[Garen LiLorian]

Ned Brandybuck looked up quickly when Gaddy mentioned adventure. He had been regaling his listeners with his (imagined) adventures in the Old Forest, but the story left his fertile brain as quickly as it had entered. "Well, come on then, what did you do next?" asked Tim Underhill, a hobbit lad who had been eagerly awaiting the end of the story. "Hmm? OH! Right... well, I, uh..." Ned scratched his head, trying to remember where he had left off, but it was no use. Gaddy's news had driven it clear out of his head. He struck a noble pose, which was only slightly marred by the flagon in his hand. "Tim, I regret to tell you that I'll be finishing my tale another day. For now, it seems my skills as an adventurer have been called upon. Fare thee well, my lad!" Tim was suitably impressed, and didn't even protest as Ned left the table.

He made it almost halfway over to Gaddy before second-guessing himself. After all, it was all very well to impress hobbit children round the fire, but this was a real adventure! Ned hoped he'd be accepted. I'd look right foolish, he thought to himself, If I didn't go through with it after that. And, thus bolstered, crossed the common room with a little swagger in his step to speak to Gaddy.

"Good sir!" His voice came out in a squeak. This certainly wasn't how it was supposed to go! He deepened his voice to what he hoped was a suitable gravity. "Ahem.. Excuse me sir, but I couldn't help but notice that you were looking for brave and hardy adventurers, for some dark and fearsome task...or...other..." He looked blank for a minute. "What was it again? Oh, yes, Warg hunting. Well, sir, I'll have you know that with this here axe," and here he held up for inspection a cunningly made little hatchet, that had probably started life splitting wood for the stove, "I've personally caught and killed over five wild beasts! Of ferocious cunning and wild disposition! Oh, yes," he said, mistaking the gleam in Gaddy's eye for one of interest or respect, "And, I'd be willing to come with you on your little adventure! Now, what do you say to that?" And he struck such a pose that little Tim Underhill leapt from his seat, squealing with delight and clapping at the brave sight.

"Not a chance," said Gaddy firmly. He turned to survey the room, hoping that some more likely candidate for the dirty and dangerous work would show himself. Ned deflated like a balloon. It was funny, you could actually see him grow smaller. "Um," he said, in a much more normal tone of voice, "Sir? I really would like to join... I can hunt, and fish, to some degree, and I'm the best in Buckland when it comes to throwing, be it axes or stones." He regained some of his lost grandeur at that last, but kept his voice humble as he finished, "I'm big and strong, and I can bag a coney from 20 paces, and I could pro'bly fetch even a wolf with it. Please?"