Laurie shouted to be heard over the raucous baying of the hounds.
"I am come from the Green Dragon; Pio, the innkeeper sent me!"
A light lit in Farmer Maggot's eyes as he recognized the innkeeper's name.
"Down, Wolf! I said back, Fang!" He shouted and a glare from his shrewd eyes made them cease their barking. "Hallo, I'm Farmer Maggot though you seem to already know that. And what might be your name?"
Laurie steadied Nell and dismounted carefully, adjusting the folds of her dress. "My name is Laurie, and I am of Rohan." The lady in white smiled and made a cursy. "Pio sent me to aquire certain provisions for the inn."
"Fine, fine. And how is Pio?" Farmer Maggot began to walk up the lane towards a cozy, brick house, Wolf and Fang skulking behind. Laurie talked as she followed, leading Nell by the reins.
"She is doing very well, I believe. There have been an incredible number of guests at the inn of late, I myself only arrived last night. Pio has been running ragged tendng to them all, which is one of the reasons it has been arranged that I should help out for awhile."
The stout hobbit nodded sagely. "There have been many travelers on the road. And the Rangers have had trouble keeping the wild creatures in check. All this activity, and in the quiet Shire! Who knows what it may all forbode..." His voice trailed off and they walked in silence until they reached the house. Farmer Maggot beckoned to a young boy playing with yet another ferocious-looking dog.
"Come and hold Laurie's horse for her."
Farmer Maggot opened a wooden door set into the foundation of the house and Laurie followed him inside, ducking under the low doorframe.
It was dim and there was an earthy smell. "This is the larder," Maggot grunted. "What kinds of provisions did Pio say she needed?" Laurie listed off several items and the runsack she had taken from the saddle was soon bulging.
They emerged back into the light and Laurie threw the sack over her saddle. "Pio gave me coins to pay you with, or you could come to the Inn for a few meals instead." Farmer Maggot grinned but took the coins. "It has been busy here as well, it may be awhile before I am able to visit the Green Dragon again. It was nice meeting you, Laurie. Send my regards to Pio." Laurie curtsied once more before mounting Nell and thanking the hobbit child who had been holding her horse. She turned and cantered quickly down the lane and onto the road.
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