[Nimrodel_9]

Tolly, Keleth, and the crow sat at a table near a fireplace. Keleth tore a piece of his bread, and gave it to the crow, who took it gladly.

Cutting the limbs had been long and tiresome, but not all together hard. He took a large gulp of ale and looked about the room. People were busy preparing for the party. Keleth was surprised to find that he was excited for the party. At parties, he normally sat in the corner, listened to the music (Keleth was very fond of music), and waited for it to get over, but he felt he would enjoy this one more. He couldn`t explain why. Maybe it was the presence of the small and cheerful hobbits.

Keleth turned and watched a hobbit lass clearing off a table, and a thought hit him. The conversations between he and Tolly were often about himself. The hobbit would mention small things about his family, but never said spoke much of himself.

Keleth turned back to Tolly. "Uh, just curious, but are you courting anyone?" Keleth realized how this question may have sounded. He laughed. "Not that I`m asking you to court me, but I was just wondering."