Part 28, "Chance Encounter"
Mar. 25th, 2005 10:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamflowerMenelcar pays a visit to the hobbits at the guesthouse...
PART 28
The next few days, Menelcar spent beginning to learn his place in the King’s Court. It soon became clear that those who had served there under Denethor were uncertain and uneasy about their place with the new King. This was displayed in different manners toward the new Court Bard: some there were who tried to flatter him and sought him out, as a possible link to the King’s favor, while others displayed a thinly veiled disdain for him, this wandering minstrel who had come out of nowhere.
And there were others, still, who unsure as to how to treat him, simply avoided him as much as possible. He found all this highly amusing. Many years ago, he might have taken offense, or been hurt, but all the years on the road had helped him develop a thick skin and a sense of humor.
In the evenings, the King would often summon him to sing and play, for him alone, or with his close friends, such as Faramir, Éowyn and Éomer, and sometimes Mithrandir, Legolas and Gimli. The hobbits had not yet joined them again. They were too much enjoying their new dwelling place, and did not yet wish to return to the heights, save when Pippin and Merry needed to do so for their duty.
The minstrel soon learned that the King really enjoyed hearing him sing the songs that old Bilbo had written, that he had gone to the Shire to learn in the first place. It was clear that the former Ranger had a great fondness for the old hobbit, and that he missed his friend.
About four days after the remaining Fellowship had moved into the guesthouse, Menelcar went there. He found Frodo, Merry and Pippin in the courtyard; already Sam’s and Legolas’ efforts had made a difference in its appearance.
“Menelcar!” Pippin jumped up to give him an enthusiastic hug. “Do, come join us! How are you liking your new post?”
“Well enough,” smiled the Man. “I have yet to take on any of the more onerous duties, and I am beginning to find my way among the courtiers and staff. Where is Master Samwise?”
“Sam’s in the kitchen,” said Frodo, “supposedly making luncheon, but he’s been there for most of the morning already. Tomorrow is his birthday, and he thinks we do not know that he is preparing gifts for everyone. Most likely sugar biscuits and gingersnaps.”
“*He* is preparing gifts?” asked Menelcar, curious.
Merry nodded. “The custom among our people is that the byrding-- that is the person having the birthday-- gives out gifts. I know that Big Folk do it otherwise.”
Pippin put in, “Of course, we can give gifts to him, as well, but not after noon of the day of his birthday.” The youngest hobbit sniggered. “But this year, we are following Big Folks’ custom, as we are giving him the surprise party. You will come, won’t you?”
“I would be honored,” said Menelcar. “Should I bring anything?”
“Just your harp.”
“Hsst,” said Merry, “here he comes.”
Sam announced luncheon, and the hobbits invited Menelcar to join them. He readily agreed. Master Samwise was an excellent cook, as he well remembered.
Mithrandir--Gandalf, as the hobbits called him, was also there for the meal, as were the Elf and the Dwarf, not something that always occurred during the daytime. The Little Folk sat at the smaller table that had been provided, while the Big Folk sat at the larger one in the center of the room. Still they were close enough together for amiable conversation. The hobbits were in a talkative and playful mood.
“I think,” said Frodo, “that moving to the house has been good for us. We have not been plagued with ill dreams since moving in.”
Legolas glanced up sharply for an instant, and a small smile quirked his lips.
“Indeed,” said Gandalf, “that is most remarkable.” He glanced up through shaggy brows at the Elf. Legolas saw his regard, and steadfastly returned it. But he felt relief when the Wizard looked away.
“Master Menelcar,” said Gimli, “perhaps you could grace us with a song to finish off this fine meal.” The Dwarf took out his pipe, and Gandalf and the hobbits did the same. Legolas quietly scooted his chair closer to the open window of the large kitchen.
He strummed his harp slowly for a few moments, and then sped up into a rollicking tune. The hobbits began to grin as they recognized another of Bilbo’s songs. Menelcar had scarcely begun to sing, when first Pippin, and then the other hobbits joined in:
“Look there is Fastitocalon!
An island good to land upon,
Although ‘tis rather bare.
Come, leave the sea! And let us run,
Or dance, or lie down in the sun!
See gulls are sitting there!
Beware!
Gulls do not sink…”*
As the song drew on to its conclusion, all the company were clapping and nodding. Menelcar grinned. This was a small audience, but it was the most important audience of all.
_______________________________________________
*Taken from The Tolkien Reader by J.R.R. Tolkien, “Fastitocalon” poem number 11, in “The Adventures of Tom Bombadil”.
