[Child of the 7th Age]

The ship lay quiet, nestled in a small cove, with sails flapping loosely about the masts. The swimming party was assembling on deck.

The more adventurous were daring each other to climb up onto the side rail and dive into the depths. Birdie, the Elves, and even Mithadan were doing spins and somersaults into the water, showing off their elaborate tricks. Without a doubt, Birdie was the most striking of the group, since she instantly morphed into her Dolphin form when she hit the waves.

Rose, Kali, and Daisy stood in the bow of the ship. Rose climbed up onto the railing, wobbled a bit, and proceeded to make a loud splash as she tumbled in. Kali was about to follow her by executing a backflip off the rail, until he stopped to look at Daisy.

Daisy's eyes were large and round as she stared at the Bay. Even though it was calm, the water looked very different from the swimming holes and rivers that she was used to in the Shire. She was clearly afraid to jump in from such a height, but didn't want to show hesitation in front of the others.

Kali climbed down from the railing, grabbed her hand, and pulled her over to a small rope that had been dropped from the deck to the ocean below, for those who might be hesitant.

Child had already let herself slide off the deck and was inching downward on the rope towards the water. She maneuvered with both hands till she reached the bottom and then slipped off with a plunk into the Bay. Kali came next and climbed down effortlessly, motioning Daisy to follow. She looked determined but grim, akwardly wrapping arms and legs about the rope, while Kali held the other end taut. Inch by inch, Daisy slid down the rope till she reached the end and then let go, splashing into the water.

Rose had brought along a ball and the two girls began to play, snapping it back and forth. Within a few minutes, a game had emerged, with Daisy trying to throw it over Kali's head so he wouldn't be able to catch it. This was no easy task since Kali had a natural grace and athleticsm in water. There was much giggling and splashing and general nonsense which was not at all unusual for hobbits.

Then they swam over to the small dinghy where Child sat perched, watching their antics and eating a little cherry tart which she had purchased from the marketplace in Minas Tirith. Neither Kali nor Daisy could resist the temptation. Within a short space, they had rocked the dingy to the point of tipping, and Child found herself and her snack drenched in the waves.

Eventually, they set the boat upright, and the girls climbed in, arms extended and pointing to the sunset. Kali dove down into the waters and, after what seemed to Daisy and Child a frightfully long time, returned with three handsome shells in his hands. He gave one to Child and another to Rose, and then took the third, the most beautiful of all, and shyly offered it to Daisy. Child noticed that she seemed uncertain, as if she wasn't used to getting little presents, certainly a very strange reaction for a hobbit. But Daisy took the shell with both hands and even said thank you before she and Rose retreated once more to the dingy.

[ July 18, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]