Elvish Craftsmanship

Snarfi eyed the contraption warily. 'And you say it's perfectly safe?'

'On my honour, master Snarfi,' assured Barliman.

The dwarf shrugged, and clambered gingerly up onto the seat. To his great surprise, it did not topple over as he'd been sure it would. He jiggled and rocked about a bit in an act of perilous curiosity. It did not budge. It did not even wobble. He grunted in taciturn surprise.

Barliman smiled. 'Elvish craftsmanship, just as I told you,' he remarked smugly.

Snarfi stroked his beard. 'And you say you bought this from one of my kin?'

'Aye,' said Butterbur, quite solemnly. 'A stout fellow like yourself he was. Well now as a matter of fact I believe he professed to follow the same trade as you. A gemstone merchant, he was. I must confess his name escapes me though.'

Snarfi's exceptionally bushy brows raised a little. 'What did he look like?' A description was forthcoming, after which Snarfi carefully hopped back down and said firmly, 'Well, I hope he gave you a reciept.'