The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

mark12_30 · 10-27-2002, 06:04 AM

Sharon's Post

Cami yawned and stretched. It was almost dinner time. Her day had been long and tiring. But more importantly, they'd accomplished many things.

She'd suggested the hobbits be assigned to their groups ahead of time. Each group was called by a special name, something the littlest ones could easily remember. The youngsters spent a portion of the day playing together in the squads, getting to know each other well. Cami invented several games to help the children assemble quickly and learn to listen for directions. The Rabbits, the Ponies, the Mice, and the Crows all vied for honors and applause.

Loremaster had tried to anticipate anything that could go wrong. Older children were to hold the hands of the younger. Mothers with babies acted as squad leaders, counting noses to make sure no one was left behind. Cami even managed to enlist two twelve-year old girls who'd been reluctant to join a killing platoon, but still wanted to help. They would run messages for the escorts, and make sure none of the youngsters straggled too far behind.

The other escorts had warmly welcomed Cami. Three were large and burly hobbits who were reputed to be the best fighters in the prison. If there was a way to get the children to the river, the trio of Bungo, Fulco, and Milo would surely find it, ramming through the hallways with spears and axes.

Loremaster had spoken the truth to her. The protection of the children came before everything else. Whatever the cost, the hobbits had vowed to bring the littlest ones to the safety of the Elven ships.

Cami was gradually getting to know the names and faces of many of her charges. But she alone could not do it. She would rely heavily on the others who'd been here so much longer, especially the young girls who seemed to know the name and family history of each child.

And there was one other decidedly bright spot. The fifth escort had turned out to be Esta, the lively girl whom Gamba so adored. She had been working with the children for some time. She had a voice as beautiful as a songbird, and could calm the most upset or terrified child. Cami was convinced that the youngsters, young and old, would listen and obey her, even in the tumult of the rescue.

Cami had thought to go with Esta to see the Candlestones competition, but her body felt as if she couldn't go on. It wasn't a bad feeling, just a tired one. Cami smiled as the young girl danced about the room, bringing peals of laughter to even the saddest youngsters. She gave Esta a hug and told her to be off to dinner and the games. She could go back to her family's alcove to stay the night and return first thing in the morning.

One of the men promised to bring back Cami something to eat. She'd relax in the room and wait with the children. Just as Esta left, the girl flashed a bright smile at Cami and whispered, "Tomorrow, the ships will come, and I will be free."

[ October 28, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

10-27-2002, 06:04 AM	#296
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Sharon's Post Cami yawned and stretched. It was almost dinner time. Her day had been long and tiring. But more importantly, they'd accomplished many things. She'd suggested the hobbits be assigned to their groups ahead of time. Each group was called by a special name, something the littlest ones could easily remember. The youngsters spent a portion of the day playing together in the squads, getting to know each other well. Cami invented several games to help the children assemble quickly and learn to listen for directions. The Rabbits, the Ponies, the Mice, and the Crows all vied for honors and applause. Loremaster had tried to anticipate anything that could go wrong. Older children were to hold the hands of the younger. Mothers with babies acted as squad leaders, counting noses to make sure no one was left behind. Cami even managed to enlist two twelve-year old girls who'd been reluctant to join a killing platoon, but still wanted to help. They would run messages for the escorts, and make sure none of the youngsters straggled too far behind. The other escorts had warmly welcomed Cami. Three were large and burly hobbits who were reputed to be the best fighters in the prison. If there was a way to get the children to the river, the trio of Bungo, Fulco, and Milo would surely find it, ramming through the hallways with spears and axes. Loremaster had spoken the truth to her. The protection of the children came before everything else. Whatever the cost, the hobbits had vowed to bring the littlest ones to the safety of the Elven ships. Cami was gradually getting to know the names and faces of many of her charges. But she alone could not do it. She would rely heavily on the others who'd been here so much longer, especially the young girls who seemed to know the name and family history of each child. And there was one other decidedly bright spot. The fifth escort had turned out to be Esta, the lively girl whom Gamba so adored. She had been working with the children for some time. She had a voice as beautiful as a songbird, and could calm the most upset or terrified child. Cami was convinced that the youngsters, young and old, would listen and obey her, even in the tumult of the rescue. Cami had thought to go with Esta to see the Candlestones competition, but her body felt as if she couldn't go on. It wasn't a bad feeling, just a tired one. Cami smiled as the young girl danced about the room, bringing peals of laughter to even the saddest youngsters. She gave Esta a hug and told her to be off to dinner and the games. She could go back to her family's alcove to stay the night and return first thing in the morning. One of the men promised to bring back Cami something to eat. She'd relax in the room and wait with the children. Just as Esta left, the girl flashed a bright smile at Cami and whispered, "Tomorrow, the ships will come, and I will be free." [ October 28, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.