Eat, Bray, Love, Episode 8

Amlan's pace was somewhat more leisurely on our return journey. We were no longer in great haste. Even so, it took some effort to keep up with the ranger's long strides.

We continued to watch Piper closely for signs of change. At one point he came to a complete stop and cast his gaze northward. "What is atop that great hill o'er yonder, Mister Amlan?" Rusty asked. "That was once the great watchtower of Amon Sûl," replied the Ranger, "but it was burned and broken many hundreds of years ago, before even your folk came to live in the Shire. It is now called Weathertop." "The view from there must be grand," I said. Amlan urged us to continue. 

We continued our efforts to cheer Piper as Radagast had instructed. Little-by-little he showed signs of improvement. After a day or so into our return journey he no longer brayed or nibbled on grass along the road, which I'm certain was a good sign. He didn't look it, somehow he just seemed more himself.

We returned to Bree-land within a few days. Upon our arrivial at Bree-town's South Gate we thanked Amlan over and over for his assistance, and offered to pay him for his trouble. He would not accept our coin, although he did accept Rusty's offer of a pouch of Shire-grown leaf.

Rather than stay at The Pony as before, Rusty, Piper and I spent the night in Staddle with Piper's cousins. I'd met them last summer when they visited Piper and me in Goosevale shortly after we were wed. "Come visit us in Staddle anytime ye like," they'd told us. We decided to take them up on that offer.