Many Meetings

It has now been two days since Samdo got the news of his grandfather's death, and he still seems very quiet and sad. I am a bit worried, but Elanor has been spending a lot of time with him since then, and I believe they really do enjoy each other's company. Vila has been quiet as well, and I know she is worried for her sister. To keep our minds off our worries, Aldarion has been telling us tales of Gondor, Ithilian and Minas Tirith, and bringing us up to date on the happenings in those fair cities.

The past few nights I have woken a few times and heard strange noises, as if someone was digging. I usually wake either during Samdo's or Elanor's watch, but they say it is only an animal moving around in the thick underbrush. So far I have shrugged it off and gone back to sleep.

I do wish the others would meet up with us soon! We are now starting to enter rough and barren country, so it should be easy to spot them... wait! What is that I see?

"Elena!" I cried happily, leaping to my feet as she appeared from the trees behind us. She called a greeting and ran forward. I ran towards her, with the rest of our company behind me, but stopped short when she unexpectedly disappeared into the earth! Crying out, I ran forward, only to feel the ground give way beneath my feet as well! I threw out my arms and was able to grab hold of the ground and keep myself from falling further. "Stop running!" I called in warning. Looking down, I was relived to see that the hole was not very deep, it appeared only half a foot or so taller then I was, so I dropped down into it.

"Elena! Rosriel!" Vila called. "Are you all right?"

"Yes!" I hear Elena say. "But I would greatly appreciate it if someone would help me out!"

"I second that!" I added from my little hole. Above me, I heard more voices as whomever was with Elena joined the group up above. Aldarion reached down, offering me his hand, and helped pull me out. I as I clambered out, I glanced at Samdo, and noticed that he unsuccessfully trying to mask a look of mischievous satisfaction with concern. So that is where the holes had come from!

"Fool of a Took!" I quoted Gandalf with some irritation. "Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!"

Elena, who was being helped from her hole by a tall dark haired elf, glared at Samdo saying, "Did you not hear? I already fell down a well!"

Elanor spoke up, "Don't blame it all on him! I admit that I helped with the digging."

Aldarion glanced at them both. "Elanor Brandybuck and Samdo Took! I might have known."
With slightly amused irritation and wounded dignity, Elena and I attempted to compose ourself from our unexpected plunge and ignored them. I turned to see Lira - safe and sound! - being hugged warmly by her sister. "Lira!" I ran and hugged her as well. "You are all right! Where were you? What happened? How were you rescued?" Her voice was muffled by her sister's hair, but I managed to make out "I'll tell you after dinner. I am starving!"

Smiling and shaking my head, I backed off and left Vila and Lira to themselves, turning instead to greet her companions, a younger looking ranger, two tall elves whom I recognized as Elladan and Elrohir, a gruff looking dwarf, and a young maid with - of all things! - curly hair.

"Mae govannen!" I greeted them. "Lords Elladan and Elrohir, it has been long since we met!"

"Yes, a long month!" Elladan agreed. "We might have never parted, had you simply asked us to come along!"

Aldarion came up beside me, along with Samdo, Elenor and Elena. "Elledan and Elrohir! Suilaid! I trust my brother has proved helpful in the rescue of yon fair maid," he said, nodding towards Lira.

"He has indeed." Elrohir smiled. "You will make a Ranger of him yet!"

Aldarion now turned to his brother, "Lady Rosriel, Samdo, Elanor, this is my brother Anarion. Elena, I belive you two have already met."

Samdo bowed with mock gravity and Elanor curtsied daintly. "My," I said "You do not bare much resemblance to your brother Aldarion!"

He laughed. "That I do not! I have dark hair and a paler complexion, my large brother here as fair hair and tan skin! I have a wonderful sense of humor, he is a dull as a rock. Sometimes I doubt we are related."

Aldarion shook his head wearily. "Sometimes I doubt it."

Anarion pushed him playfully, then turned to the young girl behind him. "Forgive me," he said. " I am forgetting our young companion. May I introduce you to Maid Raewyn, apparently a friend of Lira, whom we have discovered has relations to the Hobbits of the Shire."

She stepped forward egarlly, taking my hand. "I am so glad to meet you all! I have heard much about you in the last day!"

"I am pleased to meet you as well!" I said, hugging her and liking her immediately. "You have hobbit ancestry?"

She laughed. "Half Hobbit with a tiny bit of elvish somewhere back on my fathers side."

