[Nurumaiel]

Primrose stared at Olo in complete shock and amazement. He was looking very proud of himself for this clever suggestion. Primrose thought for exactly thirty seconds, then stood up. "Right, then, let's go!" she said.

"But, Prim!" Melilot gasped. "We haven't decided enough yet!"

"Oh, I think we have," said Prim. "We can discuss the rest on the way, like Olo said. Come on, everyone, I'll take you to my house." She stopped at the door. "Actually, you all go to your houses and pack whatever you think you might need. You know, food and blankets and such, in case we do have to sleep out of doors." She paused. "And bring whatever you have, as well, even if it be a simple walking stick. Better safe than sorry. Meet me at my house after you've all finished packing. I have to talk to my father about the ponies alone."

= = = = = = =

Bowman arrived at Bag End and knocked on the door. Mr. Bilbo had better let me come or I won't be happy, he thought as he waited. But the door did not open, and there was no noise from the hole.

Bowman stepped back off the front steps and thought a moment. He's probably gone into town on some errand, he thought with a sigh. I'll follow.

He walked down onto the road and saw just what he was looking for... Footprints. Nice, fresh footprints that clearly said Mr. Bilbo had just passed that way. And someone else had gone with him.

Bowman began to run down the path, bent to the ground so he would follow the footprints all the way. He kept on running until he bumped into something that cried, "Ouch!"

"Why, Bowman Proudfoot!" It was Mr. Bilbo with a little girl next to him. I know her, Bowman thought. Elanor Greenthumb. What is she doing?

"Yes, Mr. Bilbo," he replied. "I was just stopping over at your house to see if I could help you with anything."

"Help me? With what?"

"Oh, you know. Just anything you needed help with."

"Bowman, you're a sturdy lad. I do need your help. Ted Sandyman has kidnapped Cami."

Oh no. Camelia Goodchild was even worse than Elanor Greenthumb. But maybe if he helped Mr. Bilbo, he'd be allowed to help out with the party.

"All right," he said. "I'll have you save Camelia!" He would not call her Cami, whether it would help Mr. Bilbo think he was friends with her or not.

And off they hurried together, Bowman purposefully ignoring Elanor.

= = = = = = =

"Dad?" Primrose took three deep breaths. I'm only asking to borrow the ponies, she scolded herself. Stop being such a scaredy! Anyway, Dad is the only one left to ask now, and if he says no, we can find ponies elsewhere.

"Yes, Prim?" Mr. Tussock said, looking up at her. They were standing in the stable, and he had been cleaning one of the pony's feet.

"I want to know if I can borrow one of your ponies for… a trip."

"Borrow my ponies?"

"Just one, Dad. We need six, and I already have three to use, with the cart. That's four people. If you lend us another it'll make five."

"Us?"

"I'm going on a trip with… some friends."

"Ah, I see." He dropped the pony's foot and stood up straight. "Well, Ms. Tussock, let me think about it."

Prim groaned. She strongly disliked her father calling her 'Ms. Tussock,' and there wasn't any time to think about it. "Dad, we need the pony now.."

"All right," her father sighed. "Take him."

"Thank you, Dad!" she cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "Which one?"

"Take Etinel."

"Thanks even more, Dad. You know Etinel is my favorite."

"Yes, I know."

Primrose hurried over to the stall where Etinel had just finished his dinner. "Come on," she said, taking up a halter and slipping it on. She led him outside to wait for the others and hitch up her own pony to the cart.