Benia looked at the cloak, hood, and gauntlets she had laid out on the chair. They and what they represented to her both beckoned and repelled her. She sighed. As much as she hated to leave the Shire again so quickly, she had no choice. She might as well get on with it. But still she hesitated. There was still the matter of provisions. And she had to say good-bye to Gilly. After all, the entire reason she had come to the Shire in the first place had not been to say hello to Gilly, but to say good-bye. She had the strong premonition that she would not be coming back.
Benia went to the corner and picked up the sword and scabbard that had once belonged to her father, Jack Nightshade. It was a fine weapon, nicely weighted, and well-suited to her size. She was lucky she had grown to be a tall woman. Any smaller and the sword would have been too much for her. She half-drew it from the sheath and watched as the sunlight from the window caught the oiled blade and made it shine.
I should leave it with Gilly. The thought came to her suddenly. She will take care of it.
She glanced at the door behind which her friend still slept. I should leave it and my mother's ring so that they should not come to a bad end. Finally coming to a decision, Benia pushed the sword back into its scabbard and returned it to its resting place in the corner. She slipped out the door.
When she arrived in the common room, Benia found it already crowded. She could see Aleia, the hobbit she and Gilly had spent a jolly evenig with the night before, already in conversation with some new friends. Benia smiled and waved to Aleia, but rather than joining her, went the other way and into the kitchen. She found Aman, Cook, and a young Elven lady at breakfast.
"Excuse me," she said and wished each of them a good morning. "I know you must be very busy. I won't trouble you for long. I am preparing to make a long journey and find my provisions have run low. Where in Bywater could I best buy food and supplies?"
Aman wished her a good morning in return and directed her to the nearby green grocer and general store. Benia thanked her and prepared to go. As she did so, she noticed the eyes of the elflady following her closely. Puzzled, Benia nodded to her. There was a haunted look to the elf's eyes that troubled her. When Benia nodded to her, the elflady smiled and nodded back, but Benia noticed the smile did not travel as far as her eyes. In fact, she seemed nervous of Benia, almost frightened.
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