The inn's interior had beige walls, wide windows, and plenty of tables and chairs to sit on in the dining room. A stone fireplace stood out against the wall, lit, and everything.
Parker briefly looked out the window, surprised it was nearly sunset. Well, he hoped he and Terrence weren't interrupted, even as they found a place to sit down that wasn't crowded. The moment they sat down, Parker noticed a few giggling hobbitesses staring at them.
"Ah!" Parker waved to the hobbitesses. He turned to Terrence, asking, "So, who is this Marjorie? I understand you grew up together. Maybe I can meet her someday. Have you thought about what you're going to say to her when you see her again?"
"It's been a couple of months since I last saw her," Terrence blushed madly. "I can remember the first time Marjorie and I met! She was beautiful. We dated a couple of times, I asked her to marry me, but then she left. I never received an answer from her again." His expression was graved and solemn, shocking the light red dragonoid right to the core.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Parker said, sympathetic towards his great-grandson.
"No, it's all right," Terrence said. "I wish I knew what her answer was." He looked up, right as a hobbitess approached them. She had curly, brunette hair, bright green eyes, and wore a greyish-blue dress. He recognized this hobbitess, but didn't know what to say to her. "Oh, hullo Marjorie. It's nice to see you."
"It's good to see you, too," Marjorie said, taking her seat beside him at their table. "I missed you."
"You never gave me your answer, about us marrying," Terrence said, sharply. "Were you just waiting to leave me? Were you meeting someone?"
"Terrence, ever since Sir Edgar's law was created, it's been hard for me to get back with you," Marjorie said, serious. "I thought you would understand."
"Understand what?" Terrence asked her, serious.
"I'm still in love with you," Marjorie said, curtly.
Parker gasped loudly. "Really? You love him. Does he love you back?" He looked at Terrence, eagerly.
"I do still love you, Marjorie," Terrence said, looking Marjorie in the eyes. "I've never stopped thinking of you."
"Then let's get married," Marjorie said, holding his hand. "I haven't been with anyone. I never really found anyone to love me and me them. Just you. I want this to work. I hope it does."
"It will," Terrence said, as Marjorie embraced him. "I promise you it will work out."
"Well, I didn't get to do that much. I really want to do something for you both," Parker whimpered.
"I'm sorry. Who are you?" Marjorie asked Parker, confused.
"Parker Dooley. I'm Terrence's great-grandfather," Parker said with a toothy smile.
"Parker Dooley. The Parker Dooley?" Marjorie said, shocked.
"You've heard of me?" Parker asked, curiously.
"Everyone here knows how you failed to defeat Vitiate. News spread across the worlds." Marjorie added, sympathetic and understanding, "At least you became whole again. That's what's counts," Marjorie said, smirking in return.
"Yes, well he did what was right in the end. That's what counts," Terrence said with a smile.
"Ah!" Marjorie said, facing Parker again. "Well, I'm grateful you met Terrence, but you look so young."
"I'm in my late 40s," Parker said, sipping his water. A thought crossed his mind. If he couldn't help Terrence with dating, then he could certainly serenade Terrence and Marjorie. "Excuse me."
Parker walked off. He moved behind a corner, using his powers to change his clothes to minstrel's clothes. As he crept out from behind the corner, serenading Terrence and Marjorie with a simple tune, meant to entice them to kiss, a minstrel band played in the background, setting the mood.
The plan worked until the music stopped and Parker's clothes changed back. That moment's interruption led to a short, dark-haired, pale-skinned elf named Slannen of Pim, wearing a green forest outfit, bursting into the inn. He had some news for everyone.
"I need some help!" Slannen paraded in. "Who wants to come with me on a daring quest to save my friend Ella? Come on! This'll free the elves and the hobbits from the law Sir Edgar passed!"
"We'll go," Terrence said, stunning Marjorie and kissing her. He smiled at Marjorie, asking her, "What do you say? We go on a quest together, free Kyrria?"
Marjorie nodded. "And we'll get married."
"I'd like that a lot," Terrence said.
Marjorie chuckled, loving him more.
"Well, I guess I'm coming, too," Parker said, stunning the crowd. "I might as well participate."
"Great!" Slannen said, taking up their offer. "We could use a dragonoid to free the kingdom! Who else wants to come along?"
It turned out a couple of elves also agreed to accompany Slannen to Lamia. Parker was excited about this task but noticed Terrence and Marjorie were too cozy to see him staring at them. Either way, the group set out for Lamia, determined to get the task done.