With Miss yule giving helpful directions, I helped her set up a message board today. Now, my hands are more used to a smithing hammer then to a carpenter's tool, but after bending a few nails, I got the hang of it and it was fun. She did most of the constructive and design work, being a woodsman and used to this kind of work, but I helped out where I could and was given the honour of posting the first message on it.
The board is still stashed near the wagon. Rough edges need to be sanded and maybe some more words posted before we put it by the main road for all to read. Eventually it will be given a fine spot on the premises of Shire Rose's future kinship hall.
We then proceeded to the recruitment of two more members. I had written them , asking to propose a date, time and place for a meeting. An answer was received, but one of the potential recruits wrote a very cryptic letter: meet me at the Inn, it said, but what Inn? Bird and Baby, Golden Perch? It did not say. However a small leaf of the Ivy plant was included, so we guessed the Ivy Bush in Hobbiton was meant.
So we posted ourselves at the Ivy Bush, Miss Yule and myself. And soon enough, two hobbits, seperate from one another, made their appearance. One was a young frisky minstrel lad who walked right passed us to the stage and started playing. He is actually a distant cousin of mine, thirteen times removed, a fact that he kept repeating. He was hired as he seemed good Shire Rose material. His youthful carelessness must be tamed a bit, but the lad is good at heart.
Next approached a hobbit lass in a white robe and with a big sword on her side. She started to talk to the Inn staff in a strange language and left them dumbfounded. When I heard the name Yule among the foreign words I approached her and introduced myself. She kept addressing me in elf language, for that is what it was, so I tried to point out I was not able to understand her. She then talked about the lass we were supposed to meet and I looked around to see if there was anyone else with her. But no, she meant her own person, she just did not say "I", but "Dalai", which is her name. When that was sorted we had the recruitment talk and she was quite keen. And I was pleased with another trained bounder on the roster.
Back in waymeet, sitting near the fire, Miss Yule and I brewed up some tea and talked things over. Then something strange happened: Miss Yule referred to me as "love" and "my love" to my surprise. She did not seem to have noticed so I pointed it out to her. we both blushed and she apologised. But I tried to set her mind at ease. I was not offended or shocked, just very surprised.
There is an air of mystery over Miss Yule, there is more to her then meets the eye. All part of Shire Rose's well kept secret. I am here to protect her and that secret, not to wonder the why and what. But this slip of the tongue... was it an unveiling of her most secret feelings that she may have for me? Or am I now just being silly? I don't want to make a fool of myself, so I tell myself: everyone can make a mistake and say something unintended. She has a lot on her mind, bears a heavy burden and a secret, it seems. Then that can happen.
But the courteous kiss on her hand with which I use to say goodbye to her, it felt different. And I did notice a hesitation before she offered me her hand. It left me confused in my tent.
Time will tell, Byco, rest now.
