Hejren has no idea about ales really. Telling the difference between Hobbit, Dwarven or Human Ales is not in her expertise. She does know Dwarves occasionally stop here at the tavern and Hobbits get along with them well.
Typical. I suppose I should go talk to the barkeep myself. Should I say it’s on your tab?
Gwaelur walks over to the bartender “Ho, barkeep. Have ye any Dwarven ale?”
A round looking Hobbit replies, “Indeed we do, comes all the way in from Erebor itself via the King’s Road to The Green Dragon. We also have Blue Mountain Beer from the Broadbeams. Freshly tapped too.”
“Freshly tapped you say? I’ll take a flaggon of the Blue Mountain, thanks kindly. Er, I’m with the elf back there” (Gwaelur gestures toward Hejren) “she said to put it on her tab. Right elf!? Thanks much.”
Bitur accepts a cup of tea, but sips it absentmindedly because of both being not particularly enamored of tea and being distracted by examining all he various tools and wonders arrayed before him.
Upon reaching “The Half Pint”, Bitur is pleasantly surprised to find it’s frequented by Hobbits, seeing that as a general rule Hobbits tend to know the best places to get a good drink and food, and while their brewmasters aren’t quite up to the level of Dwarven ones, you’ll never fail to get a solid pint at the places they favor. If they don’t have Dwarven ale, a pint of Hobbit brew will still hit the spot. Heck, even the human ales at these places are typically worth the price.
Bitur will ask for permission to take Grávund in with him, but if the owner prefers Grávund be kept outside, Bitur will instruct him to keep watch.
When finding out the tab is covered, Bitur thanks Hejrun profusely and follows Gwaelur up to the bar.
Upon hearing about the Dwarven ales after Gwaelur orders the Blue Mountain, Bitur says “Make that two, thanks!”
“Good choice friend” Gwaelur says claping Bitur on the shoulder, a bit harder than he means to. “This seems like a good place doesn’t it? Newer than the other buildings too. Barkeep, can you tell us a little about the place? Why is it so new and why the unusual amount of Hobbits?”
Thoroncir says to Hejren, “Thank you again for your kind offer, my lady, but if I may, the next round is on me.”
Mug in hand, the knight-errant approaches the nearest table of amiable-looking hobbits and says, “Greetings, my friends! Please pardon the interruption; I am Thoroncir of Gondor. If you have a Brandybuck, a Took or a Fairbairn among you, I would be glad to buy them an ale - or the drink of their choice - and drink the King’s health with them, for hobbits from each of those estimable families have been my companions on many an adventure.”
The Hobbit barkeep replies to Gwaelur, “We own it, there are 5 of us from the Under Towers that set up the Tavern. Our people have started doing much trade with the Círdan’s Elves. But when we got here, there wasn’t really a proper place of Hobbits or Dwarves to stay. Or to be perfectly honest proper food. Don’t get me wrong, the elven food is wonderful but not what we’re used to and not exactly in the quantity we look forward to.”
The Hobbits reply to Thoroncir, “We’re mostly Fairbains here. Oh and Felareth Took over there.”
One Dwarf says with a laugh, “Aye, and I’m a Brandybuck if you’re buying.”
Ceol, ale now in hand, turns to Hejren. “Thank you, again. If I may ask, milady, for how long have you been here in the Havens?”
Felareth looks up as he hears Thoroncir talk about buying a drink for Tooks. He picks himself up off the low stool he had been sitting on and ambles towards the speaker.
When he stands, the viewer realises that he is tall for a Hobbit at well over 3½feet, and he moves with the grace of a trained acrobat. He is wearing a loose-fitting royal blue top with yellow piping on the sleeves, and a pair of dark blue trousers held up by a belt with three pouches on it; two on the left and one on the right.
He smiles cheerfully as he greets Thoroncir. "Good day noble sir - for anyone offering to buy me a drink must be among the noblest of people. My name is Felareth Took, at your service.
“Might I ask which of my kin you have adventured with?”
Bitur addresses the barkeep:
“You’re telling me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got nothing personally against the Elves, they are great allies and surprisingly amicable once you get to know them. And their craftspeople are the equals of the other races. They just are a bit…er…reserved, should we say? Give me an inn run by a dwarf or a hobbit any day. No one does hospitality better than the halflings. While I would argue our ale edges yours out, you best us on customer service and making people truly feel welcome. A toast to you and yours.”
Bitur raises his flagon to the barkeep.
The young Man in armor bows to Felareth. “I have been honoured to count among my companions in recent years Mulligan, er, Angelica Took, Rorimac Brandybuck and Elfstan Fairbairn, each of whom is a credit to the Shire. Please tell the barkeep what you will have, with my compliments, and then let’s drink that toast.” He says to the other hobbits, “Anyone else of those three families, please tell the barkeep, with my compliments.”
To the imposter he smiles, saying, “If you are a Brandybuck then I am a dragon, but I would nevertheless not see you go thirsty, my Dwarven friend. Please order something to wet the back of your throat, with my best wishes.”
Thaank you noble Sir. Barman, a pint of the Blue Mountain if you please."
Turning back to Thoroncir, he aid “I’ll be pleased to drink a toast, as soon as I learn your name. And perhaps you can introduce me to your companions, as surely they must have stories worth the hearing.”
“Sir Thoroncir, knight-errant of Gondor, Sea-knight captain of Linhir, at your service,” he says with a bow. He then introduces his companions - those not already too distracted by drink, that is - to the hobbit.
When each has a drink in hand, he will lift his mug of ale and say more loudly, “To the King - long may he reign!”
Gwaelur, at the bar with Bitur and the barman raises his flaggon and says “Hear, hear! To the Hobbits and the Tavern, and this fine ale.” He downs the flaggon.
He hears Thoroncir toast the king and looks at his empty flaggon.
“Er, and to the king! Um, top me up will you barkeep?”
“To the King!”
After taking a gulp of ale, he raised his mug again. "To Sir Thoroncir and his excellent companions. May they show their true qualities.
And especially to the valiant Dwarf," he said, raising his mug in the direction of Gwaelur.
Ghan rises to toast the King.
His revered ancestor (Ghan is named after him) guided Aragorn (as he was then known) and the Riders of Rohan through paths known only to Ghan’s folk - leading to the surprise cavalry attack at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Ghan mentions to Felareth that the meeting between the King and Ghan is a tale that has been told many, many times amongst Ghan’s folk.
Apparently there was a hobbit amongst the horde, but in disguise. He became famous for his deeds - Meridaoc Brandybuck was his name.
"Cousin Merry? Yes, he rode with the Rohirrim. Many a time he’s rehashed the ride over le around the fireside.
“Something went out of the Shire when he and Thain Peregrin left last year. It seemed somehow emptier. I left not long after and explored the lands of Eriador for a while, then wintered here”
Gwaelur smiles and heads in the direction of the hobbit who toasted him. “You are cousins with Merry Brandybuck? Good to meet you my friend! What did you say your name was again?”