[Arry]

Andwise put down his mug and stood up as Ferdy called out to him. ‘Son!’ he said smiling as he walked over to see what the lad needed. ‘I thought you were working on those little projects Cook had lined up.’ The smile faded from his face. ‘What’s the problem, son?’

Ferdy was about to answer when Cook came wheezing up the little path toward them. She’d hiked her skirts up to free her legs for moving fast and the dust was flying from each stride. ‘Whoa up there, Ferdy Banks,’ she gasped, her hand on her heaving chest. Andwise walked toward her and put his hand on her elbow, guiding her over to the patch of shade beneath the tree. Jinniver offered the woman a mug of cold cider as Derufin made room for her on the blanket they’d spread out on the ground. Tomlin, Ferrin, Fallon, and Gil, sitting a ways away, looked on in interest wondering what had gone on to put Cook in such a state.

‘Now Miz Banks,’ said Andwise once he’d seen her set down the mug and push back the untidy hair that had fallen about her face. She held up her hand, looking as if she wanted to speak first. An odd series of wheezy sounds, though, burbled out from Cook’s lips. Her shoulders heaved, and she shook her head.

‘Are you alright?’ Derufin asked, crouching alongside the Hobbit, his hand on her shoulder . . .