5. StoutnSturdy

Shiona stood outside the Ivy Bush Inn at Hobbiton, wondering whether to go in.

The sound of a horse galloping up to the stables behind her snapped her out of her wonderings and she turned round to see a distinguished looking Elf approaching the Inn.
The Elf stopped and studied Shiona’s badge with curious interest. “You coming in then?” she enquired, grinning slightly.
Shiona noticed the Elf was sporting a similar badge to her own “I will in a minute” She mumbled nervously.
“See you inside then,” said the Elf brightly as she disappeared through the door.

After a few more minutes dithering, Shiona took a deep breath and entered. In the far corner, she could make out the Elf joining a group of figures. One figure, a Dwarf in a very audacious hat, rose to greet the Elf with a wave of his tankard. “Somara!” he said, “take a seat!” He sat himself back down on the chair with a flourish but overbalanced and chair and dwarf toppled backwards, much to the merriment of those around. Shiona stifled a giggle and waited for the dwarf to compose himself before approaching the group.
The chuckles and laughter gradually subsided as one by one, pairs of interested eyes turned to look at the newcomer “Oh Glory,” Shiona thought to herself “I don’t think this was such a good idea….”

Clearing her throat nervously, she addressed the now silent group. “I’m looking for someone by the name of Radi Redbeard” she said.
“Ah, well that would be me!” said the big-hat dwarf as he made to get up from his chair.
“No please, don’t get up!” said Shiona earnestly “I wouldn’t want you falling off the chair again!” The party erupted into laughter once more and Shiona felt her cheeks redden. “I didn’t mean, I mean, I didn’t..well..I just meant….oh my……” her words fell away and she stood staring anxiously at the floor.
“It’s these Shire-made chairs” said Radi with a grin. “They can’t take the weight, you see. Built for little ones such as yourself, they are”

“I’m NOT a lit….” Shiona started to say, but thought better of it. “I mean, my friend Fielanor asked me to find you and make myself known to you. So here I am” She looked round the gathered company again. “I um, I’m likely to be off travelling again soon and she said that you said that well, I shouldn’t do it alone. Though I don’t know how you’re supposed to know where you’re going if I don’t know myself, if you see what I mean. I mean, well, I’m not..”

“Whoah lass!” chuckled Radi. “You’ve lost me already. Yes, I remember Fielanor. Pull up a chair and start again from the beginning. Gorgrim, go get the lass a drink – nothing too strong mind, till we know she can hold her liquor” There was another roar of laughter from the group and the dwarf who’d been sat beside Radi got up and headed to the bar.

Feeling a lot less nervous and a lot more relieved, Shiona took the tankard from Gorgrim and had a drink. “Water?” she said enquiringly. Gorgrim winked “For now” he said. “Now then lass, from the top……………”