[Arien]

“We are nearly home!” Ama smiled, her face grinning at Olo who was now a little more optimistic since he felt he was to blame. And grabbing his hand she danced around, cheering, “Home, home, home!” Everyone was thrilled at the thought of getting home and though they were hungry and thirsty these desires were forgotten momentarily in the joy of finally making it back to the Shire. At length they sat down on the floor, in a circle and they were joined by Erendal who, taking a package from his bag, spread out a few apples and bread in front of the ravenous hobbits. They ate with high hopes and laughed while they ate.

As Ferd chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread he spoke up, “Just two hours or so,” the other hobbits nodded, “And then we can go home, eat, drink, wash and sleep!”

“Ah sleep!” laughed Penny, “It will be lovely to sleep in my comfortable bed without stones digging into me! And finally a peaceful nights sleep with out wondering where you are or where you are going.” She threw her apple core down to the floor and took a small sip of the water that Erendal had too brought along with him.

“Or what might attack you.” shivered Mirabella remembering the Wight.

“But it hasn’t been all that bad,” sighed Ben.

“Hasn’t been all that bad?” asked Falco derisively.

“Well it hasn’t!” replied Ben, “ Think about it! We have been on a adventure, just like the ones in tales. We survived a Barrow Wight, we met a Ranger!” he giggled smiling at Erendal.

“The lad has a point.” Erendal said, “I mean what hobbits can say they have done all that?” The others nodded, thinking hard. “Its true,” he shrugged.