[Child of the 7th Age]

Giles and Dafodyl and watched with quiet surprise. As a married man, with a wife and a daughter awaiting him at home, he felt curiously removed from all this emotional upheaval that was so evident among the other members of the company. Still, he couldn't leave things like this.

He hurried down the hall and up the stairwell to the small chamber where Autumn was lodged, knocking gently on the door. The lass was repacking her things into her satchel and humming a gentle tune as she worked. Branda grinned. A sensible girl! Autumn was obviously one of the few in their company who wasn't so enamored with Elves and Rivendell that she'd forgotten the real reason they were here, or the fact that they had family and kin back home in the Shire who were anxiously waiting their return.

Branda hastily explained the purpose of his visit, and what had just happened on the corridor below. Autumn smiled and headed purposefully out the door, reassuring him that she would talk to Giles. Branda couldn't help but think what a graceful presence the girl made, and that any hobbit lad would indeed be most fortunate if he was able to win her heart.

Autumn quickly slipped through the hallways and chambers looking for Giles, but the lad seemed to have disappeared. There were no loud voices ringing through the corridors, and no sign of an upset hobbit.

She finally found her way into the courtyard and, in a small niche, at the far side of Elrond's house, there was a small wooden arbor, quite intricately carved, and two wicker benches hidden underneath, perfect for a quiet talk or a secret rendezvous. In better days, there would have been great blossoms intertwined, spilling over onto anyone seated there, which would offer even greater seclusion. But now, with the harsh blasts of winter, only a few chilled stalks held firm, awaiting the arrival of warmer weather to spring to life again.

Giles was perched on one of those lonely benches, perfectly silent and looking quite miserable with his head cradled in his hands. He glanced over as Autumn approached and wasn't sure whether to be happy or to run off hastily in the other direction.

"There's something we need to straighten out between the two of us." The girl plunged ahead, with no hesitation. "I've sensed some strange things, so I think it's only fair that we talk and try to understand one another. I know you haven't raised any questions, at least not with words. Maybe it's just being here in Rivendell, feeling the magic all about us, but such things seem to be in the air and water quite naturally, and there's no escaping them."

"First, you've made this journey far more joyous for me than I ever would have dreamed. Our dancing together, the offer of your shield, and how you've kept watch on me to make sure I didn't come to harm--all that is very special."

"I like you a lot, a whole lot. But it's one thing liking, and another thing loving so much you want to spend a whole lifetime together. I guess, too, I prefer the older ways. There's no way I'd give my consent to anything, without having my intended meet my family and secure my parents' blessing. I'm very happy for Daisy, very happy indeed. But no lad is going to carry off my heart unless he can find his way to my front door back in the Shire, and see me as I am everyday, not footloose on the road, but the real me, churning butter, tending the chickens, and helping my mother with her chores."

"If you find this too hard, I'll certainly understand. But, once we make it home, the door to my parents' burrow is always open, and my whole family would very much like to have you come for supper, and get to know us better, and even taste a bit of my own cooking."

Once Autumn had her say, she looked down shyly at her toes, wondering if Giles would ever have the heart to speak with her again.

[ February 12, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]