Chapter 3: Four Companions
Sitting in the dark tavern with Willy on one side and Giles on the other, Astrid shifted her wooden spoon around in small circles in her runny soup.
"'Ya know, I used 'ta come here all the time, and order a pint and a bowl of soup. 'Twas always chock full of veggies, and the broth was absolutely delicious," Giles pointed to his small bowl. "and now look at it! Just a few carrots and 'taters floating in a tasteless watery mess. 'Tis nowhere what it used 'ta be."
Astrid nodded in response. She pulled her cloak around her shoulders higher as the door opened, letting a pile of snow in with the wind. She stood bravely, and went up to the bar, where a short hobbit-lad stood.
"Excuse me! Excuse me everyone!" She pushed down her hood and fanned out her dark black curls. "I'm Astrid Boffin, Daughter of Gadiboard and Daisy Boffin! My parents were lead to Rivendell many a year ago by the great Brandoras Took! Now, when the same situation befalls us, my friends Giles Brandybuck and Willy Cotton are helping me get to Rivendell. Would anyone wanna' come with us? Enough food will be brought for the whole Shire!" Hobbits looked at her, the door, and then continued talking. "Please!! For the Shire?" She looked around again, without a reply from anyone. She walked back to the table with a melancholy look on her face.
"I guess we're not gettin' any help 'ere." Willy said as he pulled out Astrid's chair for her to sit. Giles patted her back and smiled, and she smiled weakly back.
Sitting in the dark tavern with Willy on one side and Giles on the other, Astrid shifted her wooden spoon around in small circles in her runny soup.
"'Ya know, I used 'ta come here all the time, and order a pint and a bowl of soup. 'Twas always chock full of veggies, and the broth was absolutely delicious," Giles pointed to his small bowl. "and now look at it! Just a few carrots and 'taters floating in a tasteless watery mess. 'Tis nowhere what it used 'ta be."
Astrid nodded in response. She pulled her cloak around her shoulders higher as the door opened, letting a pile of snow in with the wind. She stood bravely, and went up to the bar, where a short hobbit-lad stood.
"Excuse me! Excuse me everyone!" She pushed down her hood and fanned out her dark black curls. "I'm Astrid Boffin, Daughter of Gadiboard and Daisy Boffin! My parents were lead to Rivendell many a year ago by the great Brandoras Took! Now, when the same situation befalls us, my friends Giles Brandybuck and Willy Cotton are helping me get to Rivendell. Would anyone wanna' come with us? Enough food will be brought for the whole Shire!" Hobbits looked at her, the door, and then continued talking. "Please!! For the Shire?" She looked around again, without a reply from anyone. She walked back to the table with a melancholy look on her face.
"I guess we're not gettin' any help 'ere." Willy said as he pulled out Astrid's chair for her to sit. Giles patted her back and smiled, and she smiled weakly back.