[piosenniel]

Olo brought his pack to Holly's camp, and plopped it down near hers. Peri whickered softly at him, inviting a scratch on nose or ear, and was rewarded with a thorough rubbing of both. 'So, I see you and your Mistress are leaving us soon.' he said quietly to the pony, half expecting an answer in return. Peri only eyed him, and nudged his still hand.

Holly frowned at the Hobbit. 'Perhaps you'ld better address me, since you are more likely to get an answer than if you spend all day questioning Peri.' She poured some boiling water over tea leaves with sweet herbs and set the pan of it near the fire to let it steep. Then busying herself with the making of a small pot of dried vegetable and mushroom stew, she awaited his question.

He sat his pack down near where she knelt and sat down resting his back against it. 'Well, I'll ask you straight out then. Are you leaving the group?'

She stirred the stew with a wooden spoon and tasting the broth, threw in a pinch of salt. 'I have some business, where the northern most mouth of the Sirannon meets the Mitheithel. I'll leave tomorrow morning before first light, and strike out cross country.'

'Why can't you stay with Gandalf's party until we reach Tharbad, then head up the Hoarwell? Wouldn't that be safer?' He took the cup of fragrant tea from her and sipped the hot brew slowly.

Holly laughed as she took her cup into her hands. 'That's what I had thought when first we set out. But trouble seems to dog this company, and I fear that any more delay would make me late. Already we are delayed at least two days by Volondil's injuries, and now we have Bird and some mad Elf engaged in a stand-off.' She looked up at the pony who seemed to be listening to her words. 'And Peri here has made it clear he wants no more part of it.' The pony stamped his foot emphatically and whinnied. 'It would be best to strike out on our own, as we have always done. And leave this poor, benighted group to draw misfortune away from us.'

Olo took a deep drink of his tea, and looking up, held Holly's gaze with his. 'Well, then,' he said firmly, 'you won't be striking out on your own, if I have anything to say about it.' His cheeks crimsoned as he watched her eyes snap with anger. She opened her mouth to give retort, but he cut her off, arms crossed determinedly across his chest. 'I'm coming with you!'

She looked at him blankly, as if she did not understand his words, then a rumbling chuckle started deep within her until tears came to her eyes and she lay on the ground laughing loudly. Sitting up once again, she looked at him and knew there was no getting round him either. A sigh escaped her, and she shook her head at both the pony and the Hobbit. 'As you wish, Olo.' she said, 'Just make sure you bring your stout cudgel and that you keep up the pace.'

She looked over to where Gandalf was now engaged in some sort of mediation between Ent and Elf. Once he was done, she would tell him of her change in plans.