earth moving to make a basin, and let it emerge by ground pressures. The rest trickled and washed down to fill a larger gathering-pool and swim away. The pool had a good site to run clever pipes of hardened and glazed clay into the kitchen and bath-room, with taps to adjust the amount needed. Master Araunathaur had a fine adventure in crafting these. Fresh, cool water from the pond could be heated in coppers; I fear the we could not provide warm or hot water as in Tirion. What we were able to do was grow, ah, form, an oven and stove of great efficiency and economy of wood needed. I must inform you that coppers, pots, or roasting pans will heat much faster than you may expect; please be cautious and sparing at first.”
Pierindil tilted his head, considering one of the beeches on the upland side. “Aye, Master, it is a wonder of economy. I have spoken to the trees invited here, and they agreed to drop branches or smaller trunk-shoots for fire-wood and other uses. There were not entirely happy, but perked up when they realized they could listen to some of the Younger Children; a true boon for those trees in Aman the Blessed. And your used water would feed their thirsty roots directly…” Frodo now boggled at the Noldo clothed in grey-green robes, “Invited here? Did … they walk here? Like Treebeard?” Olorin filled another pipe and said, “Frodo and Sam were privileged to have met Treebeard as he was called by Men, or Fangorn in his shorter Sindarin name. In his own language, it may take two or three passes of Anor to speak and describe.” The Noldori all straightened at this. “Young Ones, we know of him, the eldest of tree-spirits.” The sylvan Noldo collected his thoughts and continued.
“Much becomes clearer now. Fear not! The trees were interested, and moved of their own volition to this hillock. The beeches ordered themselves apart, as was fitting, and the willow crept downhill a bit to feed his thirsty roots. They cast seeds and fruits to grow saplings, to provide company to the shrubs in the undergrowth. When you have need of wood, or wish to collect some to store, you only to ask them politely. The ash and poplars can be mischievous, so stand well clear of them.” Sam thought deeply for a moment and asked, “Masters, why would they want to listen?” “Well, why not?” replied Pierindil. “They speak their own speech, which we know, and can hear our songs and laughter. A different people, with other songs, ways, and methods of speaking will be a wonder for a score of years or more, and something they may whisper over winds to their relatives.”
Sam thought again, and asked awkwardly, “Ah, concerning the bath-room and kitchen. I see where ye let the waters to come in, a trickle or fine stream. But how do I carry them out, as I see no sluice-run or bucket holder?” Siriendri looked down demurely. “Master Araunathaur and I spoke with the trees and with the hillock about this. We called up porous rocks and gravel, and formed more clay pipe, to feed a special catchment with fine grasses, plants, and enterprising trees. Your bath, or water used for kitchen cleaning and food, will drain away to slowly feed their roots, then tumble down two small falls to feed water-lilies, ferns, and reeds in the catch-pool. Small fishes, snails, and insects will delight in this pool.”
The Halflings had decided that they should explore the smial, and try all the known and new features. Sam’s eyes kept wandering away east and west, tracking bees and butterflies among beautiful flowering shrubs. Moirendi asked politely if he would like to take a walk and see the first fruits of their lore. Sam thanked her kindly, “Aye, the shrubs look lively and full; now let me see the flowers.” Gandalf murmured with a shake of his head, “This is how the second adventure began.” Frodo and Bilbo shared a look, laughed, and went back to their pipes and the remaining bottles of wine.
To be continued…