[mark12_30]

When Maura was done speaking and the solemnities were over, Lindo asked Azra to watch the babies for him, and slipped out. He had heard snorting more than once during the afternoon, but had been unable to get away. But he had asked others, and knew where to look, and he quickly found the cart and pony behind the Workhouse.

He quickly introduced himself to the surprised pony, and slipped the traces and gathered the long reins, and led him to the stream. Several people had given him water, but the pony drank again, and Lindo smiled as the pony thrust his dripping nose against Lindo's cheek and slobbered down his chest and neck. Lindo reached up and pulled on his crest, and the pony dug his chin into Lindo's shoulder (which hurt, because the bridle was stiff and the bit didn't give way at all) and they were friends. Lindo swiped away a tear, laughing at himself, and led the pony to the edge of the garden. Nitir would probably be furious that he gave hobbit-food to a pony, but he pulled a carrot, and led the pony away again, wiping the carrot on his breeches, and breaking it into small peices, fed it slowly to the eager pony one bit at a time. Then he stopped, and began exploring the pony's face and neck for itchy spots. He found many. The pony closed his eyes in sheer bliss.

He heard very soft laughter behind him, and he turned, to see Ancalimon watching him. "I came with no expectations, but I am still surprised to find a horse-thief here."

"Is it time for you to leave already? I thought you would speak with Maura and Nitir longer than that."

"I spoke with them as much as I meant to."

Lindo heaved a sigh, and sadly led the pony back to the cart, and hitched up the traces. Ancalimon climbed into his cart and Lindo handed him the reins, and then he walked back to the pony. The reins were being gathered up, but suddenly Lindo grasped them just below the bit, put his free arm around the pony's neck, and buried his face in his mane, and then his shoulders began to shake.

Ancalimon slowly put the reins down again. For a servant to keep a guest waiting was very disrespectful behavior, and Ancalimon's temper stirred, but he thought of all he had seen today and gave the boy some time.

"It brings back all my old life," Lindo said, muffled, into the pony's mane. "Those were such hopeful days."

"There is hope now, " Ancalimon replied. "Let it find you."

"My hope died the day of the invasion," Lindo said, suddenly growing cold again, and his tears stopped. "I never held my hope, I only watched her die."

"There is hope all around you, " Ancalimon replied. "But to open to it, you must let go of the hopes that have died. They will not come back by you holding on to them; if they are to return, they will return in a new form, and in a way that you least expect."

"I don't want to let go of her," Lindo replied.

"I did not say so, " replied Ancalimon. "But we were talking about hope. If hope is past, then grieve its passing and let it go. New hope will come."

Lindo buried his face again into the pony's mane, and the pony and Ancalimon waited several moments. Then Lindo stepped back, finally releasing the pony's reins, and looked at Ancalimon, a mix of emotions on his face. Ancalimon nodded, and gathered his reins. But then he paused.

"Have you sung over her?"

Lindo shook his head. "I don't know where she lies."

"Perhaps you should find out, " Ancalimon replied, reasonably. And he shook the reins, and the pony swung into a walk.

"Goodbye, " said Lindo, to the pony. As an afterthought, he nodded to Ancalimon.

Ancalimon laughed, and headed the pony into the sad pine forest. When they were out of earshot he spoke to the pony. "You have become a counsellor like me." The pony flicked his ears, and fished for bits of carrot in his teeth.

[ August 14, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]