Lucey tapped her way down the hall as she headed for the stairs leading down into the main room of the Inn. She counted under her breath, though to be honest she didn't have to . She has spent the last three month walking around the Inn at the Prancing Pony. She walked inside and outside of the stone building so many times she can walk it in her sleep. No, she doesn't need to make a big show about tapping and counting and shuffling her feet. She doesn't do it so she can see them. She does it so they can see her.
She paused at the top of the steps to listen for sounds from the Inn. She sniffed quietly for familiar smells. Barliman has stew for dinner...and a sweet pie for dessert that smells like it will spoil if it isn't eaten tonight. She tapped her way down the steps hearing a few familiar voices. Again, her feet knew where each step was by now. She found less people ran into her when she made herself heard. Less people stepping on her toes or running her over in their haste to get out the door.
She turned her way towards the counter when a familiar voice called out to her asking her what she had been up to. Mister Clindor was a friendly man. He called her Brightshine as a friendly nickname in order to lift her spirits up. He was sweet to her and didn't ask for much in return except her company...which she happily gave. He played beautiful music on his father's lute and always had something pretty to say in his Dale accent. Lucey paused in front of him to answer his question, "Nothin' really. No' much I can do on me own. Wha' abou' ye? Wha' ye been up to today?"
Clindor says, 'Uh just bard stuff. Met some old friends again and I practice some cook. Do you want try it?'
She always had issues understanding his accent sometimes. Did he mean would I like to try to cook or try some of his cooking? She says, "Try wha'? Cookin'?"
Clindor says, "Yes, I hope these ones be tasty."
Lucey says, "Id love to try yer cookin'."
Clindor says, "Wait a second please."
Lucey leans on her staff. Try his cooking! Got it! I wonder what he made? How nice of him to save me something of what he made. Next time Mister Barliman lets me use his kitchen I should make Mister Clindor something nice to say thank you.
Clindor takes a cup of meal on the bar. Clindor gives the cup to Lucey: "A shire pudding!"
Lucey smiles, "Ive never had a shire puddin' afore. Should I try it now or wait for later?"
Clindor says, "A taste maybe will be good."
Lucey smiles and tastes the pudding. "Mmmm! Tha's real good! Can I finish this?" Keeps nibbling. Oh! This tastes like my mother's pudding. Sweet and smooth...is that a hint of vanilla? Maybe cinnamon?
Clindor says, "All of that is yours. I am so happy for you like it." Clindor smiles and turn the fire again.
Lucey smiles brightly, "Thanks! This the first thin' ye made?"
Clindor says: "This one not one of first ones actually. I dont think you like it first ones."
Lucey giggles remembering her first time in the kitchen. She burnt five loaves of bread before she came up with one somewhat edible. She feels for the mantle setting the empty cup down with a happy satisfied smile on her face, "It were real good. Reminded me o' me Mum's cookin'. Thanks for tha'."
Clindor smiles too: "Thanks for your kind words, Brightshine. Do you want some drink?"
Lucey leans on her staff smiling, "Aye, some milk would be nice."
Clindor says, "Allright then..." Clindor looks to Barliman: "A cup of Milk -fresh one please- and a white wine. Thanks Barliman." Clindor takes the cups and leave the bar after hail the Barliman. Clindor says, "Take your milk." Clindor start sip his wine.
Lucey takes her milk, "Thank ye MIster Clindor." Sips her milk.
Clindor says with a warm giggle, "Do you think about your music career?"
Lucey giggles, "I been thinkin' how I could hear the different instruments...There be a lass named Leohna plays music here some nigh's. Said she could play a clarinet, fiddle, an' bassoon for me. Wha' other instruments are there besides lute, bagpipes, flute, an' harp?"
Clindor thinks for a moment.
Lucey waits for him to answer her question. Her mind wanders to the other sounds coming from the Inn's main room. Someone was humming softly. She listened a little while longer. A man is humming. Definately a man...but it is a song she has never heard. A few soft lyrics pass the man's lips to her sensitive ears, "I nimwaloth i bain a phant, i laiss in end calen nadhrass..."
Clindor thinks a while: "I remember another instrument... What was the name Torphone? Tyrphone? I dont remember. Looks like a more fancy lute but this one for real experts"
Lucey tries to return her attention to Mister Clindor not wanting to be rude. She thinks on what he said, "Sounds fancy....probably no' for me then. I were thinkin' somethin' small I can take with me. Keep in me pocket or somethin'. There any instruments tha' small?"
The man's voice tickled her ears with his odd words and beautiful melody. "...a egennir galad vin lant, elin vi uial thiliol. Tinuviel i lilthas ias na lind o simp dholen a brand..."
Clindor thinks a while again and try imagine the sizes of instrument: "Clarinet can be a good choice."
Lucey tilts her ear towards the singing. It was hypnotic almost. Something in the words pulled her heart towards the voice. She was having a ard time paying attention, "Hmm? Oh clarinet, wha's tha'?"
