[*Varda*]

Poppy felt shock upon feeling the sack of gold in her arms, she nearly toppled over, and stood breath taken. As Gandalf took back the bag, and poured some of the gold, Poppy was even more amazed. Clinking gold coins, so many of them! They shone in the light, and Poppy’s mouth hung open.

But more was yet to come, as Gandalf spoke further, and as he continued, Poppy’s eyes widened and widened, half with anticipation and half with fear. She dimly heard Olo gasp, but she remained standing still, looking at the gold, looking at Gandalf.

“I will do it,” Poppy murmured to herself. “I will take this gold into Castle Maladil,” trying to sound braver than she felt, yet wondering what a ghost could possibly do with all this money. Why, it must be worth more than the Shire!

She saw Holly and Olo whispering in the corner, a small smile appearing on Holly’s face as she looked over in Poppy’s direction and then down to the sack of gold. Poppy couldn’t help but feel slightly suspicious, and tried to limp over to them to speak, attempting to drag the gold behind her, but failing.

In the end she remained by the gold, trying not to feel daunted by the prospect of going into the castle alone…