Summer had now well started, and the flowers were rich and blooming in all colours, from oranges and reds to blues and pinks. Bees buzzed around as they made the best of the warm weather to get to work upon making honey for the harvest feasts. Near to two months had passed since the longbeard moved into the Shire, and gossip was always strong in Tuckbourough and Hobbiton about him.
"He will bring trouble! Just like those lot did to Old Mad Baggins all those years ago!", one hobbit-woman would say, before another would interrupt the rant with her own thoughts.
"Well, you never know, Tulip.. they do say that the bearded folk do make very good pies!", she smiled widely and her stomach gurgled at the thought of pie. The gurgling, however, was soon drowned out as another argument arose about what types of pies dwarven folk do make.
Along the dirt path past Tuckbourough where the grass grows lush and oaks grow strong, on the side of the road, was a large burrow with a freshly painted green round door with the golden knob in the middle shining brightly in the late-morning sun. With a clunk and a slight creak it opened and outstepped a blue-clad dwarf, smiling as he inhaled the fresh smell of flowers and hay.
"Mister Odsi! Good to see you out and about! Ye must of been busy inside that new burrow of yours..", the quick-post member, Tedso, said as he squinted to look at the sign that was hanging just above the doorway. "The Drunken Dwarrow, eh? Now, Master Odsi, just because they call you that at the Green Dragon don't mean ye have to label your home with it!"
"Greetings, Master Tedso! It has been a while indeed, and I am glad you came around! I am in need of the quick-posts service.", the dwarf smiled under his beard as he took the letter from the hand of Tedso. "I shall send a message to you when I will need your assistance, good day Master Tedso!"
"Good day, Mister Odsi!", the hobbit smiled as he sauntered down the path again and made his way towards Woodhall.
Just as Odsi had turned to go inside once more, to make sure his morning bacon and eggs were not burning, a few squawks came from the nearby tree and a chuckle came from the dwarf. With a happy sigh, he turned to walk towards the old birch tree and to his delight, five ravens all lined up on the silvery branch.
"Morning, Master Croárc."
The largest raven in the center simply croaked out a screech in returning, obviously a greeting. Despite the great ravens of Ravenhill few in number now, the ravens near Erebor still held a special connection with the dwarven folk, who would reward them with treasures to place in their nests.
"I have a few messages for you to deliver.. all of you infact! Let me go into my chambers and start writing.", the dwarf bowed his head and rushed back in the door to his 'office' in the furthest room in the burrow.
Sitting down at his desk, Odsi reached towards a few pieces of paper and a quill with a pot of golden ink. Clearing his throat, he dipped the tip into the shining liquid and started to write..
To my brothers and sisters in the Dwarven-Halls!
I, Odsi Ironale, invite you; be you Longbeard, Firebeard, Blacklock, Ironfist, Stonefoot, Broadbeam or Stiffbeard - to the grand opening of my inn in the Shire. The Drunken Dwarrow will be opening within two weeks of you receiving this letter, and I hope I see many of you there.
Sincerely from,
Odsi IronAle, Brewer of the Beers and Ale-Lord.
A grin came to his lips as he looked over it once more, setting it aside to let the ink dry as he reached for the next piece of paper and once again the quill started to scratch away..
To the Elven Lords,
I, Odsi Ironale, invite you from all of your Safe-Havens and fair-halls to the Grand Opening of my inn, the Drunken Dwarrow. It shall be opening in two weeks time of you receiving this letter, and I hope many of you shall attend.
Sincerely from,
Odsi Ironale, Brewer of Beers and Ale-Lord.
Another smile came to his lips as he remembered some of his old friends of the elven-kind, and of course those that he had a few rivalries with in the past.. though the past is behind him now, and now he only seeks on making friends old and new. Quickly, he copied this one down before he reached to the last piece of paper, dipping the quill once again into the pot before he got to writing in his neatest writing.
To Postmaster Proudfoot,
I, Odsi Ironale, invite you and -all- of the Shire to my inns grand opening party. Please spread word and hang up posters, and more invitations will follow to be sent out to all four farthings!
Sincerely from,
Odsi Ironale, Brewer of Beers and Ale-Lord.
The dwarf rubbed his hands together, excitedly collecting all pieces of paper and rushing back outside as fast as his robe would let him.
"Master Croárc! This one to be taken to the Blue-Mountains if you will.", he smiled as offering it out to the bird who took it in his dark talons. "And this one to Rivendell, and this one Celondim and Duillond!"
Another croak as two ravens jumped from their perch to take the rolled up papers in their talons and off they flew, with Croárc close on their tails.
"For now, you two can rest until I write up some invitations for the men of Bree and further afield!", Odsi spoke with a smile, bowing deeply in thanks before he moved back inside. Many things needed to be done, and they needed to be done soon!