"...a vi finnil din glin ennas, a vi chammad din miriol."
Clindor says, "Like a stick but have a lot of holes, you can make some music with blow."
"Nu laiss Beren erui padas, ab aegais ring dad tuliel, ennas i elduin sirias nur a erui reniol..."
Lucey keeps getting distracted by the pretty singing. She is nearly turned all the way towards the sound now. "Do ye play....a clarinet...Mister Clindor?" The singing was too beautiful not to listen to. The words pulled her heart like nothing she has ever felt before. Like they are beckoning her to listen and learn every loving note. Like they wished her to listen. Like the words were important somehow....
Clindor says: "Maybe but my Father teach me how play music with a lute not a clarinet"
"Min laiss en-gwaloth tiriel glinthant mellys lassui ennas no choll a rainc din derthiel sui dae finnil din aphadol..."
Lucey feels for the mantle again and sets her cup down. She turns back towards the singing. How can no one else hear this? Surely Mister Clindor hears this beautiful song. "Do ye hear tha'? Tha' singin'? Its pretty...real pretty...Can ye hear wha' they are sayin'? Like nothin' I ever heard afore....." Seems mesmirized by the elvish song and is trying to hear who is singing.
Clindor surprised: "Someone sing? This song, What it is like that?"
"...I luth nestant i dail naegrol, berethennin dhyl athrevaid; agamp geleg ha vell, bragol, mabant ithildim thiliol..."
Lucey takes a step forward. If I listen closely...I think it is coming from near where Lady Cesistya sits. How can Mister Clindor not hear that singing? "Ye don' hear tha'...? Would ye excuse me a momen' Mister Clindor...I wan' to hear more o' this singin'...gots to find where it comin' from..." Takes a couple more steps towards the song. I think I almost have it....definately coming from near Lady Cesistya's seat...I hear him getting a little louder. What is that song....?
Clindor says, "Are you sure there is a song?"
Lucey walks passed the front door and smells a friend who is a fan of coffee. She barely acknowledges the scent when the singer continues and Mister Clindor speaks above the first few notes.
Clindor hails Bryge with his head: "Oh... Welcome dwarf friend."
"Tri 'aladhremmin eldorath he dregas fair no dail lilthol, awarthant Beren reniad erui vi daur dhinen lastol..."
Lucey pauses to listen and moves closer, "Aye...I'm sure.....I hear it..." Is walking towards the sound of the soft singing completely focused on the elvish words. This is the right way! I am sure of it now! How beautiful....I wonder what the words are saying....why do they call to my heart so much?
Clindor says, "Lucey! Lucey?"
Unknown to Lucey the eyes of her friends all turned on the entranced blind lass. Byrge gives Clindor a slow look, then looks after Lucey, not speaking any greeting.Cesistya glances up as Lucey passes by, keeping half an eye on the blind woman, just in case.
Lucey pauses to listen again to see if she could hear the pretty song. Still so many people talking....Come on! Sing a little more so I can find you...
Clindor says, "So where is the song?"
The singing continued softly, "He dregas ad, dan ho nerant, 'Tinuviel! Tinuviel!' Eneg edhellen din estant; adhor ennas lu hen lastol."
Clindor surprised with the song and aproach to the singer, Speak with his broken elvish: 'What do you sing sir?'
Lucey shushes Clindor to listen. She turns and walks until she is standing in front of Danwood swaying to the song enchanted by the song. Here it is! I found him! Oh! Such beauty! The song has her by the heart completely and is begging her to listen....to truly hear its words.
Danwood seems not to notice Clindor as of yet. "Ne phost thent Beren, tuliel na luth ed lam din gen gwedhant, si barthannen Tinuviel dorthas vi rinc din thiliol..."
Byrge stays dripping by the fireplace, though he listens from across the room.
The man silently says, "It is the song of Beren and Luthien...:"
Clindor says, "Oww.... This is a shame for a bard but I dont that song."
Danwood smiles. "It is not a song known by many."
Lucey feels for the bench sort of on autopilot and sits. Her focus never leaves the pretty song. She almost looks sad when he stops. She smiles, "I didn' mean to interrupt ye or nothin'....I heard ye from across the Inn...singin' so pretty..."
Danwood nods and smiles to Lucey. "It is no interruption. I am glad you have enjoyed it."
Clindor show Lucey to Danwood: "My friend really love songs, if we bother you apologize sir."
Lucey smiles, "Beren and Luthien...who are they? Wha' language were tha' in?"
Danwood smiles, though there is a hint of sorrow in his smile. "Luthien Tinuviel was an elf-maiden of the first age, who pledged her love to Beren, a mortal man.The song I sing in Sindarin." Danwood smiles at both Clindor and Lucey. "If you would like, I may teach you both the song in the common tongue."
Lucey smiles brightly, "Would ye?! Oh...bu' I ain' never sung afore...it such a pretty song..."
Clindor thinks about his knowledge about elf language, "In common? This will be very nice actually."
