[Child of the 7th Age]

Sondo's predictions were happily true. The sun shone bright over the voyagers as they made their way forward. The current was brisk but not too strong as it carried the raft steadily down river. Two times, the boat came up against a pile of jagged grey boulders appearing out of nowhere in the middle of their path. But Sondo gave instructions to the lads and, working together, they were able to use their makeshift poles crafted from the branches of trees to push off from the rocks before any damage was done and resume their journey. By late morning their progress had been so good that Sondo had agreed they should put into shore and take a moment for a bite to eat.

After they'd steered the raft to the side, the lads and Sassy scrambled out and sprinted up the bank, continuing to run up the grassy knoll that stood close by. This gave them an excellent vantage from which to view the Baranduin as well as the surrounding countryside. Bingo turned around, with his back facing the river, staring eastward. The land that they had come through was a vast expanse of forest; ahead the terrain looked less wooded, with more rolling hills. On the other side of the river, just barely visible, was a stretch of land veering westward that looked to be a marsh.

Bingo wondered what would happen when they came to the edge of the lands where hobbits dwelled, if they ever got that far. Would there be a bright line on the earth, with hobbits lined up on one side and big folk on the other? He didn't really think so, but it made him uneasy to consider going into territory where there were vast number of Men roaming. Like many Bucklanders, he had been to Bree once in his life, but had felt a bit uncomfortable and was glad to head home again.

His brother Reggie seemed to be settling in easily on the trip, The young lad had chatted comfortably with Rory and Marroc, and only occasionally looked back at his older brother for a steadying grin or reassurance. Bingo's earlier fears that his brother would turn out to be a millstone around his neck were not proving to be the case. For the most part, Bingo was left on his own and could do as he pleased.

He could not help noticing that Sassy had sat by herself for most of the morning, quietly keeping to the edge of the raft. Bingo truly did not like girls and preferred to keep a distance, but he had enough gentleness in his heart to feel uncomfortable at the thought of anyone sitting off by themselves without a friend in sight. There had been too many times that he had been in the same situation. He could see that she had finished her lunch. The other hobbits were still up on the bank eating. Bingo quickly shoved the last morsel of bread and cheese into his mouth, and went to pick up a netting and two pair of heavy gloves that he'd found in the supplies. Walking down to the water, he stopped for an instant beside Sassy and casually mentioned, "I'm going down by the water to try and catch a turtle so we can cook a batch of soup later tonight. I saw a drove of them hiding in the reeds and dozing. Don't know if you want to help, but you're welcome to come."

With that, he nonchalantly tossed down a pair of gloves, mentioning that the turtles were snappers and it was best to be careful. He walked purposefully down to the water, never looking back. If she came, so be it. If not, he'd try to get one on his own. In any case, he'd better hurry. Sondo would likely have them get back on the rafts as soon as they finished lunch to continue their journey southward.