[Envinyatar]

Derufin’s eyes often strayed to the main road as he walked along the cottage roof, checking for any remaining loose shingles. Zimzi said she would be coming in today to help with the final preparations. And most of all to greet her parents. A shower of pebbles rattled off the roof, drawing his attention downward to the two Hobbits peering up at him.

‘F’you’re done . . . uh . . . gawking up there,’ came Tomlin’s voice, a grin plastered on his face, ‘then you might want to come help us finish the last of the inside work.’ Derufin could hear Gil, standing in Tomlin’s shadow, trying to stifle a snicker.

‘Hang on a bit, you two!’ Derufin laughed, sliding down the slope toward them. Crouching down at the roof’s edge, he peered down at the two. ‘Give a poor besotted man a small measure of grace,’ he pleaded, hand over his heart, in an exaggerated manner. Tomlin and Gil looked at each other, sighing back in just as dramatic a way. ‘Come down now,’ Gil called up to him, hands on his hips for emphasis. ‘We heard what you said to Andwise at breakfast . . . Mistress Zimzi has spoken – no finished up cottage, no handfasting.’ Derufin put up his hands in mock surrender and clambered off the roof. As he did so he caught the movement of a familiar little cart and pony nearing the turn in to the Inn. He lost his footing trying to get a better look and fell to the ground with a whump.

Gil and Tomlin slapped the dust from the fall off themselves as they watched the chagrined man stand up. They shook their hands and laughed as Derufin clapped his hand to the small of his back and limped into the cottage. ‘Come on,’ he said to the two Hobbits. ‘I’m down now . . . let’s get started.’ From the front porch he heard Andwise chuckling as he applied the final sanding and polishing to the new front door.

‘I am beset by unsympathetic Halflings . . . and here on the eve of my most joyful day.’ This statement was met with loud howls of laughter and the offering of a hammer and a handful of finishing nails as a peace offering. Andwise peeked in the door as Derufin knelt down to finish securing some of the moulding. ‘Perhaps Cook will send her over with the midday meal . . .’ he offered.

Ferdy stopped his painting in mid swipe and smiled toward Derufin. ‘And perhaps my Ginger will come with her . . .’