[Child of the 7th Age]

After Olo had finished his conversation with Bullroarer, he beckoned to Branda to join him before he retired.

"Come with me. I haven't got much, but there are a few things that might help."

Olo disappeared back into the storage cupboard behind the bar, and with Volondil's aid, began scavenging through a pile of older weapons and tools. Most of them were designed for Men, and not something that a hobbit would feel comfortable carrying. Branda stood at the doorway, reluctant to barge into their private room without an explicit invitation.

"Come on," Olo gestured with his hand for Branda to come inside. He was holding out two sturdy leather shields that were sized for a hobbit. Both were old and battle worn but looked as if they could still stand up to considerable abuse. "For close in fighting, you and Tomba have only the short blades, plus the harpoon you carry. You need more defense than that. Take the shields for yourself. And these few other things as well. Give them to Bullroarer to whoever needs them the worst." Branda could see some arrows as well as a heavy crowbar, though still hobbit sized, whose blunt end had been honed to a fierce point.

"Thank you," the hobbit responded as he took the shields and other items. "But, Olo, aren't you coming to the room with the other hobbits. I know there'll be a bed waiting for you."

Olo laughed, "I'll definitely take up your offer tomorrow night at the Foresaken Inn. But as I'll be separated from my comrade Volondil for some time, I prefer to stay here this evening. But please, give a knock at the first hint of the dawn and be sure that I am up. He and I have had a long, weary week and little time to rest."

Branda nodded his head, struck by the idea that a hobbit would prefer the companionship of one of the big folk, even if only for a single night. He dropped the arrows and crowbar off with Bullroarer, and crawled off to his own bed. The boy was already deep in dreams. Branda slid his hand through Tomba's curls with some afection and sighed when he remembered their grim discussion about the wargs. He thought of his own wife and little girl waiting behind in the Shire, and quickly drifted into sleep.