Danwood smiles and chuckles lightly. "A song may not pass the lips, but may still be kept in the heart." He smiles a Clindor. "It would make a good addition to the litany of a bard."
Lucey smiles and scoots closer, "Oh yes please then! Oh....Im Lucey, a farmer. This be me friend Mister Clindor."
Clindor says and bow deeply: "And can be a really fit his name,Clindor the Sorrowwire, As your service."
Danwood smiles at the two. "You may call me John Danwood."
Clindor says, "Master Danwood, nice to meet you."
Lucey smiles, "Well met Mister John...or would tha' be Mister Danwood?"
Clindor sits next of Lucey and look to Danwood.
Danwood smiles and says, "Whatever you prefer," before singing softly. "The leaves were long, the grass was green, the hemlock-umbels tall and fair, and in the glade a light was seen of stars in shadow shimmering..."
Clindor thinks the notes and try fit them with the words.
Lucey listens and memorizes the words and tune as best she can. The tune was easy enough to remember having heard it once already, but the words....the words kept distracting her....teasing of something more with the excitment of finally finding out their meaning.
Danwood | "Tinuviel was dancing there to music of a pipe unseen, and light of stars was in her hair, and in her raiment glimmering..."
Clindor starts humming and try not bother others. he try create a melody.
Danwood says, '"There Beren came from mountains cold, and lost he wandered under leaves. And where the elven river rolled, he walked alone and sorrowing..."'
Lucey puts her elbow on the table resting her head in her hand smiling softly as she listens.
Danwood says, '"He peered between the hemlock-leaves, and saw in wonder flowers of gold upon her mantle and her sleeves, and her hair like shadow shimmering. Enchantment healed his weary feet that over hills were doomed to roam, and forth he hastened, strong and fleet, and grasped at moonbeams glistening. Through woven woods in Elvenhome, she lightly fled on dancing feet, and left him lonely still to roam in the silent forest listening. He heard there oft the flying sound of feet as light as linden-leaves, or music welling underground in hidden hollows quavering. Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves, and one by one with sighing sound whispering fell the beachen leaves in the wint'ry woodland wavering."'
Lucey continues to listen with unwavering conventration on her face as she memorizes, or tries to, every line and note.
Clindor imagine his hand on his lute's wires and think about the notes again.
Danwood says, '"He sought her ever, wandering far, where leave of years were thickly strewn, by light of moon and ray of star, in frosty heavens shivering. Her mantle glinted in the moon, as on a hill-top high and far. She danced, and at her feet was strewn a mist of silver quivering. When winter passed, she came again, and her song released the sudden spring, like rising lark, and falling rain, and melting water bubbling. He saw the elven-flowers spring about her feet, and healed again. He longed by her to dance and sing upon the grass untroubling."'
Danwood says, '"Again she fled, but swift he came. 'Tinuviel! Tinuviel!' He called her by her elvish name, and there she halted listening. One moment stood she, and a spell his voice laid on her: Beren came. And doom fell on Tinuviel that in his arms lay glistening."'
Lucey softens her focused face as she listens...as his pretty song gets meaning. She looks confused when he mentioned doom. What is doomed about love? She listens enraptured.
Danwood says, '"As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, the trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering. Tinuviel, the elven-fair, immortal maiden elven-wise, about him cast her shadowy hair, and arms like silver glimmering."'
Danwood says, '"Long was the way that fate them bore, o're stony mountains cold and grey, through halls of iron and darkling door, and woods of nightshade morrowless. The Sundering Seas between them lay, and yet at last they met once more. And long ago they passed away in the forest singing sorrowless."' Danwood smiles and nods to his two audience members.
Clindor looks excited and listen breathless.
Danwood smiles at Clindor. "A song fit for a bard of nobler days."
Lucey sniffles idly wiping her cheek. The music stunned her into silence a moment. She was overhwelmed with emotion. She sits up straight saying with a strained voice. "Thank ye....Mister Danwood...thank ye."
Clindor smiles: "I hope I can honored that story, but singing is not my thing. I'm more good with just music."
Danwood smiles. "You're more than welcome. I am honored to share the knowledge of the Elder Days with two so young."
Clindor says, "Thank you so much, Master Danwood."
Danwood smiles and nods. "You two have spoke a bit this night i have noticed."
Clindor bows deeply before Danwood. Clindor looks like surprised: 'What about?'
Lucey sniffles, "Tha' were beautiful...bu' why do it make me feel so sad? Somethin' abou' tha'....makes me heart hurt a bit...."
Danwood smiles at the two. "I strove not to evesdrop, but i noticed you two speaking cheerfully." He turns to Lucey, "It is a song of great love, but such love is not without sorrows, young one."
Lucey sniffles wiping her cheek with her sleeve. She takes a deep breath letting it out calmly clearing her throat. "Mister Clindor be me friend...I were thinkin' o' learnin' to play music an' he were helpin' me decide on wha' to learn. I wish I could sing real pretty to be worthy o' tha' song...'
