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‘Hey! Get up!’ Sassy wriggled out from under the blanket of leaves and poked Bingo in the back. The sun was trying desperately to stretch its own fingers of light into the tangle of elderberry limbs and leaves that had sheltered the two Hobbits during the night. ‘Sun’s almost up, Bingo. Maybe we can find the others.’ She crossed her fingers in the old ‘good-luck’ sign and whispered to herself, ‘Please let me find Sondo. She uncrossed her fingers then crossed them quickly once again. ‘And, umm, Bingo’s brother, Reggie, too.’
Sassy found a flat rock to sit on as she waited for Bingo to wake up. Her little pack was by her side, and she fished about in it, trying to see what was still usable. The cookies were a sodden mush as were the peppermint drops. She emptied the wet remains into the underbrush with a sigh. There was a packet of dried meat strips still left . . . wet, too, of course, but edible. And one badly dented apple. Most of her things were still intact in the pack, they would just need to be dried out when she had time. She patted the pockets on her vest. Some of her things in those were gone. The river had taken a handkerchief, a spare hair ribbon, a snail shell, and some smooth rocks she’d picked up for her sling. She gave a great sigh as her fingers encountered the little lump in her inner pocket – it was the little whistle her Da had carved for her from a small maple tree knot. Sassy untangled the leather thong it hung from and placed it round her neck.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Half an apple later, and a stick and a half of meat stick each, found the two Hobbits walking along the river bank looking for any evidence of the raft or their companions. The sun was just up as they neared a bend in the channel. Sassy was playing some little song on her whistle when Bingo shushed her. He pointed a finger through the clump of trees in front of them. Sassy cocked her head, straining to hear. There were voices . . . familiar voices!
One closer, one a little farther away . . .
‘Sondo!’ she squealed, grinning up at Bingo. ‘And isn’t that Reggie’s voice?’ the two took off running, eager to find their friends and brothers
-o-o-o-o-o-
It was a wild looking little Hobbit that came running pell mell toward her brother. The voice certainly sounded like Sassy, and he recognized the breeches the girl was wearing (since they had been his several years ago), as well as the red color of the vest that poked out here and there amidst the muddy swirlings. But the creature had leaves and twigs firmly entwined in her mop of curls, and her face was streaked with dirt. And there on her right cheek was a large bruise and a scab.
Sassy, for he had determined it was indeed her, by her familiar grin and the whistle that bobbed against her raggedy shirt as she ran, waved wildly at him as she sped toward him. He barely had time to plant his feet for the impact when her body hit him and she wrapped her arms as far as she could about his waist, burying her snuffly face against his chest. She stepped back and looked up at her big brother with relief. A few tears had streaked her cheeks, but she wiped them away, smearing her face further.
'Oh, Bunnymuggins,' she sighed, hugging him fiercely once more. 'I'm so happy we found you!'
Last edited by Primrose Bolger; 02-03-2005 at 08:27 PM.
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