[Child of the 7th Age]

Nitir extended her arm with her palm facing upward. The black and white bird flew over their head in circles and then neatly landed on it. Nitir brought her hands together and gently inclined her head towards this much loved bundle of feathers and song. She kissed the bird on the tips of her wings. Then she looked up.

Lindo had run over to join them. Nitir peered over at him and laughed. "You have a pony you dearly love. This bird is one I have seen before, and I am fond of her. For, even on the first night that we left Gondolin, she flew into the sky and brought hope to me." In her mind, Child pictured the black dragon and her savage attack on the Orc guard.

Nitir turned and looked at the bird, "You, litte one, will come with us to the Workhouse, and live on a perch above my small table. We will keep the window ajar so you may come and go as you please."

Nitir's mind was working furiously. She thought that Bird would have to show her true form to Maura and perhaps even to Lindo. But, for now, it was safest that she come back with them as a companion Bird.

"So come little companion, and sit upon my shoulder. We will find some scraps to feed you!"

Bird took her accustomed perch, then leaned far over to Nitir's ear. She whispered to the hobbit, "'Little Companion', 'scraps of food'? If we ever get ourselves out of this mess, I'll get you for that, Mistress Goodchilde!"