Guess Who's Coming to Dinner: Bingo Bolger-Baggins

[bingo_bolger_baggins]

Our trip home was uneventful . . . for the first part of the way. Though I have to say being out in the open air again is . . . utterly terrifying a bit uncomfortable for me still. I suppose I managed, though my hip and shoulder wounds are quite sore for wear.

But it was the monorail ride that proved . . . more challenging after all. We were stopped and boarded by none other than the impressive Feanaro, son of Finwe. And though I was utterly terrified had great reservations about him fearing he might be carrying his brother's grudge against me, and though he definitely it seemed at first that he had plans to take control of the monorail and us, he turned out to be not such a bad chap after all, once you get him conversing a bit. So I can see a little of his lovely father in him, sans the blood-oath and Kin-slaying bit. Stunning hair, too, I should say.

I do have to say I was rather surprised that he accepted the invitation to dinner. He hasn't told us his purpose yet, but I'm starting to wonder if it doesn't have something to do with Celebrimbor staying next door. At least I assume he's still staying next door; I haven't had the opportunity to inquire yet. I wonder if that's what Elanorelle was thinking about and if she has further ideas on it. She and Uncle Sennie seem to be enjoying each others company, so I haven't had opportunity to ask her yet.

I am glad Grandmum had the foresight to make our ceiling in Back End higher than that of the average smial so Big People and Eldar guests need not stoop; she knows how much I like to entertain guests of all kinds. Though, of course, it's no where near as high as in her Geodesic Smial. Still, the ceiling probably feels a bit low to Feanor. But he does seem to be interested in that which is different from what he is used to, so hopefully the closeness is not oppressive to him. In any event, I am very glad to be home. It's been a while. And to have Elanorelle back with us as well. There is much to be thankful for.

We ran into a couple of old friends on the walk back from the station I was very glad to see. I wonder if they'll join us for dinner. I'm not sure what Pippin and Merry are up to either, and if they'll join us. Still, that will be a little while yet--I just put the mushroom pie in the oven. But for now, tea is ready, so our Noldor guest can get a taste of how we serve it in the Shire. And we even have--oh, they spelled it wrongly--some Elven tea, if he'd prefer.

*sets out the tea and biscuits on the dining room table* Tea is served everyone!

Comments

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*looks up from setting down the cream and sugar and smiles at him across the table; while she has yet to reconcile herself completely to the situation, she wants Bingo to know that she is right there with him, come what may*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*smiles back at her*

[curufinwe.livejournal.com]

*is a little cramped, but the accomodations are acceptable and he is buzzed on tea - looks up from absentmindedly taking apart coatrack*

*Quenya* I'm surprised how spacious this place is. Do you often entertain larger folk here?

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*blinks--sees Feanor dissembling the coat rack (http://www.smithindustries.com/Rustic-Coat-Rack.jpg), is a bit nonplused, but decides he'll patiently watch and see what he does with it*

*Quenya* It is much more spacious than traditional smials. I can show you the original section, my Pantry Smial, if you want to see the difference. The rest of this smial is only two years old. *nods* We do have larger guests from time to time. Please have a seat, and make yourself comfortable. *points him to some of the larger plush chairs*

[celbrandybuck.livejournal.com]

*nudges Bingo's arm* Bingo? Tell him about my smithy (http://www.senseofplacesuffolk.co.uk/graphics/smithy.jpg) in back. Tell him he's welcome to come see it, if he'd like. *sends a small fannish smile at Feanor*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*smiles indulgently at her putting an arm around her to pat her on the back* I will do so now, dear.

*smiles at Feanor, speaking in Quenya* And Celandine here wants to remind you--again--that you are invited to visit her smithy in back.

[curufinwe.livejournal.com]

*eyebrows fly up* Smithy!

