[Huan]

Anyopâ could not help but hear Benat’s voice as he chided the Hobbits for making fun of another Hobbit, a Mister Bilbo Baggins he learned, and his stories of adventure in the world beyond the Shire. The talk had grown a little quieter at that table when Benat sat down. Anyopâ, wanting to hear more of this Hobbit and his journey, excused himself from the present company to take a chair at an adjoining table.

Ah! Now this is very interesting . . . he thought sitting down as quietly as he could. Benat’s declaration came clearly across the space between the tables. His Grandfather had come to the battle as a bear! Now what could that mean? Was Benat from a tribe of wildish men who hunted the great bears and wore their skins into battle? From the looks on the Hobbits’ faces he could not tell whether they believed the man or thought him an outrageous liar.

Waiting until the one who had choked on his ale had gotten himself back together a bit, Anyopâ cleared his throat, and catching the eye of those at the table drew his chair a little nearer. ‘Begging your pardon Benat, but I’m very interested in this story of your Granda and the battle.’ He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. ‘And begging your pardon once again and hoping you won’t find my question to bold. But about the “came as a bear” statement . . . what exactly did you mean by that?’

Maddy and Minto and the other Hobbits at the table looked squarely at Benat. ‘Sound place to start,’ said Maddy, as the others nodded their heads. ‘What about this “bear”?’