[piosenniel]

Pio left the boy to his apple and his thoughts. When he had figured out what he needed, he would come to her. She had other areas of concern that she must see to and soon. Lótessë had almost run its course, and Nárië would be upon her. In just thirty two days her son and daughter would greet the world, followed soon after by the wedding she and Cami were in the midst of planning.

She left the room, closing the door firmly behind her, and made her way to an empty table by the fireplace. A few sheets of paper were grasped in one hand, and the inkwell in another, while tucked on top of her left ear was a quill.

The Inn was busy today, humming with a multitude of conversations. Pio focused on the paper she had placed before her, and blocked out the noises and voices that surrounded her. The quill’s tip looked dull. She took the sharp little knife from her right boot top and honed it to an acceptable point. Dipping it quickly in the inkwell, she tapped off the excess ink and began to write.

Top of the list was the word Midwife. Now who did she know who could recommend one to her? Pio rubbed the feathered end of the quill against her cheek. She grinned as the ideal source for information came to her. Amaranthas! Tomorrow she would ride to see her and together they would sort this problem out. She wrote the venerable Hobbit’s name next to the word, and went on to number two.

Inkeeper. Both she and Cami would be unavailable starting mid-Nárië. Summers, as she understood from the regulars to the Green Dragon, were quite busy times of the year. Besides the locals, looking for a refreshing drink on a hot summer’s evening, there were many thirsty travelers on all sorts of business along the roadways at this time of year. They would all be wanting food, drink, and lodging as they passed through Bywater on their ways east or west, and the Green Dragon would be their place for it.

‘I wonder if one of the long time guests here would mind taking on the position.’ Her brow furrowed as she ran through the list. With a hesitating hand she wrote the name Derufin down. He seemed capable of doing the job well. He was a friendly sort, even handed in his approach to others, and seemed quite capable of handling himself in a sticky situation. ‘I’ll talk to him today about.’ she said to herself, drawing a firm line under his name.

She felt satisfied she had made this start on her list. Most of the other pressing issues concerned the wedding. They would have to be dealt with when Cami made an appearance. The Hobbit had already started a list of her own, one much more extensive than Elf’s poor short one.

Pio sat back in her chair, looking at the flames of the small fire. Her mind wandered from present matters, questing south to see where Mithadan might be. She watched the countryside as it sped past him, heard the hoof beats of the horse as it flew north, felt the breezes cool him as they rushed past his cheeks and brow.

Where are you now? she asked, feeling his mind turn to her. We miss you greatly. She chuckled, thinking how long it had been since he had last seen her. I fear you will not recognize me when you see me. Your son and daughter grow apace, and I sail slowly through the hours like some great merchant ship laden with treasures. Were you to place me side by side with the Star, I think I might overshadow her! She is a trim vessel, and I am not these days. She placed an image in her mind of a great lumbering vessel coming into port. One of the ships of Númenor that had sailed the seas in the early days to Vinyalondë and the Grey Havens. She laughed as he perceived it.

Someone was calling to her. Needing something seen to. She bade farewell to Mithadan, a faint kiss brushing his brow. Ride hard, beloved. she called to him. I would see you soon.