"You are part hobbit?" Samdo spoke up doubtfully. "That can't be possible. You don't look like no hobbit that I know."

"Maybe because I don't know you!" Raewyn returned brightly. "But I would be glad to make further acquaintance with you. My mother was a hobbit, thank you very much. And don't I look like one? I am short and I have curly hair! And only hobbit's have curly hair! Have you ever seen a man or an elf with curly hair? Oh!" She exclaimed, latching on to a new thought and turning towards myself. "Are you an elf?"

"Why, yes," I answered, amused with the bubbly young lady.

"Oh!" She exclaimed. "I've always wanted to meet an elf! Where are you from? And what is your name again?"

"Why don't we all sit down" Elena spoke up, "and converse that way. Mayhaps," she glared at the two hobbits, "Master Samwise and Miss Elanor can make repentance for their little prank by fixing us all a good hobbit meal."

Agreeing upon this, we all headed towards our campfire, carefully avoiding the holes.

~Lady Rosriel, 22 miles

Sad Tidings

After a few minutes, Aldarion came back alone. We looked questioningly at him.

"His grandfather, Peregrin, has died," Aldarion spoke softly. "He asked to be alone for a few moments."

"Oh no!" I whispered, tearing up. Having met Pippin several times, it was hard to think of such a wonderful, lively hobbit as no longer living. "When?"

Aldarion looked away, and I could see tears on his face as well. Elanor was sobbing quietly, Vila with her. "He died a few days before my brother and I left Minas Tirith, we stayed long enough for the burial, then departed."

We sat in silence, filled with sorrow and grief. Elanor spoke up. "My grandfather Merry, is he still alive?"

"He yet lived when we departed, but he is old, and was much grieved over his dear friends passing. Do not hope to find him there when you arrive."

Her head bowed again in sorrow, and Vila wrapped her arms around the young hobbit, comforting her. We heard footsteps approaching, and looking up, we saw Samdo walking towards us, his eyes red from weeping. Elanor jumped up from her seat on the rock, ran, and wrapped him in a comforting hug. He let his head rest on her shoulder, crying unabashedly. We gathered around, offering our comfort. Together, Aldarion, Vila and I sang a song of parting.

When the cold of winter comes

Starless night will cover day

In the veiling of the sun

We will walk in bitter rain

But in dreams

I can hear your name

And in dreams

We will meet again

When the seas and mountains fall

And we come, to end of days

In the dark I hear a call

Calling me there,

I will go there

And back again

~Lady Rosriel

Introducing Ella

Greetings, everyone! My name is Ellarian Ellessanderil, though most call me Ella. I am an elf, though, unfortunately, my past is unknown. Elrond took me in when I was very young. That was many, many years ago, probably dating far past many of your memories. Ellessanderil is not my given name (if it were, it would be far simpler to track my lineage). It was given to me by Elrond.

I was on my way to Mirkwood, to visit my good friend Legolas, when I began to wander. I have always enjoyed exploring, and as Legolas was not expecting me this time, I decided instead to see what else was nearby. In not much time, I heard voices. I began to follow from a distance, to see if the bearers were fair or foul. I soon discovered a group of elves, women, and hobbits. They stirred my curiosity, and I have been following them since, though not at a near enough distance to know any of what is occuring, apart from where they tread.

I may show myself shortly, if my curiosity grows any further.

~Ellarian Ellessanderil, 5 miles

Thanks, and a Apology

I watched the goings on between the elves and our former captor with amusement and a little bit of awe. So these were Elves.. They were everything my mother and father had told me of.

Turning my mind away from the elves (they were twins!), I turned to Lira who was crying bitterly, from both relief and shock. A tall man was crouched beside her, awkwardly patting her shoulder, trying to comfort her. His friend, a young women, was having better luck.

Lira quieted and was sniffing with her head on the women's arm. The flickering light of the fire illuminated her comforter's face. She was pale with clear cut features. Thick heavy braids spilled out of her hood which was thrown back. She was dressed similarly to the man, who I recognised as a Ranger.

I quickly dropped to my knees. "Lira, are you all right?"

She, the man and the women looked at me. Her brow wrinkled. "Y..yes, but I'm hungry!" The Ranger looked bewildered at that, the woman amused.

Lira's face cleared and she lighted up. "You're here!!" She threw herself at me, and we hugged.

"I was wondering when you were going to give me a proper welcome," I laughed.

"Well I was tied up earlier," she grumbled. I stuck my tongue out at her back as she turned and hugged the woman. "Thank you for rescuing me, Elena!"

