"A Fine Party" by Tialys

"Mr. Frodo?"

"Yes, Sam."

"Was it always this dark?"

"When?"

"Always. Like the day before. I mean, was it this dark. I know it's always been dark... just, not like this it seemed."

"I can't remember, Sam. Moria will always be dark now. I don't think it will ever be lit again like it once was."

"It must've been quite a sight when all the dwarves were here."

"Yes... I imagine it was."

"Torches all around the walls -- and around these great pillars, too. I bet they weren't cold like this when they had torches on 'em."

"No. They couldn't have been."

"It's a shame. I'd have loved to see it fully; all lit up and clean. Dwarves all livin' here -- and those feasts Gimli talked about."

"I would have liked to see it, too, Sam."

"I bet they couldn't throw a party like those Mr. Bilbo had."

"None have parties like Bilbo."

"I bet they couldn't eat as much neither."

"No. Probably not."

"Do you think the Shire's still havin' parties, Mr. Frodo?"

"I don't know why they wouldn't."

"Not grand ones like Mr. Bilbo's."

"No, but parties, still."

"If they aren't, do you think it'd be this cold there."

"In the Shire?"

"Aye."

"Why, Sam?"

"Why what?"

"Why all the questions?"

"W-- No reason really, sir. I just..."

"Sam."

"Yessir?"

"I'm sure the Shire is having many parties. With lights all up in the trees, and music... and enough food to go around and fill up the hungriest hobbit there."

"I'll bet it's not this cold there -- or this dark."

"It wouldn't be a party if it was, Sam."

"Mr. Frodo?"

"Yes, Sam?"

"It's going to stay that way, right? The Shire could never be like..."

"It won't be, Sam. We won't let it."

"Aye... we won't."

"We won't."

"What if we're not there, sir? We're not there now. What if --"

"Then we'll just have to fix it, Sam."

"Yes... of course. Fix it."

"You know, Mr. Frodo, it might be a good thing we're not there now, at those parties."

"Why is that?"

"Well, sir, if we were there, Mr. Pippin would be there, too."

"And?"

"Well, meanin' no disrespect, sir, but if Mr. Pippin were there, there'd be no food left and it really wouldn't be a good party without food."

"No, it wouldn't."

"Then it must be a fine party."

"I'm sure it is, Sam. It must be..."

May 8, 2004