* A brown-eyed Hobbit with curly golden hair in a forest green dress with deep yellow bows smiled and curtsied at Bethberry's approach. Bethberry recognized her as one of the kitchen maids from last night who'd laughed and clapped amid songs and stories in the back room while preparing stew for Rangers. *
"You'll want to hurry up and eat second breakfast before it's time for elevensies, my lady. Master Gandalf has gone to the stable to check on that fearsome towering black horse of his that he lets wander loose, but says he'll be back presently. Outside at the benches and tables to take blackberry tea with cream and biscuits while he has his laundry done. What shall I bring you, my lady? And will you be wanting any clothes washed?" * The kitchen maid's voice sank to a helpful whisper. * "Oh ... and best not to let that outlandish horse wander onto the neighboring property, lest Farmer Sandheaver charge your wizard friend for the beast's grazing."
* After a second-breakfast of fine white bread with yellow butter, herbed cheese, wildberries, and a sample of beef stew with coffee, Bethberry joined Gandalf on the bench outside. *
* Bird strolled down the stairs and through the main hall of the Trade Inn. She balanced an outer show of confidence that comes when you're pretending to be a paying guest at an Inn with an inward holding of breath that comes when you snatch a perfectly good cluster of grapes from a plate that someone had left to be tossed away as garbage. The Hobbit-servant in a forest green dress with deep yellow bows who now accosted Bird smiled. *
"Your travelling companions are waiting outside. Well, except for your Hobbit friend who's been spirited off of her own free will by a Bounder. Rather too adventurous a tale that will make around the South Farthing, if word gets out."
* Birdland willed her feet to be as stealthy as a Hobbit's as she went outside. Her care paid off, for she was just in time to catch Gandalf and Bethberry in mid-discussion. *
"On to Maladil then, for good or ill, and Rivendell must wait awhile," * intoned Bethberry in lilting Bombadil style. *
"Can't be helped. If we cannot lift the curse, others less well-intentioned will dare it, and indeed, make bold to hide their own darkness even under its foreboding shadow. And Gollum must wait a bit." * Gandalf's smoke billowed about him enough to form another grey cloak. *
* Just then, the kitchen-maid came out like a sun ray on a bobbing leaf, whisking past Bird to place a tea tray with service for four and a basket of biscuits on the table. Gandalf looked up to see Bird. *
"Join us for elevensies, Birdland." * The wizard spoke genially and matter-of-factly, gesturing with his arm towards a bench facing him. * "And speaking of elevens, if you believe I came by mine through trickery, I hope you'll allow me to offer you a chance to make things even between us."
* Bird smiled evenly enough to start with. Her eyes narrowed at Gandalf's final sentence. * "What do you propose?"
"A riddle game, Birdland. After all, you live by your wits, so I wanted to choose a contest suited to your natural talents and fair to us both. If you win, I give you eleven silver pieces. If I win, I offer you the opportunity to earn eleven silver pieces, in my employment. Refuse the riddle game, I owe you nothing, and the whole matter is forgotten. You may ask the first riddle, if you wish."
[ August 25, 2002: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]
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