[piosenniel]

Holly had declined the offer of something to eat from Bethberry. She listened to her admonishments and shook her head as if in agreement. Her concern at the moment was for her friend. She had seen her in these low moods before, and knew her actions could become dangerous both to herself and to others.

When the voice spoke from behind, it took the three women by surprise. Bird made to stand and go, feeling crowded already.

Holly put her hand on her shoulder and held her in place, then turned to see who had been eavesdropping.

'I might have known it would be you!' she said. 'Now why are you spying on us? And just how long have you been standing there?'

The Ranger stepped from the shadows. It was Vorondil, and from behind him stepped Olo.

Bird threw another handful of stones in the water, disturbing a passing otter who looked at her and hissed. 'Gee, Holly, I don't remember sending out invitations. Did you?'

'What did you two need?' asked Holly of the hobbit and the Man.

'I, for one, came to apologise to the lady for being so rude in my approach to her.' said Vorondil. He sat down next to them, a look of genuine concern on his face for Bird. 'And to ask her help in a certain matter which she was just discussing with you.' Bird looked at him with a questioning frown.

'Olo has been telling me of the coin he found.' the Ranger continued. 'The fact that it is from the South and that Podo seems to have become increasingly wealthy over this past year concerns me. It bears directly on the problems that were discussed with Gandalf this morning. Is there anything else you might know of this matter either by your own discovery or heard from someone in passing that may be of use to us?'

Holly left the two to talk over the matter, and approached Olo. 'And what are you doing following a Ranger about?' she asked.

'Well, I wanted to make sure you and Miss Bird were alright.'

'Oh!' said Holly, taken by surprise at his simple statement of concern. 'Well, thanks, and we are - alright, that is.' she looked at him in a new light, then shook her head. 'Now what about this coin the two of them are talking about?' She motioned Bethberry nearer. 'You might want to hear this, too. Gandalf should know about this, and I'll probably be busy with Bird for a while.'

'I wish I had never found that curséd coin!' said Olo, and then proceeded to tell them the story of it.