Minas Tirith at Summer Festival is a magnificent place to be, although very crowded. The flowers are beautiful, and the fashions impressive; Bell delights in them both. (We refrain from detailed descriptions of them here, as she is intending to publish in depth articles in Hobbiton Growers Weekly, and the Journal of the Michel Delving Sewing Society).
For the first few days she explores the city, which is a vast maze of thronging people; divided into seven levels, with the ramps between them cleverly hidden by a conspiracy of sadistic architects. She spends most of that time lost. Eventually she discovers the Houses of Lore in the Fifth Circle, with its incredible store of books, and she takes a room at the Thirsty Seer nearby. The price is exorbitant, but worth it.
She now spends half her time at study, and half out in the city enjoying the festival. Unfortunately, her studies are occasionally disrupted by a lovestruck poet who cannot look after his own pages: they get everywhere, and he (and his helpers) are continually running all over the place looking for them. Bell mostly sees the funny side, the young were ever thus. She tries to tell him that the woman in question doesn't seem very keen, but he is too daft to notice.
Out in the streets the merrymakers throng, and the people with actual work to do are shorthanded (as always). Bell is happy to lend a pair for a bit of gardening and flower arranging, tasks she is expert at; and helping out the cooks, or delivering pastries, which are tasks that appeal to her hobbittish nature. She even helps clean up in the Houses of Healing, as even the most menial chore in such a place is honourable.
But she draws the line at helping stupid poets collect their pages; or shushing minstrels in a busy tavern because some hungover idiot wants peace and quiet, and lacks the initiative to go and find it somewhere more appropriate. Isn't it wonderful how many silly people there are in the world, in Gondor as well as the Shire!
Her studies progress well, for Bell finds that the time spent at the festival invigorates her to study more efficiently the rest of the day. Over several weeks Bell is able to put together an overview of the texts available in the fields of Botany and History; although in depth study of more than a few is impossible. However, she had hoped to organise the copying of a goodly number of them, but this proves difficult. There are many professional scribes in Gondor, but they do not come cheap; and her means, though sound, are limited. Enthusiastic young mathomers at Michel Delving can usually be bought for a steady supply of pies and pipeweed, but in Gondor coin is needed.
It is then that a fortunate accident occurs. Bell encounters a young lady of the Rohirrim, lost in the crowds of festival and confused by the maze that is Minas Tirith, and is happy to offer her guidance. Bell remembers all too well how hard it was when she first arrived. Ynna is pleasant company, and it is nice to get to know one of the Big Folk who is not either of Bree, or one of the grim rangers. Some might consider her flighty, but Bell sees in her the same spirit and courage that led she herself to change her life and embark on a new career. It turns that the Lady Ynna is rich as well as generous, and gives Bell a substantial gift of funds in gratitude.
This enables a down payment on the copying of many important texts. The scribes may be too busy at the moment, but by the time Bell is able to organise delivery (all the way from Minas Tirith to Whitwich) the books should be ready. Bell's best hopes for this journey have been achieved.
The wedding is utterly splendid, if perhaps a little long winded in the way a wedding should be. The Bride is very beautiful, and Bell intends the description of these events to form the basis of another article for the Shire magazines. If only wizards could do something useful, like find a way of copying text that does not require scribes, then the circulation of these could be greatly increased. To be fair to Gandalf, however, the fireworks that follow the ceremony are worth the journey all by themselves (and no article in any journal could do justice to them).
And both Bride and Groom are thoughtful enough to spend a few moments talking to Bell, and remembering the days when she had known the King at Bree. He was as kind as ever, and she very well mannered: a great lady, not haughty as some can be, all grace and no airs. Not at all like that terrible Lobelia woman.
As for the banquet that follows, it is grander than the wildest dreams of a Bywater tween after a long days work in the fields (an article in the Marishman's Recipe Guide will follow). In general the cuisine of Gondor is good, and on this occasion they outdid themselves.
Regarding Gondorian cuisine. Their roasting and simmering is good, their baking and broiling excellent, but their frying leaves much to be desired. They have many exotic fruits and vegetables which give great variety to the palate, and are usually well prepared; including a number of sweet potatoes which are delicious in small doses. Proper taters are uncommon but not unheard of, yet sadly they have absolutely no idea how to cook them: so these are best avoided. Breads and pastries are excellent, and they are masters of both the light and the heavy crumb; but these do form a larger component of the portion than the hobbit expects; and meat is used in smaller quantities. There is, in addition, a general problem with portion sizes being smaller than Shire standard. Stews and casseroles are very tasty, if heavier on the fruits and spices than we expect, and lighter on the meat and veg. Dumplings are absolutely Shire standard, and come highly recommended.
Considering beverage accompaniments, they generally prefer wine to ale; and with good reason. Their best wines outdo Old Wynyards. Care is required, however, as they have a large wine industry and not all production is of that quality: the incautious taster will find herself sampling the heady bouquet of wet dog, or a frowsy draught of her aunt's mouldy basement; both of which are to be avoided. As indeed are Gondorian ales, with the exception of some of their lighter hoppier brews, which combine subtle taste with effervescence. Anything malty, or with a strong flavour, will be redolent of a particularly nauseating jockstrap, and leave you wishing you'd had the wet dog.
But the banquet itself was splendid, and full of the best Gondor has to offer. And afterwards, it is with great regret that Bell realises that the time has come for her to leave Minas Tirith.
