[*Varda*]

The next morning dawned bright and clear. The only thing that marred the perfect blue sky was a troublesome dark grey cloud to the east, moving steadily towards Buckland, but Olo paid no heed to this, thinking only of sailing away in their creation. Scurrying about the hobbit hole, he threw on a dark green jacket over his other clothes. Picking up a small bag which he had packed with some light provisions for the journey, bread, cheese, and some ale he had surreptitiously taken from his father’s supply, Olo was almost ready to leave.

The sun was rising as Olo finally left, running down to the water side where the boat had been hidden among bushes, away from the prying eyes of adults. Pulling it out and dusting it down, he admired it and brought it down nearer to the river. Sitting himself down in it, he awaited the arrival of the other hobbits, while examining every nail and plank.