They had made it, but it had been a close thing, despite the help of Levanto and the Mer-Folks herblore. By the time they had reached the rivershore leading to the cave Daisy was struggling against unconsciousness, and her cold hands had to be pried gently from the dorsal fin of the dolphin.
Loremaster and the other Elders carried the limp Halfling to the sand, as Levanto lifted his body from the water and looked on in worry. The dolphin, too, beached itself, and immediately changed to a wet, bedraggled, black haired woman, with a streak of white running through the limp hair on her forehead.
"Is she alright. Oh, I knew this would be too hard on her. Levanto, do you have any more of that root?" She looked up at the old hobbits gathered around Daisy, who were staring at her in open-mouthed astonishishment. "Oh, I'm Birdie. I'm from the Lonely Star also. Levanto, didn't you mention me at ALL to these people?"
The Loremaster stifled a smile, and bowed low to the soggy, small woman. "There is no need for introductions, my Lady. We are all aware of who you are, and are delighted to meet you at last. However, I fear that your presence here might be harder to keep secret, especially if the younger Halflings know of it."
"But I promised I would stay with Daisy", Bird said as she took the wet clothes off the hobbit and wrapped her in the dry blankets offered by the Elders. "I mean, I know you will all help her, but I did promise. I can't leave."
"There should be no need for you to leave. I believe you have your own methods for keeping yourself secret, my Lady?"
Oh, of course!" said Birdie with a grin. "I must be tired, myself." And with that, she started to morph and shrink. The other Elders gasped and murmured amongst themselves. It was one thing to teach the old tales and recite the old names of characters from the past. Quite another to see the tales become truth before their eyes.
But Loremaster just bent down and gently cupped the tiny black-and-silver neekerbreeker in the palm of his hand. Birdie waved her thread-thin antennae towards the old one, and asked "Will this work?"
"It will do splendidly, My Lady. We have no shortage of insects in the cave. One more should never be noticed."
Bird smiled, though she doubted that the Loremaster could see it, and rubbed her legs together to give a small "neek-breek" of pleasure. "You know you don't have to call me "my Lady", I'm not a Lady - I mean, not that kind of Lady. You may call me Birdie, if you like"
"Thank you, 'Birdie'. I would be honored. Levanto," he turned and bowed to the Mer-Man, "Once again we are in your debt. Please be assured we will take care of your companions, as much as we can, and do whatever is necessary to aid them. What you do for us all will never be forgotten."
Levanto just smiled sadly at the Loremaster. "Yes, Loremaster. This is a tale that should be remembered."
The Elders carried Daisy back into the cave, Bird resting on the edge of the blanket. Levanto returned to sea to rest as well.
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