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piosenniel · 04-20-2003, 02:51 AM

Cami walked away from her unsatisfied by her answer and uncomfortable with her question in return. There was nothing Pio could do about either, at least not at the moment.

Taking a jug of cool water from the kitchen and a glass, Pio returned to her quarters, and settled herself down in her chair by the window. Her map case lay on the floor beside it, and she picked it up, riffling through the parchments in it, looking for her quadrant maps of the Shire. Each Farthing had been divided into four sections, and each section lined with a fine grid of lines that divided it into discrete parcels.

When she had first come to the Inn, she had more time to wander about the countryside on ‘Falmar. They had ranged far and wide, riding the bounds and poking through the interior country of the Farthings. And everywhere she rode, each hillock, and gully, body of water, rocky outcropping, everything that caught her eye was meticulously placed on her gridded map sections.

She pulled out the maps that detailed Bywater and Hobbiton, and standing up, tacked them carefully on the wall. Next came the maps for the northern quadrants of the East Farthing, and the less detailed map that showed the country from Buckland to Bree-land. These, too, were tacked on the wall in proper orientation to each other. She studied them closely, moving her finger along the line of pursuit she might take if she were out hunting these Men.

Her belly bumped up against the wall as she moved in closer to look at some detail. She laughed, thinking how ludicrous it was for her even to be thinking about this. There was nothing she could do until the babies were born.

Cami’s dream images came back to her, sobering her mood. Pio sat back down in her chair, head leaning against the padded back of it, eyes closed. Mithadan should know about this dream, she thought to herself. Cami was frantic with worry about it. Pio’s mind quested out seeking his, and made a brief contact.

Cami fears for your life, Mithadan. She has had another dream.

Pio sent the dark images the Hobbit had given her.

You, in a black cloak, and Bird, though Bird is not clearly seen. Surrounded by evil Men who are suspicious of you, and one who draws a sword and holds the edge to your throat, then draws back his arm as if to strike.

Be heedful, beloved, and take care.

She opened her eyes, refocusing them on the ordinary, bright summer’s day scene outside her window, pushing away the shadowed images of Cami’s dreams. Her thoughts lingered on Mithadan and Bird, and the danger they rode into.

Mithadan’s earlier thoughts came back to haunt her. ‘Duty before desire,’ thought Pio to herself.It was an apt description of how he made his choices. She could see it now, picked out in silver against black on some imaginary banner of his House.

A shiver ran down her spine, though the day was already starting to heat up. She shut her eyes and sent out a silent plea.

By the grace of the Valar, let it not be his epitaph.

[ April 20, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

04-20-2003, 02:51 AM	#324
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,786	Cami walked away from her unsatisfied by her answer and uncomfortable with her question in return. There was nothing Pio could do about either, at least not at the moment. Taking a jug of cool water from the kitchen and a glass, Pio returned to her quarters, and settled herself down in her chair by the window. Her map case lay on the floor beside it, and she picked it up, riffling through the parchments in it, looking for her quadrant maps of the Shire. Each Farthing had been divided into four sections, and each section lined with a fine grid of lines that divided it into discrete parcels. When she had first come to the Inn, she had more time to wander about the countryside on ‘Falmar. They had ranged far and wide, riding the bounds and poking through the interior country of the Farthings. And everywhere she rode, each hillock, and gully, body of water, rocky outcropping, everything that caught her eye was meticulously placed on her gridded map sections. She pulled out the maps that detailed Bywater and Hobbiton, and standing up, tacked them carefully on the wall. Next came the maps for the northern quadrants of the East Farthing, and the less detailed map that showed the country from Buckland to Bree-land. These, too, were tacked on the wall in proper orientation to each other. She studied them closely, moving her finger along the line of pursuit she might take if she were out hunting these Men. Her belly bumped up against the wall as she moved in closer to look at some detail. She laughed, thinking how ludicrous it was for her even to be thinking about this. There was nothing she could do until the babies were born. Cami’s dream images came back to her, sobering her mood. Pio sat back down in her chair, head leaning against the padded back of it, eyes closed. Mithadan should know about this dream, she thought to herself. Cami was frantic with worry about it. Pio’s mind quested out seeking his, and made a brief contact. Cami fears for your life, Mithadan. She has had another dream. Pio sent the dark images the Hobbit had given her. You, in a black cloak, and Bird, though Bird is not clearly seen. Surrounded by evil Men who are suspicious of you, and one who draws a sword and holds the edge to your throat, then draws back his arm as if to strike. Be heedful, beloved, and take care. She opened her eyes, refocusing them on the ordinary, bright summer’s day scene outside her window, pushing away the shadowed images of Cami’s dreams. Her thoughts lingered on Mithadan and Bird, and the danger they rode into. Mithadan’s earlier thoughts came back to haunt her. ‘Duty before desire,’ thought Pio to herself.It was an apt description of how he made his choices. She could see it now, picked out in silver against black on some imaginary banner of his House. A shiver ran down her spine, though the day was already starting to heat up. She shut her eyes and sent out a silent plea. By the grace of the Valar, let it not be his epitaph. [ April 20, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.