[*Varda*]

Poppy had felt darkness hanging over her like a vast cloud for many hours now, as she felt Castle Maladil getting nearer and nearer, and although she dared not admit it to anyone, the fear of it grew steadily in her heart. Poppy had no love for anything that wasn’t…properly alive. How was she meant to injure a ghost, should she have to? Looking down at the short dagger by her side, she laughed wryly. She realised she wasn’t even sure what she was going to have to do once she got near the castle, and having to enter alone. With this in mind, she walked over to Gandalf, only a slight limp and pain remaining in her leg.

The wizard was engaged in a conversation with Holly, and so Poppy stood nearby and waited. When the opportunity arose, Poppy reached up and tapped the wizard on the arm. The wizard looked down at the hobbit beside him.

“Er, Gandalf..sir” Poppy started, unsure of what to say, not having had much opportunity to speak to the wizard so far. He was still a daunting figure to her. “I know I’m to take the gold into Castle Maladil, and I’m happy to do that, sir, but...it’s just that...I don’t know what to do when I’m in there. I don’t have any idea what I’m going to see, or what to expect. I’ve never seen a ghost before…” She bit her lip with some uncertainty, and the wizard saw the worry in her face.