[piosenniel]

Child's post

Cami had retreated to the back of the Inn, with the baby nestled gently in the crook of her arm. She tapped her friend on the shoulder to awaken her, entrusting Hamfast to her care, and then guided Miz Rose towards the table, pulling out a bench for her to rest. She did look weary to Cami, far too weary since there was still some time to go until the expected birth. Cami went to locate and retrieve Angelica so the three of them could discuss Miz Rose's unfinished business.

Angelica and Rose exchanged greetings and took a moment to share the latest tales about their childrens' antics. Finally, Miz Rose confided, "I've called us together for a reason. I have a problem, and need your help. Miss Pio came to me the day before yesterday, asking that I assist in the delivery of her twins. I was both happy and honored to oblige. But, for the past day, I've not been feeling well, and that seems to be a sign for me to slow down."

Cami and Angelica nodded their heads in agreement. Yet, they knew it would not be easy for Rose to cut back on her duties with so many children to tend. As if reading their concerns, Miz Rose reasssured them, "I know my husband and older children will help, once I speak with them. But I need to assure Sam that I'll cut back and not take on any extra duties. And I'm afraid that being a midwife is an extra duty, however much I would like to help Piosenniel."

"I thought that one of you might be able to help out." Miz Rose looked at her two friends. "Cami, Pio mentioned that you've become a healer and teacher in your new home. Perhaps you'd like to help her, since you know her best? Or Angelica, you've assisted with several births in the Shire, and would be more than qualified to act as a midwife."

Cami shook her head. "I'd like to, but I have less experience than either of you. More importantly, I'm not sure how long I'll be here. I was escorted to the Shire by someone and must return when they come to fetch me. It would be risky for me to take on such a responsibility since I'm not sure when that is. Angelica would be a better choice."

Angelica glanced first at Cami, then over at Miz Rose. She spoke slowly and thoughtfully. "I would like to help, but I've never seen an Elf give birth. To tell the truth, I've never even spoken with an Elf. But, if you think I can do it, I'd be willing to try."

Cami put her hand on Angelica's shoulder. "Go talk with Pio, and tell her what we've discussed. I think you'll find yourself more comfortable with her than you think."

"Miz Rose, sit and rest." Angelica implored. "I'll get Pio." Then, she added, "You know, Rose, you would have been better off staying home tonight."

Miz Rose smiled, "And how could I do that to my Sam? How many times has he wondered about Frodo and how he felt and what he was doing? If I was sitting at home with Sam--and you know he'd never leave me--both of us would have been miserable."

The three hobbits laughed, for what Miz Rose was saying had the ring of truth. Then Angelica went off to find Piosenniel.

Pio's post

Pio had just entered the door with the two children, and given them into the care of Elanor, when she saw a familiar face approach her. Angelica Muddyfoot, Cami’s old friend, she recalled. Pio brushed the wrinkles from her gown where she had been sitting on the ground, and smiled encouragingly at the approaching Hobbit woman. She was looking forward to meeting one of Cami’s friends from the Shire.

As Angelica drew near, Pio stepped forward and inclined her head toward her. ‘I am Piosenniel, Mistress Muddyfoot. Or Pio to my friends. You are one of Cami’s dear friends from childhood, are you not? So pleased to meet you.’

Nurumaiel's post

Angelica looked up at the Elf and suddenly felt very dizzy. I can't do this, she thought wildly, but she calmly told of her discussion with Miz Rose. "And so," she finished, "I've come to meet you at Cami's suggestion, and ask you a few questions. I've been midwife before, but never for an Elf and you can understand that I'm very nervous."

Pio nodded understandingly.

Angelica paused for a moment, trying to think of what to say next. What did she want to ask Miss Piosenniel, anyway? Do Elves give birth the same way as Hobbits? The thought raced through Angelica's mind, but she was certain if she asked that, she'd be laughed.

Pio seemed to read her mind. "You needn't be afraid to ask questions," she said kindly, and her voice melted away all Angelica's anxieties. She began firing out questions, hardly waiting for Pio to finish answering before she asked the next. The Elf answered each one calmly and surely, and with the kindest of tones.

