[piosenniel]

Bullroarer opened the door from the back room and led his two companions out to the Common Room. The noise of the Inn dropped several levels as faces turned to see who emerged from the shadows. Autumn and the other Hobbits who had been searching for them came running up, their questions tumbling over one another’s, helter skelter.

The Took raised his hand for silence, and guided them all back to a more private corner of the room. Once seated, he spoke quietly to them of what they had found on their misadventure and of the new addition to their group. ‘A Ranger! I’ve heard of them.’ said Carl. All eyes turned to him. ‘Met some once, too. In the Old Forest. Quiet sorts, good hunters.’ He took a long pull at his pint, wondering what had prompted him to say so much.

‘Well, where is this Ranger?’ asked Gaddy? Lotho leaned forward, a frown on is face. ‘Why would one of the Big Folk want to come with us, I wonder? What’s the profit in that for him?’

‘Here I am.’ came the low voice of the figure who now stood near their table, cape drawn tightly about him, hood up and concealing his face. The Hobbits turned as one to the unexpected sound. ‘Hah!’ cried one of them, taking in the small figure. ‘It’s a child who wants to go with us!’ she asked incredulously. ‘Not a child,’ said Daisy. ‘Look at his feet.’

Olo threw back his hood, approaching closer to the companions. ‘Yes, I’m a Hobbit, not a Man-child.’ He turned to Lotho, answering his question. ‘No profit for me, sir, in going with you. Save for the satisfaction that you will be seen as safely as I may to Rivendell.’