[piosenniel]

Pio had returned to her watch on the night sky when she felt Amaranthas nudge her again. Without turning, she sighed, saying. ‘Really, Amaranthas, I can tell you no more of Tom Bombadil.’

‘Perhaps I can speak for myself then,’ came the amused voice behind her. Tom stood at the table, smiling down at her. His ruddy face, the color of a ripe apple, was creased into a hundred wrinkles of laughter.

‘Mae govannen, Master Tom!’ her cheeks tinged with crimson that she had not noticed his approach. She stood and inclined her head to him, waiting for him to speak further. This was one before whom she felt small and humble, and she was honored that he had come to her table.

Again he laughed, a merry sound, his blue eyes gleaming with the starlight from the open window. ‘Sit, Piosenniel. No need to stand on Old Tom’s account. I bring you word of a friend who draws near.’

‘Mithadan?’ she asked, wondering that he might have passed through Old Forest.’

‘Not Mithadan, though soon I think you shall hear of him.’ He shook his head as she thought to ask Tom further news of him. ‘An older friend than him,’ Tom said, singing this verse:

Toss the feathers, pluck the down!
For Tom can see right through them.
Did you think you could fool me?
“Birdie” in name only.

An ‘O’ of surprise formed on Pio’s lips, and her eyes widened with delight. ‘Bird is here, then?’ she asked.

‘Soon, soon. Then she’ll fly in, to a merry meeting, if I have the right of it.’

Pio, all humbleness aside now that he had mentioned her dear friend, pressed him for further details. With a grin and a nod of his head, he told her all of their long night together, the songs, the stories of her trips south, the tales from the Star. And she drank it all in, thirsty for news of Bird.

As wonderful as this evening’s festivities were, tears glistened along the line of Pio’s lashes. ‘You have brought me joyous news, Eldest. I miss her sorely.’ She turned her face back to the night framed by the window. ‘Now if only the winds will bring her swiftly to me.’ she murmured.

Bidding both of them a pleasant evening, Tom took leave of her and Amaranthas and sought out Goldberry.

Amaranthas, wondering at the both of them, sat and watched as they moved about the room. Contented, she kept her own counsel, tucking it away to savor later.

*********************************************

Mark 12_30's post:

As the dance swirled and cascaded, Frodo scanned the crowd, and found the one he sought. Moving through the dance, he reached her, and offered her his hand. Her blue eyes grew huge, but she took the proffered hand.

Smiling and lauhging, Frodo led her back through the dance. Her eyes grew even wider as she found herself dancing near Tom and Goldberry. Goldberry smiled down at her, and Elanor blushed and didn't know what to say. Golden curls flying, she kept dancing, in no hurry to leave Mr. Frodo's side.

And Frodo was content to have her there.

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