[Groin Redbeard]

After Groin had walked for awhile he decided to take a rest beside an old tree stump. He breathed a sigh of content; it was a lovely country he was walking through. Perhaps one day he would settle down here in his old age, but for know he had too many places to go and adventures to be had. He leaned back and closed his eyes, making himself comfortable for a midday nap.

His moment of peace was soon interrupted by group of children running up from behind him. Surprised Groin tried to jump to his feet, but his jump was more of a roll. He tumbled down landing on his back; the children stopped running and laughing and stared down at the dwarf in amazement.

Groin slowly rose to his feet, and walked over to the small children. The youngest was clutching a rag doll and looked as if she was going to burst into tears any second.
"Now, now there. I'm not going to harm’ya." Groin said, kneeling down to the hobbit's level.
"You just startled me that's all." Groin smiled trying to look friendlier. One of the five hobbit children stepped forward timidly.
"We're sorry to have bothered you mister dwarf." he said rather nervously.

Groin stood and moved over to the stump to sit down.
"No bother at all. What be your names?"
"My name is Seredic, sir, and these are my brother's and sister's: Fred, Maple, Dorlind, and Daisy Boffin." Groin whistled in amazement.
"Five siblings, and my mom and dad thought one child was a handful." Groin chuckled to himself.

"Hello." Groin looked down at the small hobbit girl, who was tugging at his pants.

"Well hello there," Groin reached down and picked up the girl, placing her on his knee.

"And what is your name little one?"

"Maple Boffin." she said, blushing a little.

"Well hello Maple. My name's Groin Redbeard, and what might you be doing on a fine day such as this?"

"Picking daisies for momma’s windowsill."

"Now is that so," Groin said, making it sound as if she said something magnificent.

"I'm glad you youngsters came along," Groin stood up placed the girl down, while beginning to dig into his pouch. "You see I've been traveling around these here parts for a long time, and my pack is getting too heavy for me to carry. And I was wondering if you kids could take some of the weight of my back." Groin extracted his hand from his pouch revealing a handful of sweets.
"I'd be mighty obliged if you'd take these off my hands." Groin said stepping closer, offering it to them.

The kids shyly reached out and grabbed three, or so, each.
"Thank you mister!" said Seredic who was smiling from ear to ear.
"Not at all youngster, now don't let me keep you from your daisy hunting, go on now." and with that Groin shooed them off smiling and laughing to himself all the while.

After the hobbits had left, Groin settled down again. He leaned back against the stump and closed his eyes once again, and drifted to sleep.