She laughed and hugged Lira. "We feared you were lost to us forever. We were having difficulty finding tracks! You have my cousin and the twins to thank for that."

Lira regarded the Ranger for a moment then hugged him, much to all three of ours' surprise. The Ranger patted her on the back with a smile.

Elena smiled. "This is my cousin, Anarion."

He nodded at both of us. "And how came you here, to this land?" He inquired of me.

"To join the Fellowship. I heard of it from Elena."

Now it was her turn to look surprised. "I do not remember you."

We met sometime ago, and you told me of your plan to Walk. When I heard my friend, Lira joined, I set off as well. "

~Wyn

Moving On...

Well, after they had all recovered from my little joke I played on them (I'd been planing that since I got the invitation for this trip!), Aldarion said we should be moving on. Lady Rosriel protested a bit, saying she'd promised her cousin Lady Elena that we'd all stay right here, but Aldarion says that since she is with his brother and Elrond's sons, she should have no trouble catching up with us. So now we've reached the west of the river and have got to a steep sided canyon, and we is camping out here for today.

After we had made camp and got the supper cooking over a fire, Aldarion told us about the first and only hobbit ranger.

"A ranger that was a hobbit?" exclaimed Elanor. "Why I never knew that! What was his name? Where did he live?"

Aldarion smiled. "He was called Trotter by many. His real name, if I recall correctly, was Peregrine Boffin."

"Peregrine Boffin!" I said. "Why I remember hearing tales of him! They say that one day he vanished off into the blue and was never seen again."

"He was indeed seen again, but not by any of the hobbits in the Shire." Aldarion continued, "He went about wandering the lands north of the Shire. He was lean and lanky for a hobbit, not to mention brave and hardy, so when he met up with some of the Rangers, he fit right in with their style of life. Eventually he wandered over the Misty Mountains, and traveled down toward what was then Mirkwood, and the hidden fortress of Sauron."

"Indeed it was," Rosriel spoke up. "That part of the forest in now finally clean and beautiful again. Now that hear this tale, I remember hearing of a hobbit named Trotter, though he never came to the home of the elven king."

"He did not," Aldarion agreed, "for he was captured by Sauron, then known as the Necromancer. It is not known exactly what happened to him, but when he was finally released, he began to wear wooden shoes on his feet, something hobbits never do. It has been said that he was tortured, or even that the shoes were actually replacements for his feet."

"But what happened to him then?" I inquired eagerly. "Where did he go to? What did he do?"

"He traveled about Middle Earth, doing the duties of a Ranger, until he perished in the Mines of Moria."

We all sat there in quiet, thinking about the tale we had just been told.

"Well, that's a proper eye opener and no mistake," I said. "I had no idea that a hobbit had ever been on of those Ranger folk. That was sad though, how he came to a sad end in the mines. I wish he'd been able to settle down again someday, or come back to the Shire."

"He died living the life he loved, the life of a Ranger." Aldarion spoke quietly.

I shook my head. "Well, thank you for that story sir. I bet my granddad Pippin would love to hear it. He is in Minas Tirith now." I looked up smiling. "If we make it as far as there, I'll tell it to him, if he ain't heard it already."

Aldarion's face became grave. "Samdo," he spoke quietly. "Come with me. There is something I must tell you."



--- Master Samdo, 16 miles

An Unexpected Invitation

We all heard the screams at about the same time. If they had been going on incessently, Elladan and Elrohir would have heard them from miles aday, but they started when we were only about a hundred yards from the camp.

It was pitch black by now, but that meant nothing to two elves and two rangers. Quickly we huddled together to make our plan of attack.

"Elrohir and I will confront the dwarf," said Elladan. "It is us he wishes to speak to anyhow. Elena, Anarion, see to the maids."

I blinked. "Maids? Have the others been captured as well?"

"I have not the least idea who Lira's companion might be," he replied. "But unless my ears decieve me, there are two maidens in that hollow."

I pulled out a small dagger and got down on my hands and knees. The others did the same. We covered the ground quickly and within minutes could see the small flickering flames of a campfire. On the near side of the fire was the bushy head of a dwarf. Lira and her companion (thankfully no one I knew!) were tied up on the otherside.

Without warning, the twins burst forwards and tackled the dwarf. At the same moment Anarion sprang up and rushed to the captives. His knife made swift work of Lira's bounds.

