[Child of the 7th Age]

After Rose and Child had returned their ponies to the stables, Child went about the house hoping to find Piosenniel. She was nowhere to be found. Child went down the hall to Mithdan's chamber and knocked softly on the door.

She heard some scuffled sounds inside, and then the noise of Mithadan taking up his sword and cautiously approaching the door. Child whispered through the keyhole, "It's only me, Child. I need to speak with you. I've just come back from Maura Tuk."

The door opened slightly and Child slipped through. She explained to Mithdan where she and Rose and Bird had gone and what they had learned. The man listened carefully.

Several times, he interrupted with questions. He seemed to want to know many details about the layout of the city, the size of the streets, and the dimensions of the buildings which Child had not considered at all. Like Pio he looked concerned when Child described how large the community was and that there might be well over a thousand hobbits.

As Child described her conversation with Maura Tuk, Mithadan's face grew even more grim. He responded sharply, "How do we know this Maura Tuk speaks for all hobbits? He is only one among many. Even he mentions that there are other leaders."

Child looked up, "Yes, only one among many, but he is special. If this question involved what crops to grow or how many men to send out to help patrol, then I think he would have no more voice than any other. But this question we bring......, it is a more basic matter. Ancalimon has told him that the hobbit people are to remain where they are, even if there is hardship and death. He will speak against any rescue plans, unless Idril herself should command them to leave, or he should hear otherwise from Ancalimon."

"Maura seemed to assume that, since I was a hobbit, I would have heard of Ancalimon. The problem is that I have only seen the same inscription as the rest of you in Minas Tirith plus the little bit that Pio has told me. I really do not know or understand very much. Perhaps, Ancalion is an Elf who has befriended the hobbits for many years. Perhaps Idril knows him, and can summon him to speak with Maura, and then the hobbits will agree to come."

"And you, Child, did you explain what we wanted to do, or try to talk a bit of sense into this hobbit?" He turned and looked at her with serious eyes.

Child swallowed and would not meet his gaze, "A little," she said.

Mithadan turned towards her, "A little?" His voice was stern and probing. "Your people are in danger of perishing in the flames."

Child said weakly, "I did the best I could." Then she continued, "I will say this. The man is no fool. He understands that an attack may come any day, but he believes the hobbits must remain in Gondoln for now."

What she did not tell Mithadan, what she could barely admit to herself, was that she had found Maura and his words very convincing. If Ancalimon did not come and tell them something different, perhaps the hobbits were meant to remain here, to hold on and deal as best they could with the catastrophe which would soon be upon all their heads.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]