[Orofaniel]

Rosie, Fippi and Hedgar were all gathered at the Inn. The outlaw children were wounded and Andreth needed some help. Fippi had brought his toys and he was already on the floor playing with some children. The horse that Hedgar had made in wood was quite fun to play with, and the other children obviously thought so too, because they were now gathering around him trying to get a glimpse of the beautiful horse. Hedgar stood next to him, looking proud over his own work, even though he had to admit it wasn't really that hard.

Even though they had moved into a bigger room next to the room where Berilac and the bandit were talking, there seemed to be tension where Rosie was as well. Everyone seemed quite worried and anxious to know more about the situation. When lunch came Rosie found the cookies she had made and served the others. They seemed popular among the children and among the adults. "I should have made more." Rosie gasped at Andreth when she saw that they were soon eaten up. Rosie only wanted to give the small children something good to eat while they were sick or wounded, it always helped her own son, Fippi, get into a better mood. "No, don't worry Rosie." Andreth said and smiled. "I think they are fine…" She added. "And if they want more, we could always figure something out..." she said and helped one of the children with some juice.

"Oh..okay.." Rosie said and started to breathe again. "I guess that's a good idea." She added afterwards and got her husband to help Fippi with something. He had been standing with one of his hand in his pocket, while the other was holding one of her cookies. "They taste very good..." Hedgar said and laughed as he walked passed his wife. Rosie grinned and tried to avoid the sarcasm that he had used. "No, seriously..." he added when he saw Rosie's reaction. She rolled her eyes and ignored the last comment.

"So, do you want me to do anything else?" Rosie was a bout to ask Andreth when she saw Edmund coming towards her. "Well, hello there...." She said and smiled. "Hi." He said cheerfully.

"Haven't I met you before.....?" Rosie said and smiled. "Yes...of course...When you worked by the hedge...with the squirrel!" Rosie said and smiled at the boy. "Yes....and I asked you if I could get more tea...and I did...and I got a cookie too.....just like these ones!" He said and smiled while he held up three cookies. Oh...that's why they were eaten up so quickly... , Rosie thought and looked at the three cookies Edmund was holding in his hands. "Yes...something like that..." She said and smiled even wider. Rosie then noticed that one of his pockets were much larger than the other..."You still have the squirrel...don't you?" She said and pointed at his pocket. He took a bit of one of his cookies and nodded. He then found the squirrel that had been lying in his pocket and held it up fro Rosie to see. "Oh...he's adorable..." Rosie muttered and started to pet it on the back.

"Mhm..." Edmund mumbled and gave the squirrel a hug. "May I?" Rosie asked politely and reached out her hands. She wanted to hold it. "Oh-okay..." He said and gave her the squirrel. It wasn't very heavy, and its fur was very soft. Its legs tickled her small Hobbit hands and she giggled. "Careful now...don't squeeze it." Edmund warned her. "I won't," she said and started to pet it.

***

"Do you reckon' they are soon finished in there?" Fippi asked Rosie when she came back to the table where he was seated. She had just been talking to Edmund for a while, so she thought she might check up on her son because Hedgar was on the floor on all four explaining the children how to make toy horses in wood. They were paying close attention, and didn't want to be disturbed.

"I hope so..." Rosie mumbled while she looked worried. She didn't want to worry her son more than he already was. "Fippi, where you scared?" Rosie said suddenly. Fippi blinked and nodded carefully. "Oh..sweetheart, you know I wouldn't have let anything happen to you." Rosie said and looked into his eyes. "I know...." Fippi said and looked down. "I just don't like that the other children are wounded." he said and blinked again. "Mhm..." Rosie muttered and hugged him. "Don't worry Fippi dear....Mommy is here to protect you and so is dad...” She whispered. "Not that you need it...." Rosie said and laughed. "You’re so brave, my dear son.." She said and laughed again, this time even louder than before.

This seemed to comfort Fippi and he laughed as well. Shortly after, he got down on all his four. He was now listening how Hedgar explained to the other children how you could make toy horses in wood, and what kinds of materials would be most suitable for these makings.