[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami took the hand offered to her. Then she stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms about the Elf's waist, "You've been a good friend to me. None has been dearer. Your own example has given me courage to begin thinking and doing more things on my own. If I have any hope of being a good leader, it's because of what I've seen in you."

She looked Piosenniel directly in the eye. "It doesn't surprise me you acted swiftly and without thought, or that you only saw the end goal and paid little attention how you got there. Pio, you've never been known for circumspection. But I also believe you when you say this act grew out of your love for the hobbits and desire to protect us, and that, as one of the Firstborn, you find it hard to stand aside and watch others make mistakes."

"That, I can understand. Even I feel sadness about that. Whether we like it or not, the Firstborn are departing, even in the year to which I am headed. You've chosen the lot of a mortal, Pio. With that one act, you and I stand on equal ground. So I accept your promise and, in our little time left, will try to do my part as well."

Cami's voice cracked a bit as she continued, "This is such a hard thing, a very hard thing, to find where to draw the line between helping someone by your own actions and helping someone by teaching them how to act. I also find that very hard to do."

"This afternoon, Andril taught me something. She showed me how I'd taken on too much, trying to come up with all the answers, intead of letting the other hobbits share their ideas and help make decisions. Perhaps, we're not so different after all. We'll both have to work on it."

The women left the cabin together and continued to the deck above. Cami looked up to see the stars but, with the distant city lights, they were not quite as bright, certainly not as clear and sweet as Meneltarma. Still, Mithadan greeted them with a smile. He shook his head, "I know there has been a falling out between you two, but I see you have managed to talk."

Cami smiled and nodded, "Things are much better, and we've promised to be more careful with each other. Now, the only thing left is to go down, and talk some sense into my son, which may be an impossible task. But I will leave that for the morning, when heads are clearer and minds sharper."

"I still wonder if the kind of friendships we have on the Star between big and little folk will ever be possible in Middle-earth itself. So many times, Bird has spoken to me about the need to be cautious, and look out for oneself. But then, every time I turn around, I see her doing good deeds for someone--a hobbit, or Man, or Elf--who is no relation at all. So then I scratch my head and can't fit the two together."

"It was actually Bird's behavior and speech that helped me decide how the hobbits should behave in the Anduin. We'll have to be very careful at first, and I will tell everyone that. But if someone extends a hand in frendship, I will not refuse it. Otherwise, we'll all end up in the top branches of different trees hurling fruits at one another. That makes no sense to me."

"I did want to thank you, Mithadan, for what you did today in the court of the King. You might have lived in luxury a long while from the sale of those mithril blades. Was that the one you found Coral playing with back on Meneltarma?"

"But, let me ask you also, Mith, how will we proceed now? Won't the Men see the Elven ships, and ask questions about that? Do we need to hide those ships from them?

[ December 16, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]