[Nurumaiel]

Primrose saw with relief that Annabell had once again joined the group. Counting everyone quickly in her head, she saw that everyone was present. She looked at the muddy road and gave a little groan, thinking of her home, with a warm fire and some of Mum's hot tea. Prim only hoped it wouldn't rain again.

"Have you all finished shopping?" she asked loudly, trying to get the group to pay attention to her. She somehow wished Olo or Biffo had been in charge of the group, rather than her.

Everyone turned to look at her, and they all nodded.

"All right. Things will be more difficult because we've got two extra companions, children at that - " Prim gave Sam and Elanor a piercing look " - but I think we'll get by. We need more things that can't be bought here in Waymoot, so we're heading to Michel Delving next, and we're setting out right NOW."

There was a wild scramble to mount ponies, finish loading the wagon, and prepare to go, and Prim smiled with amusement and satisfaction. The way everyone obeyed her immediately gave her more confidence in her ability as leader. Turning to the two runaways, she smiled kindly at them for the first time. They had been feeling miserable and guilty together while the older hobbits spoke, but Prim's warm smile made them feel much better. She wasn't angry with them any more!

She led their extra pony forward and helped the two children mount. "Stay close to us and do not wander off," she ordered, putting great stress on each word. She got onto the wagon and Melilot climbed up next to her. Slapping the reins on her pony's back, they set out once more, to Michel Delving.