The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

Child of the 7th Age · 10-13-2002, 09:03 PM

That morning, when Gamba arrived at the Locks to begin his day, Daisy and Anee were waiting for him. Neither of them looked as if they'd gotten much sleep. "What happened?" Daisy begged, pressing her face against the bars of the cell.

Gamba was bending down to fill the water mugs. He glanced behind his back to see what the guards were doing. One was playing cards, and the other had gone off to find some breakfast. As good a time as any, he thought.

Gamba stared intently at the water mugs, and, in a barely audible tone, began telling the girls about the meeting. Daisy's eyes grew wide as she heard how Piosenniel had come to join them. The look on her face clearly said she regretted not being there. When Gamba finally came to the part about needing Daisy and Anee to stay put in the Locks, the girls looked at each other but said nothing.

Gamba saw the second guard come in, and pulled back to run and get his broom to sweep out the guardroom. He couldn't risk discussion at this point.

The girls sat down on the straw-covered floor, their heads almost touching as they whispered to each other. Both had questions about the rescue and what the hobbits planned to do, but they didn't dare talk to Gamba. They finally agreed between themselves what they intended to do.

Later that morning, they contrived an excuse to see the attendent again. Lilly had been sick, or so the girls said, and Gamba was ordered into the cell for clean-up. When Daisy told him their ideas, he shook his head in dismay. "That's awfully risky. Can't you think of something else?"

"No, it's perfect. It does two things, not just one. We get extra time, and the guards think they can trust you." Gamba scowled. That's just what he didn't like about it. The rest of the prisoners had no idea what was going on and would probably think he'd betrayed the girls.

Daisy reassured him she'd be sure to set things right, once they told the prisoners about the rescue. "I suppose," he responded. The uncertainty showed in his voice.

"Tomorrow morning then," Daisy whispered.

[ October 14, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

10-13-2002, 09:03 PM	#213
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	That morning, when Gamba arrived at the Locks to begin his day, Daisy and Anee were waiting for him. Neither of them looked as if they'd gotten much sleep. "What happened?" Daisy begged, pressing her face against the bars of the cell. Gamba was bending down to fill the water mugs. He glanced behind his back to see what the guards were doing. One was playing cards, and the other had gone off to find some breakfast. As good a time as any, he thought. Gamba stared intently at the water mugs, and, in a barely audible tone, began telling the girls about the meeting. Daisy's eyes grew wide as she heard how Piosenniel had come to join them. The look on her face clearly said she regretted not being there. When Gamba finally came to the part about needing Daisy and Anee to stay put in the Locks, the girls looked at each other but said nothing. Gamba saw the second guard come in, and pulled back to run and get his broom to sweep out the guardroom. He couldn't risk discussion at this point. The girls sat down on the straw-covered floor, their heads almost touching as they whispered to each other. Both had questions about the rescue and what the hobbits planned to do, but they didn't dare talk to Gamba. They finally agreed between themselves what they intended to do. Later that morning, they contrived an excuse to see the attendent again. Lilly had been sick, or so the girls said, and Gamba was ordered into the cell for clean-up. When Daisy told him their ideas, he shook his head in dismay. "That's awfully risky. Can't you think of something else?" "No, it's perfect. It does two things, not just one. We get extra time, and the guards think they can trust you." Gamba scowled. That's just what he didn't like about it. The rest of the prisoners had no idea what was going on and would probably think he'd betrayed the girls. Daisy reassured him she'd be sure to set things right, once they told the prisoners about the rescue. "I suppose," he responded. The uncertainty showed in his voice. "Tomorrow morning then," Daisy whispered. [ October 14, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.