[Galadel Vinorel]

Autumn Gamwich watched as some of the Big and Little Folk stepped up to ask Gaddy if they could go on the mission, quest, thing with him. The hobbit lass smiled to herself as Gaddy refused to take along Hamfast. Though Gaddy was a very stubborn and big hobbit, he was a real softy when you got to know him.

The hobbit lass stood up after a young woman had been accepted by Gaddy to go on the quest. Autumn turned to Gaddy and said, "Gaddy, I can shoot a bow and weild a knife, and I know a bit about sheep raising, after staying on my uncle's farm for the past few weeks, so may I go along?"

Gaddy looked down at the hobbit lass. He wondered if she could handle the harsh conditions that the people on the quest would be facing. Then he thought of when he had seen her defending her uncle's sheep once from a couple of wolves. Making up his mind, Gaddy nodded, and said, smiling, "We would be happy to have you with us, Autumnal."

Autumn fronned at Gaddy. She hated when he called her that. "You know perfectly well, Gaddy Furbarrow," said the young hobbit lass angrly, with her hands on her hips, "that my name is Autumn Gamwich. So, don't be callin' me Autumnal."

Everyone in the room, especially Hamfast, stared at Autumn in shock. They couldn't believe that the hobbit lass had just spoken to Gaddy like that. Gaddy just grinned at Autumn, and said, "Sorry, Autumn." Autumn grinnned back,


Gaddy Furbarrow turned to the rest of the group who had volunteered to go with him. "I would like everyone who has so far volunteered to go with me, to pack some clothes and provisions, and meet me here, at the Prancing Pony, tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will hand out weapons to everyone, so you don't need to worry about bringing any. So, for tonight, enjoy yourselves, but remember that we will leave at nine a.m. tomorrow, whether or not we have everyone with us. Make sure that you all have enough rest, and, don't forget, this is no hobbit walking party. This is serious bussiness."

Gaddy stepped down from his chair and walked over to the innkeeper and ordered some food and a room for the night. Then hobbit sat down at a table by himself to await his food. Auutmn joined him a bit later, after ordering some food for herself. Two hobbits sat together at their table, talking about their journey, which would begin the next day.