Clindor says, "Do you try it?"
Danwood smiles at the two. "I imagine a bard of his skill may be a worthy teacher."
Clindor looks like happy: "Thank you for your kind words."
Danwood nods. "And as I said, young Lucey, a song may not pass your lips, but it remains as beautiful when kept in the heart."
Lucey hugs her staff to her, "Ill keep it real safe....in me heart...Tha' were the pretties' song I ever heard."
Danwood smiles at Lucey. "And be sure your friend does not forget it either."
Clindor smiles: "I never forget, promise."
Lucey says, "Where did ye learn tha' Mister Danwood?"
Danwood smiles at them. "I studied among th elves of Rivendell for a time..."
Clindor says: "Elves knowledge is amazing. You are so lucky."
Danwood nods. "A wise and fair people..." A smile spreads across his lips as his gaze becomes unfocused. "And a song that is now dearer to me..."
Lucey doesnt seem to be noticing the smiles. She stares straight ahead her eyes not focusing on anything. She has her ear angled towards the speaker in turn bobbing her head from side to side as each man speaks. The song still playing in her heart. She replays it over and over until it is engraved in her heart and mind.
Clindor says, "And after these day for us too."
Danwood smiles at the two, sensing possibly a bit more than mere friendship between the two. "I've heard you sing once or twice here at the Pony, Master Clindor. You are certainly worthy of the title of bard."
Clindor giggles: "Yes but not a singer. People in Bree don't like my singing. Otherwise they fine with my music."
Lucey looks a little surprised, "Ye said ye didn' sing...." Tilts her ear towards Danwood, "How were he?"
Danwood smiles at Lucey. "He sells himself short. He is quite good."
Clindor looks to Lucey: "I try it again. Sometimes."
Danwood nods. "You should."
Lucey smiles her head tilted to Clindor, "Aye..ye should. I be happy to hear it one day....sayin' ye were bad at it..." giggles. Of course the man who declared he was the handsomest man alive when they met would be bashful about how well he sings. Silly man. He really made her smile did Mister Clindor.
Danwood stands and looks to the two. "I thank you for lending me your ear this night. Alas, I have my own business to attend to."
Clindor says, 'I do promise, Brightshine'
Lucey smiles towards Danwood's voice, "Thank ye Mister Danwood for teachin us tha' song. Im sorry if I interrupted ye...thanks for bein' so kind."
Danwood chuckles. "Not at all. I enjoyed your company. Thank you for your own kindness. Farewell, young Lucey, and farewell young Clindor."
Clindor says: "I will be honored."
Danwood bows deeply. Danwood turns and exits the Pony.
Lucey stands with her staff sticking one hand out in front of her to feel obstacles, "Be safe Mister Danwood." Lucey taps and feels her way away from Danwood's table. She didn't notice he got up and left as her thoughts were still on the song and the meaning which touched her heart. She still felt there was more to the song and story than Mister Danwood let on. Maybe she should ask Lady Cesistya?
Lucey pauses to listen to the busy Inn. She heard a man at the counter ordering coffee....someone taking a drink from a tankard it sounded....Mister Byrge talking to someone on the stairs...Clindor's words broke her concentration a moment.
Clindor looks like undestand what Lucey did: 'So you heartd any excited thing?'
Lucey blushes, "I'm listenin' for which spots are free...Im sorry for walkin' off like tha' when I heard Mister Danwood....It were so pretty an'...pulled me in...like me heart needed to hear it...I don' know...Sorry Mister Clindor."
Clindor giggles: "Dont worry, I learn a kind song because of you and thank you. Also we find a good teacher about music."
Lucey smiles to herself. She had been worried he would be upset she had followed her impulse and near deserted him and their conversation. Take a bard to understand the pull of music. She was about to say as much when she heard her name being called by a familiar dwarvish voice.
Blida turns to call over gently to Lucey and Clindor, "Miss Lucey, we're here if you'd like to join!"
She heard Mister Doc mumble something about pie when Mister Clindor spoke.
Clindor says, 'Your friends planning something?'
Lucey smiles and calls back, "Thank ye Mister Bild!" Taps her way over with her staff. She motions for Clindor to follow having no clue what plans, if any, her dwarf friends were making. Such was the mystery of dwarves.
Clindor starts pet the cat and watch the folk.
Blida beams. "Bild, Maddoct, and Byrge all here, Miss Lucey," maybe to save her having to figure out by presence and scent. "I heard from the lattermost you were interested in learning about instruments!"
Maddoct says, 'Lookin' well tonight, Miss Lucey!'
Blida gives Clindor a friendly smile and nod, too, as if he's heard about him and his involvement in that conversation.
Byrge sips his coffee silently, huddling in to avoid blocking traffic too much. Getting up in Maddoct's personal space a little...
Clindor smiles back. He doesn't look like heard about dwarf bard but looks like he respect him.
