[Child of the 7th Age]

Maura slipped his arm about Cami's shoulders and clasped her to his chest. He slid his hand gently through her mop of curls, the brown and grey cascading down, now firmly intertwined between his fingers. Gently, he tilted Cami's head up until their eyes met once again, each taking in the fine details. Cami's face looked weatherbeaten, with rosy red cheeks and tiny lines etched into her skin, physical reminders of a life that was now lived largely out-of-doors. Yet Maura had never seen anything so dear.

"We are two old fools, Cami Goodchild." He whispered to her, hesitated a moment, and then spoke. "Isn't that what I should call you?"

"Before others, yes. But, when we are alone, call me by whichever name you prefer."

She picked up one of his hands and placed it on her right knee. Then she took her own and laid it beside his. Her own hand looked brown as a berry; his was paler but still tanned by the sun. Neither were smooth or clear or soft, but rough and calloused and a bit worn with age. Both hobbits had seen long hours of work in woods and fields and along the shore. Chores like planting and healing and teaching, tending to a family, and building a home. Every experience that had come to them over long, hard years was writ large on their bodies and hearts.

Cami looked over, her eyes sparkling with merriment, "In all of Bilbo's tales of Elvish lore, in every joining he describes, I've never encountered a pair like us."

"Perhaps, then, you and I will rewrite those books." He spoke half in jest and half in earnest, drawing Cami closer to him with infinite tenderness. Little Andreth, I will make you my wife. Here, today, in this place you call the Shire.

Cami looked up, startled by the words leaping into her mind. But I thought you told me......

Maura laughed as he planted a kiss on her head, What is between husband and wife, or done in times of danger, is different than idle conversation. In any case, can't a hobbit have one or two little surprises?

She looked up and giggled, then yanked him up from the bed. "Before there will be any exchange of vows, you must meet Bilbo and my friends. We can not lie here abed the whole day." Then the two joined hands like little children and ran off through the corridors of the Inn, wondering who would cross their paths.