PART 28
The next few days, Menelcar spent beginning to learn his place in the King’s Court. It soon became clear that those who had served there under Denethor were uncertain and uneasy about their place with the new King. This was displayed in different manners toward the new Court Bard: some there were who tried to flatter him and sought him out, as a possible link to the King’s favor, while others displayed a thinly veiled disdain for him, this wandering minstrel who had come out of nowhere.
And there were others, still, who unsure as to how to treat him, simply avoided him as much as possible. He found all this highly amusing. Many years ago, he might have taken offense, or been hurt, but all the years on the road had helped him develop a thick skin and a sense of humor.
In the evenings, the King would often summon him to sing and play, for him alone, or with his close friends, such as Faramir, Éowyn and Éomer, and sometimes Mithrandir, Legolas and Gimli. The hobbits had not yet joined them again. They were too much enjoying their new dwelling place, and did not yet wish to return to the heights, save when Pippin and Merry needed to do so for their duty.
The minstrel soon learned that the King really enjoyed hearing him sing the songs that old Bilbo had written, that he had gone to the Shire to learn in the first place. It was clear that the former Ranger had a great fondness for the old hobbit, and that he missed his friend.
About four days after the remaining Fellowship had moved into the guesthouse, Menelcar went there. He found Frodo, Merry and Pippin in the courtyard; already Sam’s and Legolas’ efforts had made a difference in its appearance.
“Menelcar!” Pippin jumped up to give him an enthusiastic hug. “Do, come join us! How are you liking your new post?”
“Well enough,” smiled the Man. “I have yet to take on any of the more onerous duties, and I am beginning to find my way among the courtiers and staff. Where is Master Samwise?”
“Sam’s in the kitchen,” said Frodo, “supposedly making luncheon, but he’s been there for most of the morning already. Tomorrow is his birthday, and he thinks we do not know that he is preparing gifts for everyone. Most likely sugar biscuits and gingersnaps.”
“*He* is preparing gifts?” asked Menelcar, curious.
Merry nodded. “The custom among our people is that the byrding-- that is the person having the birthday-- gives out gifts. I know that Big Folk do it otherwise.”
Pippin put in, “Of course, we can give gifts to him, as well, but not after noon of the day of his birthday.” The youngest hobbit sniggered. “But this year, we are following Big Folks’ custom, as we are giving him the surprise party. You will come, won’t you?”
“I would be honored,” said Menelcar. “Should I bring anything?”
“Just your harp.”
“Hsst,” said Merry, “here he comes.”
Sam announced luncheon, and the hobbits invited Menelcar to join them. He readily agreed. Master Samwise was an excellent cook, as he well remembered.
Mithrandir--Gandalf, as the hobbits called him, was also there for the meal, as were the Elf and the Dwarf, not something that always occurred during the daytime. The Little Folk sat at the smaller table that had been provided, while the Big Folk sat at the larger one in the center of the room. Still they were close enough together for amiable conversation. The hobbits were in a talkative and playful mood.
“I think,” said Frodo, “that moving to the house has been good for us. We have not been plagued with ill dreams since moving in.”
Legolas glanced up sharply for an instant, and a small smile quirked his lips.
“Indeed,” said Gandalf, “that is most remarkable.” He glanced up through shaggy brows at the Elf. Legolas saw his regard, and steadfastly returned it. But he felt relief when the Wizard looked away.
“Master Menelcar,” said Gimli, “perhaps you could grace us with a song to finish off this fine meal.” The Dwarf took out his pipe, and Gandalf and the hobbits did the same. Legolas quietly scooted his chair closer to the open window of the large kitchen.
He strummed his harp slowly for a few moments, and then sped up into a rollicking tune. The hobbits began to grin as they recognized another of Bilbo’s songs. Menelcar had scarcely begun to sing, when first Pippin, and then the other hobbits joined in:
“Look there is Fastitocalon!
An island good to land upon,
Although ‘tis rather bare.
Come, leave the sea! And let us run,
Or dance, or lie down in the sun!
See gulls are sitting there!
Beware!
Gulls do not sink…”*
As the song drew on to its conclusion, all the company were clapping and nodding. Menelcar grinned. This was a small audience, but it was the most important audience of all.
_______________________________________________
*Taken from The Tolkien Reader by J.R.R. Tolkien, “Fastitocalon” poem number 11, in “The Adventures of Tom Bombadil”.