Eat, Bray, Love, Episode 6

After a night's rest and a hearty Prancing Pony Inn breakfast taken in our room, Rusty and I thought we'd take Piper to visit Mayor Graeme Tenderlarch. Hobbits we met at the inn said that he was a fair man, and would do what he could to help us.

We exited the inn through the back door closest to our room. Standing there on the back porch was a tall slender man dressed in worn clothing. We had been told about these folk by the patrons of The Pony, as the locals call it, and were warned these "rangers" were not to be trusted. There was a kindness in this fellow's eyes, however, that told me he was different.

"Ho there! Where you goin', hobbits, and who's that wit' ya?" he said. Rusty immediately took a defensive posture, balling up his fists in preparation for a fight. I looked into the ranger's eyes and, with a calmness that surprised even myself, reached out and gently lowered my brother's fists.

"Good morning, Mister Ranger," I replied. "I am Auri Goold, and this unfortunate fellow is my husband. He's been hexed.

"Hexed, eh?" he laughed. When he saw that the sincerity of my expression, however, he changed his tone.

"I see. I am Amlan," he said courteously with a slight bow. "May I look at the lad?"

Grim-faced Rusty shook his head but I consented. "Yes, if you think you can help him."

The tall ranger got down on one knee, placed a large hand on each of Piper's shoulders and stared intently into his eyes.

"I cannot help you, but I know someone who can. He is three days hence along the Great East Road. His name is Radagast, and he's a friend of Gandalf, if you know him."

"Aye, we know of 'im," replied Rusty. "But not all Shire-folk are keen on Mister Gandalf. They think 'im guilty of causin' mischief, if you take my meanin'. Piper here ain't one of them, though."

"I do take your meaning," replied Aslan with a smile, "but those who think so are mistaken." "Your friend needs treatment soon," the ranger said grimly, "or I fear he may never recover. Shall we visit Radagast?"

"Aye, if we must," replied Rusty. "Yes, please!" I said.