[piosenniel]

The sun had crested the Hithaeglir by the time Pio reached the eastern bounds and turned south to Stock. The well worn dirt road that lead to the Golden Perch was already starting its run of morning traffic. A farmer with a handcart filled with fresh vegetables, another with a pig and a basket of mushrooms made their way in the chill morning air to the Inn’s kitchen door.

Pio drew her hood forward, her face well hidden in its folds, and slumped wearily on the back of her mount, giving the impression of a tired traveler seeking the comforts of the Inn. There were no other riders near the stable as she entered the yard, urging Falmar toward the rear of the stable.

The stableman was drawing water for the horses from the pump when she spied him. Dismounting, she walked quietly up to him, clearing her throat as she neared to draw his attention. ‘May I help you, Miss?’ he asked, shading his eyes with his hand as he tried to see her face. She pushed back the hood and held out her hand with the note from Merimas.

‘Tomlin Goold, is it?’ she asked, placing the folded piece of paper in his hand.

‘Oh, aye,’ he returned, ‘though “Tommy” is what I prefer.’

He set down the bucket, and unfolded the message, scanning it quickly. Merimas had sent her, he read, asking that his good friend, Tommy, assist her as he could. As they walked back to the stable, Pio explained the urgency of her mission and asked for news concerning any rough looking Big Folk traveling through the area and in particular anything he knew about the kidnappers.

‘It’s strange you should ask that,’ he began, and proceeded to tell her of the odd visitors to the Inn just before dawn. Mistress Asphodel, the Innkeeper’s wife, had waked him up and sent him for the Shiriff, he said. ‘Come into the Inn and you can speak to her yourself.’

‘It’s almost as if she were expecting me,’ Pio thought, as the woman took her by the arm and led her to a secluded table. Asphodel pitched her voice low and gave Pio an accounting of what had gone on in the early hours. ‘She didn’t tell me who would be looking for her, but she said someone would. She said to make sure I told you her name was Gilly. And that it was “Ferny’s Place” . . . and, oh, this also.’ She reached into her apron pocket and pulled out the folded cloth square. ‘The men were rough that she was with, and she seemed afraid of them, and asked me not to do anything to put her in more danger. She said that someone would come for her. I did nothing while she was there with them, but once they left I sent for the Shiriff to tell him what had happened.’

The Elf’s face was grim as she listened to the woman’s story, but softened as she stared at the square. Her clear grey eyes sough the Hobbit’s, a small spark of hope banked within. ‘The babies,’ she asked, her face serious once again. ‘Did you see them? Were they well?’ She steeled herself against the answer.

Asphodel’s mouth opened with a little ‘O’ of surprise as the truth registered in her mind. ‘You’re their Mother, aren’t you?’ She reached out her hand and placed it on Pio’s arm. ‘She’s taking good care of them. They’re fed, and warm and dry. I think it was for their sakes that she wanted no fuss made that might make the men angry.’

Pio stood to leave, thanking Asphodel for her help as she did so. ‘I’ll not keep you,’ said the Innkeeper’s wife, ‘but let me get you a small packet of food for your ride to Bree.’ Tommy had seen to Falmar while she talked to Asphodel. Watered and fed, wiped down, and her bridle readjusted, she shook her head as Pio approached, declaring herself ready to go. Tommy held the reins as Pio mounted, and Asphodel handed her up the packet of food. They both wished her well as she sped off; then, Asphodel sent Tommy back to the Shiriff’s. ‘Tell him one of the Fair Folk has come to the Inn. It was those kidnappers who passed through here early this morning. And it’s her babies they’ve taken this time.’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Falmar flew east, her hooves swallowing up the miles.

Little ones! she called reassuringly to them, I am coming for you. Sleep now. Stay quiet when you wake. Your ammë is near . . .

Mithadan! Ferny’s Place . . . where is it? Show me . . .