[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami had anticipated that the advent of families and children on the Star would bring about many changes. In this, she was not disappointed.

The hobbrim settled as a group on one of the lower decks. Blankets and mats were scattered about as well as the few belongings that they'd managed to salvage by tucking them into packs and belts. No one was actually placed in charge, but somehow things ran quite smoothly. There was much laughter and good-natured jostling as, family-by-family, they laid out their possessions and staked out an enclave on the deck. Young children made up nearly half the group.

Cami wasn't surprised that Kali had removed his belongings from his cabin, and opted to join the hobrim. Daisy hadn't made that commitment yet, but seemed to be spending every waking moment with her new friends. As Piosenniel's roomate, the hobbit had felt some reservation about seeing Mithadan occupy more and more of the Elf's time. But, in those moments when Daisy was actually part of the hobbrim party, all her sadness seemed to disappear. Two of the girls had even adopted her as an honorary sister.

Rose and Cami and Bird circulated throughout the floor to make sure everyone was settling in. The two hobbits kept busy racing back and forth from the storerooms to the galley to the lower deck, distributing food and needed supplies. Bird chose the sea cows as her special project. She made many trips with the children to visit them and brought back pails of milk which were needed for hungry mouths.

Although normally well behaved, the youngsters bubbled over with energy and excitement. They explored every cranny of the ship and shyly introduced themselves to all on board. The Elves merited their special attention, since the little ones had never before seen such tall and beautiful beings.

Khelek found himself doing daily chores surrounded by a bevy of small admirers. They were more than happy to assist him, but generally managed to get in his way, overturning buckets and mops in their enthusiasm. Pio found two of the youngsters hanging off the helm, and chased away a few more out of her cabin where they had gone to explore the maps.

Ancalimon, who seemed well known to the hobbrim, also came in for a share of this attention. The peddler revelled in the children's presence, and did his best to keep them occupied by telling tales and even joining in their games.

But most surprising of all to Cami was the role that Angara played. For, out of all the company on the Star, it was Angara whom the children singled out as their favorite. Although initially frightened by the wyrm's size and appearance, they had crept closer and closer to admire her gleaming golden scales and magnificent wings. The dragon had eyed them curiously at first, but then with increasing interest.

Cami expressed reluctance to let the youngsters near the wyrm in view of the latter's foul mood over the past few days. The dragon seemed a bit more settled since speaking with Pio that morning, but the hobbit still doubted her change of heart.

The wise woman had pleaded Angara's case, pointing out how lonely and sad the great beast must have been to act in such a pitiable manner. Andril begged she be allowed to speak with the dragon privately, and Cami finally agreed. Whatever the wise woman said or did in that meeting, it seemed to have a magical effect on the wyrm's behavior.

The children surounded her, warming her with small hands, soft embraces, and gentle laughter. Angara responded as if this was the most natural development in the world. Cami couldn't help comparing the dragon's behavior to that of a mother duck who tolerates her children's antics with good humor and carefuly shields them from harm.

Seeing how the little ones had managed to get into too much mischief, Andril and Cami decided to try and organize a least a small piece of their day. Each child was assigned to help in the galley or in the cleaning brigade on the main deck, as well as taking lessons with either Mistress Andril, Mistress Cami, or Ancalimon.

Angara was given the supervision of the children's chores, an aspect of the ship in which she'd never shown the slightest interest. This time, her response was different. She watched over the hobbrim like a vigilant mother, praising their efforts and gently correcting their mistakes. The wyrm showed every sign of being fiercely protective of her charges, yet still deferred to Andril or their parents as the need arose. Never before, had Cami seen the dragon try so hard to behave. And if the hobbit had not witessed it with her own eyes, she would not even have believed it possible.

[ September 25, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ September 26, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]