[piosenniel]

Pio walked lightly up the stairs to the helm deck, and came quietly behind Mithadan. The sun was dropping low in the western sky, and a soft southern breeze was stirring. She reached up to brush back a a wayward curl from her face as the breeze riffled through her hair.

'I know you're there.' he said, quietly, and turned to face her, smiling. 'Your ears are keen for a Man!' She laughed, and stepped up to the railing next to him, looking out to sea. 'So beautiful!' she said looking toward the Isle, the sun catching the top of Meneltarma. 'It belies the danger that we face.' She sighed, remembering fondly her trips to the top, and the great eagles of Manwë which once flew there. 'I wish that you had seen it; had come to know the Men of Westernesse in the early days when Elves still walked among them as friends.' They stood, shoulders touching lightly, and watched the sun sink further behind the western horizon.

'We need to talk about Cami's plan to send Daisy to the caverns.' Her statement broke the comfortable silence between them. He turned to her, a look of concern shadowing his face. 'I, also, am uncomfortable with it.' she said, before he could speak. 'But I see no other way of getting the information we need for the rescue. That there is one of Gorthaur's ships patrolling the river,now, makes me uneasy, and I would know if there are any plans to implement a closer guard on the prisoners.'

'I have been thinking about this problem, too.' replied Mithadan. 'We do need the information, and Daisy would be the only one we can send who might fit in among the hobbit population there. Cami and Rose must not go, I am sure of that.' He regarded the Elf, closely, as if to read her thoughts in her face. He took both her hands in his. 'And you, my wayward Pio . . . simply put, you will not be going either.'

She frowned at this final statement, and thought to question him on it. But he went on. 'I do have a small solution that might make us feel better that Daisy will be there without our protection. If Bird will agree to take her there, I thought she might stay with Daisy, perhaps in her neeker-breeker form, and give her any aid she might need. What do you think of this idea?' They discussed his suggestion, and agreed it might prove a workable solution, provided Bird would do it. It brought some comfort to Pio, knowing that Bird would be there to watch over Daisy, but it was small comfort knowing that both her friends would now be placing themselves in danger.

'It is agreed then,' asked Mithadan 'that this might be an acceptable plan? If so then we should talk it over with Cami and with Bird, first, before we present it to Daisy.' 'Yes.' said Pio, 'And let us find them soon. I want to send Levanto to the caves to let them know we are sending Daisy and Bird, and why.'

Khelek came up, then, to take the next watch, while Pio and Mithadan went down to the galley to eat. As they walked across the deck to the stairs leading down to the galley, Pio casually brought up Mithadan's declaration that she would not be going to the caves. 'Let me understand this fully.' she asked. 'You did mean, only, that I would not be the one going upriver to gather information. You do understand that when the time for the rescue comes, I intend to be in the lead ship, do you not? Please, correct me if I'm wrong.'

He stopped in midstride, and brought her round to face him. His face was serious as he regarded her, and he spoke in a quiet, firm tone.

'You are wrong, Piosenniel. You will not be on the first ship. Or anywhere near it, for that matter!'

[ October 02, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]