[mark12_30]

When Gamba, Azraph and Phura had come down from the pine tree, they mingled among the other hobbits on the forest floor. Kesha, Asta and Roka were romping about with Tuka's smallest siblings, and Gamba watched them absentmindedly.

Meanwhile Maura and Ban scurried past Rose, who gingerly knelt and put her arms around Ban.

Maura looked up, and reached for Cami, who bent down and gathered him into her arms with a smile of delight, gazing into the little eyes that were so fond of birdies and dragons and tasty-looking field mice. She laughed, and Maura laughed back.

An icy voice cut into their laughter. "They're mine!" Gamba snapped at Nitir and Azra. "They came to me and they belong with me! And I won't have them separated!"

Rose's jaw dropped. Gamba was facing Cami in a fury, fists clenched by his sides, face crimson, eyes ablaze. The surrounding chatter fell silent.

Cami, shocked, stood perfectly still for several seconds, and then very, very softly replied, "Gamba, I would not dream of separating you from your boys." Softly, she stepped towards him, and slowly held Maura out towards him.

Accepting Cami's surrender, Gamba glared at Rose. Rose, wide-eyed, opened her arms, and Gamba sternly called Ban, who came. Then Gamba took Maura from Cami, and turned away. Ban followed at his heels, questioning him softly and looking back at Rose, while Gamba held Maura tightly to his chest.

Once he was at a safe distance, he turned, and glared savagely at them both.

Tuka's voice spoke at his side. "Being a bit rough on them, aren't you?"

Gamba turned a disbelieving stare on his estranged old friend, who met his eyes apologetically. "Most parents appreciate nice babysitters. Nitir and Azra are good, nice ladies, even if they are legends. Why are you so upset?"

Lips tightening, Gamba glared at Tuka and only held Maura tighter.

Tuka reached for his shoulder. "And I'm sorry, " he added. "I've-- I shouldn't have blamed you about Esta." He sighed, and looked at the ground. "Lots of people have died, and I'm acting like I lost more than anybody else. I'm sorry."

At that Gamba softened, and nodded, biting back tears yet again. Tuka clapped his shoulder and turned away, and as he did, Gamba's tears threatened to get the better of him, and he bent over little Maura and fought them hard.

Roka and Asta had come over, concerned. Beyond them, Gamba saw a lady's feet slowly approaching, Ban looked up and smiled; Gamba recognized the hem of Cami's dress. Defensively, he held Maura tighter, but she did not reach for the toddler.

Instead, she wrapped one arm around Gamba. With the other arm, she steered Roka, Asta, and Ban closer to Gamba. Gamba sat crosslegged, folding up, and they all climbed onto his lap. And then Cami knelt beside them all, with her arms wrapped around Gamba.

Clutching Maura tighter, he buried his head against her shoulder.

[ November 16, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]