Lucey smiles, "'Ello Mister Doc, Mister Byrge! Thank ye Mister Doc. Me other dress be ou' to wash...so the fancy one it be. Aye Mister Bild...been thinkin' on listenin' to the instruments to see which I like seein' as me ears are sensitive. Also thinkin' I might see if I can sing."
Blida beams at that. "Oh, wonderful! Singing, hm... that might actually narrow things down a bit... hm hm hm," and he leans forward to rummage a bit through his Dwarf-pack on the floor.
Blida says, 'I brought several instruments tonight to play for you, Miss Lucey...!'
Lucey beams! "Ye did! Thank ye Mister Bild!" Her heart leapt with joy. She was going to hear instruments!! She loved hearing new sounds or different sounds. It was always a treat to her ears.
Blida answers with a cheerful "Hm!" before pushing his Dwarf-pack out of the way and stepping forward, unstrapping the slim fiddle from his back. "You're welcome to touch them, too, if you like. I've here a Dwarf-make fiddle..." Blida holds up the [Lonely Mountain Fiddle] to let her explore it with her hands, if she likes.
Lucey tilts her head at the tinkling bells as a man walked by with a confused look on her face then turns back to Bild. She feels the fiddle an odd expression on her face. She runs her hands over the strings and jumps back when a few accidentally get plucked.
She says, "Tha' were louder 'an I though' it be." The sounds vibrated through her hands and ears and she listened as the reverb bounced off the stone.
Blida giggles. "The strings are what produce the sound. Another string's drawn across them, which makes them vibrate, and the resonation through the body of the instrument amplifies the sound..." He draws the bow and sets the fiddle to his chin for one note as a demonstration.
Lucey steps back a little. The sounds shocked her and made her ears twitch. It resonated through her head and gave her a little headache.
Blida lowers the bow, glancing back over his shoulder. "Hmmm... I was going to play a little piece to demonstrate the sound, but I'm really not very skilled at it. Maddoct's a far more skillful touch, aye?"
Lucey asks, "How did ye do tha'? Made it louder?"
Maddoct blushes and chuckles. "I'm a fair hand at it, but y'can play it..!"
Blida says, "Hm, it has to do with the force of the bowing... If you were curious to learn the fiddle, I'd explain more..." Blida holds out the fiddle towards Maddoct, one more offer before he plays.
Maddoct peers... then laughs quietly. "If y'insist," he says, before carefully reaching for the instrument.
Lucey looks confused, "Bowin'? Ye use a bow on the fiddle? I though' they were for shootin' arrows?" How could the thin strin on an archer's bow make the strings on he fiddle make a louder noise or one that sounded so...big?
Blida says, 'Hmmm, different sort of bow, though there's some similarities between them...'
Lucey looks very confused but waits to hear Doc play.
Maddoct examines the instrument with a smile before settling it under his chin and getting a grip on the bow. "..Should've taken off my pack first," he murmurs. She hears him shuffle about a bit then say, "What to play.."
Blida chirps encouragingly, "Whatever you like!"
Blida meanwhile turns back to his pack and rummages some more, pulling out a long instrument... a [Brusque Bassoon].
Maddoct looks up and waves the bow at Taite as she passes. "Evenin'!" Then he looks at Bild. "Mmm..." He does an experimental couple drags of the bow on the strings, then begins.
Lucey jumps when he starts playing taking a few steps backwards. The sounds echoed loudly in her brain and vibrated her ears. It made her teeth hum.
She hears Maddoct quietly hums and wince when a note sounded off in pitch. She wondered if it hurt his ears too. All she could feel was pain and an odd vibration in her head.
Clindor turns to Lucey and whisper: 'Are you allright?'
Lucey covers her ears a little stepping back farther...once she is a little away her wincing face relaxes and she smiles at the pretty music. She missed what Mister Clindor asked because the fiddle was so loud and her ears hurt so much. She heard Mister Doc start to play softer and then stop.Lucey uncovers her ear still smiling big, "Tha' were real pretty Mister Doc!"
A string of applause breaks out all over the Inn bringing a new noise to her sore ears. She could hear how many people were actually in the Inn and started to feel...boxed in a little. Mister Doc said, "Thanks!" Then said something to someone about, "Didn't mean to disappoint!" She thinks she must have missed something between her sore ears and the loud applause. Her ears were still ringing. Lucey says, "I don' think the fiddle be for me....to loud. Pretty..but real loud."
Blida giggles a bit over his shoulder at Lucey, then steps forward to lean in towards Maddoct and murmur, "You can take that one with you, if you've room in your pack."
Maddoct says, "I tend t'play loud, 's how I was taught! But it's difficult getting beginners to play loud enough, for sure." He looks at Bild, brows quirking. "Hm? Why for?"
Blida nods and murmurs, "'Tis for my brother."
Maddoct says, 'Ah...! I'll take it along."
Lucey taps and feels her way closer to the group. She lightly bumped into Clindor as she moved back over to the rest of the people by the fire. She could feel the heat of the hearth on her skin warming it from the cold winter weather.
