|
Snaveling accepted the parchment from Toby and, to prove to the elderly hobbit how trustworthy he’d been with the purse, withdrew that from his tunic and hefted it in his hand. “Very well my friend,” he began. “I shall do as you bid. But you are not the only one with a surprise in store this night – perhaps you shall see something surprising yourself before the evening is through.” Toby looked at the Man quizzically through his drink-soaked eyes but Snaveling said no more. He could already see himself resplendent in his new clothes and showing all the world the new man he had become.
He took one more careful sip from his glass before standing, albeit a little unsteadily. His emotional confrontation with the Innkeeper earlier had gone a long way to clearing his head, but the advancing night and the extra snifter (or had it been two?) of brandy had undone some of the good. He moved through the crowd, this time not avoiding the table where Roa and Galadel sat chatting amicably. As he passed them by he nodded courteously to Galadel’s friendly words of hello, and did not feel the sting of Roa’s look too deeply, for she was about to see a Man she’d not before. He just hoped that she would have a good view of what was about to happen with Aman, for he did not want to be forced to tell her of it later – that would seem too much like bragging.
He saw Aman moving about the Inn tending to the requests of a number of vociferous hobbit lasses who were exchanging songs. Their music had a happy feel and it made Snaveling think of home, and drew his mind thence to the golden image of his hunting lodge, so recently returned to him. He allowed himself the luxury of a moment behind his eyelids, wandering the halls of his lodge, wearing the new suit of clothes that he would buy this night.
When Aman next came close to him (this time, without a tray laden with food and drink) he touched her lightly on the shoulder and bowed deeply to her before speaking. “Mistress Aman,” he began, in as courtly a manner as he could, “I have been requested by my good friend, the inestimable hobbit Tobias Hornblower to present you with a small token of his appreciation for what you have done for us all in overseeing the restoration of the Green Dragon Inn!” He raised his voice somewhat at this, catching the attention of many who stood and sat nearby. They could tell that something Official was about to happen, and waited with breathless anticipation to see if it would entail more food and drink. “I would that I could match his gift with one of my own, but – alas! – I am but a poor Man with little but the clothes on his back.” A sudden thrill of panic moved through Snaveling as he said this: how was he going to explain the new suit of clothes? Worry about that later he told himself through the brandy. “Here is a small purse in which, I believe, he has handed over to the Inn a nice little sum. And here” he said, suddenly remembering, “is a letter that he wishes to accompany it!”
He handed both to Aman, who stood there rather overtaken by Snaveling’s manner.
|