Stunned for only an instance, I quickly recovered and joined him, setting to work on the ropes that held Lira's companion. She looked somewhat elvish, but was far shorter than any elf I had seen in my life. Furthermore, her hair was curly. Only hobbits had curly hair!

"Thank you!" She said breathlessly as I finished cutting through the ropes.

"Glad to be of service," I told her. "My name is Elenatintil."

"Raewyn," she replied. But I noticed that her eyes were no longer on me. Instead she was staring intently at the twins who now had the dwarf firmly at arrowpoint. "Who are they?"

"Elladan and Elrohir, the sons of Elrond," I answered, feeling a bit irritated. But I had no time to say anything further, for at that moment Lira began (quite understandably) to cry. Anarion had rested a hand somewhat comfortingly on her shoulder, but I knew that at a time like this, only another female would truly understand her distress. I quickly moved over to comfort her.

Meanwhile the elves were questioning the dwarf.

"Who are you?"

"Why have you kidnapped these defenseless maidens?"

"Where have you come from?"

"What is your purpose in this land?"

The dwarf was glaring fiercely at them. "And why should I tell you anything, Elven Princelings? Even from you I expected more courtesy than to be thrown out at the gate!!!"

Elladan scowled at him. "You will speak because we hold your life in our hands. And were it not for your cruel act against these maids we would have followed you and begged your pardon for our steward's rudeness!"

"Never let it be said that our father's house refused lodging to any of the free folk!" added Elrohir.

The dwarf seemed to be reconsidering his options. Finally he nodded. "Put away your bows."

The twins lowered their arrows and slackened their hold, but they did not resheath the arrows.

"I said, put them away," said the dwarf with a growl.

"I think not," said Elladan. "Not after what you've done."

"Then I will not talk!"

"Put them away," said Anarion, breaking into the conversation. "Even unarmed I think the three of us here are more than match for one dwarf."

"True enough," agreed Elrohir, putting his arrow away.

With a sigh, Elladan followed suit. "Very well," he said. "They're away. Now speak."

The dwarf crossed his arms. "My name is Dorin, son of Dor. I am a messenger from the Mines of Moria, sent to bring an invitation to our halls in hopes of restoring friendship between our people."

Elladan and Elrohir both turned amusing shades of red. The dwarf seemed to gain confidence from that.

"Forty years ago," he continued. "My kinsman, Gimli son of Gloin, led a party into the mountains to rebuild the halls of the Dwarrowdelf. With help from the elves of Lorian, we drove the goblins form the mountains and re-established our kingdom there. Now, our work being at it's height and our halls restored to their former glory, we have invited the royalty from the realms of Rivendell, Mirkwood and Lorian to come and drink friendship and fortune with us."

~Elenatintil, 18 miles

Hmmm...Maybe Not the Best Plan!

"This wasn't a very good idea," I said glumly from my place on the ground beside Lira, who looked positively lived at the fact that she was not going to be rescued now.

"I-AM-TIRED-OF-BEING-KIDNAPPED-AND-WANT-MY-SISTER!!!!" She screamed, kicking at the ground.

After a moment's reflection, I decided her idea was just as good, if not better then mine, and joined in. "AAAAHHH!!! I WANT TO SEE A ELF!!!"

The unnamed dwarf turned beet red and shook his fist at us, shouting something sounding very ridicules, but could do nothing as he had no cloth to stuff our mouths with.

I snickered under the cover of Lira's shrieking. Good thing I had thought to stuff that spare cloak of his beneath a rock.

Now all we had to do was wait for the rest of the Fellowship to show up...

~Raewyn

Introducing Raewyn..and Lira?!

Suilaid! (Greetings)

My greetings to the Fellowship! I am Raewyn Greenleaf Peredil-Elandili, very distant half-cousin of Legolas Greenleaf, Sole Elf and member of the Fellowship of the Ring.

I was born in the gentle woods of Ithilien, but was raised between the Shire and Lothlorien. I am the daughter of Erudan, a mortal with a few drops of Elvish blood and Nessa, a hobbit. Odd, yes. Many laugh even and do not believe me, saying such a thing's impossible. I disagree.
I am called Wyn or Wryn. I grew up between the Woods, with the trees, fed on stories and tales of old. My mother would sit in trees with me and tell me of Frodo Baggins, and the Fellowship of the Ring.
I spent many happy days by myself fighting Orks, after fashioning my own Sting from a piece of wood; first pretending to be Merry and Pippin, then Legolas, and then Gandalf. I floated down a river in my funeral makeshift boat with Lord Boromir, clambered down rocks and roots with Sam and Frodo, charged down a hill with the Rohirrim, and galloped through the dark caves of the Door of the Dead with Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli.

