[ArwenBaggins]

The door to the small cottage swung open and Kari bound inside. "Father! I had a great day at school today!" She dropped her lunch pail by the door and went to sit next to her father near the window.

"I heard..." Alvinac murmured, putting down his mug of ale. "I went to pick you up earlier, and Andreth said that you went home with a group of others and a Ranger."

Kari beamed. "Yeah, an' I made all kinds of fri-" Alvinac stopped her, a stern but worried look on his face.

The miller took a deep drink from his mug and continued. "I saw a Hobbit Ranger bring you home."

The girl frowned a bit and kicked her feet slightly. All she could manage was a slight wimper of sympathy. Alvinac stood and slammed the door closed. "You did not tell me that Hobbits would be at this school!"

Kari stood up in protest. "There's nothing wrong with hobbits! They're just as normal as you and me, but a little shorter! My new hobbit friend Lily even said I looked like a hobbit 'cause of my curly hair!" her expression tightened and she stomped her foot.

"You," her father paused, trying to decide if he wanted to show his true emotions. He then continued. "and I may think that hobbits are just people too, but everyone else doesn't! Do you want to be made fun of and teased for the rest of your life? Do you want your nickname to be 'Hobbit-girl'?"

Kari blinked. Father likes hobbits too! I'll be able to go to the school after all! She thought to herself.

Just as if reading her mind, Alvinac got down on his knees and looked Kari in the eye. "I've got to protect you. You can't go back to that school. I'll have to talk to Andreth in the morning."

His daughter opened her mouth to protest, but decided it was of no use. He was going to talk to Andreth, and that was that.

[ November 01, 2003: Message edited by: ArwenBaggins ]