[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami heard Gamba's remark and giggled. It was indeed tempting. There stood the happy couple in front of the assembled crowd. They snuggled close, their heads on each other's shoulders, their hands clasped together. This, she pondered, was unusual public behavior for the Man. Plus, the two of them looked as if nothing whatsoever had happened between them in the last day. How very maddening when she had been sitting up worrying non-stop day and night.

Mithadan was grinning slyly, looking enormously pleased with himself. The whole thing reminded Cami of a scene back in the Shire, when she'd seen a fox run away from the chicken coop with one fine prize in his belly, and the other bulging out of his mouth. That fox had also worn a fine expression on his face as he disappeared around the rear of the henhouse with Cami's dinner in his mouth.

One of the hobbrim children came up to her, asking in a timid voice. "Is it going to be alright, Mistress Cami? Will everything work out?"

"I expect it will, Seabreeze. That is as right as anything can ever be with these two in control."

After hearing Seabreeze's words, Piosenniel arched her eyebrows and walked up to Cami. "Why are all these folk gathered here? Have I missed a party invitation?"

The hobbit shrugged her shoulders, "I expect they want to know what's happened with you two."

Piosenniel struggled for composure and said quietly, "Cami, how did all these people hear there might be a problem between my husband and myself?" As the Elf glanced around, she could see that virtually the entire encampment seemed to be waiting.

Cami shrugged her shoulders again, "I expect I told one or two what happened. And then it kind of spread."

"You mean you were responsible for all this," Piosenniel gestured grandly towards the assembled throng. "That is amazing. And you're such a small hobbit."

She shook her head, "Oh no, I couldn't do all this alone. I think Bird spoke with the wyrm, and Angara was concerned. She warned everyone to be on the lookout for either of you and to let her know immediately if that should happen."

"Did she now?" Piosenniel looked over in Angara's direction.

Cami blurted out, "Don't be angry. Everyone was worried. No one wanted you and Mithadan to make a big mistake."

"I see, you had it all figured out."

Cami nodded in agreement, "Actually, I think we did figure it out before you two did." The hobbit wondered whether her friend was going to yell at her. Getting yelled at by someone twice your size can be quite scary, especially when it's a friend.

At that moment, Piosenniel put her hands on her stomach and doubled over with laughter. She slipped down to the ground, unable to stop her belly roars. Everyone in the crowd--the Man, Cami, Bird, and all those assembled-- began laughing out of sheer relief.

"So do we get it?" Cami interrupted.

"Get what?"

"The Party!" squealed the hobbrim children with glee. "Idril said there was no party if you bolted from the Man."

Piosenniel gave Idril a sly glance out of the corner of her eye. Then she smiled and answered. "A party, of course we'll have a party. We all have a great deal to celebrate!"

[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]