[Orual]

"It's an Elanor and Marigold sandwich!"

Sam laughed aloud when Elanor said that. He was feeling quite a bit better, now that Cami was with them. But they had just rounded the last corner before they arrived at Ted Sandyman's, so that elation was quickly quelled. It was a bright, sunny day, but Sam could swear that there was a curtain of dark stormclouds behind the mill, and he could almost hear claps of thunder in the distance. He frowned.

Come on, Sam, get a hold of yourself, he thought fiercely. You shouldn't let Sandyman get you upset so. Anyways, Cami's here now. You might not even have to deal with the miller at all! If nothing else, that last thought reassured him. "Almost there," he shouted to his passengers.

**********************

"Sounds fine, Ms. Brandybuck!" Biffo remarked. "Fine, indeed."

Melilot grinned. "It's Bracegirdle, Master Proudfoot," she said, with a touch of feigned indignance. "I'm no Brandybuck. No, no, it's fine," she added, when Biffo began to apologize. "It's fine. Similar names, if you don't know the people so well. Though I don't doubt that we'll know each other quite a bit better before this trip is done. Especially if we decide to camp." The last part was said a little thoughtfully. "But I don't doubt that my uncle will be able to give us good prices. But bandits had been mentioned. How...how reliable are these reports?" she asked, looking around the table. Talk of bandits roaming around her dear Shire worried Melilot. She didn't like this at all, and hoped that it was simply the talk of Inn-goers who had enjoyed their drink a little heavily. She waited for responses.

[ February 07, 2003: Message edited by: Orual ]