The three were soon busy with their meal;

and the two hobbits, unabashed, set to a second time.

«We must keep our guests company,» they said.

«You are full of courtesy this morning,» laughed Legolas. «But maybe. if we had not arrived, you would already have been keeping one another company again.»

«Maybe; and why not?» said Pippin. «We had foul fare with the Orcs, and little enough for days before that. It seems a long while since we could eat to heart’s content.»

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