[piosenniel]

It took only a short time to get the ship in order. It gleamed like a little star.

A large table had been set up on the main deck and covered with a clean white cloth. Rose and Child were to bring flowers with them when they returned from the Library. Kali, Angara, and Pio were consulting with one another over what to serve, and the little hobrim was beside himself with excitement at the possibility of cooking for his friends and the guest.

Bird had swept the last dust-bunny over the side, and was just finishing arranging some chairs for all when Pio nudged her.

'I'm hot! Are you?' whispered the elf. Bird nodded her assent.'It looks as if preparations are well in hand - Kali and Angara have taken over the menu and are working on the preparation; Rose and Child will bring the flowers; Mithadan is multi-tasking as usual - choosing suitable wines for the meal and after, & trying to decipher the clues as he goes along. Just help me hang up the last of these candle lanterns. Then what say we go for a swim?!'

'One question.' said Bird, putting a fresh candle in the lantern she held and handing it to Pio. 'Will Idril and Tuor be here?'

'I've thought about that and I don't see how it will be possible. Tuor's ship would cause a large stir were it to sail into port, and so would Anagara if she were to fly them here. I think we shall have to rely on other means of communication to keep them in the loop.'

She stored the remaining candles away and ran to the aftdeck. 'Last one in's a one-legged neeker-breeker!!' Bird followed her over the railing.

'Hey, you two!! Come back here!', shouted Mith at their falling forms. But his only answer was the trail of bubbles floating on the surface of the water.

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]