[Nurumaiel]

Nuru's eyes fluttered open as she heard a soft knock on the door. Groaning, she slithered forward, trying to get her head under her pillow. The knock sounded again, and she sat up, her eyes flashing angrily. "I'll show Don not to wake me up in the middle of the night," she muttered dangerously, advancing silently forward. Turning the key in the lock, she flung open the door and glared angrily at the hobbit before her. "Well, what have you to say for yourself? I was trying to get some sleep." She stopped, and tried to make her eyes focus. Something was different about Don. "You look... bigger?"

"I should expect so," the hobbit said. "I'm expecting my fourth child."

Don, expecting her fourth child? What was this all about? "Then how long have I been sleeping?"

"I don't really know, but I can't talk long, because Dinodas is with the other three and he needs to get some sleep."

"Dinodas? Oh!" Nuru stopped, grinned, and opened the door wider. "Come in, Robin, and sit down somewhere... anywhere. The bed is rather a nice place to sit... more comfortable. I thought you were Don, playing some prank on me."

Robin smiled and went in, plopping down on the bed. She watched as Nuru closed and locked the door, and stopped for a moment before turning around, trying to smooth her wild, tangled hair with her fingers. How long had it been since they had last seen each other? A few months? No, it must have been at least ten years, because Nuru hadn't seen any of the children yet.

"How are you, Nuru?" she asked hesitantly. How did someone who hadn't seen her friend for over ten years start a conversation, anyway?

"I'm doing all right," said Nuru, sitting down next to Robin. "I was here for a month or two and I just came back after a little absence. What about your children? How are they?" An odd question to ask. Nuru had never seen Robin's children before.

"Wonderful," said Robin. There was an uncomfortable silence. Robin played with the little ribbon tied around her right wrist, twisting it and untwisting it, watching Nuru from the corner of her eye, who was looking at the ground.

"Er.... what's Rivendell like?" A groan nearly escaped Robin's lips as soon as she had uttered that question. What a silly thing to ask! She knew perfectly well what Rivendell was like. She'd been there before. It wasn't like it was the kind of place that changed often because they rearranged things or fires happened or the like.

"Oh, just the same."

"And what's that like?" You know perfectly well, Robin Brandybuck, the tortured hobbit thought, forgetting once again that she was now Robin Green. Was talking with one of your best friends ever so miserable? I'll try again tomorrow, she thought firmly. Nuru is tired and my poor Dinodas. She sighed with a little smile, then stood up. "I'm sorry I have to go now, Nuru, but Dinodas will be wanting to go to bed."

"Yes, of course, I'm sorry," said Nuru quickly. "I am so sorry."

"Oh, for goodness' sake, don't apologize!" said Robin in exasperation. "Listen, Nuru, we got off to a bad start because we're sleepy and all. My head is in a horrible muddle. But tomorrow we'll go have breakfast together and you can meet the children and we'll start all over again... and really act like old friends."

The idea seemed wonderful to Nuru, so she bade Robin good night and climbed back into bed. What was Rie doing? That question played in her mind over and over again, keeping her from falling asleep. I hope whatever she did, it's for the best. Knowing Rie, I think it will be. Still trying to comfort herself, she at last fell into a troubled sleep, filled with fitful dreams.

[ May 01, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]