Fredegar Bolger was the youngest dancer in the company. The young noblemen who can to the opera called the ballet corps the 'petite rats', but none of the dancers really cared. It was better than being a whore or a factory worker, after all.

Lobelia was the prima-donna, and nobody ever fitted that title quite like she did.

The company was hard-working and reknowned, drawing in audiences from all the Shire. It was owned by two young businessmen with no music in their souls whatsoever, Mr Peregrin and Mr Meriadoc, but what they lacked in art they made up for in savvy, and the opera house thrived.

There were stories, of course. About a ghost haunting the shadows behind the stage, strange goings-on that none could explain. Whenever Fredegar mentioned these, though, his friend Sam would laugh and shake his head.

"Don't be daft, Fatty. There's no such thing."

~

Pretty Good Year | email Mary