[Durelin]

Edwin turned his attention from the oaf of a boy who had bumped into him toward the girl. She wasn't that much shorter than him, he realized, which made him feel even more self-conscious. Where did she come from? He didn't remember seeing her join the group. He had seen her before, though, always hanging around, pestering the older kids rather than spending time with those closer to her age and in the sight of her parents.

"That's what I want to know of you all! Are you too scared?" he spoke half to the hobbit girl, and half to the rest of the party, hoping he would not have to go near that barrow by himself. "It's alright if you are - it's brave enough that you came all the way out here without your mother."

Edwin turned his back to the others a bit dramatically, and began strolling toward the barrow as casually as he could manage, listening for following footsteps. His eyes were again locked on the barrow. He tried to tell himself that he had not seen anything, but he could picture in his mind the glimpse he had of the figure all too easily.