[Nurumaiel]

Angelica looked across the table at Farmer Maggot, trying to decide whether or not she should speak with him. He didn't seem to be waiting for her, which made her continue the silence which felt (to her) very uncomfortable.

It was the same way with Merimac, looking uncomfortably at Maggot's wife. I suppose it would be more like a gentlehobbit to speak first, he thought. But she doesn't really look like she wants to talk with me…

"Why did we ever come here?" Angelica breathed in her husband's ear, low enough so nobody but he would hear. "I don't know if I should say something or not…"

"Just smile," Merimac whispered back. "That's polite enough for anyone, considering that it's your smile."

Angelica blushed prettily and smiled, but then her eyes became anxious. "I do hope Fosco is behaving himself," she said louder, but not too loud, so, if the Maggots (or anyone else wanted to) they could join in the conversation. "Merimac," her voice dropped to a whisper once more, "you should have seen those looks he was giving Goldilocks."

"I didn't, but I can imagine."

"Oh, and Merimac…" Angelica's voice trailed off, and then she said to everyone, "Would you please excuse us for a moment?" She took Merimac's arm and led him away from the table. "Merimac, dear, I do hope you don't mind."

"Don't mind what?"

"Well, I agreed to be midwife for Miss Piosenn - Pio."

"The Elf?"

"Yes, darling."

"But, Angelica! An Elf?"

"And I did it of my own free will," said Angelica firmly. "Now let's get back to the table before people get suspicious." She began leading him towards the table

"Suspicious?" Merimac covered his laughter with a cough. "Angelica, dear, I do believe you're nervous."

=== === === === === === ===

Fosco finished off the last bite of his chocolate pudding, still staring across the table at the young Pippin. What a funny kid, Fosco thought, but he didn't give any reason for his thinking it.

He looked up with a huge grin when the Elf at the head of the table asked what they had done that day. The 'delicious delights,' as he described them later to his mother, had put him in a good mood, and he was all for story-telling.

"Wanna hear what I did?" he said, and continued at Pio's nod. "Well, I was out making mud pies and Prisca came out, and I threw a big mud-ball at her!"

Silence.

"What do you think of that?"

More silence.

Fosco began to scowl. What was wrong with them? He looked at Goldilocks, sitting innocently across from his elder brother. I bet she bewitched them so they can't laugh, he thought.

Pio saw the look on his face and immediately spoke up. "That's very interesting, Fosco."

"Yeah, isn't it? She just cried and cried and cried 'cause mud was in her hair and all over her dress."

"Wasn't that rather mean of you?"

Fosco glared at Elanor. "Prisca deserves all the things I throw at her, even if it's mud?"

Everyone looked towards Prisca to see what her reaction to this was, but she didn't care. Her pudgy legs dangling over the edge of her chair and her beautiful curls shining in the light, she was happily finishing off the last of her pudding.

There was even more silence. Fosco's scowl returned. He looked at Goldilocks curls, and then down at his empty pudding bowl. Suddenly a devious light came into his eyes. "Miz Elf-lady - " he stopped long enough to glare at Madoc, who had begun to laugh " - may I have some more puddin', please?"

Pio hastened to oblige him. Even if he was a nightmare most of the time, he was very sweet at some times. Unfortunately the thoughts going through his head weren't even close to sweet. His eyes turned to look at Prisca's curls as he began to eat his pudding.

And then the little girl spoke for the first time that night. What she said was directed to her brother. "Fosco, stop eating like a pig. It's very rude and disgusting."

"I'm not a pig!" said Fosco. He picked up a big spoonful of his chocolate pudding, and hurled it across the table at Prisca. It hit her directly in the face. There was a loud howl from her, and Fosco stood up, looking grimly at her hair. It was plain to see what he had in mind.