[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami discovered Bilbo on a bench near the back of the Inn. The older hobbit sat at the table with a stack of notes piled in front of him, carefully inserting each into an envelope and affixing postage to the front. He looked up and smiled as they walked into the garden.

"Now, now, what have we here?" Bilbo rose on unsteady legs to greet the trio, extending his hand to the newcomer.

"Maura Took, here." the younger hobbit responded. "I owe you a great deal. Both for how you've helped Cami over the years, and in bringing us together."

"Ah, that. It's been a long time since Cami learned her letters at my table. As to the other, it was more Gandalf's doing than my own. Once I persuaded him, he took things in hand."

Maura looked puzzled by this until Frodo explained. "He means Ancalimon. He goes by at least half-a dozen different names."

Maura grinned. "So that's it. Now, I know who Cami takes after. She keeps changing her name from one day to the next." Cami nudged Maura in the ribs, her face pink with embarrassment.

"Now, Cami," Bilbo continued. "Surely there's some chore that's calling you, making lists and such. I know you'd prefer not to let go of Maura, but I need him for a minute." Cami backed off nervously as she caught Maura's eye, but he smiled and assured her he'd be fine.

"Alright, I'll check on the kitchen and then return."

"Take your time. There's no rush, at least for today." Bilbo's words sounded almost wistful.

Bilbo turned about to face the others, cleared his throat, and stared over at Maura, sizing him up and down. "Now, wasn't there something you needed to tell me....or rather ask me?"

Maura's jaw dropped open in embarrassment. How many young couples had be lectured on the need to show respect for parents and pay a formal visit to the elders? Yet, somehow, his own relationship had seemed different. Unconventional might be a better term. But Bilbo would not see it that way. In this one respect at least, he would regard Cami as a young hobbit bereft of family who needed a protector.

"Yes, sir. I do have something to ask. Seeing that Cami has no surviving kin, I suspect you're the one looking out for her."

"I'd say that was correct, lad."

Frodo sat nearby, an amused smile spilling over his face to hear the silver-haired hobbit described as 'lad.'

"Cami and I love each other very much, sir. That doesn't seem to change, whether we're together or apart. So, although our situation may be a little unusual, we've decided to marry. That is, Mister Baggins, sir, we'd like your permission to wed."

Bilbo observed, "Not bad for a youngster! Although they did it better in my day."

Maura resisted the urge to point out that his own day was actually considerably older than Bilbo's.

"So how do you intend to do this?"

"Cami and I talked. We wouldn't want to have a public ceremony until after the birth of the twins. Normally we'd just wait, but there's so little time. So we've decided to exchange vows privately and set up housekeeping in one of the burrows near the pond. The public celebration will come later."

Maura hesitated and took a deep breath, "If you think that's alright, of course."

"Alright? Yes, it sounds sensible. But there's one more thing I'd like to ask. I'm not just a nosey old fool. There's a reason for this question. If you were somehow permitted to come to Greenwood, leaving all you know behind, would you do that? Would you follow Cami?"

Frodo looked up startled, but Maura did not blanche. "I've thought about that before. Yes, I'd go. Things are comfortable at Tol Fuin. Lindo's already qualified as a Loremaster, and he could teach the children. I'd miss some folk terribly. My sister and her family. Lindo and his boys.
But, even so, I'd go to Cami. The folk in the Anduin could probably use a teacher. But the plainest answer is that I love her and wherever she lives, that is my home."

Frodo's eyes widened to hear the particular words Maura had chosen for his answer.

Bilbo nodded. "You've told me what I need to know. I wish I could help."

A few moments earlier, Cami had returned, standing silently by the gate that led into the garden as she listened to the conversation. Bilbo was the first to see her and acknowledge her presence, "Cami, you've found a good one. I give you both my blessing. Now, go, the two of you, and enjoy the time you have."

Cami took Maura by the hand and scurried off to look for Piosenniel and Bird.

[ March 12, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]