*grabs disassembled coatrack and disappears in that general direction with a manic grin*

*slips back in after a moment and grabs some kindling*

[hobbitkitty.livejournal.com]

*Bagshot runs and dodges between the Elf's feet skillfully, cackling to himself, as cats do--this one was a challenge*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*bemused, in Quenya* What are you doing with our coatrack, mellonamin? *approaches him--decides that's quite enough tea for this Elf*

[curufinwe.livejournal.com]

It's interesting. I'm going to make it more interesting. *has no idea he's offending the tiny people as they're of miniscule importance next to his creative urge*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Yes? A more interesting coat rack? *is curious and totally bemused by the intensity Feanor is regarding this simple piece of furniture with, wonders what he'll want to do with the china cabinet and cupboards when he notices them*

[curufinwe.livejournal.com]

I suppose it could be used as one when I'm done, yes. But that's not the point. Shouldn't take me too...Oh. Right. Dinner. *frowns* How long will that take to get ready? *clearly itching to play with the coat rack*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Oh? What are you planning to make it into then? *is willing to sacrifice a coat rack in the interests of Art*

Dinner? Another half hour or hour, I suppose. I think Folly, who you haven't been introduced to yet, is also fixing something.

*speaking of which, he wonders: if this renowned creator, Greatest of Craftselves, could take the light of the Two Trees and put them in a silmarill, imagine what he could do with a casserole, supposing he did cook! The sheer possibilities . . .*

Do you cook?

*is hopeful . . . indeed, there is no rest for the orally fixated, wonders if his star apron (http://www.sweetas.com.au/images/aprons_0000.jpg) would fit Feanor, but bets Feanor could cook without even a stove if he wanted to, being a firey sort*

[curufinwe.livejournal.com]

Something twisty. But I'm not sure I have enough twigs.

*blinks, sidetracked* Of course I can cook! *almost a little offended* Well, except bread, but that's the bread-giver's duty anyway. Yavanna's domain. Quite dull, as most of hers are. But interesting cooking belongs to Aule, and while he's sadly conventional about some things, I've mastered all of his domains better than him.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*amused* There are many kinds of twisty things. Some of my relations among them. What sort of twisty thing?

*politely appeasing* I'm sorry. All Hobbits learn how to cook before we learn our letters, but I know that's not always the case with Elvenkind. *wants to ask, but it would be rude to put a guest to work in the kitchen, at least right away anyway*

*shakes his head, smiling brightly* Oh no! Baking is not at all dull! I'll show you how to make my signature chocolate raspberry crisps if you trade a recipe with me sometime of something you cook. *holds his curiousity at bay, but he certainly likes this Elf far better now* Perhaps if you're up to it tomorrow. But today you are a guest.

[curufinwe.livejournal.com]

*eyes Bingo a little repressively* My creative process has never lent itself well to being explained.

Recipe. Hm. You work with limited kinds of food, since you're not in Valinor - I suppose I could remember something that would be adaptable to your country.

I'll just step out until dinner and see (http://www.livejournal.com/users/celebrimborx/4187.html) to things (http://www.smithindustries.com/Rustic-Coat-Rack.jpg) then. It's a little stifling in here for someone my height and people are talking about me behind my back. *smiles almost politely but distractedly*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*comfortable in his own home, is not feeling particularly repressible, returns his stare with intensity and some pride, and with a thought to the irony of addressing the designer of the Tengwar form itself* That done with passion will often defy the power of the skillfullest of wordsmiths.

*softens his glare with a wry smile* In other words, you're clueless where your plans for it will lead. But when you know, do tell me, for that is indeed my coat rack.

*brightens* Oh, that would be lovely! I would be most grateful to you! However, the richness and variety of our cuisine just might surprise you, so don't say I didn't warn you.

I quite understand. *returns his smile graciously, though not quite sure if he's talking about going outdoors or into the smithy* Do you desire company outside, or space for your thoughts?

[curufinwe.livejournal.com]

I think I'll be just fine by myself. I need to blow off some steam. I'll find a tree. I'm sure you'll have enough to talk about even without those two blondes in the corner plotting against me

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

As you wish. Perhaps you'll have better luck with it than I did with Treebeard then.

