[Child of the 7th Age]

Perry and Rose were on the trail again. Earendur had gone his own way to ferret out more information. After much thought, Perry had decided not to head south, but to continue west across the mountain pass and try to catch up with the family of Harfoots who had met such mishap. He feared that, if left on their own, they would never make it to Bree.

Perry decided he would escort the family towards Bree and the Shire, and try to meet up with one or more of the messengers. Until he met and spoke with them, he didn't feel that he could wholeheartedly endorse them or their project. If he could speak with them and be convinced of both their goodness and effectiveness, then it might be a different story. He could even be persuaded to join in the rescue himself.

But there was one more thought at the back of his mind. Perhaps, one out of all these messengers would discover that the settled life in the Shire was not really to his liking. Or perhaps some of the messengers would begin to understand that, without the Rangers patrolling the roads, there would be no safe haven of the Shire.

Perry thought fondly of Rose and her work with the bow. He saw definite improvement in her aim. She was quite pig headed and would keep at it for hours if he did not come and top her.

And when he had gone a round with her and her sword, he was also pleased to discover that she did have at least some skill in thatarea as well, which was extremely unusual for a hobbit woman.

[ September 15, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]