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"Thanks, Bingo," Sondo answered softly. "And not only for what you said... just, thanks." Bingo nodded in acceptance, not saying anything but offering Sondo his support. Sondo looked away southward, following the path of the Brandywine for as far as he could see it. Curséd river. You crashed the raft, took our supplies and left us with nothing but an argument, and now you took my sister's life. Curséd river. How could something so serene looking be so vicious and deadly? We never stood a chance. Why, oh, why did I think this to be such a grand idea? We were in over our heads, and I'm to blame, and I'm not the only one to pay. Curséd adventure. Thrice curséd river.
You gave in to us when you saw you were out-voted. If you were a bad leader you would have insisted on having your own way, against majorities and even against common sense. You've done a wonderful job, and I'm sorry for making things so hard on you.
You did alright. You did your best by us. That's all anybody can do. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't. None of us meant for this to happen. So why did he feel so guilty? He had done his best, used his best judgment... yet it all turned out horribly. Yet, had it all been horrible? Certainly he had learned a lot, and he had done a lot of reevaluating. Friends, family, these were more important than his own proud position as leader and the adventure itself. A rude awakening, mayhap, but he had needed it. Alas that it had taken so much in order to get through to his head! So now, the only thing he truly regretted was the loss of his sister. There isn't a hobbit here who wouldn't have stuck his neck out for Sassy and tried to rescue her if we could have. We didn't know her when she started. But she showed us what she was made of. Really, she was a lot like you.....a born leader and a generous hobbit. Yes, she was like him, wasn't she? Much more so than he ever would have realized before. I'll never forget you, Sassy. Never, ever, ever.
He had almost forgotten that Bingo was standing there, but now he turned back to his friend and smiled, just a little, but a smile at any rate. Neither hobbit said anything, but they understood.
Sondo turned back to those gathered on the bank and realized that the final lad was finishing the crossing. Triumph was evident in the air, and some even put up a small cheer. It had been a long and difficult road, but here they were, standing in their very own Buckland. Brandy Hall was only a few short miles away.
"Come on," he said, tired, filled with grief, and yet at peace. "Let's go home."
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