"West, you say?" Gretaric took another sip of his ale.
"That's right. To Celondim, in Ered Luin. You'd take the rubies to an Elf there, once you'd polished them."
"But what would an Elf want with a few rubies?"
Edmund leaned back and looked left and right before leaning in and speaking in lowered tones. "I don't need to tell you, these are no ordinary rubies. I've not seen any like this for a while... Look, I can't say I know what my Elf friend wants them for, but he'll pay us for them, and that's all that matters to me."
Gretaric had brought his tankard to his lips and was slowly chugging his ale down as his companion spoke, his loud slurps not quite loud enough to drown out his friend's words. Finishing his ale, he wiped his mouth and burped loudly before speaking. "Alright Edmund old friend. But you know what I'm going to say..."
"Oh come on sir..."
Gretaric waved a finger at his friend and shook his head. "No arguing. If I'm going, you're coming with me. It'll be just like old times. My old Bree-land friend and I, out for adventures."
"Come on sir, it's just a simple delivery. No need to be getting into any trouble..."
"Now listen Edmund, I never travel alone. Only once I did, and look how that turned out. No, if I'm going I'll need a companion, and you're the only one I trust here." Gretaric paused and grinned at his friend. "I know you've got nothing better to be doing."
"If I wasn't busy I'd have gone myself. I wouldn't have asked you to do this for me..."
Gretaric lowered his voice, his eyes narrowing now as he spoke seriously. "Look, friend, I know why you're asking me to do this. You think I need to get out of Bree. You pity me, you think I'm wasting my time..."
"No! Sir, I..."
Gretaric waved a hand, dismissing the protest. "Don't deny it, I know what you think of me. And you're right. Maybe this journey will be good for me." Gretaric smiled and leaned back in his chair. "But even better with an old and trusted friend."
Edmund smiled. "I'm not so old, and neither are you. But you talk like an old man sometimes, you always did... Alright, we'll go together. I'll tell the wife, she'll be glad to be rid of me for a while."
Gretaric laughed. "You do that! But first, I'll get us another round of drinks..."
