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An Unexpected Adventure [IN HIATUS]  by KathyG

Summary: In the spring of 2012, four American children find themselves thrust into an unfamiliar world and part of an unexpected adventure.  This story is AU, and blends Lord of the Rings book-verse and movie-verse.  This story also contains a lot of spiritual and religious content as a part of the AU elements.

Disclaimer: The world of Middle-earth and all its peoples belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien; the three films of The Lord of the Ringsbelongs to New Line Cinema and to Peter Jackson.  This story is not for profit, but is a gift for the enjoyment of those who read it.

Citations: In most chapters, there will be some quotations directly from both the books and/or the movies.  Quotations from Tolkien's books are in italics, and quotations from the movies are underlined.  Occasional quotations from other sources as well as silent dialogue, words spoken in emphasis, and passages from the Bible will also be in italics, and those citations will be footnoted at the end of each chapter in which they occur. We will also footnote research sources and credit the ideas of other people.

Thanks: We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable help of our beta, Linda Hoyland, another well-known and prolific LotR fanwriter, whose many wonderful stories also grace this site.

A/N:  One of the things that KG asked me (DF), when we were going to partner in this story, was that we try to include my OC, Mendelcar, who appears in my story “Chance Encounter”.  I agreed.  Therefore, you may see bits of that story quoted here and there in the next few chapters.  Those are from my own story, so be assured that if you see something you recognize, it is not plagiarized.  Thank you.  DF and KG.

Chapter 99: Someone New to Meet

Kevin was grinning as he walked behind his parents.  Megan was riding on his shoulders with her fingers tangled in his hair, and he had Kaylee holding one hand and chattering up at him.  This freed up Mom and Dad to talk to each other and to Ondahir, who was with them.  Mairen, as usual, was also with them, but she was walking silently next to Kaylee on her other side, holding the little girl’s hand.

He was only hearing about half of what Kaylee was telling him, since she was talking so fast, but he also noticed the street around them.  This was a very fancy and posh neighbourhood, one he had not seen before, as it flanked the western side of the Citadel.  Almost every building in the city seemed to be made of white marble, at least in the upper levels; these houses here were no exception.  They were all large, with high walls and iron gates.  There were guards on the gates, as well.  Most of the guards were just sitting there on stools, but they stood up when anyone approached.

These people sure are loaded! Kevin thought, shaking his head in wonder.  Some rich folks sure live on this street!  I wonder if there's a Middle-earth version of what we call millionaires?  If there is, maybe some of them live on this street!

But they had only gone about halfway down what Kevin thought of as a block, when they came upon an even larger house.  The flag that Kevin knew stood for Dol Amroth--a white swan on a blue background--was hung next to the gate.  The guard there was not sitting at all, but was standing to attention.  He looked at them carefully, before opening the gate.  "The Princess is expecting you," the guard said, as they all passed through.  He followed, to usher the group to the door.

All around the paved courtyard were huge pots, planted with brightly coloured flowers, sculptured shrubs, and even trees.  There were two tall cedars, one on each side of the door.  The guard stepped up and knocked.

A manservant opened the door, and the guard said, "The guests the Princess was expecting have arrived, Dior."

As the servant led the way in, Kevin looked around at the huge hall, with its high ceilings and panelled walls hung with tapestries and a shield with a coat of arms.  He looked over as the man spoke.

"Thank you, Manthor."  The guard, being dismissed, left and the servant looked at Steve.   "Master Ondahir?  Master Steven?" he inquired.

Ondahir gave a nod of his head along with Steve, as Steve added, "And my wife Gail, our oldest son Kevin, our two younger daughters Kaylee and Megan, and the Elf-maiden, Mairen."  He gestured toward each one as he introduced them.

The manservant nodded ahead of them.  "Follow me."

He led them into a sittingroom on the left.  Kevin saw a lovely woman of about the same age as his mother, clad in a gown of deep blue, standing near a fireplace, and a younger girl whose gown was a lighter shade of blue seated in a chair on the other side of the fireplace.  There were several other seats scattered about the room.

