Ales and Tales: Woodhall
May 9th, 2011
By Gaiagil Melodwen
Ai! Where does the time go? What seemed like only a moment is nearly two months ago! Alas! Peering up from my dusty scrolls, I see the sketches I made that at Ales and Tales in quaint Woodhall, and I know I should commit my memory to parchment lest it fade forever. Let me see… Ah, yes!
As usual, Old Winyards rehearsals kept me from Nibs and Nobs until rather late in the festivities. I was amused to find a young bounder confronting Lady Harperella when I entered the scene. He demanded in a high pitched yet bellowing sort of voice, “Who are all you people? Just what in blazes is going on in my town?” The Lady of the Harp’s eyes twinkled with bemusement, and she tried not to grin as she explained that Ales and Tales was bringing entertainment to Woodhall as well as free ale and pipeweed. At the mention of the latter, the bounder’s eyebrows raised and he declared, “Well, that’s alright then. Free Ale? And Pipeweed? Bless me!”
The crowd had quieted in a way that was rare for an Ales and Tales crowd as the Bounder made his decision. Ah, but what a cheer arose when he joined in the celebrations!
This Ales and Tales was hosted by Casinthelion and Locney. Now most of us are familiar with Locney and his silly antics, and I expected this duo to follow along the lines of some of the more zany of Rivendell’s comedy troupes, Laurelin and Hardië, perhaps, or the Three Stoors, that famous comedy team from Little Delving. I was surprised to see Locney play the straight man to Casinthelion’s antics as was the entire crowd. It was indeed a merry event for all the reversals.
The welcome was as warm as always. Old Winyards attempted to warm it up further with a feisty song from the south: Amoroso. Harperella introduced the masters of ceremony and silliness, announced that I would be reporting (better later than not at all…), that Lennidhren would lead Old Winyards, and that Harperella would be mistress of the Ales and Dance that night.
After that, Dolongi Stiffbeard told of the “Waylaid Spear of Galdor,” part 1, another of the wondrous tales from the Fall of Gondolin. Everyone settled in for the telling including two hobbits from the town who preferred seats right at Dolongi’s feet!
Dringil Starsong of the Explorers of Middle Earth, a regular and favorite at Ales and Tales, struck up a lively tune, followed by our host Casinthelion’s rendition of “Swordsman in the Sky.” Locney and I accompanied him as he sang, sounding more and more like our founder with each note. I found myself wondering as I played (as Casinthelion is wont to imitate others in dress), if he might start dressing like Galenswerd. Ai! what a picture that would make!
I stayed on stage with Locney and Casinthelion to ready my instruments for the Old Winyards Dance Set. We had a fine array of tunes prepared, and I was honored to sing a Dunedain song I had learned in my wanderings, “3 Crebain.”
There perched three crebain upon a tree
In North Downs, hey down, hey down
They were as black as black might be
In the downs
Then one of them said to his mates
Where shall we our breakfast take?
In the downs, derry, derry, derry North Downs
There is more, but I shan’t bore you with my songcraft in the midst of a long overdue report! Many used the song to feature their dancing prowess, organized beautifully by our lady of the harp.
Old Winyards played “On Your Shore” and “The Greek Song” from a faraway land I have not yet seen. Harperella arranged some amazing line dances to the music as well.
After Old Winyards, Helmden Thornfrost of The Mithril Path played another dancing song. Indeed, the audience was not done with dancing. It was very lively. The hobbits of Woodhall hung out of their windows and gathered around to help us with the dancing. Those of us learned in dance lore obliged our hosts with a hobbit dance. The lad and lass parked on the stage were even seen tapping their feet to this song.
I was grateful that Ghingeriel of the Hobbiton Philharmonic stepped up to play something more serene on her harp at that moment. I was feeling a bit out of breath! As is always the case, Ghingeriel’s piece was a mix of the haunting and the beautiful, and many were stunned by her talents.
Harperella then stood to make announcements. Mostly, she focused on the upcoming Weatherstock Concert. She announced the bands coming: Eriador Music Society, Green Hill Music Society, Mar Vanwa Tielieva, the Hobbiton Philharmonic, Symphonica from Crickhollow and The Shades from Laurelin. She announced that mentoring at Ales and Tales would focus on visitors from other lands until after Woodstock. Many eager for more music lore were disappointed, but they all understood.
Adrië of The Mithril Path took the stage to sing a haunting song about how quickly children grow and go on their ways, “Sunrise, Sunset.” As I sit at my desk recalling the concert, I think of the time that so quickly passed between the event and this scribing of it, and I understand the song even better now. I did notice also some surreptitious glances from hobbit lad to hobbit lass on stage. At the time, I pondered the look. In the months since, those two have announced their betrothal and upcoming marriage! The tale is that he sang bits of Adrië’s song to her as a proposal.
The hour grew late and many looked ready to leave the fair town of Woodhall in search of home and beds. I still had a rather long ride to Bree awaiting me and thought of taking lodgings at the Golden Perch instead of trying to go so far. I waited a little as Fillarion Eldiwyn of the Lonely Mountain Band had a parting song for us all. He called it “The Safety Dance,” and played it joyfully on his bagpipes while spinning in circles. We danced and laughed at his merry antics.
Fillarion’s song energized me, but I could feel the fatigue would not abate without proper rest. I decided that the Golden Perch would serve me for that night. I bid my farewells to friends from near and far and rode off into the sunrise. I just hoped that Gunderic Grubb would not lecture me for straggling in at such an hour!
