[Child of the 7th Age]

Perry had thought that Rosie would tell her parents about her plans to be a ranger, and then they'd get together and all discuss it. When he found out that Rose had snuck out of the house without telling anyone, he immediately marched her back to her family.

The whole time, he lectured her in a very stern voice, "Rose Took, from now on, you're going to listen to what I say!Being a ranger is not all fun and games or even learning how to defend yourself with sword. It's hard, tough work. You're going to learn to do all those things your mother wanted you to learn, but you wouldn't listen to her! You have to gut fish and cook meals and sew clothes. Then you walk twenty five miles in the drenching rain, shoot a coney, and start all over again."

"The first thing is that a Ranger always keeps his word.... that is, her word. If I went around accepting meals and supplies from people and then ran off with their young ones, they'd never trust me again! And it's even worse if I run off with a 'tweener girl in tow. You never know what nonsense tongues will be wagging. So march right back to your father and tell him politely what you want to do and why you want to do it!! And don't worry about him saying no. I'm an adult and I know the magic words to say to turn his views. Believe me, I've been doing this many a year."

"The other thing is that you'll have to cut off those frilly curls and dress like a young lad. I'll let the head of the rangers know who you really are, but on the road that can be a secret just between us. So you better start practicing to walk and talk like a lad. And I don't want to hear any tongue back."

Perry knew that there was actually one ranger named Goldie Boffo, who was a woman, and he intended to pair up the young Rose with her. But until he crossed paths with Goldie, that would have to wait. He at least had the advantage of being kin to the family. Being a Took himself, he was actually one of Rose's great uncles. So few would question his right to chaperone the girl.

Rosie shook her head. This was worse than her own parents!! But she wanted to be a ranger so badly, she reluctantly agreed to the plan. They got to the door of the Took household. Rosie could hear her mother banging about inside with her chores.

Perry glared at her, "Now go inside and tell them you're sorry you ran out. A strange madness seized you, but Perry has brought you back to your senses! And ask your parents nicely if you can come with me as my apprentice. After that, I'll do the talking and the explaining."

Perry reflected that, in only one day, the girl had already been a handful. He suspected that her parents had also found her quite a challenge. They undoubtedly loved her, but they might be willing to send her off in this unconventional apprenticeship, as long as they felt it was respectable and that the girl would be gaining useful skills.

They came to the round door of the burrow, and Perry pushed the girl inside. Her parents stood with a worried expression on their face.

"Excuse me," said Perry. "There's been a misunderstanding. Your daughter spoke with me yeserday about doing an apprenticeship as a ranger. We hoped to speak with you about it today, but she got a bit anxious and tried to slip out on her own. Now, she's going to apologize and put her request to you in a way that any hobbit parent would be proud of." Perry gave Rose a little push from behind.

[ September 02, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]