*gives him a quizzicle look, trying to determine if he is registering paranoia in his eyes, and if so, over what; how on Arda could any of them seem threatening to him?* But more joyful when you return. *said with the kind desire to cheer his guest but with much doubt that he will bring joy to their conversation*

*goes over to talk with Pippin and Melba*

[curufinwe.livejournal.com]

*leaves the room - a few minutes later a small explosion (http://www.livejournal.com/users/celebrimborx/4187.html?thread=78939#t78939) is heard outside*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*just as he approaches (http://www.livejournal.com/users/bbolger_baggins/59993.html?thread=1727321#t1727321) Pippin and Melba he hears the explosion and heads over (http://www.livejournal.com/users/celebrimborx/4463.html?thread=84847#t84847) to investigate*

[isengar-took.livejournal.com]

*comes in and sits next to Elly*

*smiles at Bingo in a way which says, We're never going to have a nice, quiet night around here, are we? Ah, but we do live in interesting times!*

*takes one of the pastries from the monorail out of his pocket*

I don't suppose anyone would want this? It's cherry.

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

*munches a biscuit, shakes her head with a sarcastic dismissal of the packaged food*

No, but thanks, Uncle.

[isengar-took.livejournal.com]

Now, now. You never know when you're monorail is going to be hijacked by tall people and you're not sure when you'll get home or if there will be enough food for everyone. It's good to have things like this *holds up the danish* around.

Maybe I'll just put them in the kitchen.

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

But we're home now *munches* and can eat *munches* fresh things.

*watches Celly standing with Bingo approaching the elf* And I'll just stuff my face here while Celly goes all hero-worshippy over yet another Great Master Smith Teacher-type Person. *sigh, munches*

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*sips her tea quietly, still unsure quite how to absorb all of this, but having sworn off of moody introspection and snarky comments for the evening*

*well perhaps just a mildly snarky comment, for Melba*

How many times do you suppose he singed off his eyebrows as a child while in the throes of incendiary glee?

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

He'd be lucky if that's all he singed off. *smirks at Elly, feeling better for the shared snark*

OK, I know I can't understand what he's saying, but does he seem . . . conventionally socialized to you, for an Elf, that is?

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*laughs in spite of herself, glad to have made Melba feel a little better with her joke, but stifling the urge to make a particularly risque one next*

*dryly* He seems perfectly socialized for the Noldor. Besides, I've come to the conclusion that most elves are half-cracked anyways--it seems to come on after the first couple of millenia or so. Any particular reason you ask? I mean, apart from the fact that he's become enchanted with the idea of reengineering your coat rack?

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

*chuckles* Heh! There is that!

Yeah, the coat rack thing and the way he's eyeing it like Bagshot eyes his catnip.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*laughs* True, though.

*nods* Yes, he does seem rather...easily distracted, which is a bit odd. But perhaps he is just bored with small talk and would rather be actively doing something.

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

Ahaha! Small talk is all he'll get from our kind. Besides, talking and eating is doing something. *munches*

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*laughs brightly, deciding that she likes Melba's interpretation of things*

*overhears part of Bingo's conversation (http://www.livejournal.com/users/bbolger_baggins/59993.html?thread=1722201#t1722201) with Fëanor; secretly worries that she's a bad mother because of the fact that while her daughter can speak and write in multiple languages, her culinary repetoire is limited to chocolate milk and ants-on-a-log, minus the ants*

*starts to get the uncanny sense that the elf has noticed that they're talking about him, and starts to feel ashamed of her rudeness, but then gets frustrated with the fact that she would not be talking about him behind his back if he did not consider them lesser beings and didn't she say she wasn't going to do this tonight?!*

*gets up and goes to stare moodily out the window*

[isengar-took.livejournal.com]

*returns from the kitchen; stands next to Elly*

Everything okay?

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*smiles as his reflection comes into view in the window*

Our dinner guest's arrival in the Shire has brought me face-to-face with some things I had not expected to have to deal with for a while. I fear I'm not handling it too well.

