[piosenniel]

Daisy was up and dressed by the time Pio had gotten to the cabin. Child was nowhere to be seen. 'Had breakfast, yet?,' asked the elf.

'No, Ma'am.' she replied and Pio smiled at her.

'Then let's hurry before Bird and Child eat the rest of the berry jam.'

At the mention of Bird's name, Daisy blanched, and stammered out, 'Is she all right, ma'am?'

'Yes, she is, Daisy. It's really none of your fault what happened to her. And I wanted to apologize for acting so cold to you during that incident. I have no excuse except to say I was very frightened for the life of my good friend, and acted out of that fear. If you will accept my apology, I will do better next time.'

The hobbit thought for a moment and said, 'Yes, I will accept it, Lady Pio.'

The two had a quiet breakfast of tea, toast and jam, and eggs. Pio spent the time looking at a particular book of maps in which she had made notations over the years, and Daisy just enjoyed the food and the sunshine streaming through the porthole.

When they were done, they both straightened the eating area. Pio then went up to the helm with Daisy following.

Veritas was at the wheel, the wind filled their sails, and the ship was clipping along at a steady speed. Pio discussed their position with Veritas, and pointed out to Daisy both their position as plotted on the map in her hand and the sighted landmarks off starboard.

Pulling a crate in front of the wheel, Pio stood Daisy on it and let Veritas show her how to hold a steady course using the ship's compass.

'Hold her steady, now, little mate!' said Veritas with a laugh, 'You've got the helm; she's in your hands!'

'Yes, ma'am!' came the crisp reply from the beaming hobbit. She was both thrilled and terrified that the ship was now her responsibility.

Veritas bent over a map that Pio had unrolled and placed on one of the barrelhead. She traced the ships course so far for today. 'There are the Ered Nimrais.' She pointed with the tip of her finger. 'And here is Ras Morthil.' She indicated the cape at the northwest edge of the Bay of Belfalas. 'We have just come round Andrast - its peninsula, and are heading into Belegaer, the Great Sea.'

Pio frowned and calculated distances in her head. 'This means in four or five days we could be near the Gulf of Lune.' She looked at Veritas.

'Yes. Providing the wind and weather holds for us.'

'Hmm . . and from the Gulf of Lune to Tol Morwen, about, say, another two days.' She looked northward, as if she would will the island into view. 'Then we must be ready to try the crystal device by then.'

Veritas looked northward, too , and wished she had Mithadan's PC with which to work out their problem.

[ July 19, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]