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Thornden agreed with Falco with a nod of his head. “Sometime, you will have to tell me how you found your Shire, and what has brought you back again so soon. The tale will have to wait, however. Soon lord Athanar will be here and there will be other matters to attend to and other words to hear. And, besides that, there are others who want to meet you.” He indicated the men standing about with a nod and a grin, and then stood up.
He walked away, and as he passed through the soldiers clumped near, but not too near the hobbit, he clapped Hilderinc on the shoulder. “Go and see him now, there’s no formation to keep.” He smiled, containing his mirth at the general hanging back, and went on.
He wanted to Harreld now, before the events of the evening was set into motion. Athanar had mentioned a sort of celebration to take place that night, and the would likely mean there would be no quiet time to talk once the speaking and songs began. But Harreld was nowhere in sight. He walked about the hall for several minutes looking here and there for Harreld. Several times he saw Ginna serving the men, but he did not approach her.
Thornden soon figured Harreld must still be in his smithy. If Ginna’s father had written to forbid the marriage, it would not be surprising for Harreld to be withdrawn and seek solace in his place of work. Thornden immediately went out, shivering against the cold, and hurried through the deepening night to the smithy.
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