[Amanaduial the archer]

****SHIRE****

"To me, yes. But there is no shame in it, my friend. We have our task to perform, and that means we have to leave our homes for a time, but we will return. And we will love our land all the more for having been away."

The elfs quiet logic and beautiful voice enchanted Brando. He had told her of the Shire..the waving cornfields...the little hobbits he played with...the little streams and valleys he searched...groves of trees he climbed...

He sighed. Ciri nudged him playfully. "Hey, this wasnt just a chance to get depressed and pour out your sorrows with a beautiful woman, was it?"

Brando blushed and nudged her back. "Oh how did you guess ma'am?" He said, bold enough to make a joke.

"Hey, I have a name, Ive told you! Anyway, is your shire all scenery then? Nothing else in it? What do little hobbits do then all day?"

The little hobbit smiled wickedly. "Oh yes of course, there are other past times. I never take more than a few bags of spuds. In a day. Usually."

Ciri laughed, grinning and punched him playfully. "Why you regular little rascal!"
He grinned back. "Hey, I think rascal is rather unfair! Especially when youre adressing the champion mushroom thief in the whole Shire!"

The elf pretended to bow and doff her cap. "Oh, I do apologise, your royal Shroomness!"

Brando laughed happily, his bashfullness and embarrasment vanishing quickly. They stared at the stars for a moment in amiable silence before Brandos eyes slid slyly towards Ciri again. She shot him a sideways glance. "That look cant mean anything good..."

"Ah, well. Fairs fair. What do little...and not so little...elves do in the elegance of these elvish..." He couldnt think of a word that would do. "places?"

[ October 27, 2002: Message edited by: Amanaduial the archer ]