The sun had started to fall into the West, the firey orb turning the once-blue sky into magnificent colours of red and orange, with pink clouds that started to turn invisible in the dark night sky though the shining moon and stars kept the paths well lit. It had just gone past ten o'clock, and after having a grand supper - for a dwarf, not a hobbit -, Odsi had decided that he was in need of a walk to clear his mind of the stress of his business. He set about around his burrow, pulling on his leather walking boots and taking his weather beaten blue cloak and hood off the peg.
"Hrm.. which path to take, for there are many I wish to tread though for some of those the sun must be up.", he spoke to himself as he wandered towards the large green porthole door, twisting the shiny gold knob and stepping out with his walking stick in hand. "I could go West and follow the dying sun through Tookland and to Michel Delving to enjoy a pint in the Bird and Baby.. or I could follow the shining moon East to Stock for a pint at the Golden Perch.
"East it is! For if I go east, I can see if the path has overgrown and can soon cut that back with axe and scythe to make travelling to here easier!," he proclaimed with a smile underneath his black beard, and set off down the dirt track. Up and down, and up and down he raised as he passed through Green Hill Country, his eyes roaming the grey hills and woods that he could see from the pale moons light.
Soon he reached a narrow road, that went up again and the dwarf let out a puff of air, resting to take a swig from the small flask of ale he carried with him before up he went again and soon he found himself in Woody-End (a wild corner of the Eastfarthing, between Green-Hill Country and the Marish). The beautiful birch trees, in full bloom, gave Odsi heart to keep walking on and soon he stopped as the sound of melodic voices hit him. He had heard word that elves could be spotted in the Shire, though thought it just a mere rumour that parents tell their children to please them at night. He shouted out into the darkness;
"Greetings! Greetings! If anyone is there, please do come forth! I mean no harm, the deadliest thing I carry is my stick! Please come forth!"
He was answered with silence.
"I have an invitation for you!", he wailed out into the night once again, and this time a reply came.
Down the path came two elves, dressed in fine white robes that seemed to radiate like the moon gave out light. Their fair voices spoke out,
"Invitations you say, Master Dwarf?", his golden brow rose as he looked towards his friend, who also looked in curiosity.
"Indeed, indeed!", he said as fumbling in his pockets before pulling out a crumpled piece of paper that invited the reader to the opening of the Drunken Dwarrow. He handed it over, and the elves took it and their sharp grey eyes looked over the note with a smile and a nod. "We thank you, Master Odsi Ironale. We shall see what the rest of our company think."
Before Odsi could even speak back, off they turned into the woods and disappeared into the thicket of trees and so he kept walking along towards Woodhall, passing the village and taking a right turn past Yale Height, and came into the Marish as he walked along by the fence of Bamfurlong before howls and baying were in the air!
The clunk and clammering of a door opening, with the barking of the hounds got louder and louder as the corn in the field rustled as something moved towards him. The dwarf had heard from many a hobbit that Farmer Maggot and his three hounds; Grip, Wolf and Fang, were not to be messed with! As quick as he could, he sprinted down the lane (a good thing that dwarves are natural sprinters!), and rushed through the stream towards Stock! Though in his flight, he dropped another crumpled piece of paper right outside the gate to the fields. An invitation to the Grand Opening of the Drunken Dwarrow, though soon it was pocketed by Farmer Maggot and was taken back inside.
When he arrived in Stock, he was met by the smell of warm apple pies and the sound of cheering and music from inside the inn. The round door opened and golden light poured out and quickly the dwarf made his way inside. He waved and smiled to the hobbits, who now had so much to drink that most of them thought him as just a bearded, taller and stouter version of their own.
As the tankards drained away, so did the time, and now it was already gone half past two in the morning! As the inn started to empty, Odsi picked up his blue cloak and made his way down the East Road, swaying as he sung out loud on his way!
IronAle, IronAle,
Best served inside a pail,
When you drink, you'll never fail-
To be on a roll,
Like a dead troll,
And all that rigamarol-lo-lo-lol!
IronAle, in a pail, without fail!
He smiled, as he remembered the song that Master Bob had made up for him along time ago when he first invented the drink that was IronAle. The road seemed to move swift under his feet, and he struggled to keep up after having drunk his fill at the Golden Perch though eventually, as the sun was rising again and most hobbits had awoke to start on breakfast, he came into Tuckborough, where an old hobbit stood near the Great Smials smoking pipeweed out of a long pipe. Smoke rings floated on the morning air, like the clouds floated in the morning sky.
Weary and in need of something to eat, Odsi opened up the door to the Drunken Dwarrow and staggered in with a grin on his reddened face. Setting his stick by the door and taking off his cloak, he kicked off his boots and wandered down towards his bedroom whilst taking a whole tray of bread and cold meat with him.
