The day had flown by in a blur of activity, with chores and the baby taking up most of Rose's time and energy. After making sure the men were doing their jobs, Rose went over to Rastellion's cottage and asked Cuthberd if he'd like to join her in town for a drink at the Pony. To her surprise, he grudgingly agreed. Together, they'd taken the walk up to Bree and the tavern, Rose stopping along the way to speak with various vendors – and allow Cuthberd a chance to rest.
By the time they got to the tavern, even Rose was in need of a rest, so she sends Cuthberd off to find a table while she places their order with Barliman before joining him. It was fairly quiet, and soon the serving girl had come out with their drinks.
"Don' know why you keep comin' up here.” Cuthberd says with a pained expression. “Beer's no better than th' little place down the road, and not that steep hill to climb, neither."
"You mean the place in Combe? Smells like chicken droppings and old chamberpots. But if you'd really prefer that over here we could certainly head that way. And besides," Rose looks down into her mug and adds, "I've known Barliman for a number of years. I trust his ale hasn't been sitting around."
Cuthberd winces at the mention of the Wattle. "I'm thinkin' more of the little place down on the corner near Rastellion's rooms." He doesn't mention that it's overpriced, dingy, and that the beer is usually flat It is, after all, a short walk. He glances to his left, where a couple is suddenly in a passionate embrace. "Don't got folks copulatin' on the tables down there, either," he mutters in an unusually restrained manner.
Though her view is restricted by the nearby post, she turns pink and almost chokes on her ale before recovering. “Well and I did need to check on those supplies for the mill. Those two I hired have gotten a fair piece done so far.”
"It's comin' along well, ain't it?" Cuthberd says with a grudging nod.
"It is, though there's plenty that still needs doing. I'm having to teach those two what things are as they fix it up. And they'll work, so long as that girl isn't there staring at them."
"What, the blonde one who giggles all the time?" he asks.
“Merry, the child with the red hair. Spends as much time watching those boys work as she does tending her own chores. And the neither of them seems to mind a bit.”
"Oughtta find that one work in town. Sober her up a bit. Life ain't for standing about laughin'. That don't plow no fields." He takes a sip of his ale and stretches his good leg out with a slight groan.
After taking a long swallow, Rose sets her mug aside and looks around, before reaching down to her feet for her market bag. She mutters under her breath as she tugs at a round box. "Oh the girl works right well enough when she's of a mind for it. Still, it's ... there," she says and sits back up. "When she's distracted. It doesn't take much to distract her."
Cuthberd turns his mug in his hands. "Wonder how they're doin'" he mutters.
Rose looks up in the middle of opening a box.. "I'm sure they're doing fine as it's late and they'll be abed soon enough for tomorrow's wor ..." She stops and studies his face. "That wasn't who you meant though,was it?"
"Meant Ceolfred and my son an ... an all them." He takes a long drink from his tankard. "What's in the box?" he says, looking up, forcing a lighter tone.
Sensing the shift in topic, Rose simply nods. "Well, I happened to pass by a traveling vendor selling some items and I saw something I think would suit you. Certainly something you can use." She tilts the box to reveal a dark colored flat hat with two small feathers.
"I have a hat," Cuthberd, looking at the thing dubiously, states as he pats the ragged article on his head.
"Aye and a fine hat it once was, but now you'd be hard pressed to keep anything off your head with it, be it rain or sun. This one is sturdy and serviceable, will last you some time." She lifts the hat up to display the craftsmanship.
"Very nice," he says flatly as he looks at it. "But mine's kept the rain off m' head for years, and it'll do just fine. No need t' spend good coin on new clothes." He blinks. "Was kind o' you though," he admits, perhaps remembering his rusty manners. "Bet it'd look nice on you."
"Don't be absurd,” Rose scoffs. “It's a men's hat and will look well on you, and keep the rain off better than what's on your head. As for the price, let no one say Rose Molyneux doesn't know how to haggle. I found out the vendor has a particular fondness for chickens so I traded him - the hat for information on how to properly tend his cocks to get the best eggs and chicks."
Cuthberd raises a brow at this, looking a bit relieved, truth be told. "Well, there's that at least." Grudgingly he reaches out for it. "Suppose I could give it a try, for special occasions."
Rose reaches over and hands the hat to Cuthberd, then sits back as she waits for him to try it on. "If it needs adjusting, I can tend to that."
Cuthberd tries the hat on. He adjusts it, looking uncomfortable, and frowns. "It's ... nice," he says, obviously missing the familiar floppy feel of his own shapeless hat, which he clutches protectively in his lap.
