[He was just considering his options, whether to take the ship on his own or find some other means (with his room left a mess trying to find his Ring of Returning would have taken too much time—perhaps he could try and borrow someone else's?) when he hears Gale approaching and looks at him in some surprise...and then a small wry huff of laughter.]

In some manner of speaking.

[He glances skyward towards the openings in the cave ceiling that show the darkness brought on by the storm clouds outside.]

But I don't have much time to explain, I have to chase after that "something" you saw earlier.