The older lady smiled.  "It is good to see you again, Master Steven and Mistress Gail.  Welcome!  I see you have brought more of your family with you today?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Steven replied.  They'd met with her at her home a few more times, but the younger children and Kevin had not been with them, nor had Mairen.  "This is our oldest son, Kevin."

She nodded to Kevin.  "If I recall correctly, you are now Sir Kevin.  My nephews have told me of your feats in battle."  And she looked down at Kaylee and Megan, giving them a fond smile.  "And you, little ones, I have not seen since we first met, on the day you arrived."

"At the party!" exclaimed Kaylee.  She looked at Megan. "It's one of the Princesses, Megan!  Remember?"  Megan nodded and hid her face in Mairen's skirt and nodded shyly.

Gail laughed.  "I believe Megan is having one of her shy days."

Princess Lindiriel smiled.  "I understand.  She looks to be about three, I believe.  My daughter used to have her shy days at that age."

The younger woman blushed.  "Naneth!" she exclaimed.  "I have not even been introduced yet to Sir Kevin."

Being called "Sir Kevin" twice in a row made Kevin blush now.  Princess Lindiriel laughed again and spoke.  "Sir Kevin, this is my daughter, Lady Lothíriel."

Kevin pulled himself together and tried to remember the manners he'd been taught in Rivendell. He gave a slight bow, and said, "It is an honour to meet you, Lady Lothíriel."

"And to meet you, Sir Kevin," she replied graciously.

Princess Lindiriel took a seat at the chair on the other side of the fire from her daughter and made a gesture at the other seats around the room.  "Perhaps the little ones would like to play outside in the garden?" she suggested.

At Gail's affirmative nod, the princess called out, "Hiril!"

A plump and pleasant older woman with some grey in her hair appeared with a curtsey to the Princess.  "Yes, your Grace," she said. She was wearing a brown dress with a white apron. 

"Would you mind showing the little girls our back garden?  Perhaps they might like to see the baby rabbits."  Hiril nodded, smiling at the little girls.

Kaylee exclaimed, "Bunnies!" and happily skipped to take Hiril's hand.  Megan, on the other hand, clung more tightly to Mairen's skirts.

Mairen patted Megan on the back with one hand and spoke up.  "I will accompany the children as well," she said.  She picked the little one up and followed Hiril and Kaylee. 

They could hear Hiril telling Kaylee, "I met your other brother Joey not too long ago, and he liked honeybuns…"

Once the younger children were gone, Princess Lindiriel put on what Kevin thought of as a "business face", as most adults did when they had important things to discuss.  He glanced over and saw the exact same expression on his mother's face, and then he watched as his dad pulled a battered pocket-size spiral notebook and a ballpoint pen from the pouch at his belt, and he saw Master Ondahir sit forward to pay attention.

The younger Princess, who appeared to be just a few years older than him, had also sat up straight and attentively.  Kevin decided perhaps it was time for him to pay attention to what was going on as well; Steve and Gail had briefly told their children of the project they hoped would be their "family project" as well, in preparation for Easter, so he needed to know what was up.  As part of their preparation for their Easter celebration, prior to the camping trip, the entire family, including Megan, had already engaged in one family service project back in Portland; if all went well, this would be their second one.

"The building is going quite well.  Several of the men of the city who have no work because their businesses were damaged volunteered their help in the building for no wages, and they are being supervised by some of the paid skilled workers, as well as Master Dervorin, so much of the repair work is being completed much more quickly," said Master Ondahir.

Princess Lindiriel spoke up.  “I have prevailed on several of my friends, and many of the ladies of the court who have returned to the city from exile in the countryside, to weave or knit blankets."

"And do not forget, Naneth, that some of my friends and I are sewing linens!" put in Lothiriel.

Kevin wondered what he would be able to do.  He would have to find out how busy he would be with his new position as a part of the Guardsmen now, and what he would be allowed to do in this project.  I hope I’ll be allowed to take part!

Steve had been flipping through his little notebook, and said, "Here are some of the things we also talked about doing to raise funds."  He glanced down.

"‘1. Entertainments and contests…’  I noticed that a lot of musicians and other entertainers have come into town in the last couple of days.  Perhaps we could get them to congregate where we will hold the events and get them to donate a portion of their take.  I haven't had the chance to speak to any Guildmasters yet about competitions."  He turned his gaze back to his notebook.

