READ THIS if you are part of the Barrow-Down's Birthday Party

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child curled up in a corner of the cave on several large pillows provided by Durshag. Her mind was still spinning as she settled down to try and sleep.

Child was roaring and ready to go on an adventure to find Durshag's kin, but she knew she had to think about more than her own desires.

First, what did the other hobbits think? Secondly, what about her friends aboard the ship? She didn't know if Birdie and the Elves would want to come along on such a crazy journey, even if Sam and Frodo and Rose agreed. And what about Tuor and Idril? They could, of course, transfer to their own vessel and sail back to the West whenever they wanted.

Finally, and most seriously, there was Lord Mithadan. Idril had suggested he should return to the Barrow-downs to recuperate. If he really needed to go back there, then they would all have to turn the ship around and go. She certainly was not about to desert him, no matter how Durshag pleaded. Their first loyalty had to be to Mith.

And yet, Child wondered. For some reason she did not fully comprehend, the kuduk always seemed to have a certain effect on both Men and Elves. Whenever a Man or Elf came around a hobbit, eventually there would be a great deal of laughing and teasing.

Indeed, Gandalf had once confided to Frodo that, as far as Middle-earth went, there were three places of great healing. First was the home of Tom Bombadil, next were the wonderful havens of the Elves like Rivendel and Lorien, and third was the Shire with its silly hobbits who were always making one chuckle.

Perhaps, chasing after missing hobbits, or hobrim, was not such a bad assignment for a Lord who seemed quite ill at ease with himself and uncertain of his future.