Something smells fishy... it's master Ponso!

Post date: Sep 04, 2015 1:21:34 PM

--By Ruddi Scalebeard--

Bog smells and a chorus of toads welcomed all for the first day of the Needlehole festivities of the Harnkegger Games, where we would soon witness a story and poetry competition. In fact in the history of the Harnkegger Games this event was a first, and highly anticipated by many, in particular the hobbits. As you may know hobbits have a passion for storytelling and poetry, rivalled perhaps only by the elves. It was a rare sight to see hobbits, men, dwarves and elves on the Needlehole knoll sharing their best poetical material with the world. Well, perhaps “poetical material” is not the best word as we heard various literary styles pass our ears. Like the comical stylings of master Gildoin, who had the crowd rolling over the trampled durt of the market and whiping tears of laughter from their eyes.After hearing all fifteen entries the judges however picked an all-hobbit medal-podium. Hollyberye and Kikilaa winning another Harnkegger medal with their silver and bronze places respectively. The winners of the night were duo Aubrietia and Volko, who wowed both judges and crowd by their stellar performance.

Once the medals were handed out for the Song and Poetry Contest the crowd began to swell at the Needlehole riverbanks, as it was time for the annual Harnkegger Fishing Competition. Host of the event was master Ponso of the Shire Angling Club, who, together with aid from master Kandral Strongbeard of Durin’s Folk ensured the fishing event happened according to the rules of the sport. Fifteen minutes long the competitors fished at a pace that would shame any seasoned fisherman. In total over a thousand fish were caught by all competitors combined.

Filibert Bolger, local farmer and part-time fisherman later commented while patting his belly and licking his lips:

“the river has been teeming with fish this past month, so it’s a blessing to see so many caught. Besides the Shire Angling Club donates the largest share to us Needlehole folk”. The tough job wasn’t the fishing though, it was counting all the fish, a job master Kandral wisely left to master Ponso.

After several minutes of counting hundreds of fish master Ponso came to bring the news of the medal winners. To his initial surprise most took a large step back at his arrival in their midst, bringing the music to a sudden halt. “Ah, here is master Ponso with the results! Poor lad will stink of fish for months to come!”, chuckled Kandral. The dwarves Alhvar and Gunthalin got rewarded the bronze and silver medal respectively, while Miss Seggra, a hobbit lass got the gold. As such Miss Seggra can add her name to the list of hobbit-winners of the Harnkegger Fishing Competition, an event exclusively won by hobbits since it was added to the games. The night ended with celebrations a spot of fireworks and in fine hobbit tradition plenty of eating and drinking.