[Nurumaiel]

The company set out late the next morning. They had lost much time, Primrose thought glumly, in having their wounds tended. We'll have to make up for that today.

"All right, everyone," she said. "This is the last lap... or rather, the second to last. Once we get to Michel Delving, we're going straight home."

"What about Tuckborough?"

"We don't have the time," said Primrose firmly. "If we went to Tuckborough, we'd get back one day after the party. We need to go to Michel Delving for the few decorations."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out the few precious coins she had left. "There. That's all we have. No more inns, I'm afraid." With that, they walked on.

About another mile down the road, Melilot suddenly grabbed Prim's sleeve and pointed. "Look, Prim, look! Do you see something moving up ahead?"

Primrose followed Mel's finger to the right side of the road amongst some trees. Yes, there was something moving. "Arm yourselves, everyone," she said, her voice hoarse. Please, no more bandits, she thought, closing her eyes for a brief moment.

That moment was all it took for Sam and Elanor to burst into merry laughter. Prim opened her eyes, staring down at them, but not looking to what was on the road ahead. "What are you laughing at?" she hissed. "Quiet."

"Close your eyes..." said Sam, taking her arm.

"Keep them closed," Elanor added, taking her other arm.

Primrose was puzzled, but she did as they told her. She was led up the road by the two children, and then told to stop. Suddenly she felt warm breath on her face. She stifled a scream, and willingly obeyed when the children shouted, "Open your eyes!"

She found herself looking into two large, gentle, kind brown eyes. "Merimas?" she said in a trembling voice. She threw her arms around the pony's neck. "Wonderful pony!" she said, choking on tears. "I thought I'd never see you again." Then she stepped back, brushing the tears away from her eyes and looking at everyone. "You probably think I'm very silly, crying over my pony like this," she said.

"No we don't," said Pearl. "We know how much you love him."

Primrose gave Pearl a quick hug. "Please," she said to everyone, "can we stop here for a moment? Just a moment. I want to tell Merimas all that has happened to us since he left."

"Of course!" everyone laughed, and Prim settled down to give the pony a full account.

[ March 12, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]