A dear acquaintance, the Lady Elena, has oft remarked to me that Elves speak one way, Hobbits another. I find it hard to not dabble in the manner of speaking of both Races. Especially as I have passed Rivendell not too long ago without even stopping! I've never seen a Elf before, and wish to from the top of my (rather short) head to me feet, to see one. But I cannot linger if I'm to catch up before nightfall. I am so very far behind, but my heart sings at the thought that I am following the path of The Nine!

But wait! What is that?

"Pleeeeeease?"

I stopped abruptly and looked around in puzzlement. Who is that? Had I come across my companions already?

I ran, parting the grass as I moved forward. My feet quickened of their own accord and I nearly let out a yell as I stumbled across a small hallow. Lira!

She was tied up and seated across from a strange dwarf, looking most dissatisfied.

I dropped down into the deep grass and inched forward careful not to make a sound. I peeked into the hallow and bit my lip to keep from laughing. Poor Lira! Her forced companion looked none too friendly.

From what I could tell, he was busying himself with a rusted old pot and some vegetables. I laughed silently. Surely, he wasn't trying to make soup?

I got up and circled the hallow, coming up behind Lira.

"How could you be so cruuuuuuuuuueeeeell to a poor, helpless little elf?" Lira cried, and looked miserable. "Not to mention a poor, helpless kidnapped elf!"

The dwarf ignored her.

There was silence and then she sighed and started screaming. "I AM A BORED ELF, AND NO-ONE WANTS TO COME RESCUE ME!!!!!" And threw a temper tantrum, much to the alarm of the nameless dwarf.

He turned around and threw a carrot at her, which she caught with her teeth.

Grinning, I looked around and saw something of interest lying near Lira. I crept up behind her and reached past to grasp the dwarf's cloak.

I dragged it away and hurriedly went through the pockets hoping to find a knife of some sort, (mine had fallen down a empty well) but found nothing.

Annoyed, but not discouraged, I crawled back to Lira, determined to bit through her bounds if that's what if took. Unfortunately, I must have been too loud. I felt, rather then heard, footsteps and my head was introduced to a rather heavy pot.

~Raewyn

Rangers and Elves and Dwarves- Oh My!

Well! This is a surprising turn of events!

Not five minutes after I had started my lembas, Elladan held up his hand, motioning us to be quiet.

"What is it, brother?" asked Elrohir.

Wordlessly Elladan pointing to a tall black figure making his way towards us. I frowned. There was something familiar about his stride...

But before I had time to mention this, Elladan had pushed me down into the grass. Than he and Elrohir rose and, with arrows on the string, started inching towards the newcomer.

By now the moon had begun to rise. By its pale light I could make out the features of the man's face. I stifled a laugh. I would have known those black eyebrows and cleft chin anywhere!

"Anarion!" I cried, leaping up and running across the grass.

Immediatly the twins lept out of the shadows.

"Elena, stay back!" shouted Elrohir as they pointed their arrows at Anarion.

"But he's my cousin!" I protested.

Anarion's furrowed brow relaxed as he recognized me through the darkness. "Elena? Is that you?"

"It's all right," I assured the twins again, moving their bows aside as I went to embrace my cousin. "Anarion! What are you doing so far from Minas Tirith?"

"What do you think I'm doing? Aldarion and I have come to watch over you on this venture. Did you really think that your kinsmen would let you wander these wilds alone?"

I glanced sideways at the twins, neither of whom looked very happy. Then I laughed. "Indeed! I must be the most well protected maiden this side of the Shire!"

Elrohir was the first to slacken his bow and nod his head in greeting. A bit grudgingly, Elladan followed.

"Elrohir and Elladan, the sons of Elrond," I said. "And this is my Uncle's younger son, Anarion. Aparently his elder, Aldarion, is somewhere else in these moors..."

"We split up," Anarion explained. "From the footprints it seemed that you had left your main party, though we were not sure why."

"Oh!" I blinked. "How could I have forgotten!" I turned back to the twins. "Where is Lira being held?"

"As we said, the maid is safe," said Elrohir. "She is merely held captive by an ill-tempered dwarf. He appeared at Rivendell a month ago, wanting something from us. Unfortunately, Elladan and I
were away patroling the Shire borders and our steward (a well meaning but prejudiced Elf) sent him away."

