[Child of the 7th Age]

Nitir lifted up the dagger from her lap and held it poised in mid-air fearing that the little burrow would soon be torn asunder by the waves of battle which were clearly approaching. All three women huddled in the center of the room facing the barricaded door, while the boy slept on in the tunnel below, oblivious to the tumult. In just the past few minutes, the room had grown oppressively hot, with smoke seeping inward along the seams of the doorway.

Azra was flushed both from the heat and her earlier wounding, but the horror and excitment pulsing through her body kept her upright and alert. She held aloft the Elven sword which the older hobbit had entrusted to her care. Nitir warned her, "Do not open the door unless you hear words in the Elvish tongue. These are the orders we have." The girl laid her head against the doorpost. With the massive confusion in the streets, it was hard to hear anything but the roar of battle.

But then came the Elvish words precise and clear from Piosenniel. "Rose, Child, open up the door, for it is us, your friends and comrades."

"Mother," she cried, "it's our friends. I can hear Piosenniel."

Nitir and Zira went to the heavy table and slid it back from the doorway, holding the door briefly ajar for the three figures to slip inside. An Elf, a Man, and a bedraggled crow pushed their way inside. Almost instantly behind them came another knock, followed by a command in Elvish, and the entry of three hobbits returned from the battle.

Ban collapsed onto the nearest bench, his wife running to his side. Maura leaned against the doorpost, holding onto his brother Raza who had been wounded. He gasped for air, as he bellowed out the news, "The North Gate has fallen. The city has been breached."

Mithadan stepped forward, and bent down to keep his head from knocking against the rafters. He nodded in acknowledgement to Maura Tuk. "We have little time. I gave my word of honor to the one you call Nitir that I would keep the young girl in my safety." He strode toward Rose, and held out his hand.

Maura looked at Nitir, and asked, "What would you have me do?"

Nitir stood up and shook her head, "My heart says to send the child back with my friends to the safety of the ship. But my head tells me something different. Azra is no longer a child. She has carried a woman's load of work and responsibility on our long voyage here. And just as I had the right to chose my path tonight, it is her free right to chose."

All eyes turned to the young hobbit to see what answer she would give. Nitir went over and took her hand, "You must chose quickly for there is little time. There is no right or wrong answer here, and no one will chastise you for the path you pick. I would see you safe at home, but go where your heart leads you."

[ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]