The Pub Series
Title: The Pub Series ~ Story 1 Politics
Author: Rachel Stonebreaker
Email: redirect@beckyswebdesign.com
Rating: G
Characters: Frodo, Pippin, Sam, Fatty, Lotho, and Merry.
Date: 23 July 2002
Summary: see previous chapters, I'm tired of writing it here. (yeah, Rach gets lazy sometimes).
Authors Notes: I've been working out of my home state for the last month No, really. I have been busy working as the chief bottle washer and barkeep at the Green Man Inn. Talk about a different lifestyle! Try doing the Barliman thing. It will AMAZE you. Oh, you've just GOT to come out and see my best barmaid. She can really bring 'em in! I find myself in awe of her powers of persuasion. She even gets the ladies to come back and buy another round. And sells more Guiness than three of my other bartenders combined! Plus. She wears a blue ribbon on her sleeve. Show up in a kilt and ask her what it's for
Review notes: Clover and Marion, thanks for cheering me on.
Story 1 ~ Politics
Chapter 10 ~ Hurray, the Gang's (almost) All Here
Whilst listening to Mister Pippin sing, Sam finally noticed that Fredigar Bolger was in fact in the pub. Truth be told, Mister Freddy was just finishing at the bar talking it up with the proprietor's wife and was heading over to the table occupied by the two Boffin lads and Frodo's cousin, Lotho.
Sam pointed out that of course, it were where Mister Freddy'd be, making the rounds, talking with everyone, chatting it up, laughing and joking and picking up some new oddity to discuss over a beer and a plate of cheese, pickles and bread, which he already had balanced on his large forearm as he held his mug in his left hand and used his other to shake hands amiably with Lotho and the Boffins. Deftly not spilling a drop or a morsel. THAT was talent, mused Sam
"Ai, evening all!!!!" huffed Fatty as he meandered on over and pulled up a chair. The largish lad was definitely the jolliest of the group though the least inclined to get drunk. It was perhaps because of his size or maybe because he was also the most inclined to eat everything put in front of him that tended to reduce the effect of alcohol. He enjoyed eating, drinking, chatting, and smoking. And he knew nearly everyone one and everyone's dog and everyone's recent crop plantings and latest purchase and oh, you name it, if it was gossip, he knew it. He certainly was one to sit by the fire with his pipe and espouse the qualities of this year's pipe-weed crop after spending nearly half the evening enjoying his supper.
Fatty may have been a tad long winded. But, he had it the easiest convincing his family about the need to vote for the proposal. Most Tooks stilled lived in Tookland. Such clannishness could not be said about the Bolgers. Not all stayed put in their ancestral farthing. Fatty had taken up residence half way between Buckland and Hobbiton. Very close to the Golden Perch actually. He was definitely enjoying his bachelorhood. Still, he delighted in visiting with his folks and jumped at the chance to join the other lads in this latest adventure since it meant at least one of his mum's home cooked meals.
He'd taken a bit longer than the gang expected to visit his folks, discuss the proposal and gain their support. No one faulted him being late. They'd grown to expect this. If you wanted Fatty to show up on Tuesday at noon, you told him the party was on Sunday at 7. Even given this one slight fault, he was wonderful company to invite to any get together. Besides, no one could gather information better than Fatty.
Life was a joy to Freddy, as he was called in his younger days. He was incredibly affable and tended not to worry about things. Except perhaps his next meal. He hated to miss a meal. Or a snack. Or Tea. That would explain his rounded physique, because even for a hobbit, Fatty was pleasantly plump. And had been even as a child. His father could be heard lamenting at any of the numerous family gatherings, picnics, and parties, that his child's goal in life was to eat his parents out of smial and larder. But it was a good natured jest. Fredigar's parents loved him dearly. Obviously so, as they fed him and gave into a number of his requests (usually for more pie please). His good nature came directly from his father, though his mother was a sweet hobbitess, too. The Bolgers were certainly an undemanding lot and generally went along with whatever their friends wanted.
Fatty was late simply because it took him longer to get anywhere than his slighter cousins. Besides his mother had made a torte that just smelled delectable and he and his father managed to finish off the entire thing with comments of, "why Da, certainly you'd be having another small piece?" and "Certainly, my boy, but I couldn't possibly have another unless you joined me". And to this end they actually ate not only the torte but two pies and a cobbler as well.
End Chapter 10
