[Nurumaiel]

Angelica finished setting the table and lifted the lid to the pot, peering in. "Almost ready," she said with satisfaction. She could hear Fosco pounding on the kitchen door. She had been forced to close it and lock him out after he decided the potatoes were good for nothing but throwing at Madoc, who immediately threw one back. Well, it looked as though they could come back in now… soon. Dinner wouldn't be ready for another few minutes.

Angelica collapsed in a chair with a yawn. As the sun set slowly the sky began to dim and Hobbiton drew quiet as the Hobbits retreated into their beds after a good dinner. The Muddyfoots, however, had been late for everything that day. They woke up late, had breakfast late, and so on, and now they were having dinner while everyone else was falling peacefully asleep.

"Sleep," Angelica whispered, leaning back. Her eyes began to close, and then sleep took her.

She was awoken an hour later by a loud pounding at the kitchen door. Opening her eyes, she found that the room was just beginning to fill with smoke. "Fire?" It was more of a question than a scream. Angelica stumbled to the door and unlocked it. Merimac burst in and, after being assured that his wife was all right, went to where the smoke was coming from.

A groan escaped from Angelica and she sat down, trying to fight back the tears that threatened her. Dinner had burned. Why had everything been going so horribly wrong lately? She looked guiltily at the children, and Madoc looked back at her with eyes trying to disguise the hunger. He knew what had happened. Prisca toddled forward and stared up at her mother. "Mummy, where's the food? What's this black stuff?"

"It's grey," Fosco said, glaring at his twin sister. "It's smoke, and that means there's a fire." His eyes narrowed even more. "And do you know what that means? It means someone burned up and died!"

A little cry was Prisca's answer as she stared in wide-eyed fear at her brother. Angelica picked up the girl. "Hush, Fosco," she said. "Nobody's burned and died. Don't scare your sister like that. There isn't a fire, either. It's just that our… food… burned!" The last word came out in a despairing wail.

"Well, good," said Fosco smugly. "I didn't want those old potatoes and stuff anyway. I saw Mummy make bread today and she said I couldn't have it. Maybe now you're sorry."

"Bread and butter for dinner…" Merimac, having finished dealing with the burned dinner, stepped forward eagerly and put an arm around his wife. "That sounds wonderful, Angelica. Do you think we could?"

Angelica looked for a moment surprised, then her face brightened. "Why, yes!… I mean I suppose so… I mean perhaps… I mean… of course."

"Wonderful," said Merimac.

Half an hour later, the two were cleaning up the kitchen together. Angelica had her eyes on her husband the whole time. She had to admit she was very puzzled. Usually after dinner he'd go rest for a little while after the long day. And he knew she was quite capable of cleaning the kitchen herself. "Merimac," she said, deciding not to ask him about it directly, "how was your work today? Did anything happen in the fields?"

"Yes, a lot happened," said Merimac. "We worked hard, and I'm exhausted."

"Then you should rest."

"You're wondering why I'm still in here, aren't you?" Merimac asked. He smiled. "I see I haven't gone unnoticed, if you know my usual habits."

Angelica smiled.

"Well, Angelica, I wanted to talk to you… it's not really important, but I just want to get it off my mind. I just wanted to talk about those kidnappings for just a little while, so I wouldn't be so bothered - "

"Kidnappings?" Angelica cried, then lowered her voice as Merimac gestured with his eyes that the children were in the room across. "What kidnappings?"

"You mean you haven't heard?"

Angelica shook her head, so Merimac told her all he knew about the kidnappings, and she listened, wide-eyed, her heart beating a little faster. Her eyes kept turning towards the door of the room across the hall to make sure the three children were still there.

When Merimac finished, Angelica spoke firmly. "As long as they've caught him it's all right," she said with a little smile. "Otherwise I'd be fearing for my children's safety."

"But they haven't caught him yet," said Merimac softly.

Angelica gave him one long, hard, searching stare, then turned abruptly and crossed the hall. "Children," Merimac heard her say, "do not leave the house without first getting permission from myself or- " She paused a moment and looked back at the kitchen, and seeing the look in Merimac's eyes, scowled and repeated, "Without getting permission from myself."

When she returned Merimac said gently, "Angelica, don't you think you're worrying a little overmuch?"

"No," she said coldly, going to the table and picking up the empty dishes.

"The kidnappings took place far from here."

"There is no guarantee the kidnapper will stay there," she said, stopping and turning around, "and I for one, Merimac Muddyfoot, will be taking no risks with my children!" She began to breathe hard, her eyes wide.

Merimac looked straight into her eyes. "Maybe it would be better for you to say it," he said, not even trying to conceal the gentle pity in his voice. "Maybe it would make you feel better."

Angelica stepped forward into his arms. "All right," she said hoarsely. "Merimac, I'm afraid."

[ April 02, 2003: Message edited by: Nurumaiel ]