The great shadow hovered over their heads, and as they looked up, Angara, folding his mighty golden wings, settled on the overturned skiff.
"All these adventures, and yet you still all swim like bloated goldfish." The dragon was feeling very good about himself and his role in the latest adventure. He dove into the sea with his companions, riding the waves like a great, scaly swan. The hobbits climbed upon his back and rode there like flegling ducks catching a ride from their mother.
At that moment the sleek, kelp-brown head of the Mer-Man popped out of the water, surround by the bevy of Mer-Sprites.
"Well, All's Well That Ends Well, as I wrote once. Ulmo thanks you all for your roles in defeating the Blue Wizards, and will see that you are all rewarded handsomely. But for now, perhaps your friend Mithadan would appreciate this."
He held up a small sea-glass flagon with an amber liquid in it. "It is made from the bladder of the blow fish, plus some other of my own secret incredients, mostly to cover the smell. Very toxic if swallowed, but applied to bruises it will have an immediate healing effect."
"Uh, Child, I have no pockets," said Birdie, "would you mind terribly..."
Child took the flagon from the Mer-Man and deposited it in her own skirt pocket.
"My," said Birdie, "You and the Mer Sprites seem to be getting along very well these days." and she gave a dolphin's smile.
"Well...ah...yes, the Mer-Man answered loftily. "I've decided that it was more than time for the two branches to get to know each other much better. Pool our resourses, as they say. Of course, I'm still very interested in learning much more of the ways of the Elf-Folk, too." And he turned his best smile towards the comely, dripping Pio...
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