[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami looked up as she heard the latch turn and saw the door swing slowly inward. Maura padded noiselessly inside, and crouched down on the floor near the hearth, taking a moment to collect his thoughts.

"I thought you might be sleeping." He glanced over towards his wife.

Cami sighed, "I couldn't. I just couldn't. The meeting. It's ended?"

Maura nodded yes, then stared at the soft glowing embers and shook his head.

"So bad?" Cami approached him and set her hand on his shoulder, leaing over to place a soft kiss on top of his silver curls.

"It was alright. There were no more squabbles. And we did accomplish some things. The children promised to pass out flyers, and other hobbits agreed to patrol the roads. Rose and I are to offer simple lessons for those who own a bow or dagger."

"But you're still upset?" Cami prodded.

"A little. Even now, we know nothing about who these people are, or what they want. And I don't like to see big and little folk quarrel like this. In Beleriand, for countless years, my family and others stood side-by-side with the Edain. My grandfather fought and died in defense of the secret hideout in Ladros. I find it hard to sit and listen to hobbits who voice such terrible suspicions of Men, painting them all with the same black brush."

He hesitated and then continued. "You know Cami, I have a feeling. This time, we may find ourselves fighting shoulder to shoulder."

Cami nodded. She was quite prepared to do that. Then she curled up near her husband and told him how Gilly had glimpsed an intruder, and how Bird had disappeared before she could even speak with her. Maura took Cami's hand in his own, reassuring his wife that he had spoken to Gamba, and that the lad had promised to be careful, at least as careful as boys can be.

"Where's Holly?" he queried.

"She's asleep." Cami pointed to a small bundle in the back room, carefully tucked inside a heap of blankets.

Then Maura stretched out on the pallet and silently drew her to his side. They came together in joy and sweetness, knowing their time was too precious to waste, even with the heartache of the evening. For a moment, the worries of the day were pushed back, and they knew only that they were fiercely happy to have this little space in one another's arms. They fell asleep soon afterward, and slept peacefully until early morning when the sound of songbirds awakened them.

[ April 04, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]