[littlemanpoet]

As the sun continued down the western sky, four horses and three ponies, with riders mounted, came into Bywater from the east.

"Ah," sighed Eodwine, "it is good to be back here again. It has been too long."

The horses and ponies walked to the stables of The Green Dragon, and their riders dismounted.

"After a good ale here," said Falco, "I must go and tease ol' Halfred!"

Falowik Stonewort smiled. The first time he had come here, in the company of Falco, there had been no reason to smile. Now there was none to frown! He reached his hand to Uien, fair Elven woman, who had dismounted from her horse, and hand in hand they followed Falco toward the Inn.

Gorby Brandybuck and Anson, his best friend, protested at being left behind by Falco, and ran to catch up. Eodwine waited beside Flíthaf as Finëwen, the young woman who had been raised in Rivendell, took her time with her horse. They hardly knew each other, but she had agreed to join him in friendship when he returned to Rohan. She looked up at him, her face unreadable, and nodded once, and walked by his side toward the Inn.

It turned out that Falco had the door blocked until all seven of them stood together just outside.

"We must go in all at once, together! We must make a scene! We bring news, do we not? Follow me!"

"Do you really think that they will remember where we went?" Gorby asked. "The Hills of Evendim are beyond the Shire, and they will not care. You will see."

Falco Boffin entered the Great Room of The Green Dragon, his chest puffed out, taking big strides, followed by the others. Heads turned.