[Hookbill the Goomba]

"Come," said Fáinu, "That cannot be true, what of Crystal? For I perceive that she was a dear friend. Surely she cares for you?"

Fáinu wanted to encourage her; he did not like to see any elf so sad and gloomy, even though he knew the same was in him. She stared into the fire and Fáinu once again withdrew his glaze from it. A few hobbits began to sing and dance on top of tables; they sung silly songs about ale and climbing over hills.

"Think yourself lucky," Fáinu said at length, "You have companions, I have not known good company for a long time. Once I rode forth with Elodan and Elrohir, but that was long ago, and I have not seen them for a long time. I doubt even if they would recognise me."

Adu looked still into the fire; as if some concern had suddenly dawned on her. Fáinu wished he could help, but knew that he would probably make things worse. He knew not his place in the world, now that Smaug was dead; he saw no means to go on living. Before he had thought to gain revenge on Smaug for the destruction of lands and the murder of his family. When news of Bard's victory came to him, he was struck as one who has a stone thrown at them. The pain in his mind was dimmer when Smaug died, indeed, Fáinu knew the very hour that it happened for the pain on his mind was lifted a little.

Yea, Sorrow never dies, and if one has companions, it is dimmed to a mere flicker in the dark, but when one is alone, it grows.

His thought trailed off, as he looked about the room, the sun was streaking through the round windows and many Hobbits were leaving to get on with duties elsewhere. Fáinu became aware that Adu looked to have dimmed her sorrow for now and was smiling lightly.