[Bêthberry]

Hob Heathertoes was a taciturn hobbit; he had enjoyed listening to Ardo encouraging young Pippen's songs as much as he had enjoyed the songs themselves. And he had decided that he sympathized with Dinodas, for that young hobbit surely had his work cut out for him if Barocas was going to turn this Gathering into a pub crawl.

Listening was Hob's way of observing the lay of the land and evaluating the people he needed to work with. That's why he had remained silent throughout the Feast of Lithe and the festivities celebrating the Messenagers' Leave-taking. He and Erling Greenhands, his fellow Messenger, shared this trait. Both were quiet and reserved, although Erling certainly had a fair taste for mischevious fun should the situation merit it. Erling brought Hob out of his reverie.

So, Hob, you've been even quieter than usual. Was Marcho's private talk with you before we left so serious that you are resolved to keep a dour face for the entire Gathering?

Hob looked over at his friend, the only Fallohide he had been able to learn to trust and smiled his own particular small grin which only Erling knew well.

Erlin', me friend, I've been wonderin' about the possibility of meetin' some of me mum's folks over near Old Ford, of how she would like havin' more of her Stoor folk to talk with. It's been hard on her and me dad, not really knowin' the Fallohides and bein' Stoors and Harfoots and bein' more inclined to let wimmenfolk have a hand in runnin' things. Marcho doesn't really cotton to this. He's thinkin' hobbits are all hobbits and he's no worried about how we'll be gettin' along once we're gathered.

Erling grinned at Hob. Always the pessimist, eh? C'mon. How'd we get to be such friends, then.

Hob grinned even more broadly. You've a double wicked sense of fun, Erlin' 'cause you've grabbed me share of it, and if I ever intend to have meself some fun, I've need to be keepin' you close at hand. But seriously, creatin' a hospitable community is hard work and I'm hopin' we'll be able to bring hobbits 'round. There's too much hunger and strife and hardship. We need the new land and the more hands if we're to prosper.

Aye, your right, there, Hob, but I'd say we'd best think about closer problems, like how we travel safely and how we talk up this project with the folks we meet.

Hob recognized the innate good nature that seemed so much a part of Erling and his large family, and some of his downcast spirit was dispersed. He replied more positively. Starvin' folk and bullied folk and troubled folk won't be needin' much encouragement. And movin' families during summer might not be so hard, if the weather keeps with us. Its drought and storm that worry me.

Erling looked at his friend with amazement. He couldn't remember when he had heard so much talk come out of his friend. This was going to be a quest of much learning and experience, of much growth, he realized.

[ September 03, 2002: Message edited by: Bethberry ]