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piosenniel · 07-17-2003, 06:45 PM

It took longer than anticipated to reach the outskirts of Bree-land. One of the ponies had thrown a shoe, and they had to stop at a small holding on the eastern edges of Buckland to find a replacement for the limping mount. By the time they reached the western border of Bree-land, it was late afternoon.

Mithadan turned them south, just where the Great East Road bordered the southern edge of Bree. And it was five hours later, or just on the cusp of darkness, when he halted the group and pointed out to them the sprawling lands of Ferny’s place to the south. ‘There’s the gate, there,’ he said, his pointing finger indicating the northern fence line and the entry way near its eastern end. ‘That’s where we’ll enter and draw their attention away from the cottage down there near the southwestern corner of the fence. That’s where Bird is and where Gilly and the children are being held.’

He led them to a little depression just north of Ferny’s place, where they could rest for a while, waiting for the night to grow darker, and the men to settle down for sleep. While the Hobbits dozed, Maura came to sit beside him. He asked Mithadan what some of the other buildings were, and Mithadan pointed out the dormitories, the armory, and Stoatie’s cottage.

‘Perhaps we should think about torching some of those buildings while we’re there,’ offered Maura. ‘Nothing like a little smoke and flames to cause confusion.’ Mithadan nodded his head in agreement, then pointed out once again the cottage where Stoatie lived. ‘We can burn them all to the ground, as far as I’m concerned. But that cottage there, and the weasel who lives in it . . . that one is my concern.’

They sat in silence for the short time it took the sky to turn a deep, inky black. Mithadan looked to the southwest, hoping to see a familiar figure there along the boundaries.

Piosenniel! We are here. Soon I will send some riders down to you and you can begin to take the children away. By the time they arrive, we will have come in by the north gate and our attack will have begun. Take the children west to the Greenway, near the South Downs. We will meet you there when we are done.

He felt her lips kiss his brow gently. We will await you there.

Then there was only the quiet of the night . . . and one by one, the torches in the outdoor sconces that lit each doorway in the compound were put out, as the men made ready for sleep and the restful pleasures of their dreams . . .

[ July 18, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

07-17-2003, 06:45 PM	#61
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	It took longer than anticipated to reach the outskirts of Bree-land. One of the ponies had thrown a shoe, and they had to stop at a small holding on the eastern edges of Buckland to find a replacement for the limping mount. By the time they reached the western border of Bree-land, it was late afternoon. Mithadan turned them south, just where the Great East Road bordered the southern edge of Bree. And it was five hours later, or just on the cusp of darkness, when he halted the group and pointed out to them the sprawling lands of Ferny’s place to the south. ‘There’s the gate, there,’ he said, his pointing finger indicating the northern fence line and the entry way near its eastern end. ‘That’s where we’ll enter and draw their attention away from the cottage down there near the southwestern corner of the fence. That’s where Bird is and where Gilly and the children are being held.’ He led them to a little depression just north of Ferny’s place, where they could rest for a while, waiting for the night to grow darker, and the men to settle down for sleep. While the Hobbits dozed, Maura came to sit beside him. He asked Mithadan what some of the other buildings were, and Mithadan pointed out the dormitories, the armory, and Stoatie’s cottage. ‘Perhaps we should think about torching some of those buildings while we’re there,’ offered Maura. ‘Nothing like a little smoke and flames to cause confusion.’ Mithadan nodded his head in agreement, then pointed out once again the cottage where Stoatie lived. ‘We can burn them all to the ground, as far as I’m concerned. But that cottage there, and the weasel who lives in it . . . that one is my concern.’ They sat in silence for the short time it took the sky to turn a deep, inky black. Mithadan looked to the southwest, hoping to see a familiar figure there along the boundaries. Piosenniel! We are here. Soon I will send some riders down to you and you can begin to take the children away. By the time they arrive, we will have come in by the north gate and our attack will have begun. Take the children west to the Greenway, near the South Downs. We will meet you there when we are done. He felt her lips kiss his brow gently. We will await you there. Then there was only the quiet of the night . . . and one by one, the torches in the outdoor sconces that lit each doorway in the compound were put out, as the men made ready for sleep and the restful pleasures of their dreams . . . [ July 18, 2003: 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.