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

Child of the 7th Age · 12-12-2002, 03:23 PM

Cami listened quietly to what Pio had to say. Yes, of course, someone needed to stay and give Mithadan instructions so that he could join them. And no, she wasn't the "type to be found down there.

But, no matter how sensible all this sounded, something inside Cami was not accepting Pio's order to stay and wait. She was not a child to be told what to do when her own son lay in danger. The old Cami might have shrugged her shoulders and looked away. The new Cami felt very differently. She struggled to explain to Pio why she had a responsibility to go, a responsibility that lay heavily on her conscience, but the Elf did not listen.

After Piosenniel and Bird departed, Cami proceeded to do the opposite of what her friend had asked. There was no doubt in her mind. If it had been a friend or comrade, she might not have questioned Pio's judgment. But Gamba was her son, the child of her heart. As his mother, she would not stay here when there was the slightest chance he could be hurt. After the twins came, Piosenniel would understand why she had to do this.

There was one other thing everyone had forgotten. Cami had lived in Minas Anor for over ten years. Her life focused on her young charges and on her obsession with sea-hobbits. She'd spent her free time doing just two things, scavanging the archives for sea-hobbit clues, and wandering through the older streets of Minas Anor, dreaming of what it would be like to live in another time and place. She knew every nook and cranny, every reputable and disreputable establishment, every path and small doorway that a hobbit could squeeze through, and she could make her way down the back alleys very quickly. Cami suspected the streets of the older quarters had changed little over the years.

Without hesitation, she hired a boy to remain near the gate and pass on directions to Mithadan. Just in case the lad ran off, she tagged a note onto the tree, explaining where they had gone.

Cami stuffed her curls under a cap, and paid a few coppers to a nearby vendor to secure ragged pants and breeches so she could pass more easily as a messenger boy. Then she scampered swiftly through the streets and alleys, taking every shortcut she knew, slipping underneath the throngs of big folk who crowded the streets and slowed traffic to a plodding pace.

[ December 15, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

12-12-2002, 03:23 PM	#467
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Cami listened quietly to what Pio had to say. Yes, of course, someone needed to stay and give Mithadan instructions so that he could join them. And no, she wasn't the "type to be found down there. But, no matter how sensible all this sounded, something inside Cami was not accepting Pio's order to stay and wait. She was not a child to be told what to do when her own son lay in danger. The old Cami might have shrugged her shoulders and looked away. The new Cami felt very differently. She struggled to explain to Pio why she had a responsibility to go, a responsibility that lay heavily on her conscience, but the Elf did not listen. After Piosenniel and Bird departed, Cami proceeded to do the opposite of what her friend had asked. There was no doubt in her mind. If it had been a friend or comrade, she might not have questioned Pio's judgment. But Gamba was her son, the child of her heart. As his mother, she would not stay here when there was the slightest chance he could be hurt. After the twins came, Piosenniel would understand why she had to do this. There was one other thing everyone had forgotten. Cami had lived in Minas Anor for over ten years. Her life focused on her young charges and on her obsession with sea-hobbits. She'd spent her free time doing just two things, scavanging the archives for sea-hobbit clues, and wandering through the older streets of Minas Anor, dreaming of what it would be like to live in another time and place. She knew every nook and cranny, every reputable and disreputable establishment, every path and small doorway that a hobbit could squeeze through, and she could make her way down the back alleys very quickly. Cami suspected the streets of the older quarters had changed little over the years. Without hesitation, she hired a boy to remain near the gate and pass on directions to Mithadan. Just in case the lad ran off, she tagged a note onto the tree, explaining where they had gone. Cami stuffed her curls under a cap, and paid a few coppers to a nearby vendor to secure ragged pants and breeches so she could pass more easily as a messenger boy. Then she scampered swiftly through the streets and alleys, taking every shortcut she knew, slipping underneath the throngs of big folk who crowded the streets and slowed traffic to a plodding pace. [ December 15, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.