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piosenniel · 09-09-2003, 11:12 PM

Two more days found the family finally ready to go. The good-byes had all been said, and there were promises made that letters would be sent. The Inn staff was teary, as the last of the crates were loaded into the small wagon drawn by two sturdy Shire ponies. And even Amaranthas had been seen to dab quickly at her eyes with the lace hanky that was in her hands. She gave Pio one last hug, before the Elf climbed up to the wagon seat, and handed her a loaf of her seedcake, wrapped in a clean linen towel. Bird eyed it greedily, and Amaranthas surprised her by handing her one as well. Gilly she instructed one last time to take good care of those babies, to which the young Hobbit nodded her head vigorously in agreement.

The Old Dragon caught Mithadan off guard, when she bade him crouch down by her and then clasped him in a fierce hug. ‘You’re not the scallywag I first thought you,’ she said, fixing him with her beady black eyes. ‘You’re a stand up fellow, respectable even.’ She stepped back a little and wagged her finger at him. ‘Best you take good care of her, though,’ she admonished him. ‘She’s a right treasure, and you’re lucky to have her.’ He looked at her solemnly, a gentle smile on his face. ‘And one last thing,’ she said, her expression mirroring his. ‘Don’t let her go traipsing off once you get her home. And don’t you go haring off on some business of your own when the next baby’s due.’

She stepped away, her ear tips a little crimson, when he kissed her on the cheek and swore to her he would do better.

Finally all were mounted up. Mithadan on his horse. Gilly and Pio on the seat of the wagon, Gilwen and Isilmir safe in a basket between them. Falmar was tied to the back of the wagon, and ambled along contentedly at the leisurely pace set by the little group. Bird, for this part of the trip, was content to sit on Pio’s shoulder, the occasional contented neek-breek sounding from her. Those in the wagon waved at the little crowd in the Inn yard, until the final turning in the road, when they could no longer be seen.

Then, they turned their faces eastward, heading home.

09-09-2003, 11:12 PM	#97
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Two more days found the family finally ready to go. The good-byes had all been said, and there were promises made that letters would be sent. The Inn staff was teary, as the last of the crates were loaded into the small wagon drawn by two sturdy Shire ponies. And even Amaranthas had been seen to dab quickly at her eyes with the lace hanky that was in her hands. She gave Pio one last hug, before the Elf climbed up to the wagon seat, and handed her a loaf of her seedcake, wrapped in a clean linen towel. Bird eyed it greedily, and Amaranthas surprised her by handing her one as well. Gilly she instructed one last time to take good care of those babies, to which the young Hobbit nodded her head vigorously in agreement. The Old Dragon caught Mithadan off guard, when she bade him crouch down by her and then clasped him in a fierce hug. ‘You’re not the scallywag I first thought you,’ she said, fixing him with her beady black eyes. ‘You’re a stand up fellow, respectable even.’ She stepped back a little and wagged her finger at him. ‘Best you take good care of her, though,’ she admonished him. ‘She’s a right treasure, and you’re lucky to have her.’ He looked at her solemnly, a gentle smile on his face. ‘And one last thing,’ she said, her expression mirroring his. ‘Don’t let her go traipsing off once you get her home. And don’t you go haring off on some business of your own when the next baby’s due.’ She stepped away, her ear tips a little crimson, when he kissed her on the cheek and swore to her he would do better. Finally all were mounted up. Mithadan on his horse. Gilly and Pio on the seat of the wagon, Gilwen and Isilmir safe in a basket between them. Falmar was tied to the back of the wagon, and ambled along contentedly at the leisurely pace set by the little group. Bird, for this part of the trip, was content to sit on Pio’s shoulder, the occasional contented neek-breek sounding from her. Those in the wagon waved at the little crowd in the Inn yard, until the final turning in the road, when they could no longer be seen. Then, they turned their faces eastward, heading home. __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.