[piosenniel]

The passage round Cair Andros had been negotiated safely. Pio had asked Voronmir to take the helm for it, and he had brought the Gull’s Wing through without a bump or scrape. She had taken the wheel back from him once they were passed the islet, and now a day and evening later found herself bringing the ship to anchor at one of the middle mouths of the Entwash as it emptied into the Anduin. Tomorrow they would draw near their first sighting of the great cliff that marked the western edge of the Emyn Muil and formed the eastern boundary of Rohan. It was here that the waters of the Anduin fell in a roaring foam from the height of the Emyn Muil, and rushed again southward to the bay. They would put in a short distance south of the Falls to avoid the turbulence caused by the churning waters.

For this last day of the trip, Pio ceded the piloting of the Gull to Voronmir. She wished to spend the last day of river journey aboard the Star. Thanking the man for his assistance and his friendship, she packed her few possessions and returned to her ship. Once aboard she stowed her pack below and went seeking her friends.

Mithadan was busy with the ship. He nodded as she smiled and waved at him as she passed, his attention focused on the task at hand – the parceling out of supplies, she thought, that the Hobbits would take with them when they left.

Her heart skipped a beat at these last words – ‘when they left.’ Her eyes sought out Cami, who stood at the bow looking to the north where soon she would lead her little band. Such a small body to house the large, brave spirit within. She climbed the stairs to the helm, coming quietly along side her, and stood close to her, arm touching arm. A brief moment passed in easy silence, then, Pio placed her hand over Cami’s, saying simply, ‘I will miss you beyond all measure, dear friend. Yet saying so, I would also speed you on your way.’ She laughed at her words. ‘Yes, I am in two minds about this. One wishes you the best as you set out to the long completion of the task appointed you now. And the other wants only to freeze time for my own selfish benefit.’

She crouched down, to be at the same level as the Hobbit. Grey eyes regarded brown eyes deeply. ‘I know where your heart lies though, and I would not make it hard for you to leave. I will always love you, my stout-hearted friend, and my memory will be long and clear of you. And when my children can understand the words I speak to them, they will learn how we were friends and what a large heart you had to deal with such an errant Elf as I. They will cherish your memory, as will their children’s children.’

Tears threatened along the Elf’s lashes and she blinked them away. Smiling, she hugged Cami for a long moment, and then held her at arms length. ‘Come.’ she said, taking her friend’s hand and leading her from the railing. ‘Let us do something ordinary together to pass the time for now. We have the rest of this evening and much of tomorrow before we anchor near the Falls. Suppertime is nearing – let’s see what we can find in the larder and make the crew something tasty for tonight. You make the stew - I am sure I saw a large jar of dried mushrooms down there last time I looked. I shall see what I can find to make us some tasty pies for a treat.’

She hurried her friend down the steps and into the pantry. ‘Well, let us see what we can find . . .’

[ December 26, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]