[Child of the 7th Age]

Maura helped Cami over to a table and gently set her down. His wife's nervous energy so clearly apparent earlier that morning had totlly disappeared. Cami keeled over on the table, cradling her head on top of her arms. She had dark circles under her eyes; her face looked drawn and haggard. Maura shook his head and sighed. This was the same hobbit who'd given long lectures to her friend for gallavanting about the countryside on horseback or otherwise trying to do too much when she was pregnant. Maura ruefully thought that Cami might need a dose of her own medication and advise.

He walked over and popped his head inside the kitchen door and managed to catch Cook's eye. "My missus is a little tired. We've just come from the wooded area north of Tookland. It was quite a stretch. We left this morning just before sunrise."

Cook's eyerows went up. "Three hours time? You came all that way? Those lands stand some twelve miles south of here. Whatever possessed you to race Miz Cami along like that, her being in such a condition and all?"

Cook raised up her ladle as if she was about to strike Maura's head. "Talk to Miz Cami," he quickly retorted. "She's the one who pushed me along the road. She was so concerned about Pio that she spent half the night awake in bed and the other half running back to the Inn."

Cook went over to a cupboard and reached inside, drawing out a key. "Here, you take this. There's a room under the staircase set aside for the staff. It's very tiny. None of the big folk can even fit inside. You take your missus there and tell her to sleep a bit. She can't see Miz Pio now. The Elf was up walking half the night herself, and is tucked in bed now."

Maura thanked Cook and slipped the key in his cloak. She handed him a warm posset to relax Cami a bit as well as two steaming bowls of porridge for Maura to carry back to the room. Then Cook took Holly from Maura's arms and promised to have Ruby keep a close eye on her, while the couple managed to get some rest.

Just as Maura turned back to the Common Room, Cook tugged belatedly at his sleeve, remembering the message that Pio had left with her early that morning. "Begging your pardon, but when Cami wakes up, tell her to have a talk with Miz Pio. She has some news of Rose."

"Thank you, Cook. We're much obliged to you for your kindness." Then Maura quickly ducked out to help Cami make her way to the small chamber where she could get some rest.

[ April 28, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]