[Child of the 7th Age]

The next morning, very early, Cami had presented herself at Bilbo's front door. Her teacher nodded 'good day' and came outside with his walking stick, as the two hobbits deftly made their way over the back paths and lanes to the house where Lobelia and her family lived. As they hurried along, not wanting to be late, they chatted with each other about what was going to happen once they reached their destination.

"I really wish your father would not insist on this," Bilbo added with a sigh. "I would rather not have you working there. I understand your dad wants you to learn about money and responsibility, although I certainly don't feel it's necessary for you to repay those coins. Still, I wish he had allowed you to work for me. I have plenty to do in the house and garden that goes beyond the party itself. And, at least in Bag-end, I could keep a close eye on you and know that you were fine."

At first, Cami wondered what Bilbo meant by that. Why wouldn't she be "fine" working at the Sackville-Baggins residence? Then she remembered the button she'd discovered behind the tree in the exact same location where Belle's little accident had taken place. Cami forced her thoughts away from that unpleasant subject, and vowed to concentrate on making a good impression on her boss.

A few knocks later, Miss Lobelia came to open the door and let them in. Cami had hoped Miss Lobelia would serve her a few cookies with tea, the same way her own parents would have done when anyone came calling. But there were no cookies and tea, and, indeed, there was much unpleasantness. Miss Lobelia made Cami stand up straight as a ramrod and stared her up and down the same way a hobbit might do if he was about to buy a pony. At one point, she actually tried poking and prodding Cami's upper arm with the tips of her fingers to find out how big her muscle was. Bilbo had cleared his throat, glared back rudely, and put a quick stop to that behavior.

The two adult hobbits spent some time debating Cami's duties and hours and the money she would earn. Miss Lobelia's voice sounded smooth as silk, but whatever she was saying didn't please Bilbo greatly, as there was considerable bickering back and forth. Finally, when all the discussion was over, the two hobbit shook hands on the bargain, although Bilbo still didn't look terribly happy. He did agree that young Cami could stay for the morning to help with Lobelia's errands and chores.

Just as the hobbit was about to leave and return to Bag-end, he fished inside his pocket and pulled out a large brass button that looked familiar to Cami. "Excuse me, but your son wouldn't have lost his button from his waistcoat? I found it near the road."

Miss Lobelia was about to reach out and snatch the missing button from Bilbo's hand, when suddenly she thought better of it and abruptly pulled back. [i] Best not, I still don't know the full tale behind that coat, or what Lotho was doing. Anyways, nasty Bilbo is sure to misrepresent my dear son's actions and find some way to turn it to his own advantage. [/b]

She fluttered her eyelashes coyly, and smiled, "So sorry. You must be mistaken. I've never seen that button before."

Bilbo thought Loblia's voice didn't sound quite right, but he let it go for now, filing the information to the back of his mind. Cami looked about desperately, beginning to feel she should never have come here, even under her father's orders. She gave a last urgent hug to her teacher as he stepped outside Lobelia's threshold. Then Bilbo leaned down to Cami and whispered inside her ear, "Watch your step! She's up to no good. I can smell it in the air. I'll come back after lunch to pick you up. Just be careful." Then, he headed back to Bag-end, with his brow deeply furled, worrying about how Cami would fare.

The instant that he left, Lobelia went to retrieve a small envelope from deep within her desk, applied some postage, and handed it to Cami. "Run as fast as you can to the Green Dragon Inn, and put this in the morning post that leaves for Bree." Cami sprinted along the roadway as quickly as she was able, eager to impress her Mistress with her willingness and speed. As she raced along, she took one quick glance at the envelope that had been entrusted to her. It was addressed to a lady at the Prancing Pony whose name she had never heard. Strangely enough, the name sounded as if it belonged to one of the big folk. Why would Miss Lobelia have business with one of the big folk of Bree? But, then, that was none of her concern. She pushed the idea out of her head, and pumped her legs even harder than before.

When she arrived back at the Sackville-Baggins residence, barely half an hour later, Miss Lobelia lectured her sternly on being a sluggard and dragging her feet. Cami stared stubbornly down at her toes, suddenly overwhelmed by the realization that however hard she worked, whatever feats of wonder she managed to perform, Miss Lobelia would still find a reason to berate her.

[ February 16, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]