Episode 13: Reunions
Upon entering Bree’s South Gate Piper made a beeline to the Prancing Pony to reclaim his chestnut pony. ‘Oi lad,’ asked the innkeeper, ‘why din’ you take ‘im wit’ ya? It’s a long trip to—where di’ ya say ya went?’
‘I wanted to see mountains, sir,’ answered Piper, ‘so I followed the Great East Road towards the Misty Mountains. I heard there might be wolves, sir, and Chester is mighty afraid of them. I thought he’d be safer under your care.’
‘Ya made the right decision, lad,’ Barli assured him. ‘I’m glad to see ya returned safe an’ sound.’
The next morning Piper headed home. His first stop was the Golden Perch where he was met by his lifelong friend and fellow Bounder, who happened to be on duty that day. ‘Look at you, Piper!’ his friend cried. ‘You’re a regular adventurer now!” Piper blushed and laughed.
The two friends sat at their usual table where they enjoyed frothy pints of Gunderic’s ale. With wonder on his face Piper told of his journey through the Lone-lands, especially about Weathertop, and through the eastern woods known as the Trollshaws.
Piper talked of meeting Elves—the friendly and helpful Taurdir, the stern Librarian whose name was too difficult to pronounce, and the wise Lord Elrond—and especially of meeting the old hobbit known as “Mad Baggins” by his detractors but “Mister Bilbo” by the lads who listened with fascination to his tales of adventure. He also told of his brief sojourn into the Misty Mountains, and of the bitter cold he suffered there.
Lastly, Piper told his friend of his dream. ‘Piper, are you certain this tusk belonged to an oliphaunt?’ asked the Bounder. ‘It seems rather small,’ he said skeptically.
‘It could be from a young oliphaunt,’ posited Piper. ‘Its tusk would not be so very large.’
‘But did you dream of a young oliphaunt?’ his friend queried.
‘No, but…’ Piper was at a loss for explanation. He shrugged. The pair laughed and continued to celebrate their reunion with food and drink as only Hobbits can.
The next day Piper made his way home.
