[Fordim Hedgethistle]

It was a hard hour that Snaveling passed in the sullen and silent company of Valthalion while he awaited Roa’s answer. He suspected that the Dunedain Woman had left him in the company of this youth intentionally, so that he could keep an eye on Snaveling should Roa decide that she did not want to wait for her King’s justice, and meet out some of her own. Toby, as usual, attempted to keep up his spirits with light conversation, but it was of little use. Even Galadel’s presence, normally such a comfort, was unable to alleviate all of Snaveling’s misgivings. He stared down at the table top and tried to bring his thoughts into some kind of order.

He remembered back over the weeks that he had spent at the Inn and all that had transpired in that time. He could hardly believe that he was not on the Road, seeking his own path. Roa had released him from her bond, and he had not left. He shook his head in bewilderment at himself. He turned to Toby, who had fallen into a deep and brooding silence at his side. “Am I the biggest fool you have ever known?” He saw the searching look in Toby’s eye, so explained. “I came here with no plan other than to take a bit of rest before looking about me for some way to work some mischief to my advantage. Nothing horrific or grand…just some little scheme or thieving so I could make a bit of coin. But then I met Roa, and Val, and My Lady Galadel – and you, you old rascal! – and now here I am, having been freed from my bondage, willingly offering myself up for her pleasure!”

Toby thought for a moment and then replied, “It is, indeed, a surprising turn of events.”

Snaveling laughed lightly. “It is indeed, my friend. It is indeed.” He paused, and his face became grave once more. “Can you imagine me standing before the Throne of Gondor, asking for justice from that King of Roa’s? My very blood runs cold at the idea of having to face that Man. From what I’ve heard of him, he is not a Man to be taken slightly – nor is he overly gentle with those whom he considers his enemies.”

Toby put his pipe in his mouth and adopted what Snaveling had come to know as the gentlehobbit’s ‘philosophical air’. After one or two contemplative puffs he spoke. “Now, you know my opinion of most folk from beyond the Shire – present company excluded of course! – but this King Elessar, from what I’ve heard tell, is as decent a Man as you can find. I’ve heard it direct from those who should know that he is fair and rather sensible (for a Man). And he spent a good part of his life in this part of the world, so there’s some hope that he has a bit more hobbit sense than most Men. I think, Snaveling,” he said, as though concluding a speech to a miscreant hobbit lad, “that you can expect fair treatment from the King.”

Snaveling hung his head. It’s fair treatment that I fear; for what is fair after what I have done, other than my own death? He looked up to see Roa before him, and he could tell that her fury was unabated, but under her control. Galadel stood just behind her, and the Elf gave Snaveling a comforting smile. Snaveling tried to return it, but only a pained grimace contorted his features. Roa straightened her shoulders and delivered the speech that she had clearly prepared for him. Snaveling wondered if she were even aware that her hand rested on the pommel of her sword throughout it…

When she was through, she sat and began to silently attack her meal. Snaveling did not know what to say, and twice tried to speak. But even as he struggled to say something, a sudden vision arose before his eyes. It was not as it had been in the past, an image in his mind that he could see but with his fancy, but like a physical place in the waking world he saw before him a hunting lodge in a secluded valley, rich with game. It had five rooms, and a patio out back perfect for smoking his pipe of an evening and watching the sunset. And there was a woman there, and she came out of the house…Snaveling’s heart skipped a beat, and he gasped aloud. He struggled to his feet and, mumbling an excuse he rushed out the door of the Inn to the clear sunshine. He leaned against the side of the Inn and let himself remember his hunting lodge.

It was back, more glorious and pure for having been taken from him. He knew then, and understood, why it had been taken from him, and how, and he felt tears on his face. Galadel was at his side, and she was smiling at him, and she put her hand on his shoulder. “I am glad that you have found what you lost, Snaveling.” Snaveling could only nod and gulp down the lump that was forming at the back of his throat. He saw Galadel’s eyes narrow as she took in the fact that he was fighting back more than joy.

He let his mind go back to the patio of his lodge, and to the woman who came out of it to join him in the sunlight. She was tall and fair, and her hair stirred in the wind like flames. She faced him and smiled. It was Roa.