Book 3: Act 1 - Of Leaves and Stewed Hobbit

[Vardaen]

Dody makes sure Aerth has food as well, but then puts on a sad face to Pipkin. "We don't serve early lunch any more." He looks depressed at the comment, "I know, its a scandal! It can't be helped however you see supplies are running low so I had to cut something. Most folks around here don't bother with that any how, I know I know a shame." He rubs his face, worry hidden under his smiles. "So what bring you to my Inn, well my inn in the sense I'm running it but did you know that my business partner and chief investor is none other than the infamous Bilbo Baggins? Yes sir, surely is!" In this he looks proud and shameless name drops.

[Trogdor]

"Shame about early lunch," Pipkin replies. "But at least I've gotten used to missing it. On the road we barely have time for three meals a day. Can you imagine that? I don't know why I'm not skin and bones by now."

When Dody makes his comment about Bilbo, Pipkin shows some interest. "Really? I know he came out here on an adventure some years back. The stories were all over the Shire. And rumor is that he came back with more wealth than a hobbit could spend in ten lifetimes. I'd love to meet him some day. It was actually the stories about his adventure out here that convinced me I needed to come out myself, and bother to my reputation." He smiles. "I'm afraid Brandybuck though I am, I do have a little Tookish blood in me."

[Vardaen]

"Exactly my reason for coming out here too!" He gets more comfortable in his chair forgetting about the others for the moment. "I was lucky enough to be able to sit and listen to many of Bilbo's tales after he came back from out here. Oh a delight! A delight! One then led to another, and eventually I packed up the family and moved out here. The eastern most outpost of the Shire I like to think of it. Oh course none of it would have been possible if not for Bilbo's letters." He leans back in his chair getting comfortable. "Bilbo wrote me several letters of introduction. Personal letters to some vary powerful and important peoples. Lord Elrond in Rivendell, Beorn, and even the King of the Eagles in the mountains!" He nods knowingly, "Without those letters it sure would have been harder to make it out this way for me and mine, but good old Bilbo made it happen. I still have a few left, but I don't plan to travel east much more, so not sure if I'll ever met some of the folk. But its not east my attention lingers but west, and that's where my worry is."

Agatha, his wife comes out with a second round of drinks, and plates for those still needing a bit more to eat. She clears the tables, and you can hear the noise of the hobbit children and the dog in the back causing some bit of a ruckus.

[Trogdor]

"Oh yes," Pipkin says to Agatha with a smile. "Another helping of eggs would be wonderful. Thank you so very much." He also takes the last piece of toast from a plate on the table and starts spreading some huckleberry jam on it.

"West, you say? What troubles you to the west?"

[TetNak]

Aerth takes a bite of the apple and cannot help but wonder what would happen to this place if orcs descended upon it. He frowns at the thought, "You should hire a guard," he states bluntly, "I think that would be wise."

[Vardaen]

Dody points at Aerth and winks, "Don't you know that Beorn himself has pledged to protect us here. That I think will keep most trouble at bay. Have you met the man, he's a mountain." Then he frowns, "Speaking of mountains and the west that is where my trouble lies yes Pipkin. You see my brother Dindy went West earlier in the year, and was supposed to return by late summer with supplies from the Shire and Bree. Dindy sent word some months ago, saying that he had arrived and was gathering supplies for the long journey east. Since then, however, I have heard nothing of my brother." He puts his mug down unable to drink, "Now all this talk of orcs being about. I worry for him. Perhaps, perhaps if you are travelling west, you might look for signs of my brother. Sure would set my mind at ease."

[Shurijo]

Borir drinks some ale from his mug as he listens to their stories. When the name of Bilbo is mentioned, he raises his mug in toast saying, "To Thorin and Company!" Afterwards, the dwarf finishes what remained in his mug.

When Dody brings up talk about her brother being missing. The dwarf looks to the others and says, "I would love a trip to the west and visit the Shire. I'd buy Mr. Baggins all the ale he could swim in."

Looking to Pipkin, he says, "Don't forget about the wizard's letters."

OOC

my lack of posting for a few weeks caused me to forget some things, but I think our goal was to deliver some letters here written by Radagast, if not just ignore that last line.

[Muskrat]

"I'd certainly be willing to go looking for your brother," says Varuthil, despite the fact that she fears it will be a lost cause--she is still willing to challenge the Shadow. "But, yes, Borir is quite right. We have some important business we've come here to take care of. Has a man named Gandalf been through here? Elderly, but still hale, dresses all in gray?" Varuthil knows little enough about the Shire and the full story of Bilbo's travels that she is unaware that Gandalf is well known in the Shire and a close friend of Bilbo's.

[Vardaen]

Dody's face lights up when Borir and Varuthil both confirm they would be willing to look for Dindy. "I would reward you off course if you did! Oh thank you!" He claps his hands a few times, and shouts back "Agatha, they said they'd go look for Dindy!"

His wife calls back, "What a relief dear." Then she shouts at one of the kids to stop hitting the other with the rolling pin, "That's for pies!", is how she ends it.

Dody returns to the present, positively glowing to know the 'Saviours of Woodland Hall' are going to go save his brother from whatever trouble he's landed in. "Gandalf? I know of him, the wandering wizard, I even have a letter of introduction from Bilbo to give to him. Afraid however I haven't seen him, hasn't come through here, not since I set up, but I've heard tell from other folks he doesn't stay in once place for long and he likes good red wine so I'm sure he'll come through here sooner or later."

[Shurijo]

Borir hefts up his mug, "I don't do this for rewards, but another round of ale would surely hit the spot!"