[Child of the 7th Age]

Now that both Rose and Pio had returned to the Inn, Cami decided that she and Maura would take a little time for themselves. She had already mentioned to Pio that she'd be gone for a day or two, and confided to her where they would be. Then, she and Maura had spent most of that day helping in the kitchens, waiting on tables and cooking. After they'd finished cleaning up from the last lunch setting, she'd spoken to Prim and promised they'd return later in the week to help.

Cami had hoped to use the pony to take some supplies and food down to the deserted burrow beside the pond. But Pio had already gotten hold of the cart and had it off on some errand of her own. For one wild moment, Cami thought of saddling up Falmer and stuffing the supplies into a bag she could throw onto his back. But her friend would not approve, to say nothing of the real likelihood of being thrown into a ditch.

Maura was staying behind for the afternoon. Cami promised to come and get him later that evening, once she'd prepared dinner and tidied up the burrow. Cami had spent some time questioning Maura about what he planned to do that afternoon. He seemed to be keeping a secret, something that involved himself and Gamba. But, no matter how much she begged, he wouldn't tell her what was happening.

Cami called Gamba in from the barn, and asked if he could round up the boys, as she had something she needed to tell them. Gamba pulled two out of the trees where they'd been climbing, and the others from under the table in the kitchen where they were eating some treats they'd managed to beg from the Cook.

Little Maura, Ban, Asta and Roka came crowding in about the table. Cami seated herself directly between Ban and Asta, depositing a kiss on each of their curly heads.

"This is the first I've seen you. I've missed you all. This is such a big place. Back home, when you sleep outside, I just stick my head outside, and there you are. The Inn is so big and the stables too. I feel as if you're a mile away."

"I think you've met Maura." Four heads cautiously nodded yes. "And he told you what was going to happen." The four heads bobbed solemnly up and down again.

"Maura and I are going down by the pond for a little while, so we can set up housekeeping in a small burrow I've found. We'll promise to love each other in the way hobbits do when they decide to marry. Later on, after the twins are born, we'll repeat our promises again and have our friends come for a party."

"We won't be away for very long now, only two or three days at the most. But Rose is here, and she and your brother Gamba will take good care of you."

"Gamba, listen to me. If you need me for any reason, any reason at all, just have Rose come running down. She knows just where it is, and it's not far at all. And maybe if I can get things set up nicely, I'll have Maura come back and you'll all come down to the burrow, and we can have a picnic lunch near the water."

"Now, promise me you'll try and behave. The rules here are just like home. Be nice to people, mind your manners, and try to do what the older hobbits ask you." Then she gave each of them a hug, and Gamba helped her load the things into a wheelbarrow that she wanted to take down to the pond.

[ March 19, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]