With a keen eye, Rose leans forward to take a look at the hat. "It suits you well, I think, and'll keep the sun off your eyes." She looks down at the old hat in his hands and shakes her head at way he holds it in his lap. but continues, "And at least you can let me see to the cleaning and mending of your other one, seeing as you'll be wanting to keep it."
"Mebbe." He looks down at it in his hands. "Wife gave me this hat," he mutters, almost inaudible.
"Well, and it's nice to have something from those that have gone on. I still have a small book my Gillis made for me, he got my mother to write down all of her best recipes for me. I have those memorized now, but I still like using it anyways."
"Been with me years, this hat." He touches the one on his head. "But this is a nice topper, Miss Rose. I'll ... I'll wear it sometimes." He blinks. "I.. .uh... Thank you."
Rose sits back, and studies the man across from her, a bit surprised; but she smiles at him warmly. "What say you we go towards the center of town. You can help me select something for the evening meal while I find out about the nails and beams I ordered for the mill."
"I don't know much 'bout cookin'" He replies, and goes to put his hat back on, pauses awkwardly as he realizes he's got the new one on, then shoves the old one into a pocket.
“No, but I daresay you know plenty about eating. So, you pick out something you want to eat." Rose replies as she goes to the counter and returns the mugs to Barliman.
"He's payin' th' servin' girls t' clear those tankards y' know. 'swhy th' beer costs so much." Cuthberd frowns.
"Aye and those girls get enough work with all of the miscreants that come through, drink and fight and generally act disreputable."
Cuthberd hrumphs and makes his way awkwardly down the stairs on his crutch, even as Rose heads down the stairs and turns to watch him. Cuthberd limps along behind Rose. "This weather makes m' hip ache," he grumbles.
"Vendor's near the boar fountain have the best meats." she says with a smile as they make their way to the square.
As they approach one of the vendors, Cuthberd looks over the displayed wares, clearly at something of a loss. "Rastellion always did our shoppin' in Trestlebridge," he mutters.
Rose stops and greets the vendor, before turning to Cuthberd. "He says he's got several coneys and some boar. A few other meats. Why don't you pick something you like?"
"Got any venison?" he asks, hopefully.
The man looks between them and then gives a quick nods. "Have some in th' box over ..." he leans back to open a couple of lids before finding the one he's looking for. "Here. A hunter brought it t' me fresh jus' yesterday, did a fair job o' cuttin' it up and cleanin' it."
Rose looks into the box at the various cuts of meat, then turns to Cuthberd. "Anything you fancy in there?" she asks him.
"I .. uh ... you'd know best how to pick it out, Miss Rose." Cuthberd stutters, a bit alarmed.
Rose goes through the box, before finding a decent sized roast with some marbling and a string of what appears to be freshly made sausage links. "We'll be having these," she says and asks the man his price.
The man holds up his hands and lifts 8 fingers. "It'll be 8 silver an' 24 copper ma'a.m."
Rose shakes her head at this and turns to look over the meat again. "I can get the same for at least 3 silver cheaper from the butcher in Staddle," she says as she starts to put the meat back.
"Well ..." the man looks between them, as though calculating and then nods. "I can't go that cheap, but I reckon I can do 7 silver for it."
Rose shakes her head again, then looks over the produce. "6 silver, 50 copper and a pair of onions and 4 potatoes."
Cuthberd raises an eyebrow at this, and regards Rose with new respect.
The man finally lets out a sigh and nods. "Alright, s'fair enough," he concedes and goes to bag the produce up, while Rose sets the meats down to be papered. After everything is bagged, she hands him the coins from her purse and takes the package. "Thank you," she says with a smile and turns to Cuthberd. "I'll cook the sausages with potatoes and onions for tonight while I let the roast season for cooking tomorrow. It'll take several hours to cook right and be tender. Care to go sit at the fountain?" she asks.
"Wouldn't mind restin' m' leg for a bit, though I know you'll be wantin' t' get that cookin' started soon." Cuthberd replies as he looks over at it. "An' I bet that Merry's just flirtin' with those lads again, an' no work gettin' done on the mill.”
“We can set a minute, won't hurt the supper and as for the girl, I sent her off to fetch the barley from Mrs. Helmeid down the road. If I know that woman, she'll talk the girl clear to next week before she can get away."
Cuthberd winces. "Aye, I made th' mistake o' lettin' her start talkin' to me t'other day..." he replies as they make their way to the fountain, rotating his new hat on his head and still looking uncomfortable.
