[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami sat cross legged on the deck near the helm. She'd brought her breakfast down from the galley.

This wasn't the first morning she'd done this. Quite often, when Ancalimon took the wheel, she'd sit beside him, sometimes silent, at other times chattering away. Cami would ask questions or argue a bit on this or that. What she liked best was when he called her "Nitir" or, if she was being particularly difficult, "Andreth". It was almost as if a piece of her came alive again.

Today, she had one worry tugging at her heart. The hobbits were busy deciding where they hoped to go, or, if they'd already decided, speculating what this change of residence might mean. Mithadan and Piosenniel were wrapped in each other's hearts. Cami hoped they'd hurry along and choose to marry before she had to leave. But what of Bird? Where was she going? And, more importantly, who would she be with?

Cami looked at Ancalimon, "You know it isn't good for people to be alone, especially if they're friends who've stood beside you. In the camps, Bird was the only one visiting there who wasn't a hobbit."

The peddler raised his bushy eyebrows and laughed, "Am I a hobbit then? I was certainly there, as I recall."

"Not quite, but almost. You and Bird are honorary hobbits. You're...." Cami searched for the right word. "You're 'hobbit-friends', just like others are 'elf-friends'. And, if there ever was a 'hobbit friend' on this earth, it's Bird!".

He turned a curious look on her. "Go on."

Cami responded, "Many times, the Star managed to scramble through only because Bird saved us. It wasn't easy for her. There I was, complaining about the lack of hobbit history, when Bird didn't even have a people, let alone a past."

"The lore says that some elf-friends were allowed to journey West to hear sweet tales and linger. So, if Bird is a hobbit-friend, she should be permitted to journey to Meneltarma, the Anduin, or the Fourth Age."

"I know she's sad. I've seen her eyes. So, please, don't forget her."

"Perhaps," said Gandalf softly, "Bird has choices you know nothing of."

"Maybe so," Cami agreed. "But, right now, she doesn't seem to know them either."

Gandalf sighed, "Nitir, I'll promise one thing. I'll speak with Bird after the hobbrim rescue, and see if she'd like to discuss this, and exactly what her choices might be."

Cami leapt to her feet to go hug the tall peddler. She was late for her talk with Mithadan. She said goodbye, and ran off to find the Man. As she departed, Ancalimon called out. "Be careful when you rescue the hobbrim. Keep your weapons near!"

"'Hobbit-friends'"? Ancalimon pondered after Cami had left. "In all of Middle-earth and Aman, I've never heard this term. Yet all who've served on the Star surely qualify. Mithadan, and Birdland, Khelek and Veritas, even Idril and Tuor....I think it might indeed be fair to call these folk special hobbit-friends."

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Pio's post:

Cami had come in just as most of the crew were finishing up the last of breakfast. Pio motioned for her to come sit by her.
'I've just filled Mithadan in briefly on what Ancalimon said about the hobbrims along the coast.' she said, pouring her friend a cup of strong tea, and pushing the honey toward her.'I wanted to tell you I've also sent Levanto along that part of the Isle to scout for possible cave sites. You will need to tell Mithadan the finer details of your plan.' She stood to leave them to talk. 'And please,' she whispered as a parting comment to the hobbit, 'convince him that you will be safe and nothing will go wrong!'

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Sharon's post:

As the others left the galley, Cami went over to Mithadan. She had come armed with a stack of charts with marks inserted on the coast to show where the caves were hidden. Under her arm was tucked a description of how the rescue would work. Each member of the party was listed along with their duties, the arms they would carry, and diagrams showed how the parties would swim and row back to ship. Kali and Bird would lead the expedition and stay in the water, while she and Daisy and Rose were to man the boats and go onto the shore.

Piosenniel had urged her to be as thorough as possible with her explanation since that was how Men operated. They were generally reassured if you could take a real thing and somehow reduce it to words. Mithadan asked many questions about the lines and squiggles on the map. Cami tried her best to answer.

The man shook his head. "I don't like this. There are too many things we don't know. I wish there was another way. You say this will take less than five hours. Let's at least give ourselves extra time. Start out in the morning, and be back by dinner!" Cami nodded in agreement.

"You're certain this shore is deserted?" She again nodded. "I hope you're right. But why take the two skiffs? It would be safer if Kali and Bird could do this on their own and stay below the water. The hobbrim can swim. We'd draw far less attention."

Then Cami explained how Ancalimon had said the mothers with small babes wouldn't make it any other way. And unless those babies came along, the rest of the hobbrim would refuse to leave.

Mithadan scowled and looked unhappy. "We really have no choice. We can't leave Kali's kin to die on the shore. When we began this voyage, the first thing we promised was to find his family. We can't go back on that."

"But Cami, there are three things you must promise. You must do everything you can to stay hidden, since anyone you meet may be an enemy. If you are seen by any of the King's men or Sauron's spies, they must be killed. Not a single one can be left alive. Your people's survival is at stake. And finally, if you get into serious trouble and need help, have Bird secretly swim or fly back to tell us."

"Tell the others to begin their preparations tonight. And, Cami, good luck to all of you. It will do our hearts good to see some of Kali's kin aboard the Star."

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Pio's post:

Pio caught Rose and Daisy before they left and asked them to bring their swords to the main deck, as well as Khelek, who was staring dreamily out the porthole. 'I want you all to practice with your real blades this time. And each of you will have a chance to go a round or two with me.'

She drew her sword and saluted them. 'Come now let's go!'

[ September 19, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]