"Well now, that's a lot Maggie." Olo said looking at the luggage with wide, puzzld eyes. Maggie had two large bags packed with more than he thought he'd ever need. On top of that he had carried twice as much for Biffo's sake.
"Don't give me back talk Olo Proudfoot!"
Olo now hushed and listened to her. "You will not walk off unprepared. Don't forget your bow and arrow. Here now, strap your knife around your waist. And don't forget your pipe. Here's the pouch of weed."
"Daddy, how long do you think you will be gone."
"Not long enough for any of you to miss me darling." He said this with a wink and grin that suggested he had more to his thoughts than he had told the others.
"I am off now everyone. I'll be back soon. Dear, don't worry about me now."
Now heading off in the opposite direction from Prim's house, Olo started walking. He only went half a furlong when he arrived at his cousin Brumble.
"Hullo there, Brumble. How are you today? Brumble had seen him walking up and came out to meet him.
"Fine, fine. Olo, how are you?" he said, opening the door.
"I came by to ask you a favor, if you don't mind me being straightforward. I am helping out on a famly party. Nothing too huge now."
"Ahh, now your talking about Billbo and Frodo's party! Well, I got an invitation. Olo, you don't have to be coy now."
"Of course, Brumble I wasn't trying to be rude."
"You see, Olo, it would be a bad party if there was no food. That's what you're here for. My prize mushrooms, aren't you? I know that you are good friends with Frodo and Billbo. They probably asked you to come down now. Right?"
Now Olo was confused. Did he mention somthing to him ealier No, of course he was just guessing. But he did have good mushrooms though. He would have to remember that and tell the others.
"No, not right this minute Brumble. I came around this way to ask another favor. You don't need your Annabell for a while, right? Well I am helping the company of hobbits to gather supplies. Especially seeing your condition, good cousin."
"Yes indeed, good cousin." Laughing now and faining the words good cousin with friendship, Brumble stuck out his leg in the splint for Olo to see it.
"Yes, I can see it's still broken. I hope it gets better quickly. You got the last of the mushrooms out of the field first ,I hope."
"Ohh, now you are intersted in mushrooms, Olo, aren't you! Well, yes I did. So you can get some when you come back. Yes you may borrow Annabell. I hope she is helpful."
With Olo holding Brumble's arm and helping him to the barn they retrieved Annabell. Olo thanked Brumble once again for the pony and was off. The road to Prim's house was pretty straight but Annabell wouldn't be kind all the way over.
Suddenly there was a turn in the road. Left, left, you crazy beast, and slow down now. I'll have my lunch on your head soon if you don't.
Now Olo was in the middle of the woods....then gallopping quickly over a field....then back to the road. He was zig zagging across the road. Stop this, you crazy horse. I can't stay still on you. Come on now. HELP!! HELP!! I'VE BEEN TAKEN HOSTAGE BY A CRAZY HORSE.
Now in the confusion not only was Olo lost, but he was heading in what seemed the opposite direction. What direction was the right one? He could be going around in circles for all he knew.
A miracle happened then and there. He could see Prim's house in the distance. They could hear him coming in their direcion.
HELP! HELP! SOMEONE, THIS ANIMAL HAS GONE MAD. HELP, I'M GONNA BE SICK. OH ,DEAR, HELP!
Olo now let out a ghastly belch. I didn't eat that for lunch now!!! Biffo was already there as was Prim, since she lived there. The two hurried up to the gate to meet him. He had no control over the animal now. It rammed at the gate and tossed him onto the bush on the other side of the road from Prim's house.
Clunk whent Olo to the ground. Not as hard as it sounded of course. But Olo was left dazed and looking like a sack of potatoes.
His eyes whent rolling around like marbles in his head. "Thats the last time I ride a horse. Call me a liar, but I won't get on you again Annabell."
Biffo thought the sceen vary funny. He was concerned at first but saw that Olo was not hurt really. He was laughing at Olo loudly now.
"Uncle Olo, what ever got into you to bring a horse? Where did you get him? What ever got into you to ride him here?" He was laughing so hard now Olo couldn't help but join him.
"I don't know now Biffo. There was a road, then a field. At one point I thought he was going backwards!"
Prim seemed amused now that she saw Olo was fine. The horse was by the gate not minding them at all. He seemed to like some of the flowers in Prim's garden. He was chewing them happily when Prim's mother came out.
[ February 11, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]
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