[Arry]

The three Hobbits climbed down carefully from the snowy roof and made their way down the ladder they’d left against the eaves. Most of the little fires had been put out by the men with their buckets of water and it was slippery going as the water had begun to freeze into slick ice.

In the courtyard at the rear of the inn, the animals who had helped in the fight were beginning to gather. Lying about the enclosure were the still bodies of those creatures who had fallen in the battle. Andwise looked about for the tall men, but they were nowhere to be seen.

Through a series of gestures and reassuring talk, the Hobbits spoke to the remaining animals. The Hobbits helped gather some wood for a little pyre in one corner of the Inn yard. With the help of the animals their fellows’ bodies were placed atop the pyre and a few parting words given by the three Hobbits. They then gave a little bow to Owl and the others and made their way back into the inn.

Old Goody still sat by the fire. And Carr was bringing in pots of hot, mulled wine for those in the common room to dip into with their mugs. Willem went back into the kitchen to help see if Cook could be persuaded to bring out a little something to eat. Soon, he returned with several little baskets of bread and a platter of sliced cheese and pot of tangy mustard.