After her fruitless search for the stranger, Bird left the next morning, feeling helpless and frustrated by the Shire's problems. Once again she took up her wanderings, wishing fervently that Pio would just "get on with it", so that they could all leave this little country to it's inhabitants.
Once again she flew north to Annúminas, finding the workings of the Dunedain there fasinating. She was circling over a group of men, watching as they hovered over an old map, perhaps trying to puzzle out where the remains of an old road led to. Apparently the work had piqued the curiosity of some wandering Elves as well, for a small group of them stood amongst the men, pointing in different directions, perhaps relying on their endless memory to instruct the Men as to what these ruins had looked like in times past.
Bird was thinking of landing closer and listening in on their discussion, when suddenly a flash of pain struck through her head: Bird...Come!
With a squawk the little skinchanger plunged the ground, landing in a puff of dust and feathers at the feet of the Men and Elves, shaking her head to rid it of the silent call.
The group burst out laughing at the sight of the little black and white crow hopping about on the ground in their midsts, which caused Birdie to blush red beneath her feathers. But one of the Elves peered sharply at Birdie, and with a small smile, said "Someone calls you changling. Stop your snooping and return to your master".
Bird did not understand Sindarian, and it was just as well, since the idea that Mithadan would be thought of as her "master" would have outraged her beyond measure. But she misliked the way the Elf gazed at her. It seemed his pierced her disquise as easily as Bombadil had. Gathering herself with as much dignity as she could muster, she leapt away from the group and circled high, heading back to the Shire.
By the end of the day, she had arrived back at the Green Dragon, and dived through the upstairs window to land in Pio's room, where Mith sat before a table and wine jug.
"Where have you been. I called for you hours ago."
Yes, and I curse the day that Pio taught you that infernal art. My head is still pounding. Well, I'm here. What do you want?"
[ April 19, 2003: Message edited by: Birdland ]
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