Here, bunny, bunny, bunny
Jan. 23rd, 2005 03:39 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamflowerWell, for once I'm up this time of night not because I can't sleep, but because the hospital beeped my husband an hour ago, and he's still on the phone trying to fix things. So I decided to put the time to work. My bunnies are cooperative, so...
The Golden Cockerel had tables outside in the courtyard, and the small party seated themselves at one. It was early for regular custom, but it was about the right time of day for what the hobbits called elevenses. Merry went in and placed their order, and came back to sit next to Éowyn.
“The innkeeper will bring the food and drink out to us in a few moments.” He blushed. “He says it is on the house.”
Pippin rolled his eyes. “We’ll never spend a copper of that lovely money we’ve been gifted by our kings.”
The two hobbits noticed the amusement on the faces of their companions. “It’s embarrassing,” said Merry. “No one wants us to pay for anything.”
Faramir laughed. “They are well recompensed even so, Merry. Do you not know that the innkeeper will be boasting that he had the custom of the two of you? It will bring him far more business than what he loses on one meal.”
“I suppose,” said Pippin glumly. He looked up at Menelcar. “You knew we were here, obviously. And you’ve been here long enough to know all about our knightings and everything. So why have you not come to see me?” He looked at the minstrel with hurt in his eyes.
Menelcar shook his head. “It’s not that simple, Pippin. You are among the great of the kingdom now, and high in favor with the new king. I could not simply walk up to the Citadel and demand to see you on the strength of our old acquaintance. I would have been laughed out of the City, and never come near you.”
Pippin and Merry looked astounded.
Faramir nodded. “It is the other side of the coin to what I was telling you about the innkeeper--speaking of which here is our meal.” His own eyes grew wide at the approach of the hostler and a serving maid, each bearing a laden tray. Merry had apparently ordered a *whole* chicken pie for each member of the party, as well as a pitcher of ale. But since two of the party were hobbits, he did not expect there would be any leftovers in spite of that. He waited until the food and drink had been placed before them and they were once more alone, before continuing. “There are many who would be glad to take advantage of your renown. We have turned several scoundrels away already, who have shown up at the Citadel on the pretext of already knowing you, and hoping to make some gain thereby.” He did not see fit to mention the several young ladies who had also done the same, apparently infatuated with the small warriors, or with the Ringbearers. It seemed a bit perverse to the Steward, and he thought his companions would be appalled if they knew.
Éowyn suppressed a grin. She had also been aware of what her betrothed had failed to mention. But knowing Merry, she did not think the hobbits would have been upset--more likely smug would have been the better word.
Menelcar nodded. “So you see, Pippin, why I did not try to look you up. I hoped our paths might cross, but I did not really expect them to. You and your friends are far beyond my station now.”
Pippin had just taken a sip of ale, and very nearly spluttered it out again at that statement. “Menelcar, that’s just daft! ’beyond your station’!” He shook his head. “So, how did you know it was us?”
“Oh, I knew who it had to be as soon as I heard of the four pheriannath who had come to save us. I was not a bit surprised when I finally heard your names. After all, who else besides Pippin Took would have ventured so far from the Shire? And of course your cousins were with you. I was a bit puzzled at first about the fourth, when I remembered Sam.”
Having just taken a bite of the really rather delicious chicken pie, Éowyn took a sip of ale to wash it down, and asked “What I would really like to know, Master Menelcar, is how you come to know our holbyltlan and why Meriadoc says Peregrin was nearly your apprentice?”
“Ah, my lady, now that is a story. About four years ago, I found myself in the Shire…”
*****
I've got a bit more in mind, but it's off in another direction...
The Golden Cockerel had tables outside in the courtyard, and the small party seated themselves at one. It was early for regular custom, but it was about the right time of day for what the hobbits called elevenses. Merry went in and placed their order, and came back to sit next to Éowyn.
“The innkeeper will bring the food and drink out to us in a few moments.” He blushed. “He says it is on the house.”
