Chapter 5: The Arrival of an old Friend

They found a secluded spot in the tree, away from sight of the path. Nalmalu and Flo made camp and they sat there in silence. Nalmalu sensed Flo was tired and remained silent. Flo twirled her pipe between her fingers and put it to her lips hesitantly. Nalmalu looked at her and nodded her consent.

In the music, Nalmalu relaxed again - but suddenly heard a rustle and turned. Maybe it was her imagination. Flo stopped playing and leaned against the tree. Nalmalu smiled at her.

'It is called 'A Guiding Star' - Terwin told me when danger was near or you feared for a loved one, play the tune and all will be brought to safety.' smiled Flo.

Nalmalu smiled back. Then heard it again - distinctly this time. She leapt to her feet and slashed at the bush behind her - and raised her sword again and again, but Flo could make out movement in front of her - then Nalmalu stopped in mid-swing. She stepped aside and looked at Flo.

A hobbit was sat on the ground, a dark green cloak hung about his ears. He stood up, glancing at Nalmalu and then at Flo - and he smiled. But Flo was already running to him and jumped into his arms. He hugged her.

'Terwin!' she cried.

'I've missed you so much, Flo. I feared you hadn't got my message because I .....' he trailed off, placing Flo on her feet and glancing at Nalmalu.

The silence passed between them very shortly - but long enough for Nalmalu to see what he thought - did he know what she was going to do? But then he smiled politely and Nalmalu could see no anger in his eyes. 'Will you excuse us for a moment, please?' he asked.

'Certainly - but not too far - it is dangerous.'

Terwin smiled at Nalmalu.

He dragged Flo into a cluster of trees and hugged her, then looked deep into her eyes. Long years had past since his leaving. The chill night surrounded them, but their bodies seemed immune to the cold and they could only feel the love of family reunited. Then Terwin glanced away and sighed.

'It has been too long,' he whispered, 'But I cannot stay long. No more than half an hour, I should guess, Nalmalu is watching.'

'What is going on Terwin?' asked Flo, puzzled.

'I have come to warn you of things, and I am glad to see you safe and well.'

'Why wouldn't I be?'

Terwin looked nervously back to the place where Nalmalu stood. He saw her look quickly away - as though she had been watching hard. He turned back to Flo 'You shall find out soon enough. But I need to tell you things first. To begin with you are in great danger, for there is danger behind you...and one is guiding you into danger.'

'Nalmalu?'

'Yes, it has been her plot all the time. But she is wavering, for her masters said "Bring us a halfling, of female kind, her name is Florrin Moss." So she searched for you, and as she was on her way to Bree is chanced that we met upon the road. I gave her a letter to give to you, as I was in peril and could not return to the Shire. And, alas! I did not recognise Nalmalu, for she had changed much since I had last seen her. It was only afterwards that I realised what I'd done. But I let it be and travelled far away.'

'Is Nalmalu...bad?'

'Bad? Yes! She seeks to repay a debt and you are the price! She has dealed wit the wrong people and got involved with things that bring misery to other. But there is one driving force in her mind: to seek out the Easterlings, single handed if need be. They caused her much and pain and she cannot forget it.

'But I am getting off the point, the Dalde (the people after you) want you and Nalmalu is taking you. But her mind is changing, she has found this a harder task than she expected and I believe through all the hatred in her heart she is beginning to like you. But there of course, I cannot be certain.

'But beware Flo! Beware! Nalmalu is not to be trusted! That will not stop her! For the penalty of not bringing you to the Dalde is death! She would rather die by her own hand, than cornered like a rat in a trap.'

Terwin paused and smiled, 'You have grown so much Flo, my dear. Keep fighting to the last! Either Nalmalu will save you through guilt or I will.

'But I cannot help you now, I am in danger here and must leave, for my danger will turn to you, but I will come back for you, I promise you that.'

'Goodbye Terwin,' said Flo sadly as Terwin turned away and disappeared off into the darkness.

Flo watched him go, feeling sad. Nalmalu saw Flo standing alone and walked up to Flo, placing her hand on her shoulder. But Flo backed away. Nalmalu looked at her tear-stained face.

'You will meet again soon, little one - the stars will guide you together.'

Flo nodded, still unsure what to say to Nalmalu.

'What has he told you?' asked Nalmalu suddenly sternly, clamping her hand on Flo's shoulder.

Without waiting for an answer, she marched Flo back to camp and sat her down on her blankets, Nalmalu followed suit. Nalmalu sat for a while staring into Flo's eyes, as if she was trying to read her mind.

'Well?' she said after an almost unbareable slience, 'What's going on?'

'Nothing,' said Flo avoiding Nalmalu's stern glare.

'Indeed?' Nalmalu's suspions grew, 'What were you talking about?'

'It's none of your business!'

'But you see Flo, as you once said, you are my business and therefore of what you spoke is my business.'

Flo thought for a moment, it seemed to be a role reversal, it hd always been Flo aksing Nalmalu what she was talking about, not the other way round. She felt like a young hobbit girl, being quizzed by her parents as to where she had been all day.

'It was...' she said after a length, 'about - you'

'Me?' Nalmalu looked at Flo for a moment. 'What were you talking about me for?' Nalmalu stood up, turned around and wiped her dagger clean, partly to avoid Flo's eyes. She knew Terwin had told her - she had seen the look in his eyes when he looked at her - now Flo wore that same look. Nalmalu watched Flo with worried eyes. What did Terwin say to her? Hopefully not what she feared.

As night grew deeper, Nalmalu sat down. She glanced at Flo who seemed to be staying as far away from her as possible. Nalmalu observed, her heart filled with sadness and she didn't know why. She began to speak the words of a poem, but she knew it not, Flo looked up.