©2003 Ian Hobson

Sam lay in the grass with his head resting on his pack and his legs crossed at the ankles. He turned a page of the novel he was reading. His companion lay nearby, looking up at the grey sky. 'It's not much of a day, is it, Sam?' he said.

'No, but at least it's not raining. And this is as good a place as any for us to put our feet up for a while.'

'What's that you're reading, Sam?'

'Harry Potter.'

'What, the first one?'

'Yeah. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.'

'I didn't realise you'd brought that with you... Let me guess. You're just reading it to see what all the fuss was about?'

'That's right. How did you know?'

'I read it for the same reason. I can see why kids like it though. I bet they'd love to go to school and learn magic and how to fly around on broomsticks, instead of doing their regular lessons.'

Sam scratched at his head. 'Aye, I think you've got a point there. I'd have certainly enjoyed my school days a lot better if they'd been like that.'

'You can tell she was a Tolkien fan.'

'Who, JK Rowling?'

'Yeah.'

'Yeah, I suppose you’re right: wizards n' magic n' all. And that cloak thing that makes him invisible; not quite the same as Bilbo’s ring, but near enough... I wouldn't mind having a cloak like that. It'd come in useful, sometimes.'

'You can say that again.'

'I wouldn't mind having a cloak like that. It'd come in useful, sometimes.'

'Very funny... Is that her real name, Sam? JK Rowling, I mean.'

'I don't know... I suppose so... Have you seen the film?

'No, have you?'

‘No, they say it's not as good as the book.'

'They never are, Sam.'

'It'll be getting dark soon.'

'It will, Sam. I suppose we better be thinking about moving on. You got any food left in your pack?'

'Not much. How about you?'

'Couple of biscuits.'

'Same here. Shall we finish 'em up?'

'No, we better not. Better to save them. We've a long way to go.'

'How far do you reckon we've walked since we left the others?'

'I don't know. I've lost count of the miles... Are you ready then, Sam?'

'Aye, Mister Frodo.'

'Come on then. And keep and eye out for that Gollum creature. I'm sure he's still following us.'

*****

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