[Hookbill the Goomba]

Fáinu looked sad and depressed. He looked at his right hand and shook his head.

"I am not hungry," answered Fáinu, "But thank you." he looked at the fire again, but did not turn away. It was as if he was trying to remember things he had blocked out.

Adu munched on her lembas as Fáinu hung his head and thought. Then he lifted his eyes and looked at her.

"Not for a long time have I spoken of this," he said sadly "This is a wound that will never heal." He began to untie his bandage and there she saw his hand was grievously burned, almost to the bone. "Many years ago I went to visit my parents in Dale. It was a joyous time until the dragon Smaug came."

Adu looked Fáinu in the eyes and she saw fear in him. She did not like the look of his hand and turned her face from it when he revealed it.

"The Dragon burned everything, but I took it on myself to aid in the battle against him." Fáinu shook his head, "That was foolish. I saw across the plain the Dragon, laughing and burning. I looked him in the eye!"

Adu was startled; she knew well that it was perilous to look in the eyes of a dragon. For oft they will place upon one, a Dragon spell.

"For a time I distracted him. Our wills strove and for what seemed to me like an age. I thought I had the upper hand. But the Dragon was too cunning. He put forth his power and I was set like one who is made of stone." Fáinu looked at his hand clenched his fist, "He then came to me, burning as he went.
'Who art thou?' he asked me, I needed not to answer, for he read my thoughts, 'thou art of the house of Elrond?' he scoffed and mocked my kin. 'One who has such strong will should not be here; thou should be with thine kin and protecting them from my fire. Or art thou too conscious of the minstrels, who would sing of thee if thou woludst defeat me?'

He laughed and cursed all elven folk. He put forth his power and said 'Now thou shalt here my curse upon thee. One who has strove with my will. Never shall any wound fully heal, and pain shall remain with you till the end of days! But I shall let you, solely of this place, live to tell of it. Yes, in this I shall be remembered, I shall be a-like to Galurng, the father of our kin, who showed mercy to Turin. I shall be remembered, never shall it be said that the servants of the dark one know not pity and respect for our foes.' then my father came and smote the dragon in the face, but it was to no avail.

"I was released from my standing place and filled with fear, and knowing not where I was, leaped into the water. Then I saw my mother and father standing together on the banks, they held out their arms to help me out of the water. But the Dragon came behind them, I tried to shout, but no sound came from me."

Fáinu held out his hand and looked at it. He sighed and then looked back at Adu.

"I put out my arm to point behind them, to try and warn them" he said, "But it was too late, the dragon blew his fire and I had to watch them being consumed by it. The fire also scorched my hand, and I have ever after born this scar. The wounds caused by Dragon fire, seldom heal, and the curse he laid on me, true or fained, seems to have held to this at least."

Adu was amazed and a few other Hobbits who had listened to this tale sat silently and peered intently at the elves. Some scoffed and said;

"Silly old tales form afar." and were met with agreeing mumbles from surrounding hobbits. Fáinu sat back in his chair and put the bandage back on.

"I have born this bandage from the Elven homes in what was then Mirk wood." Fáinu rapped it around his hand carefully, Adu saw that although the outside of it was filthy, the inside was white and seemed to glimmer in the dim light. "So far it has dimmed the pain, but not removed it."

Fáinu tried to smile and looked at Adu, he peered into her eyes and saw again the regret that was in her. At this he wondered much.

"Lady, I see that something troubles you." He said at last, "I have told you my hurt, will you not tell me yours?"

Fáinu lent forward to listen to her answer. He drew his cloak about him and looked at her intently.