[piosenniel]

‘For 'tis said that some of the castle ghosts have been seen walking over the castle grounds to this boundary of shadow, and never further . . .’

Holly peered sideways at the wizard as these words fell from his lips. Not a comforting thought, considering the main objective for the morrow would be entrance into the grounds themselves, and worse yet, the castle.

She chewed on the tip of her quill as she walked along, thinking about this statement. The feathers grew wet and matted as she ran her tongue against them, wondering if the ghosts could ‘only’ walk in the shadows cast by the castle.

‘I suppose we should start then by taking a look at the western side of the castle wall.’ she said, taking the soggy quill from her mouth. ‘There won’t be any shadow there, since what light is left to us will be shining against it as the Sun sets. There shouldn’t be too much shadow either on the north and south sides at this time of day. Last, we can draw the perimeter of the shadow extending from the east side – it should be at its longest.’

She thought for a moment. ‘Which means that tomorrow morning there will be no shadow reaching out to us as we enter the East gate to the castle grounds on that side of the building.’

They walked on, an idea coming into the Hobbit’s busy mind. ‘You know, Gandalf, you’re of a height. Why don’t you boost me up the side of the castle wall there on the west when we arrive? I’ve got some rope here in my pack should we need it. Perhaps my hands and feet can find some purchase on the stone.’

She nodded her head at this idea. ‘Yes, let’s give that a try. I can get a quick look at the layout of the western grounds within the wall and an idea of what lies on the west wall of the castle itself.’

Holly picked up the pace, eager now to see what she might spy out . . .