Blida smiles at Maddoct warmly, then turns back towards Lucey and Clindor. "I brought a bassoon, too. Master Byrge said you liked the name of that."
Lucey turns to the person she bumped saying, "Sorry." She didn't notice it was Mister Clindor having lost track of him in all the noise. It took her a moment to get her bearings. She cant help but giggle at the word bassoon.
Blida holds up the bassoon for Lucey to feel, if she likes. "So a harp, a lute, and a fiddle all produce sound by a vibrating string. But a bassoon is a long tube that you blow into; it amplifies and lowers the sound of your breath."
She could hear Mister Byrge mutter, "... You played beautifully..." Possibly to Mister Doc. How sweet!
Lucey feels the bassoon gently. "Could ye play it?" It was an odd shaped instrument. Sort of long with a funny small wooden bit at the top and a round opening at the end. It had all these odd button things all over it. I wonder if that is how the sound comes out different? She heard Mister Doc chuckle under his breath and murmur, "Thanks, Byrge...!"
Blida says, "Mmm! Though again, I'm not very skillful at it. I'll ask Maddoct to play again... We'll try to do it quietly, but be prepared!"
She says, "Aye, I will" and was greatful for the warning. Her ears still hurt from the last time.
Blida says, 'There's actually... a duet I wrote for harp and bassoon...'
Lucey tilts her head, "Mister Clindor? Ye still here?" She wondered where he had gone. She hoped he was still around.
Clindor says, 'Yes, I'm here.'
Lucey turns her head towards him with a smile. She was relieved to hear his voice. "So I bumped into ye? Sorry abou' tha'. Have ye ever played a bassoon afore?" Giggles even when she says it. There is just something funny about that word.
Clindor smiles: "I just played my father's lute."
Lucey can hear Mister Bild tune his harp, then a loud toot toot filled the room. At first she thought someone did something...indelicate, then realized it came from the bassoon. That instrument gets funnier and funnier! The harp played gently and softly. Mister Bild must be being careful for my sake. What a sweet dwarf! The song sounds jaunty, but like there is a longing... Soon the toot toots of the bassoon follow. Lucey covers her mouth in a fit of giggles that gets worse the longer she hears the bassoon. She turns her head towards Clindor giggling red faced into her hand. She can't help but think she had a cow that made that noise after her brother fed it beans. When the music stopped the Inn erupted in applause again. Lucey would clap with them, but was snorting and giggling into her hand trying to catch her breath. The bassoon cracking her up for...some reason.
Lucey could hear Mister Doc's distinctive chuckling. It was soon followed by Mister Bild's giggles.She heard him say, "A bassoon has an intrinsically comic quality, somehow..."
Clindor looks at Lucey and smile. Clindor says, "So do you like it's sound?"
Lucey wipes the tears of laughter from her eyes taking deep breaths to calm herself. Says through giggles, "Ye played...real pretty...it sounds funny to me...don' think I could play it withou' laughin'..."
Clindor giggles fills her ears, then Mister Bild's as the dwarf says, "Hmmm, and a disadvantage of the woodwinds is that you cannot sing while playing. So perhaps that is not quite the instrument for you, either, Miss Lucey."
Several toots fill the Inn's main room causing the hearth to burst out into giggles. Lucey could hear the Inn was really filling up now as more voices popped up seemingly out of nowhere. Lucey snorts into a fit of giggles nearly falling backwards as she starts up again. She hears Mister Bild again, "Lastly... though you've already heard it plenty, I understand, I brought a spare lute..."
A woman's voice broke through Lucey's giggles calling out, "Masters Blid and Maddoct, hello!" she greets. It smelled like the perfume Mister Leoffrith's lass wears...but she couldn't remember what her voice sounded like. She heard Mister Doc call back, "Miss Lumina, evenin'!"
Blida turns back over to Lumina and smiles brightly, giving her a little wave. "Miss Lumina! 'Tis wonderful to see you -- especially as I have a delivery to make!"
Lucey takes a few deep breaths to calm her giggle fit while Mister Bild and Mister Doc talk with the new lass. The woman said, "You as well! Ah, a delivery? For whom?"
Blida says, "For you, Miss Lumina! Though, ah, one moment first...!"
Clindor whispers to Lucey: "Forgive me Brightshine but I should go. You can tell me the what happened all night tomorrow." Lucey snapped her ears towards Clindor to hear clearly what he said. No! He isn't leaving yet is he? What a shame! We had so little time to talk. She could hear Mister Bild rumaging around his pack again and the twanks of lute strings.
Blida shifts his harp around to hang behind his back and rummages in his pack for the last thing in it, a [Lute of Ages], which he holds up towards Lucey should she like to feel it. Blida says, "Ah, have a good evening, sir!"
