|
Derufin chuckled as Cook made her way back to the kitchen. ‘You’ve the right of that, Anyopâ,’ he said, his eyes glinting with agreement as he turned back to the other man. ‘I can’t envision anyone getting the best of her!’ He cast a stealthy glance toward the now closed door. ‘Soft heart, though . . . when it comes down to it.’ He looked quickly back again to the door, half expecting a denial from within.
He piled a load of wood in his arms and made his way to the woodshed. As he passed Anyopâ he nodded his head back at the wagon. ‘What say we get half unloaded; then, see about those cookies Cook’s put away for me.’ He let the wood fall on the dirt floor of the shed and went back for another load. ‘And a big mug of strong, hot tea to go with them . . .’
Another load found its way into his arms and was soon among its fellows in the woodshed.
__________________
‘Many are the strange chances of the world,’ said Mithrandir, ‘and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.’
– Gandalf in: The Silmarillion, 'Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age'
|