Birdie walked behind Peri in a sulk. Everyone had chided her! Was she the only one who could see that tricksy, sullen Elf for the blown-up misanthrope that he was?
"At best he'll assail the castle and take all for himself, or for his master, Elrond. At worse he'll side with the Elven wraiths and sell us all down the Anduin to the Corsairs. What do we know about this Elf? Nothing! He could have written that note himself, and never been nearer to Elrond than a Beorn. How much does Gandalf [i]really know of him?"
Holly rolled her eyes. She was very aware of Bird's dislike (more than a little based on envy) of the Elven-Folk. The little woman enjoyed thumbing her nose at her "betters" and little liked being called out for it. She hoped that the battle of ire between her and Nardol was over, but she sincerely doubted it.
To change the subject, Holly said. "It's glad I am that you are here with us, Bird. I can't think why Gandalf should choose Poppy to guard for such a fortune, but if that's her lot, then we can do nothing else than help her, and I can't think of any better than you to watch our backs."
"Hmmph! You'll need it, if I'm any judge. That Nardol's likely to snatch it back any minute. And Where does that Andreth fit in to the puzzle, I'd like to know? She looks to be a simple thing, but she seems to think she has some claim to this castle, and all that lies in it. If you don't watch yourselves, you hobbits will wind up doing all the work, and see naught for your efforts but a silver penny. I know, 'cause if there's any better at doing a little burgling than a hobbit, it's myself. You'll see, it's all "we can't do it without you" in the beginning, but once the deed's done, then any payment will be late in coming."
Holly sighed in exasperation. Olo was looking sideways at Bird, perhaps remembering her own "tricksyness" when it came to sleight of hand, and Poppy was staring down at the sack of gold, perhaps wondering if she would wind up in the middle, if it should come to the "Big Folk" starting a fight over it. Holding this treasure was beginning to make her feel as if she held a Balrog by the tail.
Seeking to change the subject once again, Holly gestured with her chin over to the Rangers. "Volondil appears to be doing better. He insists on riding, despite his wound."
Bird cast an eye over to the two green-clad humans, who seemed to be deep in conversation. "Probably didn't want that Alearindu to see him flat on his back. Anyway, he seems to have forgotten who stood over him when those Orcs were attacking, hasn't he? Well, I suppose those two have all sorts of things in common to speak of. Tracking, and fewmits, secret signs and such. Very cozy, the two of them."
Holly had had enough. "Oh, would you please change into something until you are in a better mood! You are enough to make the sun hide behind a cloud right now."
"Well! If that's how you feel about it! I'll just go. Just remember," she said as she started to morph, "if more folk would listen to Birdie..."
"then Middle-earth would be a better place." Holly finished with a smile, as Bird spread her wings and flew away.
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