Homeward Bound

"You may be wondering," says Barliman, wiping a glass, "why am I standing 'ere, dressed in the clothes of my wife's mother."

The hobbits nod. Hearing a muffled curse, Sam peers round the bar. "Why are there two Ithilien Rangers hidden in them barrels?"

"Hello!"

"You'll find all's not well in the Shire," Barley explains.

"Now, Barliman," says Gandalf, "listen very carefully – I shall say this only once. We took the sword of the king from the shelf of the elf and gave it to the stranger Ranger who found the Halfling with the ring and..."

"Oh 'eck," says Barley.

-o-0-o-

Written for the LotR drabbles at HASA.