The Green Dragon Inn #11 - The Last Chapter

[Amanaduial the archer]

Hearing the familiar name, Aman stopped dead and spun around in astonishment. Her eyes widened as she saw it was Snaveling who had announced the name, and that he was indeed right - the man's old partner in crime, simultaneously one of the Inn's benefactors, was indeed sitting once more in the Inn. Aman's face broke into a grin and she clapped her hands delightedly. "Toby! Toby Hornblower, welcome back!"

Toby winced as the Innkeeper said his name so loudly and looked around guiltily into the shadows of the Inn, but Aman didn't notice as she hastened over to the bar and pulled him a drink. As she pushed it across the table to him, Toby patted his pockets half heartedly and his face assumed, out of habit, the mock-astonished, half guilty expression of one who has no money and well knew it before the drink was poured, but Aman waved a hand as he began to protest. "Fa fa fa - Tobias, please, it's on the house - naturally, after your gift at your last visit."

The hobbit looked like he would say something, then paused and, flicking a weary smile at the Innkeeper, he took a deep pull at the drink then, with a satisfied sigh, settled down a little in his chair - a little too much maybe, the Innkeeper mused: his chin was barely over the table top. Passing it over, Aman grinned questioningly at both Snaveling and Toby. "Seems an unexpected coincidence in this reunion - but a glad one, I am sure. Would you like some supper, Toby?"