Riding Together

So we rode down from the brigand's camp a short time after Parnard departed. Swan-hoof would not have been able to carry Estarfin, so it was Pelorian with me, or he walked home. I would not have the latter. 

The dawn was brightening into a fine morning, the deeds we had done left at the top of the hill, that we were in a more carefree mood. Then there was a noise of rustling from the edge of the forest. We turned as one, both hearing and seeing the form watching us. And Pelorian  put a foot wrong that I slid to one side, and he reached out a hand about my waist to steady me. 

"A Halfling," he said. "Thinking himself well hidden, and beyond our range of hearing and vision."

"They can be quite stealthy, these Hobbits" I observed.

"To the likes of Men, perhaps." he replied. 

(( With thanks to Estarfin for the picture ))