[Ithaeliel]

Sipping a pint of ale at the table after the torch-lighting ceremony, Ardo Baggins watched the younger hobbits who would be leaving telling unbelievable, boastful stories of adventures they had embarked on recently: long trips to the strange and perilous Barrow Downs, seeing large monsters down at Bywater, and dueling with trolls and such beasts as no hobbit should like to stumble across. He laughed jovially, recalling his younger days, before his coming of age, when he would tell his own stories like that, although back then it was far more likely to see such things, as his family and people had never really settled anywhere. Now he dwelt in a cozy smial near the bank of the Brandywine, in a place called Buckland; and at the moment he sat and contemplated fair ways to persuade his long-estranged relatives to come to the lovely settlement of the Shire... he could not believe that he had come across this grand opportunity to 'visit' them, as well as going on a grand adventure at the same time!

When he had seen the notice, posted on the door of the tavern by Master Marcho, he had jumped at the chance; and now he was less than a day from leaving. As this thought crossed his mind, he gasped suddenly and choked on his ale, realizing he had not spoken to dear Cornflower since he had left Buckland that morning! Standing up and looking about frantically, he saw many pretty hobbit lasses, but he would have known his Cornflower anywhere, and she was nowhere to be found. Sighing, Ardo turned back to the table to see two deep blue eyes staring right at him. He gave a start and then sat down, putting a hand to his forehead. "Goodness me, Cornflower! Now, mind you, I don't wish to have everyone wake up in the morning and find that I've died of a heart attack. Nevertheless, I am very glad to see you."
The dark-haired woman laughed and sat down opposite her husband. "I arrived just in time to see the torches lit. This is the best Midyears Day that ever was in the Shire."
Ardo sighed and looked up at the clear night sky. "Yes, it is beautiful. If I had one last night to live, this would be the one. All the stars are flowering in the sky, it is warm out, and the festivities are absolutely marvelous."
Cornflower's eyes were tearing. "Don't say things like that," she said softly. "It is enough that I will be alone for who knows how long, but thinking that you might never return..."
She broke down into sobs. Ardo tried to comfort her and wiped her tears away. "There, there, love. I promise you I'll return with the rest of the messengers. You need not worry." Trying to take her mind off his absence, Ardo stood and extended his hand. "Shall we dance?"
Cornflower nodded and took his hand, and before she could say "party," they were twirling about amongst other jolly hobbits.