[Child of the 7th Age]

Child looked at Rose and smiled. How very young she was, and how very happy! Pio was assuring her that Idril would make certain to provide them with suitable clothes for court. And she was giving the hobbit instructions on the proper way to greet an Elven king.

That afternoon, before they had begun their discussion about the shapechanger, Child had confided to Mithadan what she intended to do, if her people could not be rescued. Child felt sure this was one of the reasons Mithadan had struggled so hard to come up with an alternative plan so he could somehow fly the hobbits out of the city. She guessed that his own remark about leaving Child among the hobbits of Gondolin was simple confirmation that he had accepted Child's assessment of the situation and could see no other way to proceed.

Child had been a bit startled when she had heard Mith's words if only because Rose had still been present in the room. But she didn't think the girl had heard or understood what was said. And the moment the conversation had shifted to the upcoming evening at court, all other thoughts had flown out of Rose's head.

Child left and went back to her own room, to make sure she had gathered up all her belongings in preparation for her departure the next morning. Pio had even given Child a small packet of gems to tuck into her belt, thinking that she might need something to bribe guards for needed favors.

As Child stuffed her possessions into the belt and sack, she suddenly noticed a noise and a flutter coming from the rafters above. She looked up to see the figure of the crow, half hidden in the shadows. In a quiet voice, Bird asked what she was doing. Child assured her that she was just gathering up her things to make sure there was no mess left for the serving lady who would wait upon their chamber shortly. Bird commented that she had never known Child to be so tidy before. She tilted her head sideways and then pressed forward with another question. "So what did Mithadan mean about leaving you with the hobbits of Gondolin. That's never been discussed or suggested before."

Child sighed. She had known this moment was coming sometime, but she had not wanted it to be now. Her friend deseved a truthful answer.

Child began to explain. "This is not the decision of a single moment. It is something I have thought about for many days. Please don't tell me to reconsider, or say that I am doing something foolish. Perhaps I am. But I'll never live with myself unless I do this thing."

"Pio had guessed what I was doing even back on ship, and this afternoon, I felt it was my responsibility to say something to Mithadan since he is the leader of our group."

And then came back the one question Child had feared, "Why did you not say anything to me?"

What could she say? The truth? That, of all those on shipboard, she had known Bird the longest, and that she simply did not have the words to explain that she would be walking out of her life, perhaps forever.
Child did not know how to answer so she simply continued her explanation.

"I am the only one of our group who can actually do something for the remnent of the hobbits. No one will turn me back if I choose to share misfortune with my people. And I have the one thing the hobbits lack, the absolute certainty that there is a future, and that the future includes them. I can't reveal that in so many words, but if I manage to survive the initial attack, if I can go with them into prison or exile, my deeds and my behavior will tell them what they need to know. And if the Lonely Star can make its way back someday, that is all to the good. But, if not,I can live knowing that this was the right thing to do."

"I am sorry to have said nothing. The truth is I did not have the words to tell you. We have been friends a very long time. And I knew that lately there were things troubling you deeply, things that I still can't know or understand. It didn't seem right to dump this upon you as well."

The crow said nothing about Child's explanation, but asked once more. "Child, the ship is not supposed to return for another 70 years or so. In fact, Pio said something to me that we can not push too many holes into the fabric of time at too close intervals, or we may cause irrepairable harm. How will you survive so long?"

Child responded, "Pio has talked to me about that. She says that time runs differently in communities of Valar and Elves than it does in the lands of men. I remember back home that Bilbo and Samwise mentioned something like that to me. And it is most likly that I will be a guest of Morgoth." Child spat out the last name, and turned to resume her packing.

Bird did not argue or debate word-for-word, as the two friends had done so many other times. She sat silent and said, "But what of Rose? Have you spoken to her?"

Child replied, "She is too young. She has even less idea than I do of what she might face. Rose mustn't know or suspect. She needs to stay with you and return to the ship. Rose deserves a life in her own time ad place. Bird, please, keep an eye on her."

"And who" said Bird, "will keep an eye on you?"

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]