As the hobbits discussed who should keep the dog, Erendal made a hard decision of his own. The ranger knew that it was time for him to return home, and for the haflings to go to theirs. He cleared his throat slowly, and the others stopped talking to listen to him.
"Well, dear hobbits, from here you can guide yourselve's home without trouble. You must only stick to the path, and within several hours you will all be recieving a stern lecture from your parents. I have greatly enjoyed leading you here; and it is with deep sadness that I depart. But I must return home."
Ben's face clouded at the thought of Erendal leaving. "You mean going back to your little house by the river?"
The ranger smiled once more, and it was not merely a polite gesture, it was heartfelt. "No, dear hobbit, I am going back to Rohan. You see, I lived in the Old Forest because I saw the people's of Middle-Earth becoming evil, self-centered and lustful. But You, dear hobbits, have shown me the truth; that many still walk on this earth that are kind and just, and innocent. And thus I am going home, to where I belong, to seek knews of what family I have left. Perhaps one day I shall return here, and visit you in the Shire. Goodness, you will all be so big by then!"
Ben thought for a minute, and then said, "Sir, I doubt that anyone will believe we met a real ranger. Could you give us a little thing to show them, to prove to our folk's that we really met you?"
The ranger pondered the question a moment, and then drew out from his belt a small dagger, but beautiful. It had a wooden handle, with exquisite lines carved into the smooth pommel; and a thin, curved silver blade. Erendal handed it to Ben. "This was a gift to me from the elves of Mirkwood; and it was they who wrought it. Few regular old men living in the Old Forest would carry such a thing. Keep it safe, Ben. As for the dog, why not decide later, once you are safely home?"
Later, as Erendal walked south through the forest, he thought of all the events that had just occured. Good Bye, Dear Hobbits, and Tom. Good Bye, Ben. I am truely going home.
[ July 05, 2003: Message edited by: Himaran ]
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