by shirebound
Bilbo brought the pony to a halt under a nearby tree and climbed down from the cart, a little stiffly. "That smells wonderful, Estel," he called out, "but believe me, that's the last hunting you'll have to do for a few days. We brought enough food to feed an army."
Aragorn grinned and got to his feet, then walked over to greet Bilbo and help unhook the pony from the cart. Frodo was a bit stunned when he saw, at last, just how tall the Ranger really was; in Bag End, he had only seen him and Gandalf sitting, or kneeling, or stooped over. The Big Folk were really big. And the horse…
Sam was already greeting Arthad as an old friend, giggling as the huge animal bent his head and nudged the tiny person in front of him in recognition. Sam pulled an apple out of his pocket and fed it to him.
"Come meet Ollie, Mr. Frodo!"
"Maybe later, Sam." Frodo didn't really feel the urge to get any closer to the huge horse. "I think I'll help Bilbo unpack a few things."
"Ollie?" Aragorn looked at Bilbo, puzzled.
"Sam met your horse in our field," explained Bilbo, handing Frodo one of the baskets. "It's short for 'Oliphaunt', an enormous beast from an old poem."
"There are many large beasts in the world," Aragorn chuckled, "but I never dreamed Arthad would be reckoned among them." He picked up two baskets and set them on the ground. "Bilbo, have you been baking all summer? There seem to be more pies in this basket than stars in the sky."
"Just about!" Bilbo laughed. "You have performed mighty deeds, my friend, I doubt it not --- but keeping hobbit lads fed is a daunting task not undertaken lightly! Sam's mother bakes the best pies in Hobbiton. And speaking of pies…" Bilbo lightly slapped Frodo's hand away from the basket.
"Weren't you and Sam planning to wash up before dinner, Frodo-lad?"
Frodo sighed heavily. "Come on, Sam!" he called out, heading for the small stream at the edge of the glade.
Aragorn waited until the boys were out of earshot.