[Child of the 7th Age]

"What happened?" Luinien questioned nervously, looking up towards the older hobbit woman. Her eyes were shadowed with worry, as she took in Pio's form and noticed that the Elf was indeed very pregnant.

Amaranthas nodded her head, "She'll be fine, just fine, young lady. These things happen. Now, move yourself, and let me examine her!" The older hobbit took her cane and abruptly jabbed Luinien's ribs to make her step aside more readily. A quick check of the Elf showed everything to be fine.

In the meanwhile, Piosenniel had accepted the glass and drank a small mouthful of water, before handing it back to the hobbit. The Elf took but an instant to regain her composure and, when she did so, it was with new respect for Bilbo.

Still, this would be a risky venture. Only an island to cling to for a brief moment, and then both must resume their separate journies. There might have been a time when Piosenniel would have urged her friend to wait, to heal, and look again. But that was before her own pledge had been given. Would she 'look again' if some strange doom separated her prematurely from Mithadan's side? Or would she rather wait, trusting to bonds of loyalty and the belief that feelings like these do not come twice within a single lifetime?

In any case, it was not her place to make such decisions for her friend. And, from all outward appearances, Cami had found some measure of peace by focusing on her duties as mother and wise woman, with little interest in searching out another man.

[ January 16, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]