'Calm yourself, little one. What is it?'
'I cannot say, please let me go!'
Flo wriggled free and went outside and to a nearby field where a white Shetland was stood. Flo bridled the pony and lead her back to Bramble Rock and tied her to a tree - then went back to destroy the letter. Nalmalu took her arm again.
'Please - I must go.' said Flo.
'Go where?' asked Nalmalu.
'I don't know - anywhere.'
Nalmalu let go of Flo who took a box of matches. She fumbled with them, unable to light them as she trembled.
'Alone?' asked Nalmalu.
Flo looked at Nalmalu impatiently.
'Begging your pardon, Miss, but was there anything you wanted?'
Nalmalu thought.
'Nothing - only I see before me a child - a child with the shadow of fear and doubt behind her.'
Flo looked up.
'You can trust me Florrin.' whispered Nalmalu, sitting beside Flo. 'What is it?'
Flo looked at her harder.
'Trust me.' repeated Nalmalu.
'All due respect, he says not to trust anyone.' answered Flo.
'Florrin-'
'Flo.'
'Flo - it's your choice; trust me and I will protect you for as long as fate will allow it. Go alone - who can tell what dangers may fall upon you?'
Flo gazed at Nalmalu. Nalmalu held out her hand - Flo hesitate and took it. Nalmalu smiled.
'Let me guide you.'
Flo nodded.
'Will you allow me to read the letter?'
Flo looked at the sheet of paper in her hand - then handed it to Nalmalu. She read it, then struck a match and burned it.
'We must leave now, Flo. Come - we will ride towards Bree - there we will find shelter for a short time and we can discuss things.
Flo rode on her pony, beside Nalmalu's horse. She timidly looked up at her compannion.
'Who are you?' she asked.
'My name is Nalmalu Stonethrush. You may call me Nalmalu.'
'Where do you come from?'
'I travel, halfling- belonging and living nowhere - stopping from time to time.'
Flo nodded. she was silent the rest of that day. They rode quickly, but Nalmalu insisted they rested at nightfall.
'You must rest and eat, Flo.'
Flo nodded, but ate nothing. Nalmalu looked at her. 'Have you ever been to Bree?' asked Flo.
'Many times - I was not there when orcs swamped the place, though. Have you heard that story?'
Flo remained silent, so Nalmalu continued.
'One night - about twenty years ago - orcs attacked the village. Burning and killing all in their path. Looking for a halfling. They nearly caught her- she was only a baby - but her parents and brother saved her - her parents dying in the attempt. She still lives, but they seek her still and nobody knows why they are after her.' Nalmalu said shortly.
Flo looked away - did Nalmalu know - and was that hobbit she spoke of - was it her? Flo avoided looking at Nalmalu and closed her eyes.
In the morning they carried on, on their way to Bree, by nightfall Bree was in sight and they made their way to it. Nalmalu looked at Flo.
"Do you recognise Bree, Flo?"
"I do not know, but it brings great sadness to me seeing it."
"We will stay in Bree for one night only."
Later on in the evening they entered The Prancing Pony. Nalmalu approached the barman.
"Good evening," she said.
"Good evening Nalmalu. What would you be wanting? The usual room?"
"Yes, and another hobbit room for my friend here," said Nalmalu bringing Flo forward.
"Of course Nalmalu. Also..." he pulled Nalmalu, giving Flo a strange knowing look as he did so, which made Flo feel very uncomfortable, to the side, "I have a message for you...from Melodious. I'll get Clod to bring it round later."
Nalmalu nodded and went back to Flo as Clod came trotting up and led them to their rooms.
Nalmalu settled herself in her room on a chair next to the fire and thought for a while. This was getting complicated. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
Clod came in holding a piece of paper in his hand.
"A message for you, Nalmalu."
"Thankyou Clod"
Nalmalu took the note and Clod left the room quietly. The note was short and Nalmalu read it quickly.
Nalmalu, we need to speak, tonight. The deal is off. Meet me at 11 o'clock in the bar.
Melodious.
It was nearly 11 o'clock already, Nalmalu hurried out of her room and checked to see that Flo was asleep, then rushed into the bar. He was sat in the corner. She made her way over and sat beside him.
"What is this about the deal being off?"
He looked at her, she could hardly see his pale face in the gloom, but she could see his eyes glinting angrilly like stars.
"Because, a source of mine has told me some information."
"What sort of information, Melodious?"
"That you are not trusty worthy."
"I am not trust worthy?"
"They say that you have already taken it for yourself! And...used it."
"And why would I do that? I have not taken it."
Suddenly Melodious had a dagger at Nalmalu's throat and she was backed up against the wall.
"Do not lie to me Nalmalu! Do you have it? Have you used it?"
Nalmalu kicked him with both legs in the stomach, he fell back and Nalmalu held him up by his collar.
"I do not have it! It is passed on! As we agreed. I have looked once...I should not be here otherwise."
Nalmalu let go of Melodious and he fell, sprawled, on the floor.
"Now leave, before I kill you." Nalmalu kicked him and left.
Nalmalu returned to her room and slept the rest of the night away without any disturbancethat night. Flo did not sleep that night. She lay in her bed, thinking about Terwin and her family. What had really happened to them? She didn't know. Maybe she didn't want to know. Nalmalu would help her, she was trust worthy or seemed to be. She had no friends outside the Shire, Nalmalu was her only hope until her found Terwin. But why had Nalmalu looked in on her earlier on? Nalmalu had thought that she was asleep and left, walking down to the bar...then there had been a crash and shouting and heavy footsteps past her door. Was that Nalmalu? She decided not to think about it.
Nalmalu woke early the next morning to find the sun shining weakly through a thin vale of mist that hung above Bree. She got dressed quickly and went into Flo's room to wake her up. No need. Flo was already awake and dressed. Sitting on the edge of her bed with tears rolling down her cheeks, her hands trembling like new leaves in a fresh wind.
"Nalmalu...please let us leave this place, and quickly."
Nalmalu looked down on Flo with pity and put a hand on her shoulder.
"We will leave within the hour."
They ate breakfast and as Nalmalu saddled up their horses, Flo watched on, interested, seeing how much Nalmalu connected with horses. Nalmalu seemed to love her horse more than anything else; she bridled him up and then climbed upon him and galloped around the small yard, cutting corners close. She slowed him down and trotted towards Flo.
"Are you ready to leave Flo? I know I am restless to leave Bree even though we have not been here long."
Flo wondered why that was.
"Yes, I am more than ready to leave."
"But, Flo, where are we leaving to? I can lead you to most places, North, south and west."
"I think...we should go..whever ever you think is safest."
Nalmalu looked puzzled for a second, holding her horse still, then she nodded and smiled.
"I know where we shall go, we will talk about it after we are safetly out of Bree."
Nalmalu trotted away on her horse and jumped off, picking up her pack and slinging it on her back. She looked up suddenly at Flo.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Get on your horse!" Nalmalu shook her head, smiling, as she looked down and fastened her belt tighter around her waist.
