[Arry]

Little Hanson stood up while the Ranger was reciting his verse and slipped away from the table. His brother, Woody, was listening closely to the man and did not see him leave. With quick steps, the Hobbit made his way to the table where the Players sat.

They, too, were intent on the music and the verse and paid no attention to the Hobbit lad as he came near their table. He looked about the legs of their chairs and even dared a quick peek beneath the table. His face, as he stood back up, registered grave disappointment. With a frown on his brow he went quietly up behind the Elf, dressed very colorfully , he thought, all in browns and greens and ribbons in his braid.

‘Sir!’ he said, hoping this Elf was as nice as his new friend Neviel. He tugged lightly on the fellow’s sleeve. ‘Sir, did you bring the puppets in? I don’t see them anywhere. And . . .’ The Elf turned his merry grey eyes on Hanson. ‘And is there a dragon?’