Scarburg Meadhall

[Nogrod]

Garmund and Cnebba had been listening to the adults' discussion in a remarkable feat of quietness for them. But now they just couldn't hold their horses.

"Master Falco, can we come to Minas Tirith with you?" Garmund asked excited, pulling the hobbit from the sleeve.

"We needn't bother our parents about it!" Cnebba begged, looking at Falco with his dashingly bright young boy's eyes. "Pleeease?"

At the same time the door opened. Stigend and Garstan came in to have something hot to drink as they had been working outside for hours in the cold.

"Well this is news!" Garstan yelled immediately seeing Falco.

"If that is our good old Falco..." Stigend stated, smiling warmly as they both went to greet the hobbit.

"Now, have you been teasing Mr. Falco again boys?" Garstan asked heartily after shaking hands with the hobbit. But something in the reservedness of the boys countenance told them both there was something the kids were hiding.

Stigend stopped on his feet. "I know that face Cnebba... what is it?" He raised his eyes to meet Falco's with curiosity. "Might you be the key to this mystery, Falco?"