[Anguirel]

Artifondo couldn't help but laugh at Edan's turn of phrase. Disfortunate dispositions, indeed...but the essence of Edan's theory was good sense. There were now no Wizards left with the power or will to disrupt the humdrum peace of the Shire, either for better or worse.

He smiled at Edan. "I'm the opposite of you. Reading is my escape. My father and sister are always dragging me out of some history or book of poems, sending me off to harvest artichokes, or buy some twine, or deliver a letter, or collect levies from our tenantry...I can tell you, there are times when I sorely wish we Hobbits wore shoes, for my soles feel like the hide of an Oliphaunt..."

He sat back in his share, his meal finished, his belly pleasantly full. This was all very agreeable, but when was the Cook planning on turning up? Though she'd probably turf him out on his ear...if she had any sense...still, he had to make the sale, unlikely as it seemed, or he wouldn't be able to justify spending Dwellover money on lunch at the Green Dragon...