In the Shadow of the Star: Part 1

[piosenniel]

‘Begging your pardon, Mistress Piosenniel.’

Hob stood near Pio, tugging lightly on her cloak, as Mithadan busied himself stowing his gear back on his steed. Hob turned red as a beet, his voice dropping to the merest of whispers. Pio bent down close to him, and he spoke low and apologetically in her ear. His back was to the man, who did not see the myriad gestures the poor Hobbit was making in defense of his plea.

Pio’s eyes glanced over the Hob’s shoulder, at Mithadan, as he spoke, and an impish grin grew on her face as he ticked off his points. When he had finished, his hands raised palms upward as if leaving it to her to make the decision, she laughed loudly and giving him a wink, clapped him in assurance on the shoulder.

Mithadan hearing her laugh, raised his eyebrows at her. She stood and came near him, bending her face in close to his. He grinned, thinking to steal another kiss. But she drew a deep breath, and stepped back laughing, her arm on his chest, allowing him to come no closer.

‘Have mercy! You are right,’ she said, turning to address Hob who now stood mortified by ‘Falmar. Pio returned to her horse and taking the reins, mounted him, reaching down a hand to pull Hob up behind her.

‘Mount up, Mithadan.’ she called to her scruffy companion. ‘We need to get you to the Inn and into a nice long bath to rid you of your ripe, road stench.’ She kicked her heels lightly into ‘Falmar’s sides, leading the way to the main road . . .

[ March 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]