[Child of the 7th Age]

Bingo was so pleased to see another hobbit that he dropped the cudgel he was clutching and submitted meekly to the hug. Still, he briefly snapped back at Sassy, "Watch what you're doing next time. That's me you're clubbin', not some ruddy bear."

He massaged the spot on his knee where Sassy's club had connected and then accepted her extended hand as she helped to pull him up. He hobbled around the thicket in circles and made sure his knee was still working. It felt stiff and sore but seemed to have no touble bearing his weight so he thought he might survive.

They finally sat on the ground under the bush and Sassy showed him how to burrow down under the leaves. Bingo had pretty much forgotten that Sassy was a girl. Their leaf burrow was at least warm and out of sight of other predators. He had already learned from Sassy that she had not seen Reggie or any of the other lads from the raft. Bingo decided that he'd best wait till morning to continue looking for his brother. He'd get some rest and awake at the first light of dawn to resume his search.

Just before drifting off to sleep, he whispered over to Sassy, "Some of the lads might ask about my knee. Maybe that should be our secret. Maybe we should tell 'em we were attacked by a big furry thing, and you and me chased him away with sticks." With that Bingo rolled over and fell asleep....