[piosenniel]

Late afternoon had moved to evening, and from her hiding place, Pio watched her pursuer, for that is how she thought of him now, approach the guardhouse and speak with the posted sentries. She noted that his presence caused no alarm to them, that after only a few moments he passed into the passageway leading to The Citadel.

As he strode into the tunnel, a party of three emerged, talking and laughing as they came. Three hobbits! Two males and a young girl, her cloak on against the chill of evening, its hood obscuring her face from view.

Pio recognized the merry voice. It was Rose!

She watched as Rose made her farewells to one of the hobbits, and he turned back toward the tunnel and was gone. Listening intently, she heard the other hobbit offer to see Rose safely to where she was staying.

Alarmed that the all too trusting hobbit might accept his offer, Pio stepped forth from the shadows, hailing her.

'Rose! Here I am! I've come to walk you home!'

Hasty introductions were made, and the hobbit, assured by Rose that this indeed was one of her friends, bid her farewell.

'Oh, Pio,' exclaimed Rose in delight, 'you'll never guess who I've seen!'

Pio pulled the hobbit quickly into the tunnel without answering, and hurried her through to the fifth tier, keeping in shadow when she could. Rose protested the haste and the elf drew her into the deeper darkness of an alley.

'There is danger here.', whispered Pio. 'Another of my kind followed me as I came to find you. He passed into The Citadel, seeking something or someone. We need to get back to the ship quickly before he thinks to follow again.'

Rose nodded her silent assent. The two companions strode quickly through the tiers and made their way cautiously to the ship.

Once on board, Pio knelt before the hobbit and helped her off with her cloak. Smiling at her, she said, 'Now Mistress Rose, tell me, how came you to be with two such handsome hobbits, and who did you see?'

[ July 09, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]