[mark12_30]

Frodo peered carefully out the window, wanting to remain unseen just yet. "Old Amaranthus. My goodness."

Bilbo grunted, raising an eyebrow at his nephew. "Well, you didn't think Cami would leave her out of the party, did you?"

Frodo replied uneasily, "How large is this party going to be? Has she canvassed the Shire looking for guests?"

"Of course she has, " snapped Bilbo, eyes sparkling; "She's a Goodchilde, she's not some illiterate bankdweller from the South Marish. She knows how to make lists." Bilbo waggled his finger at Frodo. "You're my best student, but you're not my only student. "

The dig did not penetrate Frodo; he was staring off into the distance, glassy-eyed. "Then... then Pippin, and Merry--"

"What did you think?" Bilbo snapped again, eyes sparkling.

"I guess I didn't think, " Frodo smiled.

"You've gotten spoiled, dealing with elves, and always reading another's thoughts with osanwe, " Bilbo said softly. "You've stopped thinking ahead, anticipating another's actions. Havent't you?"

Frodo studied Bilbo, and thought back to his long conversations with Finrod, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Gil-Galad, Aegnor. He had become a superb listener during his stay in Tol Eressea; but perhaps other skills had lapsed. "Yes, " he pondered, "you're right, Bilbo. I have; in that sense, I have actually gotten rather lazy." My goodness, he thought. All my old friends will wonder why I am so slow-witted; I wonder whether I will seem dull. And to think I used to be called Jolly Old Frodo. Well, I'm not the life of the party anymore; I knew that.

He sighed, trying not to worry. "I should look forward to this evening," he said softly; "I am healed and well, I thought, and ready to enjoy my old friends. But I wonder whether they will enjoy me."

"Don't worry, " smiled Bilbo. "I am sure they will."

Frodo nodded, but he wasn't so sure.

[ February 24, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]