"‘2. A street fair…’  That's what it is called in our City, when a section of a street is set aside for such a celebration.  I did get the opportunity to meet the Captain of the Watch, on the Third Circle, and he seemed interested in the idea, and Lord Faramir liked it very much.  He was going to speak to the Guildmasters and the Watch about it, but I don't know if he's had the chance to do it yet, especially now that he is Steward."

"If I know my younger nephew well, then if he has said it, he will do so, it will be done as soon as possible," said Princess Lindiriel.

Steve nodded.  "I know he will; he is a man of his word.  Now: ‘3. Having a discount day in the shops at the venue…’"

"Venue?" asked the Princess.

"The immediate area where we will hold most of the activities," Steve explained, and then turned his attention back to the list.  "‘This would be where the merchants in that area agree to offer a discount to their customers for their business, and a portion of their proceeds for the day will be set aside for donating to the orphanage,’” he read aloud.

Master Ondahir said, "The King and Lord Faramir have spoken of this idea. The King thinks that he could see to lowering the taxes for the day, in order to encourage the merchants to offer such a discount.

"Now, that's as far as we got before we were interrupted when young Sador was injured, but Gail and I have thought up a few other ideas since then.”  Steve cleared his throat and looked back down at his notebook.  “‘4. A competition of household skills.  For women, they could exhibit some of their own crafts in sewing, knitting, and so forth.  People could vote on those they find best, and the top winners get a small prize."

"How would that make money for the orphanage?" asked the Princess.

"What is the smallest coin in Gondor?" Steve asked.  "I haven't really had the chance to understand all the coins here."

"That would be a copper florin," the Princess answered.*

Steve nodded.  "So, what we do is, we put a small jar by each item, and the people vote by dropping a coin in.  Or it might be even better that we let them exchange the money for an inexpensive token. So, they drop the token in the jar, and at the end of the day they are counted, and the winner of the most tokens takes the top prize, and then usually there are prizes for second and third place as well.  At home, there are ribbons: a blue for first, a red for second, and a yellow for third, usually."

"What a clever idea!" Lothiriel said.  "I know my friends would love such a competition!"

"And many of my friends as well," her mother added.

"How has the progress gone on the orphanage since we saw it that day?" Steve asked.

"The outside is very nearly finished, as well as the kitchen and the dining hall, and some of the sleeping areas have been finished enough for a small handful of the younger children who are being kept there already.  Most of the orphans are still either in the Houses of Healing or encamped in an area on the Pelennor for the older ones.”  The princess paused.  “I thought that we could take our luncheon at the orphanage today so you could see the actual progress, and your little girls could play with the children who are there.”

The princess had sent some of her own servants up to the orphanage to prepare the daymeal and oversee the place.  She called Hiril to go up and notify them that she and Lady Lothiriel and their guests were on the way.

It was indeed a brief journey to the orphanage from the townhouse of the Prince of Dol Amroth. Kevin found himself once more holding Kaylee's hand, while Mairen carried Megan.  The Princess Lothiriel walked on his other side, and he found himself answering her questions about their home in "Or Egon".  She was so pretty that he could not help but blush when he spoke to her.  He certainly noticed she was very lovely, almost as beautiful as an Elf-maiden.  He wasn't crushing on her, he didn't think.  But she really was pretty.

I wouldn’t be able to ask her out on a date, so there’s no use in having a crush on her, not really, he thought.  Besides, she's older than me, and there are probably rules about who a Princess can go out with.

"Tell me of the sports and contests of your homeland," she asked.  "What kind of competitions do you partake of?"

"I play basketball at my school," he answered, thankful that he could describe the game without too many references that might give things away he shouldn't talk about.  "It's a game with five people on a team who can play at one time, although extra players can sit at the side of the game to substitute if a player is tired or gets hurt.  Two teams play each other in the game.  The court has a basket made out of net placed up on a pole at each end, with a large board behind it, called a 'backboard'.  The net basket is open at the bottom.  There's a ball about so big…"  He held his hands apart to show the size of the ball.  "The whole idea is for a team to make the ball go through the basket as many times as possible, against the other side; every time the team who has the ball shoots it through the basket, it scores a point.  The team who scores the most points by the end of the game wins the game.  There are other rules about points and which team has possession of the ball at any given time, but that's the basic idea of the game," he finished.

