Holly had finished her pipe, and felt the need to stand a stretch a bit. The two Elves, Meneldulineal and Estelarion, had come over to ask questions of Gandalf about this proposed trip. She said hello to each of them, and said she was sorry but knew nothing about the trip other than that she she was indeed going. She made her excuses to Gandalf,leaving him to answer the Elves questions, and got up to walk about the yard. Poor Peri stood beneath the oak tree ready to go, looking quite forlorn that they had not set out as yet.
She went over to him and unbuckled his side packs, removing them and his underblanket. Piling them against the trunk of the tree, she led him over to the grass sward just beyond the stable, telling him to make himself comfortable, she would call for him when it was time to go.
The sun was growing bright and hot in the sky, and she sat beneath the oak, her back resting against the pile of packs and the folded blanket. She watched the comings and goings of the Inn’s patrons, until her eyes grew tired. Her head lolled back, and her heavy eyelids were just on the verge of closing when she felt a warm splat on her outstretched arm.
Her eyes flew open and her eyes focused on the offending small white patch now clinging to her forearm. She wiped it off with a fallen oak leaf, and standing, looked up into the branches of the tree for the culprit.
A jackdaw hopped back and forth on one of the lower branches, and she could swear she heard a small chortle escape it. ‘Bird!’ she thought to herself. ‘Now what’s got her so spooked she’s gone and changed into another form.’
Holly sighed and sat back down. ‘Bird, you coming with us on the wing, then?!’ she said out loud. She looked up at the bright eyed creature staring down at her. ‘Let me know if you want me to put your belongings in one of Peri’s packs. There’s plenty of room, just show me where they are. And please, if you really don’t like my plan, just leave me a note next time!’
[ November 17, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]
__________________
Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.
|