Acting on the promise I made to Miss Sevelda to attend the next gathering at The Green Dragon, I turned up shortly before festivities were due to begin this past Friday evening. Unfortunately my memory being as bad as it is, I had to ride like the wind from my latest job to home and then from home to Bywater. I was unsuccessful with this latest bit of work, and needed some fun to comfort me for feeling such a failure.
It was a fine gathering of folk from The Shire and beyond, with much signing and dancing. One gentleman in black entralled us with a thrilling tale about an encounter one dark night with the Black Turtle. I daresay I screamed aloud from sheer fright more than once, as did many others! Master Simbo also revealled himself to be a fine orator with a wonderful poem. I can't remember exactly what it was about, but I do remember feeling very enchanted by it.
Me being me - the night did not pass without a few mishaps... mainly accidentally slapping Miss Lina on the cheek as I turned in haste in moving closer to listen to various bits of news! Of course I was mortified and promptly babbled apologies amidst furious blushing and tears. I accidently sat on a shelf and promptly fell off, collided with about seven revllers four different times. I also brought along several outfits and kept changing because I so wanted to make a good impression but couldn't make up my mind which suited me best! I daresay I shall never live any of this down!
There was a dance lesson - during which it was obvious which hobbit had two left feet. Needless to say I was so out-of-time with the others that it was as painful as being forced to eat Orc meat!
Had my Guardians been present they would have been most displeased that I embarassed myself and them to such esteemed company. But, as Master Elrond always says, "What we do, does not define who we are. What defines us is how well we rise after falling."
