[Noinkling]

Plans are made to tell the tale of the battle tomorrow

The hubbub of the fallen Hobbit child had shifted the focus from Benat and his story. Details of what had just happened were discussed as was the location of the child’s’ parents. Benat stood up, his height an advantage, and reported that the lad had been delivered into the arms of his mother and father, and the three were now heading off, he supposed, to home.

‘It is getting rather late,’ the big man said as he sat himself back down. ‘I hadn’t realized it had gotten dark already.’ He looked about at his companions at the table. ‘Can we meet again tomorrow? It will give me more time for the telling.’ The face on the lad sitting with Cullen fell, but Benat offered to buy both he and his sister an early supper. And yes, Cullen would be in attendance, he laughed.

‘By then, too, I should be able to fill some other gaps in my story. Miz Bunce has promised to introduce me to your Mayor Sam. If he gives me leave to see the book Mister Bilbo kept, then I’ll know what befell him and his companions when they left my Granda’s house.’

Maddy and the other men at the table agreed to meet again tomorrow evening. Even Minto was growing less wary of Benat’s claims and looked forward to hearing the story. They all gathered up their cloaks from the pegs by the door and headed for home, their hoods pulled up as proof against the rain. ‘Early evening, then,’ cried Maddy, waving to Benat and the few others left at the table, before he left for his snug burrow.

‘You should be heading home, too,’ Benat said to Caity and Tommy. ‘Cullen and I are bound for our soft bed in the hayloft.’ Cullen stood up, thumping his tail as if to say he hoped Tommy would come back tomorrow. Benat and his furry companion made their way to the door. Taking his great cape from the highest peg, Benat pulled it securely about him. He shouldered his pack and exited the Inn, moving toward the stable at a fast clip.