[piosenniel]

It had been an interesting ride back to the Inn. They had left Amaranthas’ house in the very early evening, riding back at an easy pace on Rochfalmar. What was supposed to have been a short trip had soon turned into one which threatened to eat up more time than miles.

Pio steadied the tiny Hobbit before her on the withers of her steed as they rode down the dirt path to the Great East Road. Amaranthas had a firm grip on her silver headed cane and she would tap lightly on Pio’s leg when she wanted to point out some area of interest. The elf would halt the horse, and wait as the Hobbit sifted through her long store of memories, dredging up some particularly interesting fact concerning the place or object pointed out by the tip of her cane.

This would not have slowed them down so much, except for the fact that interspersed with these points of historical interest were the excursions to the doors of the Hobbits who lived along the path, the ones with whom Amaranthas was acquainted. And to be sure, having lived so long in this part of the shire on this particulare lane, the Hobbit knew every door and every person who had ever dwelt behind it.

‘Pull up there, Miz Pio!’ she said, pointing to a red door. ‘I want Salvia Bolger to see me on this fine horse. Her tongue wags faster than a pup’s tail when it smells its mama coming. She’ll be sure to let half the Shire know the who and what and when of my arrival at her door.’ She cackled at the thought, pounding firmly on the door with her cane. ‘I can’t wait to hear how she embroiders this one.’

In time, and with much cajoling by the Elf, Pio and Amaranthas arrived at the Green Dragon. Pio dismounted first, and reach up her arms to help the woman down. ‘Light as a cloud.’ she thought. ‘How does such a tiny body have so much energy!’ She gave ‘Falmar’s reins to the stable boy, asking him if the guests had arrived yet.

‘A few minutes ago, Mistress Pio.’ he replied, slipping the horse a slice of dried apple. ‘Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam.’ ‘What about Rose and the children? she asked. Miz Rose is over there.’ he said, pointing with his finger to the wide, grassy sward just beyond the stable. ‘She wanted to run some energy off the younger ones before they came in to dinner.’

Pio escorted Amaranthas up the steps and into the Inn. The warmth of the Common Room hit them as they opened the door, followed by the sights and smells of the party. Cami had done a wonderful job! The room was festive and the buffet tables to the side of it groaned with the savory dishes arranged so beautifully on it. It was a feast for the eyes and nose, and for the ears, as the lovely strains of an Elven flute could be heard just below the noise of the party.

Amaranthas stood staring over at the three Hobbits who were the center of attention. She nudged Pio, and pointed to the two younger ones who were moving from group to group with an easy grace. ‘That’s Samwise Gamgee.’ she said, a flick of her chin indicating the stouter Hobbit with the friendly smile on his face. ‘and that one over there is Frodo Baggins. Looks like he could do with eating some of this fine food here – too thin, don’t you think, dear?’

Pio looked at Frodo, and her heart went out to him. Thin, yes, but more like a shell taken from the sea, rubbed so thin by the waves, the light shines through and around it, finding no resistance. Caught in a moment of grace, she placed her right hand over her heart and bowed slightly to him. His eyes caught the movement and he looked toward her briefly with his clear gaze, and nodded.

It was one of those moments for her when the boundaries between lives fell away and she was humbled that in her small way she had been allowed to be part of the long history which had come to fruition through him.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a whisper from her companion. ‘Let’s go over and talk to Bilbo. He’s one of the more interesting Baggins. I’ll introduce you to him soon as that young chit who’s with him now lets him be.’ Pio glanced to where Amaranthas pointed with her cane. She laughed at ‘the young chit’, Cami, speaking with the white haired, kind faced, distinguished looking elder Hobbit.

Seeing their heads so close together, her mind quested out, gathering in the tenor of their thoughts. Cami was happy at seeing her old friend and teacher, though below it all ran sorrow of a sort, like a small silvered river, now seen, now sliding beneath the rocks, hidden. A glint of green on a silver chain peeked out from beneath the Hobbit’s shawl. ‘Ah!’ thought Pio, tucking the memory away for now.

She saw him take Cami’s hand in his, and her mind sought the words which followed, and then the thoughts layered beneath them. She gasped, and would have fallen, had not Amaranthas urged her down to a chair that stood near them. ‘Are you all right, Miz Pio?’ she asked, her face a mask of concern.

Pio sat stunned, saying nothing. ‘ONE OF YOU NINNIES GET MIZ PIO A DRINK OF COLD WATER!’ she shouted to the young men standing by the buffet table. ‘AND SOON! BEFORE SHE FAINTS DEAD AWAY!’ She rapped on the hardwood floor with her cane, and glared in their direction with a baleful glaze.

[ January 16, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]