"You're cracked", said Birdie, "and the Wizard is even more cracked. Look at this!" Bird gestured around the Inn's courtyard, where which was filled with activity. Elves had been arriving throughout the morning, summoned who-knew-how. The Rangers were also to be seen, pushing into the commons room to help themselves to the breakfast supplied by the good Bethberry, sharpening swords and checking gear, or lounging in the sunlight, smoking their pipe-weed and looking inscrutible. The inn had never had so much business, and the innkeeper had never been busier. It seemed a small army had descended on Sarn Ford, all summoned by Gandalf the Grey.
Bird was in a foul mood. The rooms at the inn had filled up fast, and Holly's room had been let out to the couple of elves to share at the last minute. Bird had spent an uncomfortable night in the rafters of the stables, and had barely been able to snatch a hot bannock from the kitchen as the board was being set up in the commons room to feed the travelers. The whirlwind of activity was making her decidedly nervous.
"Why you would want to follow this mob to the castle is beyond me. And for what? Riches? If they do succeed in whatever they're planning, you'll be lucky to get a gilt cloak pin out of the deal. Any gold will disappear into Elven coffers in Rivendell, believe me. And just what do you plan on contributing to this little outing? Do you intend to "draw" the ghosts out? "Draw"? Get it?" Birdie laughed at her own joke, then shooed away a curious Elven steed that was sniffing at her bannock. "Get away with ye!" she muttered, as she waved her hand. "Dratted destriers. Where's Olo? He should be rounding up these horses, y'know. Anyway, if you do fall in with this bunch, who's going to watch your back? Not these Elven folk, that's for sure. They'll have no time for a Hobbit".
"Well, that's what you're for, Birdie." said Holly with a laugh.
"Me? I'm getting out of here, and you would be well advised to do the same. Get on the road soon as you can, before these 'questers' stir things up."
"I'd advise against that" came a quiet voice, and the two companions turned to see a green cloaked figure sitting on a bench near the stables.
"Volondil!" Holly greeted her new-found friend. "What brings you in from the woods? Are you to accompany Gandalf as well?"
"If needed", said the young Ranger cryptically. Volondil had learned cryptic from his hero, Aragorn.
And just why shouldn't we take to the road this fine morning?" Birdie asked saucily, hands on hips.
"Because you would not get more than a mile. The doings at Castle Maladil have drawn more than Rangers and the Elves, you know. No roads are safe now. Any lone travelers will be waylaid by brigands, or worse. No, the safest place for you two right now is right here. And you would be advised to do whatever Gandalf tells you. That is, if you want to get out of this alive."
Holly and Birdie looked at each other. "This is what you get for befriending a Ranger." said Birdie.
[ November 15, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]
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