[littlemanpoet]

In the morning, Lira's body was gone. It was Anson who discovered it. He raised the alarm and soon a crowd was mingling and mulling around the pavilion.

Uien came and told them that Eswen and Lumiel had taken Lira away in the night, and were bringing her body to the home of her folk in Eryn Lasgalen. It was a matter for the Elves now.

Some of the people grumbled, but Anson and Gorby and those who knew Lira best seemed to take it best, so the rest of them subsided.

Thoronmir approached Falowik accompanied by a crusty man who identified himself as Margeled, chief builder for King Elessar. It seemed that they did not wish to return to Bree, but were determined to stay and carry out their original duties as expressed by the King. They would stay and clear the ruins of Annuminas and Fornost, and lay plans to build new abodes in both places for the King. The fields were ripe with grain, and since the King had sent four different contingents of builders, and since Herugor had employed them in farming for the last four years, they decided that they could split duties amongst themselves between building and farming, and make up for lost time, and so have Annuminas ready for the King when he came. And Thoronmir and the Rangers would protect them

Eodwine offered to report to King Eomer and King Elessar for them. So that matter was decided, and the only people who were going to return to Bree would be Falowik, Uien, Eodwine, Finëwen, Gorby, Anson, and Falco.

The seven left the settlement just before noon.

Three days later, as the sun was setting, the seven remaining members gave their horses to the care of Nob at The Prancing Pony. As they entered the Great Room, many eyes turned toward them in curiosity. Doderic rose from his seat, counting their number. His face fell at their diminished number, for he assumed the worst, even as he was relieved to see Gorby and Anson safely returned. Falco quickly set Doderic straight on the reason for their shrunken numbers.

Barliman Butterbur came out, having his ear to the ground, as they say, concerning the goings on in his Great Room, had to hear the entire story as related by Falowik, with additions by Gorby and Anson, and by Falco, who to Doderic's surprise, was quite humble about his own accomplishments. But Falowik made sure that all there knew what Falco had done to save them all, time and again. Then the Hall became silent as Eodwine related his own time and the final night of his imprisonment in the clutches of Herugor. When his tale was finished, the Hall erupted in cheers, and Barliman, against his better judgment, gave one round to all on the house. Word spread out into the street, and in minutes the Great Hall was filled twice as full as it had been, and old Butterbur swore never again.

In the following morning, the seven companions left Bree and road at an easy pace to the Stonebow Inn, where they arrived while the sun was still yet in the mid afternoon sky. There was a reunion to remember.

Here ends the tale of the Hills of Evendim. This epilogue may expand over the next week or so, but only to account for the opinions of certain Hobbit gentlefolk and assorted Big People. If you would learn more regarding the doings of Falowik and Uien, of Eodwine and Finëwen, of Falco Boffin, and Gorby Brandybuck, and of Anson, you will have to look to The Green Dragon Inn, which by the magic of certain Maiar known as Moderators, is somehow, one and the same as the Stonebow.

And from here, the road goes ever on and on.