* Giles Harfoot sat whittling pipe stems out of oak, and pipe bowls out of briar root wood. Some he'd present to his travelling companions as a remembrance of their shared journey, others to the Elves. 'Twas said the pipes left in Rivendell would end up as mathoms displayed behind a glass case rather than put to practical use. Thus, Giles carved swirling leafy designs into the bowls and etched his initials into the bottom, before polishing them with beeswax to bring out the beauty of the wood grain. Since carpentry came as naturally to him as soaring to an eagle, Giles had never learned to read. But a Dwarf had taught him the runes for "G" and "H" so that he could sign the works of his craftsmanship. *
* Giles looked up from his whittling as Dafodyl sat next to him. The Hobbit lass spoke with a gentle poignancy ... *
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"Giles. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that. It’s just… when I saw Daisy and Gaddy, I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t hold myself back. Will you accept it as just a friend-to-friend hug? Please? I’m begging you." She put her head down, and kicked her feet around in the soft grass, waiting for a reply.
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* Giles set down his whittling knife and the unfinished block of thin oak onto the cool wicker bench. Relaxing, he turned and smiled softly. * Look at me, Dafodyl. I'm so grateful that you sought me out, I hope you'll now accept a hug, as a friend.
* At Dafodyl's nod, Giles embraced her quickly with a solemn warmth, then let go. * Now! * his smile lightened, * If only there were some snowballs around, I'd throw one at you! But since there aren't any, please be the first companion on this quest to accept the gift of a pipe. I'm making one for everyone. * Giles stood and bowed to present Dafodyl this offering, happy, relieved, and nearly his old self again ... as far as it was possible to be, so far away from his Hobbit hole in Starfield in the Shire. *
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* Giles gave up on his pipes. For his mood took a downturn after Dafodyl left. After all, Autumn might turn him down the same way. What of his running through an Elvish palace screaming the name of a love he'd been running from until now? Of all the foolish things to do in front of Lord Elrond, Bandobras Bullroarer Took, and above all, Autumn! *
* Giles heard the sound of a ruffled dress once again sit down beside him, and it was not Dafodyl, somehow he could tell. Giles rubbed his eyes, blinked, looked up, and saw Autumn. He hardly dared breathe, for fear that she would vanish, as an Elvish vision resulting from the glass of miruvor he'd sampled. He listened to her speak through his daze. *
* When Autumn finished, Giles took her hands, took a deep breath, and replied. *
O, Miss Autumn! Rivendell is grand, but too grand for me, and too big. It's still winter here, even though we're warm and comfortable and have plenty of meats and breads, cheeses, dried fruits and wines. And it will still be winter when we return to the Shire, sleighs laden with provisions for all our friends and kin. It will ever be winter, even if the sun burst through warm enough to bring forth glorious roses, and I'll never make it home even if I'm standing in my own lane in Starfield, without you.
But spring comes with your kind invitation to get to know you and your family better. Of course I'll come! May I be worthy, and ever at your service! * Giles smiled wide with hope. *
[ February 14, 2003: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]