Lucey turns towards Clindor, "Nice seein' ye Mister Clindor and thanks." She hopes he gets home safe and that she sees him tomorrow. She can't wait to talk to him about the song they heard in elvish from Mister Danwood and see if he could teach her to play the notes on the lute. It was nice having a friend as excited about music as she was. She did not see his bow, but heard his footsteps as he left the Inn.The woman's laugh broke her thoughts.
Lumina softly laughs. "For me?" she asks him, removing her gloves. She walks over to the bar, lifting a hand to cheerfully wave to Taite who would, perhaps, notice a scarf of her own creation around Lumina's neck. She lays down a few coins, requesting a glass of wine.
Lucey turns towards Bild returning her attention to him and the lute he was holding out, "I felt a lute afore an' heard Mister Cindor play it. It real pretty soundin'."
Blida smiles, though he still holds the lute up to Lucey. "The lute's a fine instrument... You can convey through it many moods, play it softly, and sing while you play as well. And 'tis easy to learn. And so... if you would like, you're welcome to keep this one."
Lucey smiles brightly, "I can keep it?!" He didn't!! He didn't!!!! I can keep it!!! My very own lute!! I can play music!!! Lucey's heart raced merrily with excitement.
Blida says, "Mhm! A gift of my family to you. Since, after all, we'll be gone from Bree-land in the spring... Whether here at the Pony or on your own farm again, you can pluck the strings and spread the joy of music..."
Lucey holds the lute carefully, "Oh thank ye Mister Bild! Thank ye!" Her fingers treasured the feel of her very own lute given to her from her dear friend, Mister Bild.
Blida beams. "I am sure Master Clindor would be happy to coach you, as would I!"
Lucey hears others talking, but doesn't pay attention to what they are saying. She beams, "Ill work real hard...I promise! Thank ye so much!"
Blida chirps up to Lucey just as happily, "You're most welcome...! I hope it brings you great pleasure!"
Lucey feels the lute and plucks some of the strings happily. "Oh it will! Thank ye!" Lucey happily plucks strings quietly.
Blida doesn't offer any guidance or correction at this time, probably happy to let her get to know the instrument by sound and feel. Instead he murmurs, "I'll be right here at the hearth, Miss Lucey. I need to give Miss Lumina something!"
She says back, "Alrigh' Mister Bild!" Lucey is happily occupied with her new lute. She misses a lot of conversation around her while she listens and feels the lute in her hands. Fully focused on its vibrations and sounds. She giggles to herself as she plays for a long while. Letting the world drift by. She stands there letting the joy of music made by her own hands fill her. She ignored the conersations around her...the noises from the other patrons. It was her and her lute. After a while her fingers began getting sore. Lucey sets her new lute aside where it is safe and leans on her staff. Her focus still on the lute and how the vibrating strings felt under her fingers. How the steel hurt her hands. Maybe the lute is not for her? She wouldn't want to lose sensation in her hands. She uses those to see. Catches someone by the fire mention a bassoon. Can't help but giggle at the word.
Maddoct nods. "It's a bassoon...! Played a little -- sad y'missed it."
Lucey looks uneasy with the Inn filling up. She hugs her staff tighter. She could hear the loud voices, feel the air displaced, blocked, or created by their bodies. She felt blocked in. Not even thoughts of her new lute could calm her weathered nerves.
Blida clasps his hands together primly, smiling wide, and inclines his head to Lomizimril. And he indicates each of his acquaintance in turn!: "Miss Lumina; Miss Israa; Byrge Brighteye of Thorin's Hall; Maddoct son of Haddoct of the Iron Hills; and o'er here Miss Lucey Lightfoot." Blida smiles at the lattermost gently. "Everything all right, Miss Lucey?"
Lucey turned towards Mister Bild hearing a woman's voice reply, "Israa. The pleasure is all mine." Lucey tilts her ear towards Bild saying quietly, "Feels like lots of folks around...."
Mister Doc chirps, "Doc's fine!" before a woman's voice said, "Aww, I missed it? Hmm, well I'll just have to convince you to play it again sometime." Lucey recognized the voice belonging to Miss Finchley.
The voices got louder and closer and it was harder for Lucey to follow the conversation. She remembered someone introduced her to people and her Mum always said to use her manners. Lucey tilts her ear towards the foreign voices, "Well met everyone." Looks nervous and moves a little closer to Bild.
Blida murmurs back up to Lucey, "Mhm...! A lively night... Everyone here at the hearth friendly and warm!" So he says, though he just met a few of them. But he lowers his voice a bit more and murmurs gently, "But if you're feeling overwhelmed, Miss Lucey, I'd be happy to guide you 'round to the steps..."
Lucey hears a woman with a foreign accent Mister Bild said was Miss Israa say, "Ah ... perhaps I should take my leave? I know that many are ... uncomfortable with my kinsmen's kinsmen in these parts."
Lucey had no idea what Miss Israa was talking about and says to Bild, "Maybe to the door for some air...bit crowded for me...need some air...." She was focused on how she couldn't breath and the darkness was getting closer...how she smelt the nausiating burning wood smell....she could almost feel the heat on her skin and hear the voices of her Mum and Da cry out.....
