Birdie sat on a ledge in the main cave, watching the comings and goings of the halfings and wondering what effect the information she had given to Levanto had had at the "Lonely Star". Her insect form was starting to chafe at her, and she pondered if she would ever have a chance to switch to some other form, either bird or dolphin. Then she decided she would hop down and check the garbage pit, as she was feeling a little peckish.
Suddenly, her antennae started to twitch. It was as if a tiny electric current was traveling down them into her head. She rubbed them irritably with her foreleg, but the itching just increased. She shook her head. And then it came to her. She didn't know how she knew. But she knew.
"Neek-breek! Neek-breek! Neek-breek!" The irritating sound resounded through the cavern. Several of the hobbits looked around trying to locate the source of the noise. One picked up a chunk of wood, threatening to put an end to the noise "before it drove them all to distraction".
But Loremaster stood up and found the offender himself. He mimed the action of stomping on the insect, while Birdie jumped from the ledge onto his shoulder.
"Take me to the river's edge Loremaster. Piosennial is coming!" Loremaster looked at his shoulder in astonishment, then turned to hurry to the riverback. "Wait," whispered Birdie into his ear. Can you bring some blankets down to the shore. She will be cold." He nodded his head and snatched up two frayed blankets, wrapping them around his shoulder as he walked.
When he reached the riverside, Birdie asked him to lower her to the water. Making sure that no others were around to see, she jumped into the water, morphing into a black and silver dolphin as she sank. Turning to Loremaster, she said "Can you wait for us here? I'm going to find her and bring her in. Have something hot to drink for her, and a fire going. And have hope! The end to your misery is coming soon!"
And with that, Bird turned and swam swiftly out to sea, searching for Pio.
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