[piosenniel]

Bullroarer greeted the Rangers warmly. Any help the hobbits could get would be good in his thoughts. It was time for a meal, and the companions all walked back to where they had left the wagon. Bullroarer broke out the spirits once again, and the Hobbits and the Men toasted to smoother traveling from now on.

The Rangers stayed for the meal, thanking the cooks graciously for making it so delicious. Then they took their leave of the group, saying they would scout the well away from the companions, looking for any signs of danger. They urged Bullroarer to get the Hobbits moving soon after the meal was done. Then, pulling their grey hoods over their heads, they disappeared into the surrounding woods like fading shadows.

The Took called the companions together after the meal. Four of them were to clean up and pack the cooking and eating utensils back into the wagon. He and Olo and Tomba were going to the Troll cave to pick up any treasure that was hidden there. They would not be gone long.

They approached the entrance to the cave warily. They knew the Trolls had been disposed of, but still the cave felt dank and dark and somehow still evil. Tomba led them to where he had spied a heap of objects the Trolls had taken from their victims. There were a few finely worked pieces of jewelry, Elven craftsmanship, and these they picked up and brought back to be stored in the box for Rivendell. The rest they brought out of the cave and scattered in the sunlight, as if the golden rays might cleanse the foul touches of the Trolls from them. ‘Let the birds and the beasts have them. And whoever else might travel along this way.’ Said Bullroarer as they returned to the waiting Hobbits.

The wagon was packed, the ponies hitched to it. They headed out east once again along the path. In two days time they would be in Rivendell