Blida nods to Lucey, murmuring a warm but serious, "Of course," before calling back to Israa, "Oh no, pray, stay and make yourselves easy! Miss Lucey and I will just take a bit of air...'
Lucey is snapped out of the haunting memory by the feel of Mister Bild's hand on her arm. She registers what he said, "Oh ye don' need to leave yer friends. Guide me to the door sos I don' step on anyone please?"
Blida says, 'All right...!'
Lucey lets him guide her around the crowds to the door. She frantically feels for the latch and pulls. Blida says, "Here we are...!"
Lucey calls over her should pulling the door open. "Thank ye Mister Bild." Opens it and quickly steps outside.She hurries down the steps and to the wall leaning on it with a sigh of relief. After the cold winter air cooled her flushed skin and filled her paniced lungs she decided to return to her friends inside the Inn. She slowly tapped up the steps and inside and immediately turns away from the doorway. She moves to the wall carefully so she doesnt step in Lady Ces who usually sits there quietly. Is relieved when she doesnt and stands still leaning on her staff. She rested there listening to the conversations by the fire, but not paying attention to what was said. She got lost in her own thoughts for a time until she heard a familiar step.
Emanda quietly walked out of the back and glanced around, seeing Lucey and going over, gently poking her arm, "Hey"
Lucey smiles at Emanda's voice. The one person she was hoping to see the most today finally arrived, "'Ello Ema. Im happy to hear ye....been real crowded tonigh' in here...been a bit overwhelmin'. How are ye? Have a good day?"
Emanda chuckled lightly, "Geez, take a breath Luc... I'm alright, just been busy... Something happen with you?"
Lucey sighs leaning on her staff, "Mister Bild gave me a lute...met a man called Mister Danwood who taught me a new song...might even learn to sing so I can sing it some day....Maybe Rob would like to hear it....?" Blushes thinking of him. She thinks of how close they could have been...how he was the first lad to show her any affection outside her family. She remembered his hugs and how they used to talk quietly about farming.
Emanda chuckled and shook her head softly, "A lot happened, then?"
Lucey sighs, "Aye a LOT. Wha' abou' ye? Ye have another busy day?"
Emanda nods, "Yeah, kind of... Not as much work, spent some time at the graveyard"
Lucey looks her direction, "Graveyard? Why ye goin' there?"
Emanda says, '"Visit my family, I haven't gone as much as I used to"
Lucey recalls she never did bury her family. She wonders if they are still on the farm waiting for her? Poor Ema to have to say goodbye to her family so young. She stands there unsure of what to say to her friend. All she can come up with is, 'Oh...Sorry.'
Emanda says, '"For what? You didn't do anything"'
Lucey says, 'I don' know...felt like the righ' thin' to say....'
Emanda says, '"It's okay"'
Lucey leans on her staff. "Are ye ok? Need to talk?"
Emanda shook her head, looking over the room, "I'm fine... Thanks though"
Lucey sighs. At least the Inn was quieter. It sounded like the large group by the hearth finally left. She hoped her dwarf friends and the women they were talking to got home safe, "Sounds like it is calmin' down in here....less people..."
Emanda looked around slowly, "Same people, just quieter I think"
Lucey says, "Mister Clindor came by today. Me bard friend. Im thinkin' o' learnin' to play an instrument....maybe the lute now tha' I gots one. He said he would teach me to play...."'
Emanda nods, "That'd be fun"
Lucey stands there quiet a moment concidering her friend who is usually quiet, but not this quiet. "Are ye ok?"
Emanda says, '"Yeah.. I'm fine, just side tracked.."'
Lucey says, "Side tracked?"
Emanda says, '"Meaning my brain is in multiple places at once"'
Lucey thinks on how she knows how that feels. Lately at least...ever since she got to Bree. She says, "Oh....Can I help?"
Emanda shook her head, "Nothing to help with, but thanks"
Lucey blushes and shuffles her feet, "I didn' know wha' else to say....I ain' never got lots of thoughts in me head til now....afore it were all abou' farmin'...cookin'....the horses...Now its too much."
Emanda says, '"I understand that." They stood there in silence a while until Emanda said, "I'm going to get going, I'll see you tomorrow."
Lucey was getting tired too, "G'Nigh' Ema. See ye tomorrow...ye sure yer ok?"
Emanda nods, "Yeah, I'm sure.. See you tomorrow" she turned and left. Lucey could hear her footsteps leave the Inn. She goes back to leaning on her staff her back against the stone wall. So much happened tonight. So many people, new lute, new song, so many thoughts....even though the Inn is getting quieter she still felt overwhelmed and closed in. She sighs slowly tapping her way to the door for some air finding the spot she stood earlier. She rested her back against the wall and took a few deep breaths. Her thoughts were swimming dizzying in her head. She needed a few moments to calm down and breathe....
