READ THIS if you are part of the Barrow-Down's Birthday Party

[piosenniel]

::Bird - I'm 'walking on water'? Quick, somebody knock my halo off!::

'Will you not come with us?' How many times and how many ways had she heard this question - a pronouncement, a demand, a summons. The expected answer always, 'Yes.' She rubbed her chin, and regarded Idril evenly.

'My answer is the same as when I first was asked by you: I will not go.'

A sadness crept into the Idril's eyes. 'This may be the last time that I can ask you.' she said. 'What is it that holds you here, and keeps you from your true home?'

'This is my home.', said Pio, opening her arms wide, and spun quickly, to embrace the horizon. 'I have not had my fill of Middle-earth - the sights, the sounds, friends old and not yet made, adventures new at every turning, the feel of my arm as the sword sings in mid arc. I wish to drink deep and long of all these offerings, and I cannot say that this thirst will ever be slaked. Can you not understand this?'

Pio's face softened at the sight of such sadness, and she took Idril's hands in hers. 'You will find the Light you desire and love in the West, and I will find it here - splintered, fragmented, and yet wholly pure.'

Idril turned from her and made her way back to Mithadan's room.

Pio stretched, and shook out her muscles as if to shake off the tension of the moment. She heard a soft scraping sound from the cartons stacked near the railing. Laughing, she called out: 'Rose, Bird come out of there. The loudness of your breathing gives you away. Not to mention the scent of barnacles out of water, Bird!' She reached her hand up to flick of a stray bit of seaweed from Bird's hair as she came forward.

'It's a glorious morning, isn't it? What say we have a swim and then find something to eat. Last one in's a drowned orc!', she laughed and ran for the side of the ship.