Pippin rolled his eyes. “We’ll never spend a copper of that lovely money we’ve been gifted by our kings.”
The two hobbits noticed the amusement on the faces of their companions. “It’s embarrassing,” said Merry. “No one wants us to pay for anything.”
Faramir laughed. “They are well recompensed even so, Merry. Do you not know that the innkeeper will be boasting that he had the custom of the two of you? It will bring him far more business than what he loses on one meal.”
“I suppose,” said Pippin glumly. He looked up at Menelcar. “You knew we were here, obviously. And you’ve been here long enough to know all about our knightings and everything. So why have you not come to see me?” He looked at the minstrel with hurt in his eyes.
Menelcar shook his head. “It’s not that simple, Pippin. You are among the great of the kingdom now, and high in favor with the new king. I could not simply walk up to the Citadel and demand to see you on the strength of our old acquaintance. I would have been laughed out of the City, and never come near you.”
Pippin and Merry looked astounded.
Faramir nodded. “It is the other side of the coin to what I was telling you about the innkeeper--speaking of which here is our meal.” His own eyes grew wide at the approach of the hostler and a serving maid, each bearing a laden tray. Merry had apparently ordered a *whole* chicken pie for each member of the party, as well as a pitcher of ale. But since two of the party were hobbits, he did not expect there would be any leftovers in spite of that. He waited until the food and drink had been placed before them and they were once more alone, before continuing. “There are many who would be glad to take advantage of your renown. We have turned several scoundrels away already, who have shown up at the Citadel on the pretext of already knowing you, and hoping to make some gain thereby.” He did not see fit to mention the several young ladies who had also done the same, apparently infatuated with the small warriors, or with the Ringbearers. It seemed a bit perverse to the Steward, and he thought his companions would be appalled if they knew.
Éowyn suppressed a grin. She had also been aware of what her betrothed had failed to mention. But knowing Merry, she did not think the hobbits would have been upset--more likely smug would have been the better word.
Menelcar nodded. “So you see, Pippin, why I did not try to look you up. I hoped our paths might cross, but I did not really expect them to. You and your friends are far beyond my station now.”
Pippin had just taken a sip of ale, and very nearly spluttered it out again at that statement. “Menelcar, that’s just daft! ’beyond your station’!” He shook his head. “So, how did you know it was us?”
“Oh, I knew who it had to be as soon as I heard of the four pheriannath who had come to save us. I was not a bit surprised when I finally heard your names. After all, who else besides Pippin Took would have ventured so far from the Shire? And of course your cousins were with you. I was a bit puzzled at first about the fourth, when I remembered Sam.”
Having just taken a bite of the really rather delicious chicken pie, Éowyn took a sip of ale to wash it down, and asked “What I would really like to know, Master Menelcar, is how you come to know our holbyltlan and why Meriadoc says Peregrin was nearly your apprentice?”
“Ah, my lady, now that is a story. About four years ago, I found myself in the Shire…”
*****
I've got a bit more in mind, but it's off in another direction...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2005-01-23 11:19 am (UTC)How sweet! I would have love to read their pleas and how they looked like. :)
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Date: 2005-01-23 12:54 pm (UTC)Still Menelcar will probably be granted access now. Which won't harm his success.
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Date: 2005-01-23 01:29 pm (UTC)*cuddles your bunnies*
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Date: 2005-01-23 05:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-23 05:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-23 05:36 pm (UTC)You are an excellent bunny-cuddler.
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Date: 2005-01-24 09:47 am (UTC)when I should be working on my thesis ;It was really a wonderful story!!!! I now understand this story (and Pip's relation with Menelcar)a lot better :)no subject
Date: 2005-01-24 10:46 am (UTC)LOL! I *so* remember the cast commentary between Dom and Billy about their characters and the ladies... ;-) Nice reference! That is, if you intended it that way... ;-)
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Date: 2005-01-25 01:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-26 05:10 pm (UTC)Sharonb
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Date: 2005-01-26 07:50 pm (UTC)