[piosenniel]

'I don't suppose you've got anything in that satchel of yours to eat or drink?' asked Holly. It was about ten in the morning as she estimated by the way the trees across the river cast their reflections in broken images across the flowing water. She had just finished sketching them, and was taking a critical look at how she had captured the light as it filtered through the thick boughs, when her stomach rumbled and protested at having missed second breakfast.

Vorondil, caught in his own reverie of the moving water and its song as it rushed over rocks and burbled through fallen tree limbs, did not hear her question. 'Did you say something?' he asked, his eyes following an ouzel as it flew to a small rock at the water's edge and then walked beneath the water looking for a tasty waterbug. 'Amazing creatures, birds! he murmured appreciatively to himself, as the bird emerged with his prize.

'I did say something! I thought you might have a snack in that satchel of yours to tide us over. But, the light I wanted is fading anyway, so I'll make do with the drawings I've done.' Putting her sketch pad and pens into her pack she stood up from her place on the bank and motioned to the Ranger. 'Let's head back to the Inn. I'll treat you to elevenses or lunch, depending on how fast we can make it back.'

Spurred on by hunger, the two companions were swift in their return. Holly left the two horses in the grassy area near the stable with a promise that she would see about an apple apiece for them if they didn't wander off or cause mischief. Both of them snorted at her as if taking affront that she could even think such of them.

At the pump near the stable they washed their hands and faces and were just about to enter the Inn in search of food, when Holly spied Bird, Gandalf, and Bethberry sitting at a table outside. They seemed engaged in some enjoyable verbal interchange.

'Shall we join your friends?' asked Vorondil.

'No, let's let them have a pleasant parlay with each other. Bird seems in a good mood, let's not break the spell.'

She motioned him to follow her into the common room and had just found a table to sit at when a hobbit serving lass in a green dress came up to take their orders. She took their requests with a disapproving look at the young Ranger, and then hurried off.

'Now what was that all about?' asked Holly, amazed at the hobbit's somewhat rude attitude.

Olo had come up behind Holly and heard the exchange. He slid onto the bench beside her, and laughed at this last question. 'You should be careful who you are seen leaving the Inn with in the wee hours of the morning! And especially careful of leaving with such a Bounder as he!' He pointed at Vorondil, whose cheeks now bore a hint of crimson beneath his scruffy beard.

'By the One!' said Holly. ' Are things so slow about here that an early morning walk makes for the gossip of the day!

The hobbit lass had brought their food and drink to the table.

'Come, you two,' said Holly, 'let's take this outside, away from curious eyes. Olo, has Gandalf said anything about leaving this place? It's suddenly feeling too small for me. Let's go ask him.'

[ August 26, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]