[piosenniel]

Holly was surprised, to say the least, as Andreth’s book tumbled into her hands. She waved it in the general direction of its descending arc, and shoved it beneath her tunic, tucking it securely into the waistband of her breeches. The piece of embroidery waved before her nose and she read the instructions ‘to stay’. The Hobbit shrugged her shoulders at the words, and led the three further down the hallway. ‘She’s a ghost, she can follow us and tell us anything of interest if she needs to.’

‘Can you see her at all, Bird?’ Holly stepped along quickly heading for the south end of the corridor. ‘No!’ came the low whisper close to the Hobbit’s ear. ‘But if I do I’ll wring her scrawny little neck.’ Holly smirked at this reply, and glanced at Volondil, wondering if he understood that Bird had marked him as her territory. He and Olo strode on manfully after the two women, blissfully unaware of the undercurrents which might at any moment rise and drown them.

‘Well, what can you see?’ pressed the Hobbit. ‘Just a sort of tricksy glimmer, and mostly from the corner of my eyes. Her words I can only catch a few of.’ Bird looked at Holly. ‘You can’t see her at all?’ ‘Not a glimmer!’ replied Holly, ‘And all that I get is an annoying buzz in my ears.’

A wooden, maple door halted their progress. Volondil stepped forward his blade ready, and tried the handle. Unlocked, the door swung open on its creaking hinges. Olo raised the lantern and cast a light into the darkness beyond. ‘Might as well.’ said Holly to Volondil, as he looked back at her and raised his eyebrows in question.

The four stepped through the doorway, and stood just within, taking stock of their surroundings . . .