[Child of the 7th Age]

As Kari reluctantly pressed the book into Andreth's hands, the Innkeeper looked down and intently studied the girl's face. Despite the brave smile, the girl's expression told a different story: her lips were quivering and eyes downcast as she fought to hold back tears. Andreth did not have to speak with Alvinac to guess what had happened.

Kari's father was a decent man, one of the finest in all of Bree, who would never wish harm on anyone, either the Big or Little Folk. But he was also an extremely cautious man who'd had more than his share of loss and suffering. One thing was certain: he would protect his daughter at any cost. And if he saw his fellow Breelanders angry at the hobbits, he was not about to let her read a book about them or their customs. Who knows what would happen if someone might find her doing that?

Andreth slipped the volume back into her pocket and leaned over to whisper into Kari's ear, "Don't worry. I'll speak with your father to have you come see me tomorrow afternoon, and we'll read some stories together, from this and many others books. And, perhaps, just perhaps, you may get to meet a hobbit lad."

The girl's eyes widened and the gleem of a real smile slipped over her young face. Kari nodded her approval and was about to leave when Andreth hastily reached over and tapped her shoulder, "Kari, one more thing.... You might not want to mention anything about a hobbit lad. We don't want to get your father upset. And I'm truly not sure if I can get the lad to come."

Kari grinned in understanding as Andreth watched her melt into the crowd and make her way back towards her father. The Innkeeper quickly slipped into her own reflections. What earthly use could she be at this meeting? She had no experience with battle strategy or the ways of outlaws. She had enough common sense to know that they should all pitch in together to mend the hedge and dyke. She sincerely hoped someone else would suggest that, since her own preference was to stay quiet at this gathering..... stay quiet and then privately go about with the little things she actually had some skill in doing.

The hostility she'd seen at the meeting had given her a rude awakening. Unless a few folk took a quiet stand, the town was apt to devolve into two warring factions with nothing of real worth getting done. And what was the best way to start working towards that understanding? Surely it should begin with the children. The children who would then go home to their parents and subtly influence their own attitudes.

The late afternoon was a relatively quiet time at the Inn with the luncheon serving cleared away, the nightime guests not yet checking in, and the Cook busy preparing for dinner. It was a perfect time for her to gather together a few children in one of the empty storage rooms and do a bit of simple reading and figures. There were plenty of empty rooms around with provisions still so scarce!

She'd make a point of talking with a few of the other parents to have their children come and perhaps she could persuade Mausi to do the same among the hobbit families. She'd make sure to keep the rudest children out of it, certainly that obnoxious Will who was such a troublemaker. And perhaps, just to begin with, she wouldn't mention to the Breelanders that there would also be hobbit children coming to the school. No use to mention such an obvious thing and, after all, she wasn't even sure the hobbits would agree to come. Of course, she'd tell Mausi about the children of the Big Folk. But then, that was different....

Andreth turned to Mausi and began explaining about the small afternoon school, asking if she knew any hobbit youngsters who might enjoy coming and learning a few letters and numbers.

[ October 06, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]