[piosenniel]

‘That was crafty of her to put us together – don’t you think?’ Gilly flicked the reins on Nettle’s flanks, urging the pony west down the road. She and Rose were on their way to visit the last of the burrows and holdings in the outlying areas near Hobbiton and Bywater.

They were delivering flyers that Maura and Sam and some of the other organizers at the meeting had penned, concerning the happenings of late in the Shire. Rose was also inviting interested Hobbits to come to the yard at the Inn over the next few weeks, where she and Maura would teach some simple techniques for use of weapons in fighting. Though all concerned hoped it would not come to that, they thought it best to be prepared.

‘Crafty – now that is a good word to use for her,' replied Rose, thoughtfully. 'She’s a good judge of people. Probably thought we would make a good team. She can’t be out here herself organizing things and teaching weapons’ skill, so she’s sent us. You should have seen her on board the Star. She had her hand in everything!’

The two young women chatted on amiably as the cart turned north, up a narrow dirt path. The incident of the Inn Yard, when Gilly had challenged Rose’s presence at the door to the Inn had long been put behind them.

Piosenniel, it seems, had put them both together in one room and after a few ruffled feathers, they had laughed at the situation and become good friends. Gilly was awed by the considerable wealth of experience a young woman her own age had under her belt already. She dreamed often of being just like her, and able to share with others tales of her own adventures.

Another endless source of interest to Gilly was Piosenniel. Rose provided a quite detailed and candid appraisal of the Elf and her doings, at least since she’d known her. Gilly’s feet itched to walk the deck of the Lonely Star. Rose smiled when she heard her friend say this, wondering what shade of green her face would turn when the Sea turned rough.

‘Oh, look,’ said Rose, pointing to the thin column of smoke coming from a burrow’s chimney in the distance. ‘There’s Gammer Eglantine’s burrow. We should go up and talk to her. I know she has lots of grandchildren that visit her, and she lives all alone.’ Nettle plodded slowly toward the path to the burrow. His speed unaffected by the gentle flick of reins, he paid even less attention to the coaxings of his two passengers.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

‘I didn’t know he could move this fast!’ Gilly had taken the reins on their return trip, and Nettle, his mind fixed on the bag of sweet oats and two carrots which awaited him, trotted eastward toward the Inn’s stable as fast as his short little legs could carry him.

In no time, they were back at the Inn, and had handed the relieved pony over to Hob.

‘Let’s go find something to eat,’ suggested Rose, linking her arm in Gilly’s as they headed toward the kitchen door. ‘Then I’ll give you a quick lesson in using one of those long knives Pio lent you.’

‘I’ll give it a try, but I still think I’m best with my walking stick,’ returned Gilly.

Rose dropped her arm from Gilly’s and gave her an impish grin, as she sprinted for the door. ‘Last one in makes the snack and does up the dishes!’

‘Then that’ll be you!’ cried Gilly, speeding off behind her.

[ April 07, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]