"And now he's kidnapped Lira? Why?"

"We know not."

I sighed. "Well, suppose we find out?"

~Elenatintil, 16.75 miles

New Companions

Thank goodness for Samdo's undying cheerfulness! We were all in a rather bleak mood, but that comical ditty and those lovely scones restored our hope and our spirits. There has been a new turn of events as well...

I was preparing the afternoons meal and the others were either taking a nap, or braiding flower chains, when suddenly I felt a prickle up my spine, as if someone was watching me. I straightened up slowly, and glanced cautiously around. Elanor glanced up curiously, and I held my finger to my lips for silence. A movement in the trees caught me eye, and I slowly reached for my quiver and bow. A loud laugh from behind startled me, and I whipped around to find a ranger standing there!

"Did I frighten you, my lady?" he asked with amusement.

"Is there not a difference between prudence and fright?" I retorted. "How was I to know, without having seen you, that you were a friend? We have already lost one of our company to a dwarf who has been following us."

"Then you believe her to be dead?"

"No! I pray not! I meant only that she has been captured." I answered quickly. "What is your name, ranger?"

He bowed low, "I am Aldarion, one of the Dunedin, just come from Gondor. I am traveling with my younger brother Anarion. He and I parted this morning; he to join Elladan and Elrohir, and I to find you."

"Elladan and Elrohir? Have you seen them? Is my cousin Elenatintil with them? Is she safe?" I asked eagerly.

He smiled. "Never fear, she is safe. She had fallen down a well, but came to no harm."

At this point Vila, Elanor and I all began laughing merrily. "So, so, she did fall down a well!" gasped Elanor. "And we, ha, ha, ha, ha, all, he, he, thought Samdo would..." I could not speak more for my laughter.

Aldarion looked puzzled. "Why does that amuse you? And who is Samdo?"

I wiped my eyes, and explained. "Samdo, is our other hobbit companion. He was planning..." I stopped and looked around. "Where is Samdo?"

"Right here, of course," came a voice from where Samdo quite obviously was not.

Vila scrambled to her feet. "Where?" She asked, her voice a bit fearful.

"Right here!" This time his voice was from a different spot, and he was still obviously not there.
We glanced at each other, the same thought running through our minds. "Another Ring, not another ring," I thought.
Aldarion spoke out commandingly. "Show your self this instant, or I shall run you through!"

The hobbit voice sighed. "Very well. Here I am." We turned to see Samdo behind us, slipping something into his pocket. Silent amazment was the general mood, then we all began to speak at once.
"Samdo, what is that in your pocket?"
"What on earth are you doing?"
"Where did you find that?"
"Show it here right now!"
"Show what?" that impudent hobbit asked innocently. We promptly jumped on him, and Elanor dug a gold ring out of his pocket. We stared at it, then him, and would you know? That hobbit started laughing as if it was the greatest joke in the world.
"Where did you find that?" Aldarion demanded.

Samdo rolled helplessly on the ground. "Didn't, didn't find it, hee hee hee, anywhere! Ha ha ha! Should have seen, seen your fa.. faces!" He giggled in a most irritating way.

I for one was about ready to strangle him. "Where did you get it?" I cried.

"Made, made, it, ha ha ha, back, in Hobbi..Hobbiton!" He managed to get out before exploding into laughter again.

"You mean you made this?" Vila asked dazedly.

At this point Samdo was beyond speaking, and merely nodded.

Then I asked, "So, it isn't a ruling ring?"

Samdo shook his head, trying to compose himself. "Ventriloquist!" He barely managed.

At that point Elanor burst into laughter. "Samdo!" she cried. "How could you?" She explained to us, "I remember now. Samdo learned how to be a ventriloquist, and make his voice sound like it was coming from someplace where he wasn't. And as you know, hobbits are naturally gifted with being able to slip a quietly and without notice. Samdo was also good friends with Joe Button, the forger's son, and so must have gotten a ring made that looked like the One Ring. Then, all he had to do was slip away unnoticed and hide, then make his voice sound like it was comeing from somewheres else!"

There was silence among the rest of us, and I glanced at Aldarion, to see that he was valiently trying to hold back a smile. I realized how foolish we must have seem, and burst into a most unladylike and relieved laughter. Soon we were all lying helplessly on the ground and laughing until tears came from our eyes.

That hobbit! Whatever will he think of next?

~Lady Rosriel 14 miles