I could just run. I should just run. Why should I wait for them to return? I don't even know when! I know why. I don't know this place, don't know where I am. The smells here are strange and still so... Familiar. Like I've smelled all of this before long, long ago. --What was that? Door? Steps? A voice?
What a sweet voice.-- She asked you a question. Answer! -And the coin, don't forget the coin in your pocket. There.
Should be enough. This is what they gave me. --That smell? What is it. Not a hobbit. No, that's a dwarf and there is another one. Why are there dwarrows here? I'm not in the mountains. No, no, this is a land I know. Somehow, somewhere, sometime.
The sweet voice. Yes, I should go inside. Out of the cold, but I don't know this place and I need to be careful. --Did she just touch me!? Why? Gah! Stop speaking to me as if I'm a child, woman!-- No! Don't say it. Be quiet. Go inside.
I don't like this room. It smells odd. No, I don't think I want to go further inside.The stench of that dwarf is all over, a bitter smell. --Cat, there's a cat that has marked everything. I'll find a spot, out of the way, not too invasive. Yes, here. This'll do.
Fussing and more fussing! No, woman! I don't need anything. --Don't say it! Shut it. Nod, yes, be nice. Like so. Very good. --The glares, I can feel them.
The sweet voice has a name, Taite. She's thoughtful, too much so. Still speaks as if I was a child. How I want to tell her not to-- Oh, so, so much.
No, be nice. Be careful. The dwarves are watching. --No, Benjamin, not now. Be quiet.
Ugh, that stench. A hobbit, there's always hobbits. It comes closer-- That dreadful smell!
Ha! Do not try and insult me dwarf, you are poor at it, you itchy-sweater, wet-sock, rock-muncher! Ha! Ha! Yes, go into the corner like a scolded dog. The sweet voice amuses me. Has tamed that pest on the mountains. Good on her!
Whispers and more whispers. Think I cannot hear you? Foolish dwarror I hear you very well, I know what you are plotting. Think I cannot see? I see more than you think.
Kithri, she says her name is Kithri. Remember it. --She smells like the other hobbits, but she is maybe like the kind one. She is fine, for now.
Do you hear that Benjamin? They fuss about and around her like she cannot do anything. What fools. If the woman can make a dwarf stick his tail between his legs, then she can do anything! Treated like a child. No wonder she speaks like it. --I know I'm right, Benjamin. Just listen yourself! They think I cannot see them or even hear.
Whispers, whisper.
Want me out of this place and I've done nothing. Hmprf! This is their welcoming nature. Think if I was a blind man! To be treated as this! She is kind. The hobbit too, maybe, seems it, could be. --Her feet still smell.
Leaf-soup! What else is it? --I know they call it tea, Benjamin! But you're wrong. It smells like leaves and some roots, maybe. Yes, something like that. Fancy dirt water. --I'll drink it. Doesn't taste that bad. Yes, it's decent. Whisper, whisper. Another one? Hm, yes. Who is this? Not a hobbit, not a dwarf... Man. Yes, smells like it. Another woman. She pays no attention. Good, the rest stare enough and whisper. Whisper and whisper.-- I hear you!
We'll have to leave, Benjamin. I do not trust them, any of them. Maybe the sweet voice. Maybe the hobbit. The others, no. They plan and plot against me for no reason! Shouldn't turn my back on them. Not once.
What's that smell? Bread? Oh, I haven't had such in a long time. --Say thank you. Good.
Feels dry.
Another guest. Woman, another. Friend of the sweet voice. She has many, good. Best they are not false. --Too many false people here.
The dwarf is moving, coming closer. Be prepared Benjamin, can't be certain what he's plotting. --Answer him.
Help!? Ha ha! Think I will fall for that, dwarf? I have heard you! You can lace your voice with honey, but it will not work. I've heard you. You want me out, isn't that so? --Liar!
You can't hide behind a fake smile, not with me. I can see you better than that and you don't even know.
You lie! You want me out, just say it! But you don't dare, because the sweet voice will hear you and scold. Ha! Pathetic. You can fool her, but not me. I heard your whispers, your plotting. --They did not fool me and neither will you!
Hello cat.
I'll end up with a knife in my back if I stay. They continue to whisper, whisper and whisper. Think I cannot hear them. They think I don't know. --Oh, I know.
Now they are going to watch me, watch me all night. The woman is taking under it, offering it. --I have done nothing! Nothing, I tell you!
Piles of rot.
They think me asleep, think I can't hear. --I shouldn't have turned my back, but it's better to pretend that way.
What is she doing? Why is she touching me again. Stop it! What are you trying to do-- Oh, that's soft. Yes, I will keep this. It's comfortable.
Now what is she doing? A blanket? Why? It feels warm though. Whisper, whisper, whisper. She is too kind for them. Can do more than they think, isn't as foul. --Say thank you. Whisper, whisper. Quiet.
I should listen to them, hear all their whispers. I don't want to. Not any longer. --There, this is better. They are muffled. Whisper, whisper. I know they still whisper, they plot and they plan. --We'll go tomorrow, Benjamin. Go back to the odd smelling house and see if it's unlocked. Get this all over with and go back.
We aren't wanted here.
Goodnight, Benjamin
