Twelve-year-old Celandine peered down at the lad standing at the base of the beech tree. “What?’ she hollered at him.
“I SAID WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP THERE?” he shouted back.
“Climbin’!” Celandine chirped as she climbed higher.
The boy started to climb up after.
Celandine giggled at the sounds coming from below.
“OW! HEY, HOW’D YOU GET UP THERE ANYWAYS?”
“Talent!” Celandine said, as a very dirty hobbit poked his head up. She smiled at him, hazel eyes twinkling. “Hi. I’m Celandine Took.”
“Matthias Brandybuck.” the grey-eyed lad said, sticking his hand out.
The two hobbits shook hands gravely.