Yule looked at the bright star shining to the North in the early evening sky . Byco stood next to her in silence for a long moment, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts. As she moved, he followed. They walked in silence along the road to the west, leaving Bywater and the Green Dragon Inn behind.Her delicate feet still trying to get used to the ways of the hobbits. She paused to gaze upwards at the many stars enjoying the fresh night breeze blowing gently in her hair. After a turn in the road, Yule and Byco could see Waymeet in the distance. "Wagons! I see wagons and camp fires," she said, " It feels like home already." Byco nodded solemnly to her and kept checking the road.
A curious owl sitting on an apple tree watched the two figures make their way at a steady pace in the direction of the little settlement, one clad in a comfortable white rope and a soft fur cape, the other garbed in a heavy chain armor. The little bird followed the two hobbits for a little while, then began tutting happily a summer owl song, strolling over to an apple. The night was cool as Yule finally approached her own wagon now standing next to a flower bed in Waymeet. A large tend had been erected at the end of the plot to accommodate Byco. Light flooded down in a slanting shaft from the inside of the wagon as Yule opened the round door with her key. A few swirling moths danced in the light as Yule's face , for the first time in many days, lit up in small smile. The wagon was her home! Her pride and joy. She disappeared inside as Byco looked on and came back after a few minutes holding a pot of freshly brew tea and two mugs.
"For now, Sir Byco...this will be home...for me and for Shire Rose" she said softly, " Until the time comes for us to move to the Big Hall we visited the other night." Byco nodded "Thank you for having the tend arranged for me, Miss Yule," he said accepting the mug of hot tea she was holding for him. "I hope it will be comfortable enough, Sir Byco." As she spoke her voice increased in solemnity. Byco stared at her face and listened insensitively. Yule's heart softened, and so did her voice slightly. " All seems so peaceful inside the Bounds of the Shire, Sir Byco..almost as if the days of the warriors were gone. Hobbits live in a peaceful land, yet we must be vigilant and not let down our guard. In time to come we must be prepared to fight to preserve peace. Come now, Sir Byco, let us rest by the fire ; it is the summer of Shire Rose, there will be many many days of warm sun ahead of us." Happiness filled the small camp by the wagon in Waymeet as the bell of the night was singing in the distance and the voice of the bounder on duty could be heard on the road...
"Hear ye! Hear ye! The tenth bell is gone...all is well in the bounds, all is well!"
