[Child of the 7th Age]

Child and Daisy had been talking for some time, when the older hobbit excused herself to go to the galley and pick up some food. Before she returned to the cabin, she checked back on deck and heard the good news that Bird was going to be alright. She raced back to tell Daisy.

Daisy's face relaxed a bit after she heard that Bird had pulled through. She visibly sighed and shook her head. "It would have been my fault, if anything had happened to her," the hobbit whispered soberly.

"No, Daisy, not really. What you did to Kali was wrong, but you did not intentionally hurt Bird."

"Bird had a free choice to go out and help Kali who is her friend. She could have said yes, or she could have said no. But her heart told her to do it. And, if something had happened, Bird would have accepted that as the price she had agreed to pay, even if that choice brought sadness."

"Just like Bird, you have that same choice every day you live. You can choose to exercise the same cruelty that the people showered on you and your mother. You can choose to show disrespect towards Kali because he looks different on the outside. Or you can break away from all that, and find your own path in life. It isn't easy, but it is possible."

"And I will promise you one thing. I will not desert you. I will stand by your side if danger arises. And I know that every person on this vessel would make that same promise to you."

"Daisy, think about this. You must have loved your mother very much. If you didn't love her, if you didn't care so much about her, you wouldn't be so angry now, angry at the people who treated her with so little kindness or respect. Let the anger go and build on the love. Everything you have told me about her, her dreams for you, and her feelings for your father, tells me she would have wanted it that way."

"Oh, yes, and don't be surprised if Kali avoids you for a bit. He is shy to begin with, and now he has been hurt. If I were you, I'd think of something nice to do to show him you are truly sorry."

"But what can I do? Daisy queried.

Child laughed, "Isn't it obvious? You're a hobbit, and he's a hobbim. Cook him a meal with all his favorite foods. It always worked for me when my husband was alive, and he was upset with me. Now go to sleep. It's very late and Mistress Pio has an unending supply of chores for you tomorrow."

Child kissed the girl on her forehead and lay down beside her. Daisy cuddled into her side. Within a few moments, they had both fallen asleep.

[ July 19, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]