[Noinkling]

Benat came whistling up the dirt path to the Inn; his long strides eating up the distance from the main road to the Dragon’s door. Cullen loped along beside him; his pace picking up as he caught the scent of the lunch meal.

It had been an enjoyable morning for the both of them. Benat had been graciously taken in by Sam and his wife, Rosie and made to feel quite at home. He chuckled as he thought of it. They had taken care to set up a little party in their back yard. Food and drink and a rather large bench for Benat to sit on. Sam had told him he’d read Master Bilbo’s account of his stay with Beorn and thought perhaps it would be less cramped for Benat if he didn’t try to squeeze into Bag End.

Cullen had been delighted to meet the Gamgee children. And Rose commented, before she left the men to talk over old stories and books, that the dog would be welcome anytime to come up and nursemaid her wee ones a bit. For his part, Cullen was as patient as he could be as they pulled his ears and poked fingers in his mouth to see his great teeth and gave him mighty hugs with sloppy kisses when he licked them.

Now it was time for food, thought Cullen as they stepped onto the porch and through the door. He could hear Benat’s stomach grumbling as they walked toward a suitable table.