A Festive Occasion Among Friends and Others: Bingo Bolger-Baggins

[bingo_bolger_baggins]

So Elanorelle and I brought the first course out while being regaled with an accounting by a very ebullient Celly of her time with Feanor in the smithy--it's quite nice to see her so bubbly. We hobbits were just about to toast and start in on our own when Feanor joined us, shortly followed by his grandson Celebrimbor, who I haven't even gotten a chance to greet yet, I'm sorry to say. I see he's having a nice chat with Elanorelle and Folly. I do wish Grandmum were here as Feanor said he would like to meet her.

Anyway, I had gotten up to chop some more salad, and it's a good thing too, I suppose, because we have just been joined by yet another guest, Feanor's son Curufin, who Melba is attending to, and ah, good! There's Uncle Sennie, finally.

I'm sorry, Curufin, I just got distracted looking at this lovely arrangement. And then I had to help fetch in the second course. I am Bingo, Bingo Bolger-Baggins--Bingie is just what close friends sometimes call me. You said you are a Warrior Princess? have many skills, this being quite a fine one. You asked something else.

But one moment, does anyone need more wine?

Comments

[celebrimborx.livejournal.com]

*raises empty glass* Yes! Wine, please, Bingo. Half a glass only, though. I would not want to embarrass my father or grandfather again with improper behavior.

And I must say, your presentation is lovely. *indicates table* Thank you for including me on your guest list.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

Everything looks and smells wonderful, Bingo. *holds up still-full glass* And I'm fine, thank you. Is there anything I can do?

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*takes his glass and fills halfway, smiling jovially at this refreshingly awkward elf* Embarrassing one's elders is good for everyone involved. *whispers* Don't worry; we've got you covered. Be sure to eat plenty and lots, then you can drink more without worry of getting inebriated. That's the Hobbit Way to Sobriety. Unless you're trying to get inebriated--then there's much imbibing to do.

Thank you, but I can only take credit for part. Elanorelle, Melba, and Uncle Sennie did their share. See that dragon centerpiece? Uncle Sennie made that. *smiles brightly* I'm delighted to have you. Tobey is welcome to join us as well. Are you well settled at the flet?

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

I think we're settled for this course, dearheart. *perches on seat by her a moment, speaks to her quietly* Everything all right?

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*smiles brightly* All right, just let me know. *laughs softly* Because I am disturbingly chipper, all things considered? *regards him fondly and adds* A little bit of what I was going through before, but I think I'm handling it much better now, thank you. *takes his hand* And how are you weathering the evening, dear?.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_curufin_/]

Ah, pleased to make your acquaintance, Bingo.



((Was that a Xena line? Ahahah!))

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*nods and folds his hand in hers* I suppose I'm in my element with all these friends and guests, and good cheer . . . thus far. But when the adrenaline leaves, I suspect I'm going to crash hard--I'm ignoring some of my body's weariness right now--my hip is trying to remind me. *quzzical look* Dearheart? What were you going to say before the toast when Feanor arrived?

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

And I yours, Curufin. *offers his hand, hoping to counter his stern look with affability*

*pours him some wine and hands it to him*

((Yup, one of her signature ones. (-:))

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

*to Bingo* Oh, he asked if this was our home, Bingo.

*turns to Curufin* Yup. All us hobbits here live here in this smial. Elanor's just visiting . . . so far. But I think Bingo's trying to make one of the guest rooms a permanent Elanor Room.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_curufin_/]

*smiles, shakes the offered hand*

Delighted. *takes the glass* Thank you. My...father's invitation was unexpected. I hope my acceptance was not too inconvenient?


((How funny!:D))

[http://users.livejournal.com/_curufin_/]

'All'? How many altogether? Are you one family unit or...? *wonders which one is Elanor*

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*nods* Well, try not to ignore it too much. *chiding him gently* It's there for a reason, you know. Let us attend to the rest of the details--you just sit and enjoy your guests, ok?

Oh. *blushes faintly, still feeling somewhat self-conscious in the presence of the elves* I was going to thank everyone for all their efforts in making me feel at home the past couple of days. *kisses his check, smiling softly* So thank you, Bingo. You know I could not have done this without the love and support you've all shown me.

[celebrimborx.livejournal.com]

*laughs and whispers back* No, no, I am not seeking to attain inebriation. I dare not let my guard down with the parental and grandparental units listening in.

