Laurie took back the clasp and ran her fingers over the words absentmindedly. She had never noticed the script in all the time she had handled it, wishing and wondering if it held some key to her mother's past. And yet... Pio had seen it right away. As wonderful, exciting, and puzzling as the message was, Laurie could not help but feel rather cheated that she had not found it first. After all, it was her own mother's clasp. She studied Pio's grey eyes with her own clouded blue as the Elf placed the very last dishes into the stone sink and the took Amaranthas' worn fingers into her own smooth hand.
"It is now time that I should depart for the Green Dragon. Thank you for your generosity and I trust that everything shall be arranged with Rosie?"
"Of course, my dear friend, I shall be in touch with Mrs. Rosie very soon. It will not be long now!" The old hobbit patted Pio's slightly swelled belly fondly. "And you, Miss Laurie," Amaranthas turned to Laurie who had stood and was smoothing the folds of her dress as she spoke. "It was a pleasure to meet you, and I am pleasantly surprised to find that your kindness is as marvelous as your reputation is fierce." Laurie smiled down at the tiny hobbit whose personality was larger than those of many of the big and important men she had met on her travels. Amaranthas laughed loudly before looking carefully into Laurie's face. "I wish you much luck on your travels, young woman, and may wisdom and joy be ever present in your life. And don't forget to visit this old cottage if you ever pass this way again."
"I wouldn't dream of passing it up," Laurie added seriously, but her blue eyes were smiling. She then turned to Pio, who was standing by the door watching the pair of them.
[ February 07, 2003: Message edited by: theWhiteLady ]
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