[Noinkling]

Before he could help himself, Tolly blurted out his next question. He’d been following along with what Keleth was saying and could hardly believe his ears at the last statement. Or the last two statements, really. ‘What do you mean, if you do not return?’ he asked without thinking. The very thought of not wanting to be back in your homeland among friends and especially among family perplexed him. Or maybe Keleth did want to go back but something stood in his way. ‘I can’t think of a single reason why I would want to be apart from my family. Much as they drive me quite mad at times, I just can’t fathom being alone. And so far away from your homeland, too.’

‘You sound like you miss your sister already . . . and the way you speak I’ll bet she misses you, also.’ Tolly leaned across the table and spoke low. ‘Is there something awful that stands in your way from being together with her? And what about the King – he sounds like a helpful fellow. Couldn’t he lend a hand?’

Tolly leaned back in his chair, his cheeks a little red from his impulsive questions. Surely the man would think him quite cheeky for putting his nose where it didn’t belong. ‘Oh, my,’ he said in apology, ‘don’t mind me and my forward tongue. I haven’t met many outsiders. I tend to forget your ways might not be ours when it comes to various things.’ The Hobbit stirred a spoonful of honey into his mug of tea, and sat sipping it. He was rather enjoying getting to know Keleth he thought to himself, and he hoped his questions had not put the man off . . .