[Roa_Aoife]

As Otho reported the message from Snaveling, Roa sighed a sigh. She did not like to have charge over others; she new what power did to people. Many of her kin were reluctant in that respect. The Fall of Numenor tainted even the Faithful. In taking charge of Snaveling, she sought to help him and keep him from trouble. For the most part he had been a begrudging participant, but Roa had known his patience would not last. Well, I will let him have his breakfast and his smoke, she smiled to herself.

As for escaping the labor, she would have a look at his condition first. Roa chuckled at his order to pick up the rocks herself. Truth be told, she had done as much work as he- infact she never allowed him to exceed her. A leader should not have his people do what he will not, her King had said once when she had questioned his assistance with the daily tasks. She took all the words of her teachers to heart.

She spotted Snaveling eating breakfast with Toby. That hobbit could be most cunning at avoiding labor. Roa had found his antics amusing, and occasionally, so had Snaveling. Critically, she appraised the man from the South. He did not look well at all. Perhaps he would do no labor today, after all. As she neared, she heard Toby ask, "“What is a man such as yourself doing here in the Shire?" Roa slowed her pace and then stopped, unnoticed by the two. Yes Snaveling, what is your business here?" Roa wondered if he would answer.