Angelica finished her long list of questions, and then was silent. What to say now? She hadn't come to a decision, but she couldn't sit here in silence forever. I've made up my mind to say yes, she thought firmly. I think I can handle this, despite how nervous I am.

"Perhaps," said Pio, "it would be better if I told you now, before you say you will, that it's to be twins."

Twins! Angelica felt like she was going to faint as she stared blankly up at Pio. Twins were nothing terrible to her. I've had my own twins, after all, she thought. But Elf twins! It was unheard of. This was her first encounter with an Elf, and she wasn't going to…

She stopped, and took a deep breath, looking around wildly. Her eyes rested on her Prisca-baby, who was giggling at Fosco chasing Madoc around the room. Then she set her jaw and looked firmly at Pio. "Miss Piosenniel," she said clearly, "I've come to a decision. I'll do it."

Pio smiled and thanked her.

"But I can't do it alone," said Angelica, half to herself. "I think I'll have Peony Muddyfoot, my sister-in-law, assist me. She was midwife for me when I had my eldest, and aside from her experience, she's very kind and understanding. She'd be perfect. That is, Miss Piosenniel, if you agree."

Pio’s post

‘I do agree, Mistress Muddyfoot. Miz Rose seems a good judge of character. I trust that she has made a fine choice for her replacement. And so I will trust in your judgement, also. Might I call you Angelica? Since we will be getting to know one another quite well. And please call me Pio.’

Pio looked round at Angelica’s own set of twins, and smiled broadly. ‘Lively, aren’t they?! I wonder if that is what I have to look forward to.’ She could see Angelica giving a considering look to her own children, and a frown crease her brow.

Pio put out her hand and touched the Hobbit lightly on the arm. ‘I have already given some consideration to who might watch the children while you are with me.’ Angelica raised her brows at the Elf, wondering if she had indeed read her mind. ‘Sometimes the questions are simply written on your face,’ Pio said, laughing at the easily read map of emotions that flowed across the features of the Hobbit’s face. ‘Please let me assure you that it is not my custom to pry into your thoughts.’

She pointed toward the energetic Gamgee children who were playing a wild game of tag beneath the staircase and around the empty tables in one corner of the room. ‘I had thought that Miz Rose might need someone to watch her children. I know that Elanor and young Frodo are responsible enough, but even they would need a break sometime.’ The two women began walking back to where Miz Rose was resting. ‘I spoke with Hob Hamfast, our stableman, and his wife, Minta. They have no children as yet, being just newly wed. Minta comes from a large family, and she misses the hustle and bustle of her brothers and sisters. She jumped at the chance to do childcare, when I asked her. And, in fact, she made the suggestion that the little ones could stay the night at their house if that was necessary. In fact, I got the idea that she would welcome them even if it were not necessary!’

They had reached Miz Rose, who now sat comfortably on a padded bench, a cup of tea in her hands. She beamed as they approached. ‘An excellent choice, isn’t she Miz Pio!’ They talked for a while about births the both of them had assisted with, and the additional difficulties associated with having twins. Pio made the mistake of saying, once again, that Elven women did not suffer from the same discomforts as did other woment in labor. The looks on all three of the Hobbits’ faces made it clear to her that they simply did not hold with that theory.

Cami laughed, saying, ‘You’ll find Pio to be the sort of person who simply assumes that events will go her way because that is how she intends for them to go.’ Pio was about to rebut that false statement, when she discerned a decided snicker from the other two women, telling her they fully agreed with Cami’s assessment, and further, felt, too, that Pio would be in for a rude awakening when the time came.

Miz Rose took Pio’s hand in hers. ‘Don’t be angry with us, Piosenniel,’ she said sweetly. ‘You’ll understand where we’re coming from once you’ve had your own babies.’ She sighed and gently rubbed her belly. ‘I’m so sorry to not be able to do this for you, but at the rate I’m going, I may have this baby before you have yours.’

Pio placed her own hand where Miz Rose’s baby kicked most vigorously. ‘You think she’ll arrive soon, then?’ she asked her. Rose’s eyes flew open at the simple question. ‘Have I said something wrong?’ she asked Cami, as both Angelica and Rose looked askance at her. ‘Well, Pio, unlike Elves, we don’t usually know what we’re getting until they appear.’

[ March 02, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]