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Birdland · 04-21-2003, 03:05 PM

The two travelers finally entered the shelter of a wood, which was good, especially since it afforded some relief from the afternoon sun.

But the woods bordered the slopes of the Green Hill Country, which was not so good. Mith strode up the sides of the rounded hills as if he were climbing the stairs at the Green Dragon; if he could have, he would have taken the hills two at a time, without stopping or breathing hard.

But he had to wait for his smaller companion, who was bitterly rueing the months she had spent on the wing. She had no breath for grumbling, but doggedly continued to climb, almost pulling herself up with her hands as they reached the top of the little mound.

Here Mith stopped for a moment, and Bird took the opportunity to plop down on a rock and catch her breath. She looked south where the smoke from the chimneys of Pincup lay, and was surprised to see to the west the shimmering outlines of the Mountains of the Moon. The Green Hills were higher than Bird had expected, and gave a fine view of all the countryside around. She was surprised that some wealthier Halfling had not build a fine smial at the top of this hill. "But then, I don't suppose there are too many hobbit folks who would appreciate such a view. Much rather not be reminded of the great world beyond the borders." she thought.

Then she realized that as clearly as the two could see all the Shire from here, so could all the Shire see them. Their silhouettes must be standing out clearly against the backdrop of the waning sun. "As it should be," said Mith, when Birdie pointed this out. "Hopefully if someone informs the Sherriff that we were seen in the Green Hills, they will think that we continued South. But now, if those seldom-used legs of yours have had enough rest, I think it is time to continue on."

Mith turned east, keeping to the edge of the wooded slopes, following some faint pony track. After a little while, Bird heard the trickling music of the Shirebourn, whose headwaters ran from the slopes of the Green Hills on its way to the Brandywine. Bird, sweating and itching from the slap of small branches, longed to turn off and plunge herself in its cool waters. But Mith, as if sensing her lagging steps, only handed her a warm water skin, and kept on.

"Will we be stopping in Woody End for the night, do you think, Mith?"

"We'll see," he said, without looking back or stopping.

" 'We'll see' ", grumbled Birdie under her breath. "That's as good as a 'no' with him". She sighed, wishing, (not for the last time) for wings, and trudged on.

04-21-2003, 03:05 PM	#326
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	The two travelers finally entered the shelter of a wood, which was good, especially since it afforded some relief from the afternoon sun. But the woods bordered the slopes of the Green Hill Country, which was not so good. Mith strode up the sides of the rounded hills as if he were climbing the stairs at the Green Dragon; if he could have, he would have taken the hills two at a time, without stopping or breathing hard. But he had to wait for his smaller companion, who was bitterly rueing the months she had spent on the wing. She had no breath for grumbling, but doggedly continued to climb, almost pulling herself up with her hands as they reached the top of the little mound. Here Mith stopped for a moment, and Bird took the opportunity to plop down on a rock and catch her breath. She looked south where the smoke from the chimneys of Pincup lay, and was surprised to see to the west the shimmering outlines of the Mountains of the Moon. The Green Hills were higher than Bird had expected, and gave a fine view of all the countryside around. She was surprised that some wealthier Halfling had not build a fine smial at the top of this hill. "But then, I don't suppose there are too many hobbit folks who would appreciate such a view. Much rather not be reminded of the great world beyond the borders." she thought. Then she realized that as clearly as the two could see all the Shire from here, so could all the Shire see them. Their silhouettes must be standing out clearly against the backdrop of the waning sun. "As it should be," said Mith, when Birdie pointed this out. "Hopefully if someone informs the Sherriff that we were seen in the Green Hills, they will think that we continued South. But now, if those seldom-used legs of yours have had enough rest, I think it is time to continue on." Mith turned east, keeping to the edge of the wooded slopes, following some faint pony track. After a little while, Bird heard the trickling music of the Shirebourn, whose headwaters ran from the slopes of the Green Hills on its way to the Brandywine. Bird, sweating and itching from the slap of small branches, longed to turn off and plunge herself in its cool waters. But Mith, as if sensing her lagging steps, only handed her a warm water skin, and kept on. "Will we be stopping in Woody End for the night, do you think, Mith?" "We'll see," he said, without looking back or stopping. " 'We'll see' ", grumbled Birdie under her breath. "That's as good as a 'no' with him". She sighed, wishing, (not for the last time) for wings, and trudged on.