[Child of the 7th Age]

29 Nárië - note new day

Cami scurried about the burrow, packing up the few belongings that she and Maura had brought with them, or managed to acquire during their stay. Her husband hurried over to the Inn, rummaging through the supply closets and filling his bag with nuts and cheese and journey bread that could be easily carried on the road. He'd borrowed a mount from Samwise, with the promise that they'd leave it with Pippin, if anything prevented them from returning to the Inn.

They had decided to strap their supplies onto the pony's back, and walk alongside him, since they were in no rush to reach a particular destination. Much to Holly's delight, Maura set the small girl up on the pony, keeping a hand on her back. Just before setting out on the road, he glanced over towards Cami. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Of course, I'm sure." she quickly retorted. "Remember last night."

Maura shook his head, "We definitely decided to keep our family together when it's time to leave the Shire. But I'm not certain about this. Cami, Piosenniel is going to have her babies in a few day's time. Do you really think you should leave now?"

Cami hastily averted her eyes. "I'm sure Pio will manage without me. She's extremely well organized."

"I wasn't thinking about organization," Maura persisted. "She's your friend."

Cami stared stubbornly ahead, and tersely responded, "I don't want to discuss this."

"Have it your way then. I did talk to Gamba and Ban, to let them know we'll be gone for a bit."

They continued along in silence. Despite her initial resolve to remain miserable, Cami found her spirits unexpectedly rising as they trudged along the road. The day was beautiful, cool and crisp, under a broad blue sky and a bright golden morning sun. They stopped once or twice to look at a coloful field of flowers or show Holly some rabbits scampering away, their small puff tails sticking up for an instant as they disappeared headfirst down secret holes.

It did not take long until they cut south across the Great East Road and left the main path, veering to the West. Cami was so engrossed watching the birds and animals and trees that it took her a moment to realize exactly where they were.

"Maura, stop! This isn't the path to Tukborough. I know this area well."

He smiled, but confided nothing more and kept going on until they arrived at a shady grove, a delightful nook with a small lake and flowering vines intertwined below a cool green hill. He lifted Holly off the pony's back. "We'll stop here for the night."

Cami looked up with surprise. "But we've only been on the road three hours. It's barely mid-morning."

"It's pretty though, don't you think?" She looked around. It was indeed pretty, extraordinarily pretty, even for the Shire. She laid down amid the tall grass, listening to the intermittent lull of bees and crickets. She found herself nodding off, since she'd had very little rest the night before. Waking up a little later, she heard the sound of a pony cart approaching, as its wheels slipped in and out of the ruts, making its careful journey along the meadow.

"Maura, what's that?" She looked up puzzled at her husband, but he seemed very relaxed as if he had been expecting this arrival for some time.

[ April 25, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]