*laughs softly* I'm not always this moody. At least, I don't think I am. It can be easy to forget such things in Valinor.

[isengar-took.livejournal.com]

These are most uncertain times. I think you're handling them quite well.






((Sorry - forgot to close my tag.))

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*smiles, grateful for this kindness* Thank you.

*slight pause before continuing* Isengar... this isn't about my breakup with Ereinion. That's something I struggled to come to terms with long before I ever committed to that decision. This is about... trying to negotiate a new relationship with my daughter's family now that I'm no longer partnered to her father, and working through a bunch of complicated emotions that come with the territory of being connected to such a *wry smile* colorful group of individuals. *softly* Do you understand?

[isengar-took.livejournal.com]

As I said, most uncertain times.

Forming new relationships with those you know once your circumstances have changed is never easy. My situation is not as ... unpredictable as yours, but choosing to live a life on land rather than on sea brings with it its own difficulties. There's no safety in knowing the next ship will sail in a week or so and I'll be on it.

And speaking of colourful individuals, you have met my mother, right? I'm glad she wasn't on the monorail. That would have been .... uncomfortable.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*smiles and takes his hand* I know you understand the difficulties of trying to divide your life between two very different worlds, Isengar. But I wanted to reaffirm that, whatever uncertainties there are in my life right now, my decision to leave Aman is not one of them. *glances away shyly* In case you were concerned...otherwise.

*smile brightens as she remembers the genteel yet fierce-spirited matriarch of the Took clan* I have indeed had the pleasure of meeting your mother. *admiration in her voice* She is quite a remarkable lady. *suddenly remembering Adamanta's deadly aim with a shotgun* And an excellent markswoman, as I recall. o_O

Uncomfortable because she would have had few reservations about giving the elf a piece of her mind? Or something else?

[isengar-took.livejournal.com]

*smiles*

My mother would have been most open with our new companion, but, worse than that, she would have been far too interested in why I was spending so much time getting all swoony in your company.

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

*watches Elly get up and go, munches, catches Celly's eye and exchanges a smile with her, then sees her cousin enter (http://www.livejournal.com/users/bbolger_baggins/59993.html?thread=1723993#t1723993)and goes over to talk with him*

[-peregrintook.livejournal.com]

*enters to the room, giving a quick glance to all the people in there* Hello, sorry for coming late, I... could come up with a very stupid excuse or.. uuum, saying the truth of why i was away.. which is also stupid *grins* My apologies. *takes a seat*

[isengar-took.livejournal.com]

*smiles and waves*

[-peregrintook.livejournal.com]

*waves back*
Hallo!

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

*comes and sits beside him, hands him a biscuit* Aww, I want to hear the stupid excuse first! Go on. Spill, cousin.

*munches a biscuit*

[-peregrintook.livejournal.com]

Stupid excuse? *blinks* Well, i need to think in one first! *laughs* Uuum, to be honest.. I fell asleep, i was very tired and i think i am catching a cold thanks to walking in the rain by hours, couldn't help it, i just fell asleep, and it was soooooo good, i slept a lot, i feel much better now!
Thank you dear! You're very kind *smiles at her and starts to eat the biscuit*

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

*laughs with him* Aww, that's not stupid. *lightly punches his arm* That was a good idea then. Glad you're feeling better. *smiles* So how do you like Back End? Grandmum Mirabella built it about two years ago.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*comes over to them after Feanor goes out* Good afternoon Pippin! Did you sleep well?

*an explosion sounds (http://www.livejournal.com/users/celebrimborx/4187.html?thread=78939#t78939) outside toward where the flet is* Lady Varda keep us! What was that?

*goes to grab his sword and heads out to the door closest to the sound*

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

Coming with you Bingie! *glances at Celly who she sees starting toward her, reaches for her hand and follows Bingo out*

[-peregrintook.livejournal.com]

Good Afternoon Bingo!
Eehh? What is that sound? *astounded and scared, decides to follow you to check what is going on*