[Birdland]

From the top of the mast the golden form of Angara lay curled around the crow's nest, outlined by the blaze of stars. Every once in a while, the dragon would raise her head, responding not to signs of danger so much as the spectacular, sights, sounds, and smells of the ocean at night.

But a small figure walking across the deck drew her attention. Angara lowered her head on the thin snake-like neck as she followed the progress of Daisy over to the railing.

"Good Evening, little halfling. Is sleep denied you?"

Daisy craned her neck up to see the form of the dragon looming over her, swaying slightly back and forth from the motion of the waves on the ship. She knew now how a partridge felt when the dark form of the falcon hovered above it.

"Ah...yes...I just couldn't seem to sleep, so I thought I'd try my hand at a little fishing. See if we could have something fresh for breakfast." She held up her long sapling fishing rod.

"What do you use for bait."

"Cricket. I found a cricket in the galley."

"One cricket? I doubt you'll catch much with that."

"Well, if nothing else, it will pass the time. My mum alway said nothing was better for sitting and thinking than fishing. Or just sitting, if you take my meaning."

"Well, I've seen the fish jumping under the moon, you may have some luck tonight. Don't stay up too late, though. There is much to do tomorrow."

Daisy stepped up to the rail, and leaning over, slowly unwound the line from around the sapling rod. Bird, in neekerbreeker form, clung desperately to the string and hook as the (to her) massive waves leapt higher and higher towards her. Once on the surface of the sea, she hoped that the waves would wash hook and line under the ship, out of sight of the watchful dragon.

The shock of the cold water rushed over Birdie, as a small bubble of air wrapped itself around her carapace. It would not last long, but the line and sinker were already being pulled under the keel.

Just as the moon-sparkled surface was disappearing behind the bulk of the ship, Bird saw the schools of mackerel swirling around her. One of them was eyeing her hungrily! Bird, now out of sight from those above, let go of the hook and instantly morphed into her dolphin form. The mackerel scattered in terror.

After a half hour, Daisy pulled the line up onto the deck. The hook was empty, and she shuddered at the sight. Hastily winding up her fishing gear, she called up to Angara: "Nothing biting after all. G'night!" and beat a slow retreat back towards the cabin.

Daisy threw the fishing rod in a corner and ran to her cabin. She jumped into her bed, fully clothed, and pulled the blanket up around her chin, curled into a ball of worry and fear. What had she done? Had she sent the skin-changer into the belly of a fish? Why had she agreed to such a hare-brained scheme?

Then suddenly, a soft, piercing whistle could be heard echoing through the wooden hull by Daisy's head. She sat up in bed, pressing her forehead against the rough wood, and called in a low voice, "Miss Birdie, is that you?"

A high, squealing voice answered back. "Yessss. I'm alright. Thank you, Daisy. I'll see you all when you come back from Numenor. Take care of Kali, and take care of yourself. Pio and Child would be proud of you."

"G'bye, Miss Birdie." Daisy pressed her ear against the hull, but all that could be heard now was the lapping of the waves, and far away, the faint, singing voices of the whale folk.

Daisy lay back in her bunk. Her immediate fears were diminished, but she lay awake for a long time, listening to the songs of the whales.

[ August 15, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]