[Merri]

Sam leaned over to Elanor Greenthumb, who was his age--not older. "You hear that, Elanor? A party!..."

Elanor grinned. "And it's going to be the best one the Shire's had in a long, long time, I bet! Frodo'll be so pleased." She beamed at the room at large. "I wonder what kind of food he likes? Or what color? Or what kind of decorations? But then, I suppose Bilbo would know, wouldn't he?" Then a frown creased over her face. "But we have to stay behind . . ."

She thought wistfully of travelling with the grown hobbits, of fighting bandits and dragons and . . . well, doing everything Uncle Bilbo had done. But nooooo she was stuck here with the bossy young hobbits- and Sam, of course. At least she had Sam, and they could talk. At least.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the bickering between the other hobbit lasses, and she sighed inwardly. I would give anything to go off with the older hobbits, she thought, Maybe I could show them just how brave Elanor Greenthumb really is, and surprise them all. Then she chided herself- But no, Sam'll need me to keep him sane among the other girls. I can't leave him. Besides, this is my part of the job- if I left I'd be letting Frodo down as well. She then thought of Frodo, whom she'd known and played with ever since she could remember.

Elanor enjoyed talking to Frodo about Mr. Bilbo's adventures and such, and as for Sam . . . Elanor enjoyed being with him just for the sake of being with him. Contrary to many of the other hobbits, he never tried to tell her what to do. In Elanor's eyes, that was a very important trait.

[ January 10, 2003: Message edited by: Merri ]