Tobias wandered aimlessly throughout the inn, still trying to avoid the gaze of the innkeeper. He knew he’d probably paid enough for the room, but he didn’t want to risk speaking to her again before he’d had his fill. He decided that rather than ordering food and drink, he might “borrow” some, very tactfully. He soon spotted a perfect target; a table with much more food than the four hobbits who sat at it could eat.
He walked over as calmly as he could and addressed the young hobbit girl instead of the man who’d obviously ordered the meal. He hoped for more lenience from her. He hadn't been in this part of the Shire in ages, and didn't recognize the hobbit maiden and the others around her at the table.
“Excuse me, madam,” he said politely, with a false charm on his aged face, “I was just wandering by and noticed the succulent feast you have here. Though I do not doubt your hunger, I suspect you may not be able to finish such a gargantuan meal. I would willingly finish off whatever is left and grace you with a satchel of my finest pipe-weed as payment for the gift.” His right hand moved to one of the pouches of Longbottom Leaf on his belt.
He waited for the response of someone at the table, his stomach making a visible growling sound. His fingers began moving towards the mutton legs. He tried in vain to avoid drooling over the feast.
<font size=1 color=339966>[ 8:31 PM January 28, 2004: Message edited by: Kransha ]
__________________
"What mortal feels not awe/Nor trembles at our name,
Hearing our fate-appointed power sublime/Fixed by the eternal law.
For old our office, and our fame,"
-Aeschylus, Song of the Furies
|