[Child of the 7th Age]

Child stood outside the door of Birdland's cabin, knocking on the panel to attract her friend's attention. She could hear muffled sounds inside that sounded halfway between anger and tears.

"Bird, Bird, it's me. It's Child. Please let me in. I need to talk with you now."

There was no response so Child continued to tap away at the closed entry way, fidgeting with the knob in her hand.

Then she heard shuffling steps coming slowly to the door. There was a pause and then Bird's voice came in small, halting measures.

"Not now, Child. Not now. You and Pio and Mithadan are not the only ones who have much to ponder. I can not share with you until my own heart is at rest. Leave me in peace until I can see the path I must follow."

Child bent down in front of the door, and placed a small garland of sea lillies which she and Kali and Daisy had found just an hours before and carefully woven into a band. Kali, who was just learning to read and write Westron with Child's help, had scratched a greeting on the tag in wobbly letters. The card read: "We love you, Bird. We hope you feel better. Please tell us if we can help. Your friends, Kali, Child, and Daisy.