*notices centerpiece* Very fine crafstmanship. Or is that craft-hobbit-ship? I must use the correct Common Speech word so as not to offend. He is much sweeter than Glaurung the dragon who sacked Nargothrond and forced me to flee for my life! Ha ha ha ha! *laughs until he spies his father's roving eye; shuts up*

Er um...Tobey was vague as to his business tonight. I know the way back to the flet myself. I might ask to borrow a torch, however.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Not at all. We are delighted to have you. Please sit and partake of the feast. I may bother you for tips on arrangement later as yours is stunning. It makes a fine centerpiece next to my Uncle Sennie's portrait of an old friend of oursdragon (http://gallery.origami.free.fr/Auteurs/Japan/kimura/photos/Dragon%20rouge/Dragon%20Rouge%20Max%20Mvc-095f.jpg).

(((-; Curufin Warrior Princess.))

[melbatook.livejournal.com]

Well, it varies--we've had hobbits come and go here, unfortunately. But right now there are 6 of us here, counting Elanor. *holds up 7 fingers*

*points at each hobbit in turn* Well, Bingo and Folly are cousins of mine and Celly is a more distant cousin and my girlfriend. And Isengar is our great uncle, pretty much. Elanor isn't related to any of us, but her father and brother live next door. Bingo's younger half-brother is married to Elanor's father. Elanor's kind of related to you folks, too, or her daughter is anyway, but you probably know that. *nods as if this is all easy to follow*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_curufin_/]

*scrutinizes the hobbit, almost detecting some subtext he doesn't quite understand, wonders if he's being humored nods, looks over at his son upon hearing his odd laughter, smiles at Bingo* I would be pleased to discuss this art with you at any time. *pales slightly upon seeing the origami dragon, glances again at Celebrimbor* What intricate work that is!


((Heheh, don't let him hear that :D))

[http://users.livejournal.com/_curufin_/]

*blinks*

*smiles, rather lost* That sounds like many of the Elven family trees. Quite complicated and intertwined, but worth evenings of stories.

Is she?

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*answers obediently and fondly* All right, dearheart.

Awww, well I hope some of it worked anyway. *smiles brightly and squeezes her hand* You're welcome, dearheart. And I suppose you've sort of got a little of both homes mixed together right now. It will all settle out in time with a little patience, my dear.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know that feeling well. *pats his shoulder*

And he can tell you all about that craft if you ask him. *holds back showing his confusion at Celebrimbor's humor, decides to forge forward trying to normalize the interaction* Sometimes. Other times he can be quite dreadful. I imagine not being able to fly made Glaurung a bit crankier though. *nods definitively*

Of course. Do remind me if I forget.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

but not that subtext, yet, surprisingly Excellent. Uncle Sennie does fine work with paper, doesn't he?

So how long have you been in the Shire?

(( (-; ))

[http://users.livejournal.com/_curufin_/]

Indeed he does. *looks around* Is your Uncle Sennie here tonight?

No time at all, really. I only arrived this afternoon. *cannot suppress a look at Feanor* I did enjoy the journey here. Lovely country.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*approaches Curufin and Melba, unaware that they've just been talking about her and her daughter*

*smiles brightly and offers her hand* You must be Celebrimbor's father. I'm Elanor Gamgee, a friend of Melba's. This is indeed a pleasure.

[elanorgamgee.livejournal.com]

*in a faux-stern voice* Good.

*nods and takes a deep breath* I certainly hope so. No, I know it will. Times like this are just more difficult than others. Speaking of... *another deep breath* I suppose I should go and introduce myself to Celebrimbor's father. Somehow I get the sense that he's the one to watch out for. *gives his hand a final squeeze before taking her leave of him*

[celebrimborx.livejournal.com]

*sips his wine* To be honest, I was completely occupied with preserving my life and that of those around me to pay much attention to Glaurung's mood. He seemed ruthless, bloodthirsty, merciless--the stereotypical dragon traits. That was so long ago.

I shall settle down again but not quite yet. A wandering lifestyle is to be my destiny for a while.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_curufin_/]

*takes her hand, places his other hand atop their clasped hands for a moment* So this is Elanor! The pleasure is mine. That I am, but you may call me Curufin. *smiles*