[*Varda*]

The sunlight streamed into the barrow where Olo lay, blinding him momentarily. Jumping with shock, he saw the Barrow Wight recoil, wailing, then realised that he could, indeed, move. He was free! Rolling off the large stone, he stumbled towards the door, out into the bright sunshine. There he saw his friends sitting on the damp grass, half in shock, and half in sheer relief from being free. Next thing he knew, Tom was bounding all over them, licking them and barking with joy.

Olo raised his eyes up to see the man who had saved them standing above them. He looked a rather shady character – scars across his face, and messy. Olo was wary to trust him, particularly after their last encounter with the Big Folk – how had that turned out? They were left abandoned, and nearly met death at the hands of a Barrow Wight. He stared into the eyes of this man, looking for signs of sincerity and honesty, when Ben asked “And you, sir – who might you be?”

The hobbits sat in silence as they waited for a response, their eyes fearfully moving from the scars across the man’s face to the bow and arrows he carried on his back. Some of them were more trusting than others, but despite having been rescued by this man, Olo was doubtful.

“My name? Erendal Hathali,” the man answered. “I am a ranger of this area. Tell me, what are 8 young hobbits doing so far from the Shire?”

“We were caught in a storm on the Brandywine, and our boat was lost,” Ben jumped in eagerly, seeming willing enough to talk to this stranger. “We’re trying to find our way back home.”

“An unfortunate situation that is, to be sure,” Erendal replied. “It’s a long journey to make, especially since you seem to have no proper supplies.”

“Um, could you help us find our way home?” Olo spoke grudgingly, unwilling to ask for further help. The young hobbit only spoke as he felt it was his duty to get the others safely home, and this ranger seemed to know his way around. Silently, the hobbits awaited a response.