[piosenniel]

She found Child and Mithadan sitting together in the galley, discussing all the clues that had come to light since the beginning of this journey. Mithadan was talking and Child was drawing a diagram incorporating all the facts they had discovered. There were bold lines indicating direct connections with facts and clues and what they knew of First Age History, and dotted lines indicating more tenuous connections. It was a large, complicated diagram and Pio wondered in amazement at its thoroughness.

'That's exactly what we need!', said the elf out loud. Both the Man and the hobbit looked up at her in surprise, both having been so engrossed in their talk that they had not noticed her enter.

'What is exactly "what"', said Child, pushing her reading glasses up to the top of her head and eyeing Pio.

'Your diagram! It's just the place to start for your lectures to the crew.'

'My lectures? . . . to the crew?' asked Child, in puzzlement.

'I'm sorry', said Pio, 'I've jumped ahead of myself. We will be well within the waters over Beleriand by tomorrow and at Tol Fuin sometime near the end of the week.'

Mithadan raised his eyebrows at this statement.

'That is, given the continued graces of a good wind and fair weather.' she directed toward him.

'What I'd like you to do, Child, being our resident scholar, is to put together some short, informal talks on the areas we'll be going to, their history, geography, types of people, etc. The crew will need to know what to expect when we jump in time.'

'Excellent idea.' said Mithadan, 'and Child is just the one to do it. Good choice!'

Child beamed at this, and Pio could see her calculating already just what she planned to do.

'I'll supply any maps you need.' offered the elf, and sit in whenever you need as will Mithadan.' She looked to him for confirmation, and he shook his head in agreement.

'Well, this will certainly be a challenge,'said Child gathering her papers from the table, 'but I relish the thought of sinking my teeth into it!' She retreated through the door and could be heard murmuring to herself, 'Now where shall I start? Oh, I know! Now where is that book I need to reference it?.' Her steps grew fainter down the hall - 'Angara, come help, please' would be the last they heard from her for the next two days.