Another for the Tolkien_weekly "On Foot" Challenge

[lady_branwyn]

Title: A Strange Customer
Author: Lady_Branwyn
Characters: Barliman Butterbur
Source: Fellowship of the Ring (book)
Rating: G

“From Minas Tirith? Is that along the Greenway? I hope it was not a hard journey.” Looks like a ranger, Barliman thought, excepting he’s too finely dressed.

“Elves? No elves ever stop at the Pony, but we see some rangers and dwarves. They have business along the East Road. The dwarves, I mean, not the rangers. Who knows what those rangers are up to.”

“There’s no Imladris hereabouts. Sorry I can’t be more help, Master Boromir. After you’ve had some supper, would you care to join the company?” The common room would be packed to hear this princely traveler’s tales.

*****************

Note:
"'...long have I wandered by roads forgotten, seeking the house of Elrond, of which many had heard, but few knew where it lay.'"
Boromir, "The Fellowship of the Ring"

Comments

[mrkinch]

oh, my gosh, more Boromir in Eriador! I love it. Butterbur is fun to write.

Tolkien does not hint at how in the end Boromir found his goal. I will wait patiently to see whether you have a theory.:)

[lady_branwyn]

Butterbur is an interesting character. Scatterbrained and provincial but also shrewd and observant. I always thought it was very telling that Gandalf makes a point of visiting him at the end of the LOTR. He must have held him in some regard, as a source of news and a friend.

[sillimarilli]

After you’ve had some supper, would you care to join the company?

I'm not sure why this made me laugh, but it did. Idk, maybe I'm just imagining Barliman as beleaguered MC constantly on the search for talent for his pub.

"Eh, this guy looks like he could tell a tale or two, let's get him in front of the mike."

[lady_branwyn]

In the book, he isn't very upset by Frodo's alarming disappearance because he knows people will be discussing it over a pint for years to come. Boromir presents another opportunity to sell more beer. Though Barliman is easily flustered and not always the quickest on the uptake, he is a savvy businessman.
But now I am imagining open mic night at the Pony. Dwarven karaoke. Hobbit poetry slams. Rangers playing six-string guitar.