AUTHOR'S NOTE:  This was written for a PippinHealer's Challenge to do a short fic in which the first letters of each paragraph would spell out the phrase "Happy New Year"

TEA AND TALK

“How have things been for you, Esmeralda?”

“As well as can be expected.”

“Perhaps you may yet have good news.”

“Perhaps. More tea?”

“Yes, please.”

“Never think that I am going to give up. I am sure our lads will return.”

“Even though your brother has given them up for dead?”

“When I have proof is soon enough. Things are dire enough without borrowing more trouble. In a way, I am glad they are not here right now--it could be dangerous for them with all the riff-raff in the Shire. I am sure Merry would not be able to curb his outrage at what they are doing.”

“Yet they could be in just as much danger wherever they are.”

“Even so.”

“All I know is that things have not ever been so ill in all my memory.”

Rapping sounded urgently at the sitting room door. “Enter,” said the Mistress of Buckland. “Mistress--we just had word! The young master and his friends were seen at the Bridge!”