Episode 2: A Shortcut to Long Delays
Piper brushes crumbs and other debris from his clothing. "Crawling under people’s chairs was a good means of escape, but I think I’ve ruined my best suit."
"Your only suit, you mean,’ his Bounder friend retorts. ‘If we make good time, I figure we can bed down at the Golden Perch…"
"Right after a nightcap!" interjects Piper.
"…Now, now, I think you’ve had quite enough already for one day. In the morning we’ll stop in Newbury so you can change. Then we're on to Bree."
"You have our ponies?"
"Yes, they’re just over here."
"Then let’s go!"
Along the way the two young hobbits pass some local villages.
“That’s Frogmorton. I find the croaking soothing.” Piper says cheerfully.
"You find that racket soothing?!’ exclaims the fellow Bucklander. ‘"You’ve been in the Shire far too long, Piper."
A bit further down the road…
"There across the Water is Budgeford. It’s famous for…”
"Don’t tell me: pig farming. I don’t know what’s worse, the smell or the thunderous oinking."
The two hobbits looked at each other. “The smell!” they say in unison and began to laugh.
"Speaking of pigs, I wonder what Barli will be serving for luncheon tomorrow?" Piper thinks aloud.
"Let’s get to Stock first before we worry about the Pony’s menu," instructs his friend.
A ways down the East-West Road the duo at last reach Stock.
"Ah, the Golden Perch at last, the best beer in the East Farthing!" exclaims Piper.
"Which we shall enjoy upon another visit," the Bounder says somewhat crossly. "Let us focus on getting a good night’s sleep and a large Golden Perch breakfast in the morning before we concern ourselves with tomorrow afternoon’s fare at the Prancing Pony."
"All right, have it your way," Piper relents. Both hobbits laugh.
