Angara set the elf down gently on the deck, then landed next to her and resumed her diminutive size.
Pio thanked her profusely for flying her to the ship, and then excused herself to go below and take a hot shower. She was cold and wet and very tired.
She showered quickly and changed into a soft robe, sage colored, trimmed with a delicate border of embroidered beech leaves. Running her fingers through her damp hair, she climbed back to the deck to greet her friends. They all seemed busy, talking to themselves or to each other in snippets about some sort of riddle. All except Bird, that is, who was at the helm gazing at the river course as they advanced up the Anduin.
Even Angara seemed busy, reading a piece of paper.
Pio went up to the helm deck and asked Bird what was going on.
'It's those dragon riddles.', said Bird, not taking her eyes off the river and its banks. 'She gave them to us while you were gone and every one is trying to puzzle them out.'
Kali had come up to the helm also, and was busy looking out at the passing land. He looked at the elf when she asked her question and then waited for Bird to finish her explanation. 'The dragon spoke in the old language, so the riddle must be old, too. My poor head can't figure them out though.'
Pio asked Bird to repeat the riddles to her, and Kali filled in what Bird could not remember.
'Has Mithadan attempted these riddles yet?' asked Pio.
'No, not yet.', said Bird 'I think he's resting. His wounds still make him weary at times.'
Pio thanked them both for filling her in and went to speak with Angara, who was chuckling over the paper in her claws.
'Something funny?' she asked the dragon.
'Not funny, delightfully on track. I think that hobbit has the makings of a true scholar!' She handed Pio the paper. 'Look at this, she almost has it.'
The elf scanned the letter quickly. Well done, Child she thought. And well done , too, Rose and Cele whom she had heard exchanging thoughts on Numenor.
She handed the letter back to Angara. Her face was thoughtful, her thoughts guarded. 'This may prove to be a fearsome if not deadly undertaking.' she said as much to herself as to the dragon. 'The prospect of it chills me.' She shivered and drew her robe about her more tightly.
She looked at Angara. 'May I help them with this riddle, Old One?'
'As you wish, Old One. It is you and the other kuduk who have the most to fear.'
Pio went to her cabin and drew her leather mapcase from her pack. She unrolled them carefully and looked for the one she knew might help. 'Ah, there it is!, she said. She ran upstairs with it, and called her companions round her. Unrolling the old map on a barrel top, she pointed out the image in the center of the great sea:
'These are the five stars and the One.'