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Child of the 7th Age · 03-11-2003, 01:30 AM

It was late night when the laughing and talking ended, and Cami pulled away from her friends to return to her room. She lit a small lamp, placing it on top of the mantle, and sat cross legged on the floor, taking out the envelope and carefully breaking its seal. Cami slid the tips of her fingers over the familiar script, as if somehow willing herself to sense the hobbit who actually lay behind the words. She opened the letter and placed it on the floor, then smoothed out its creases and began to read with real hunger.

My little Andreth,

I sit here writing you on a small table in our family burrow, as twilight extends its silken fingers over our home on Tol Fuin. This is a place of goodness and plenty, where no enemies assail us. Much of the credit for this must go to you and your daughter, and your other companions on the Star. There are no words to express how truly thankful we are for the sacrifices you've made to keep our people safe.

Ancalimon has lately paid a visit to our shores to speak with my family and Lindo's. He has told us about Bilbo and the concern he bears for you, and how he begged the Valar so that you and I might come together for a brief moment, if we so wish.

When I first heard the news, I was dumbfounded. Cami, you know me well! This is Maura who feels that the doom of the hobbits lies closer to the big folk than to the paths of the immortal Elves or Valar. Whatever my other faults, I have never made a pretense of being more than I am. So you will have to excuse me, if I feel overwhelmed.

Having said this, I freely admit that you are much on my mind. When I walk near my home and spy a healthy patch of athelas, I think of you and your gift. When I hear Lindo's ballad about the night of freedom or Bird's wondrous transformation, I again see your shining face. And most of all, as I watch the children grow strong and healthy, I remember how you cradled them in your arms when all seemed lost, yet never gave up hope.

Do I wish to be together again, for however brief a time? Without any question, yes.

Yet, there are two things I must add. Cami, if you feel too uncomfortable with this arrangement, please tell Lorien that it is best we stay apart. I will respect your judgment. Neither will my feelings change.

This second thing is harder to say, but you must know the truth. Cami, I was not totally honest with you in Beleriand. From the first glimpse I had of you, when we ate dinner together that night, I knew there was something special between us.

Yet, how long did it take me to put my feelings into words? I invented a hundred excuses for staying silent. There was the hardship of the camps that made it difficult to look beyond the harsh needs of the day. Yet I kept imagining we would eventually have a whole lifetime together, so the special words could wait. And finally, there was me...who I am. The sensible Maura who is the epitome of hobbit common sense and who weighs all sides carefully and eternally before making any decision.

How wrong I was not to say something! Would it have made a difference? Probably not. But I won't make that mistake again. Whatever my feelings, I will honestly share them.

So here goes....Cami Goodchild, I love you beyond anything that's rational or sensible. I would follow you to the end of time and beyond. None of this will be easy, I know. But, together or apart, would you be my wife, and share whatever small hope we can bring to each other?

With all love,

Maura

Cami set the letter down and closed her eyes. She leaned over, her brow resting lightly on her fingertips, and sent a clear message though to Lorien. Tell Maura yes, and could you please bring him here as quickly as possible? She felt her thoughts acknowledged, and then crawled into bed and soon fell asleep.

When she woke in the morning, the sun was spilling its bright rays through the windowpane. Cami was startled to see a tall, slender, familiar figure with silver hair and grey eyes smiling gently down at her, perched on the very end of her bed. He'd obviously been there for some time watching her sleep. It was only then that she slipped out of the covers and ran to his beckoning arms, half laughing and half crying out her welcome.

[ March 12, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

03-11-2003, 01:30 AM	#163
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	It was late night when the laughing and talking ended, and Cami pulled away from her friends to return to her room. She lit a small lamp, placing it on top of the mantle, and sat cross legged on the floor, taking out the envelope and carefully breaking its seal. Cami slid the tips of her fingers over the familiar script, as if somehow willing herself to sense the hobbit who actually lay behind the words. She opened the letter and placed it on the floor, then smoothed out its creases and began to read with real hunger. My little Andreth, I sit here writing you on a small table in our family burrow, as twilight extends its silken fingers over our home on Tol Fuin. This is a place of goodness and plenty, where no enemies assail us. Much of the credit for this must go to you and your daughter, and your other companions on the Star. There are no words to express how truly thankful we are for the sacrifices you've made to keep our people safe. Ancalimon has lately paid a visit to our shores to speak with my family and Lindo's. He has told us about Bilbo and the concern he bears for you, and how he begged the Valar so that you and I might come together for a brief moment, if we so wish. When I first heard the news, I was dumbfounded. Cami, you know me well! This is Maura who feels that the doom of the hobbits lies closer to the big folk than to the paths of the immortal Elves or Valar. Whatever my other faults, I have never made a pretense of being more than I am. So you will have to excuse me, if I feel overwhelmed. Having said this, I freely admit that you are much on my mind. When I walk near my home and spy a healthy patch of athelas, I think of you and your gift. When I hear Lindo's ballad about the night of freedom or Bird's wondrous transformation, I again see your shining face. And most of all, as I watch the children grow strong and healthy, I remember how you cradled them in your arms when all seemed lost, yet never gave up hope. Do I wish to be together again, for however brief a time? Without any question, yes. Yet, there are two things I must add. Cami, if you feel too uncomfortable with this arrangement, please tell Lorien that it is best we stay apart. I will respect your judgment. Neither will my feelings change. This second thing is harder to say, but you must know the truth. Cami, I was not totally honest with you in Beleriand. From the first glimpse I had of you, when we ate dinner together that night, I knew there was something special between us. Yet, how long did it take me to put my feelings into words? I invented a hundred excuses for staying silent. There was the hardship of the camps that made it difficult to look beyond the harsh needs of the day. Yet I kept imagining we would eventually have a whole lifetime together, so the special words could wait. And finally, there was me...who I am. The sensible Maura who is the epitome of hobbit common sense and who weighs all sides carefully and eternally before making any decision. How wrong I was not to say something! Would it have made a difference? Probably not. But I won't make that mistake again. Whatever my feelings, I will honestly share them. So here goes....Cami Goodchild, I love you beyond anything that's rational or sensible. I would follow you to the end of time and beyond. None of this will be easy, I know. But, together or apart, would you be my wife, and share whatever small hope we can bring to each other? With all love, Maura Cami set the letter down and closed her eyes. She leaned over, her brow resting lightly on her fingertips, and sent a clear message though to Lorien. Tell Maura yes, and could you please bring him here as quickly as possible? She felt her thoughts acknowledged, and then crawled into bed and soon fell asleep. When she woke in the morning, the sun was spilling its bright rays through the windowpane. Cami was startled to see a tall, slender, familiar figure with silver hair and grey eyes smiling gently down at her, perched on the very end of her bed. He'd obviously been there for some time watching her sleep. It was only then that she slipped out of the covers and ran to his beckoning arms, half laughing and half crying out her welcome. [ March 12, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.