Sidenote before our tale begins: In thinking about potential tales for telling at future Ales and Tales, I’ve pondered the feasibility of adapting the stories I know best, as a Latin teacher–Mythology. The problem is retelling any such stories to fit the lore of Middle-earth, and the high rate of metamorphosis in your average Greco-Roman myth is just not consistent with your average Hobbit or Elf. But then it did occur to me, after recently rereading the Silmarillion, that Elwing and Earendil? Totally Ceyx and Alcyone. I shall ever after envision Elwing as a Kingfisher now. And now I’m just trying to recall if this is the only such literal metamorphosis in Tolkien lore, or…anyone think of another?
Another sidenote (fear not, the tale begins soon!) – go read Whart’s blog about Falathlorn Day! No matter what server you’re on, if you or your kin live in a Falathlorn neighbourhood, sign up for the Tour of Homes or plan a block party in your neighbourhood that day. If you don’t have a Falathlorn home, or even if you do, come out and visit everyone on the Tour! Linett will be opening her home in the Ecthelhad neighbourhood sometime that afternoon, and Vanita will be baking yummy treats for the visitors to sample as they have a look around the house.
And now, Ales and Tales!
The Golden Perch in the Shire town of Stock maintains a festive atmosphere year round, with minstrels in its gazebo entertaining a pair of Hobbit lasses dancing tirelessly (and chattily. Just note how many of my pictures in the album feature the phrases “Whoop!” or “Hooray, the musicians!” or “Come and dance with us!” We did come and dance with them, but they did not stop saying it) under the red and orange streamers. Nevertheless, rarely does the Golden Perch see such a crowd as was gathered in its courtyard last night for another Ales and Tales!
But I will rather tell Merric and Goldenstar of 
