Celandine was nervous, very nervous. That was the only emotion getting through the cold. She wondered when her father would wake up, and then, a few hours later, discover his daughter was missing. He would probably guess that she had left with Bandorbras and the company, for he knew she had always wanted to see the elves. She winced as the thought of her reception at home occured to her. Her parents would be furious.
She wondered what her cousin's reaction would be, when he found that she had stolen several pairs of his clothing for the journey.
Celamdine blushed in embaressment as hobbitfolk leanbed out of their windows and cheered at them as they went passed. Celandinde his herself behind Branda. She hoped her father was not yet awake, for that would be disatrous, if he caught her trying to leave.
She blushed even more as a hobbit-lass came running up to them, wishing them all farewell and good luck.
Celandine fell forward with a squeak, as a very large something barreled into her. She grinned through the snow. There was only one person who greeted her like that.
"Anston, get OFF me"
"Begging your pardon, cousin dear. But I wanted to wish you good luck, for I assumed you were going when I discovered three sets of clothing gone missing." He grinned at her. "Bring me back something. An elvish dagger prehaps? Or a splendid jewel?"
"Anston, you can't even use a dagger"
Her cousin grinned at her foolishly "I know. But it would be a pretty thing to have"
Celandine shook her head at him. "Go back, before your mother works herself up into a fit."
"MY mother? When you don't come home with your father, she's going to think you've been carried off by wolves or somthing."
Celandine scuffed her feet in the snow. "I know. Tell them goodbye for me."
Anston nodded "I'll do that. I must go, I've a farther way to run back than I had to get to you" wich was indeed true, for they had been tramping along at a steady pace as the cousins talked.
"Farewell, and good luck"
"Farwell"
Anston turned and scurried back down the road, as fast as his cloaks would allow him.
"Who was that?" asked Emerald, the other hobbit lass led by Branda
"My cousin, Anston." Celandine smiled fondly "We practically grew up together. We would always pretend that we were great heroes, off saving the day, and having great adventures."
"Why didn't he come along with us?"
Celandine shook her head "He's an only child, and his mother isn't well. He feels he has an obligation to stay with her.
[ November 30, 2002: Message edited by: Losthuniel ]
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