‘May I?’ He reached out his hand and placed it firmly against her. There was a vigorous thump against his palm. ‘The girl.’ she said, moving his hand then to the opposite side. A flutter of taps thrilled against his open hand. ‘Her brother.’ he said, grinning. He closed his eyes, and focused on the new lives waiting to be meet the world.
‘Keep them safe, Mistress Pio.’ he said quietly to her, drawing back his hand. He leaned forward and raised his mug of tea to her.
‘Let them be safe from shadow, and free from sorrows. For a little while, at least.’
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‘Many are the strange chances of the world,’ said Mithrandir, ‘and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.’
– Gandalf in: The Silmarillion, 'Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age'
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