[piosenniel]

Bullroarer was up when the moon still stood two fingers widths above the western horizon. He passed out of the sleeping quarters and made his way to where the sleighs and wagon stood, ready to bear the Hobbits west when the sun rose. The elves had already stacked the food in crates on the sleighs and wagon. And in a small chest beneath the wagon’s seat, Arwen had placed packets of seeds for vegetables, grains, and herbs to nourish the Hobbits’ bodies and seeds for flowers to feed their fëas.

Carl had risen from his seat beneath the tree as Bullroarer passed, and he and the Took went round the wagon checking that all was secure one last time. Then the two of them went through the sleeping quarters and knocked on all the doors. ‘Up, Hobbits!’ they called in loud voices. ‘The sun is soon risen. Up! We are going home!’ sleepy eyed Hobbits threw on their clothes and came out rubbing their eyes in the now pale dawn. ‘Come,’ said Bullroarer, ‘the Elves have prepared us a breakfast. Let us eat and then be off.’

Elrond and Arwen and a host of Elves were there to bid them farewell. Bullroarer drove the wagon, and the sleighs were handled by five Elves given the task by Elrond. They were to deliver the Hobbits and the food to the Shire and then return quickly.

Soon the Hobbits were all bundled into the sleighs, amid the stacked cartons, or on top of them. The Elves called to their horses and the sleighs moved out at a smooth pace. Encouraged by their larger brethren, the Shire ponies neighed and tossed their manes and kept up the pace with them.

The trip home proved quicker than the journey east. The Hobbits were in a jolly mood and pointed out places where their adventure had taken a turn for the better or for the worse. In silence, though, they did pass the place where the Wargs had beset them and poor Celandine had been lost. Some averted their eyes all together and would not look at that awful place. And then in silence again did they pass the place where Emerald had been killed in the attack by the wild dogs. It was sobering that just a few short weeks ago they had started out as fourteen and now were twelve.

Spirits were high on the last day, though, as they passed the Bywater Pool and came soon within sight of The Green Dragon. It was early in the morning and few were about in the Inn’s yard as the sleighs and wagon went past and turned north to the Took family mansion.

Smoke was coming from the chimney and a yellow light shone from the windows as the merry blaze in the fireplace sent out its warmth and light. Breakfast was ready, they could tell by the smells, almost as if they were expected. The Missus bustled to the door and threw it open even before bullroarer could lay hand to knob. She waved them all in, holding tight to his hand, and settled them comfortably inside by the fire, as her daughters brought out great platters of food and pitchers of hot tea to set on the tables set round the room.

Bullroarer watched the Hobbits eat and drink and laugh with each other, returning so easily to their natural way. His little granddaughter toddled out from behind her mother’s skirts and climbed up on his lap, looking at him with her big brown eyes and a winsome grin on her face. He put her on his knee and gave her a pony ride. She giggled gleefully and asked for more. He obliged, and smiled up at the Missus.

He drew a contented breath and looked round the room once more. ‘Well, we’re back,’ he said.