[Child of the 7th Age]

With Cook's good wishes ringing in her ears, Cami had slipped out the back door expecting to head quietly on her own up to the rendezvous point where Halfred and Maura were taking on the thugs. She had not gotten further than a few feet from the gate when she heard the sound of a small band approaching. For a moment her heart lurched in her chest as she wondered if a gang of thugs had stayed behind in the Shire and was about to accost her. But a closer look at the group assuaged her fears.

They were all hobbits, each and every one of them, mostly lads but a few lasses thrown in for good measure. She caught a glimpse of her daughter Rose, Maura's sister Zira and her husband Ban, and even her own son Gamba. There were also a number of local hobbits who made their homes in Hobbiton and Bywater.

"We're coming with you," Merimac declared. "Word's spread all over what's happened to Miz Pio and Gilly and the babies. Miz Pio's been a good friend to us and we're determined to help. Plus Fosco and the other children as well..."

Cami looked sympathetically at Merimac. How hard these weeks must have been for him! The she glanced more warily around the larger group; each of them had at least remembered to bring a weapon and a pony. They were armed for battle, with an assortment of bows, swords, daggers, clubs and pitchforks. "This could be dangerous," she countered. "Very dangerous."

"We know that," a young lass piped in, "but we still want to come."

Cami looked over at Rose who walked her horse forward till she stood at the head of the group and then responded to her mother's unspoken question, "Believe me. This will be alright. Everyone here knows what they're doing. They've all been practicing with their weapons at the classes that Maura and I gave. Many of them have served on the watch."

All right, then," Cami relented. "But it will mean hard, fast riding. Nothing's going to happen to those twins if I can help it."

With that Cami whipped her horse around, and galloped down the path towards the spot on the map where Maura had told her to meet up with them. The band thundered on close behind with each rider straining his or her eyes for the first treasured glimpse of Halfred and his men.

Drawing closer to the designated spot, Cami cautioned the riders to slow their ponies and keep under cover staying as silent as they could. She asked Merimac to creep forward and try and find out what was happening. He disappeared into the thicket and reappeared a short time later, a broad grin on his face. "Frodo is safe. Just a twisted ankle so he had to head back to the Inn. Thank goodness, Ferby's bit the dust. None of the hobbits were seriously injured. Mithadan and Halfred were hoping for reinforcements so we've come just in time."

Cami felt her breath come easier. "Alright then, stay mounted. Merimac lead the way."

Within a moment they had mounted the ridge and could see clearly across the plain. Cami clicked her heels against her pony's side and urged him to gallop forward. At her first sight of Mithadan, she stood up in her stirrups calling out a heartfelt welcome, "Mithadan, thank goodness, you're alright. Look, these folk want to come with us and help." At this point, she nodded to Halfred.

"Halfred, Mithadan. Can we start tonight. Does anyone know where Pio is or where the children have been taken? What can we do to help?"

[ July 14, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ July 17, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]