[The Sixth Wizard]

"I'm really afraid of the dark." said Cordelia.

Garnae smiled. "My dear girl, if you wrote what I was afraid of in a list it would fill the Chamber of Mazarbul in Moria. Here, take my lamp, let's keep going and fear no darkness." This was rather crafty speaking for the stuttering Garnae, he wondered what had come over him. He shook himself briskly. Why couldn't he stop looking in her eyes?

He suddenly realised all of this had only happened over the course of one night. Incredible that in such a short time he had met this group, embarked on an epic quest and had his spirit somewhat broken and rearranged clumsily. He also realised he hadn't told anyone of himself. But perhaps it would be better when they were all in a group.

"You have a beautiful horse," said Cordelia, breaking the silence. "What's his name?"

"Crean, after my father," he answered. "My entire family was murdered by Uruks on the way to Helm's Deep, apart from Crean my father and Conwé, my grandfather, who had joined the Riders. Every single one of my forefathers joined the Rohirrim, that's one of the reasons I decided to. They were all hardened, bulky men. I was an odd one out, and an only child, a lanky, useless kid. No hope at farmwork, no use for fighting, no eye for archery." His eyes darkened with memory.

"The only thing that ever pleased my father was my cooking, a gift I seemed to possess. I could have been a cook in the Halls of Meduseld. But the world was cruel, and I never got a break from my debts in the farm. Especially with Mayonette's uncle buying off my land. And just imagine what father will say with it burnt to the ground."

Cordelia looked shocked. Garnae sighed. He'd let it slip.