* Gratefully inhaling the last bit of Southern Star gracefully offered by Holly, Gandalf spoke aloud as if to himself. In a musing tone of contemplative distraction, he answered the inquisitive Elves Menelduliniel and Estelarion while counting heads. *
Counting myself and not counting animals, so far there are twelve of us here:
One Bombadil: Bethberry, Singer-Healer and Honorary Ranger.
Two Elves: Menelduliniel and Estelarion, both Warriors and Bards.
* peering at Andreth * The light of the Fair Folk shines in your eyes, too, Andreth, Elf-friend. And yes, I know your name, though we haven’t been formally introduced. But I know not what you bring to this company.
Three Hobbits: Holly, Artist; Olo, Hostler; and Poppy, who perhaps might be persuaded to serve as a Scout.
* Gandalf was careful to avoid mentioning the term "burglar" or supposing out loud that Poppy might follow in Bilbo Baggins' footsteps, for it was only almost a year after Bilbo's disappearance, and there were certain Hobbits who whispered amongst themselves that Gandalf had spirited Bilbo away to an uncertain end in a suspicious manner. *
Four of the race of Men: Alearindu and Volondil, Rangers; Aislan, Hostler; and Hinura, Bard.
Then there’s myself.
We appear to be missing one: Birdland. Were she here, we’d have thirteen, to match the thirteen ghosts at Castle Maladil.
* At this point, Holly spoke up saying that it was all right to leave, assuring that if Bird wanted to join, she’d be able to catch up on her own, with no trouble at all. *
* The roll call taken, Gandalf took to the road and settled into a comfortable walking rhythm with his staff. Some of the company marched behind in ones or twos as if they were on parade. The more eager of the company dashed on ahead as if they were in a race. Still others drew up easily alongside the wizard, or alongside those who followed him. The black steed Midnight strode along behind at an easy gait, willing to follow Gandalf, yet poised to break into a full gallop and match the Elven steeds, should they offer a competitive challenge. *
* Just then, the sun came out from behind a cloud to act as escort as they travelled South from Sarn Ford to Tharbad. It was 10:00 o'clock in the morning by Shire reckoning. *
[ November 18, 2002: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]
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