The Summer Festival

It was around the time of Late Watches and I just got back into Bree from weeks out in the Old Forest hunting for wolf hides when I noticed the commotion around the Market Square. It was rather late for this many people to be running about in Bree. I found the cause of the commotion, the Town Crier was chatting up a storm about festivities going on for the Summer Solstices. Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, and Man alike are having events going on. This sounded like a fun thing to do! First thing in the morning after a hot bath and fresh meal I will head up to the Festival Grounds. If I was lucky Bob might make one of his famous Complete Hobbit Breakfast for me over at the Prancing Pony. Up the street I went thinking about a delicious meal and a warm bed. It was nearly Foredawn by the time I got myself checked into a room. Of course, I had to stop and have a pint of ale while listening to Owen the Bard strum a few tunes before heading up to my room.

Finally making into bed, I fell asleep quickly and didn’t wake until late into the day. "No Chance for Bob’s breakfast now!" I thought to myself. So getting myself cleaned up, I head off to north of Bree to the Festival Grounds to see what adventures I might find and possibly even a dance or two. The lines were out of control to get into the festival grounds. People where standing, waiting to get in as far back as the Old Greenway Fort! It turned out that a few bears were trying to sneak there way into the line and eat a Hobbit or two. I ran up to help out, but by the time I got there the battle was over. A Captain who went by the name Alloradanon was standing nearby and quickly dispatched the bears. On the bright side, I skinned the beasts and packed away the hides. There was enough for me to boil into a clean piece of leather. The tailors down at the crafting hall always paid well for fresh leather. Well the line was moving again and I made my way into the Festival Grounds. It was time to party!

First order of business was of course to check out the special summer brews. Bernard Oaksey, who had the seasonal goods, offered a pint of Mid-day’s Cider and a hot Summer Sausage to eat while walking around. Man! Did that hit the spot? Both the cider and the sausage were delicious. In fact, I was so busy concentrating on drinking my cider that I nearly tripped over a stack of fireworks next to Robert Greenverge. Quickly, I looked up and apologized for not paying attention. Robert told me not to worry about it, but then asked me if I would do him a favor. He continues on saying "I would appreciate it if you would gather me some fireworks from the vendors spread out across Eriador. We will celebrate all the Free Peoples of Eriador, and we must have all the Peoples represented in my show. If you would, please gather fireworks from Thorin's Hall, Duillond, the Party Tree in the Shire, and from here." I start thinking this shouldn’t be a problem, I know the trails well and can make good time. So I tell him I will do it, but first I must get in a quick dance with Ada Musgrove. No worries he responds, but please be back by this time tomorrow. Absently nodding, I walk over to Ada where she was about to start another dance session. Sliding my way up to the front, I was ready to dance. The music started and Ada instructed us to follow her lead. Step after step I kept pace with the dance, until we were finished. Apparently, I did really well as Ada asked to speak with me after the dance. Walking up to her she says, "You were amazing! You deserve to know the dance of Men. You are a true grace among us. Thank you for joining us in the celebration of Summerdays!"

Well of course all of the hard work dancing made me thirsty again, so back to Bernard for a frosty mug of Perry’s Porter then it was off to Thorin’s Hall to pick up fireworks of the dwarves. Pulling out my trusty map of the lands, I quickly set a path for Thorin’s Hall. Arriving in Thorin’s Gate, I heard the Town Crier directing people into Great Hall for festivities. This sounded like where I needed to go, so up the great steps I went and into the hall.