”Gandalf... the Grey?” Ori whispered, looking at Nori.
”It has been too long,” Dori said, ”but... what are you doing here?”
”Oh, I’m just checking in on everyone in the company, making sure your trip to the Shire goes well,” said the wizard in his old, cheerful voice. ”You seem to be doing alright so far, though I don’t believe I have met your brothers, Dori.”
”Nori, at your service!” said Nori.
”Ori, at your service!” said Ori.
Gandalf smiled down at them. ”What a pleasure. Now, how is the traveling so far? The mountains have treated you well, I trust?”
”Indeed, but we are crossing the river tonight, and we from now on we are traveling through unknown territory for us,” Dori said. Ori took out his map and spread it out on the table before the grey wizard. ”We are taking the midnight ferry from Grey Havens, and then we are continuing on foot for the Shire. We have not decided if we are to pass the these mountains north or south,” he said, pointing to the map. The wizard surveyed the three brothers thoughtfully before he responded. ”The southern road is much longer, as you know, but it is also lined with villages all the way to the Shire. However, north of these mountains you will not find a single village until you reach Hobbiton, only wild lands and possibly hostile mountain folk.”
”So the short way may also be the long way, depending on what will meet us there,” said Nori, turning everyones heads - for it was a rare enough thing for Nori to engage in conversation rather than playing his flute. ”You are quite right, young master dwarf,” said Gandalf. ”I do believe you all have your wits about you, and if there is nothing you would ask of me at the moment I shall take my leave. I will see you all in the Shire.” The brothers finished their meal, preparing for what would turn out to be a much longer night than any of them had expected.