She had been listening with interest.  "What sort of thing is the ball made from?  It must be very heavy at that size."

Kevin sighed with relief, remembering that when he had first joined the team, the coach had shown them a video all about the history of basketball, so he knew he didn't have to worry about his answer sounding too modern.  He didn't know if Middle-earth even had such a thing as rubber.  "They used a ball made with a pig's bladder that was covered with leather and inflated.  It was light enough to bounce on the surface of the floor!" 

The princess laughed.  "Ah!  I should have known!  That sounds like the sort of ball my brothers used to play kick-the-ball, when they were younger!"

Kevin wondered if that might be something like soccer.  "What sort of game is that?"

When she began to describe it, he suddenly realized that it was just like the game he and Joey had played with the hobbits in Rivendell.  It wasn't at all like soccer; it was more like baseball—or British cricket, really—with kicking the ball instead of batting it, and bowling the ball instead of throwing it.

"Did you know hobbits play that game?" he asked.  "I had forgotten about that!  We played it with them in Rivendell one day, while we were staying there."

"I am not surprised.  My father told me that game is played almost everywhere in Middle-earth," she replied.  

Just then all the adults stopped, and Kevin realized that this must be where the orphanage was. The building was even larger than the other buildings on that street, and bits of it looked like new, while other parts were clearly older.  It was in the style of the Princess's own house, with a wall, though no iron gate…oh, there it was: it had been removed and laid flat on the courtyard paved with flagstone.  There were no potted plants around, but there was a dried-up fountain in the middle.  There was some scaffolding up along the far right of the building front, and he could see workers trying to replace some damaged parts there.  But the rest of the outside, at least in the front, seemed to be in pretty good shape.

A tall, lanky man with an immense black moustache was watching the work, but when he saw the group enter, he called out for the workers to stop.  The man turned and bowed.  "Your Grace, welcome!  Now that you and these others have arrived, we will send the workers off to their luncheon."

"Thank you, Master Thavor," she said.  "Has all been going well, this day?"

"Yes, Your Grace," he replied.  

The princess handed him a small cloth bag that clanked.  "Please, Master Thavor, distribute these to your men to use to pay for their lunches.  They may keep any change for themselves."

Master Thavor peeped into the bag, and realized it was filled with silver florins.  "That is most generous of you, Your Grace."

"Thank you, and please remember that you are to join us at table here, so you may tell us of the progress made."

"I shall be with you as soon as I can, Your Grace."

Princess Lindiriel smiled once more, and nodded, and then she led the group in through the large double front doors. 

Kevin had never been in the building before, but his parents began exclaiming over the progress which had been made since they had last seen it.  Walls had been repaired, and in some areas, they had been completely replaced.  Kevin realised the large room they had entered, flanked by two other rooms off each side of the entry, had been repaired; there was a large staircase ahead, as well.  

Beyond the room on their left, Kevin could see into yet another large room.  There was a wide doorway, but the door had yet to be replaced, and he could smell some delicious smells.  There was the sound of clattering dishes.  And there was also the sound of childish giggles, and an exasperated woman's voice as well.  "Be careful, little ones!  The Princess Lindiriel will be here any moment with her guests!"

Princess Linderiel went right on into the other room.  "I am already here with our guests, Dame Meg," she announced.  "And here are the little ones!"

The three children had at first frozen at the sight of the Princess, but immediately lined up in a silent row.  There was a little boy who looked to be the same age as Kaylee, and two little girls who might be a year or two older than Kaylee.  Although all of them had dark hair, grey eyes, and pale faces, Kevin knew that didn't mean that any or all of them were relatives--almost everyone in Gondor had dark hair and grey eyes.  A few who had blue eyes or lighter coloured hair were around, but they were definitely in the minority, at least in Minas Tirith.

Lindiriel introduced the McClouds to Dame Meg, Head Cook at the Citadel, who had been kindly loaned to the orphanage by the Steward.  Dame Meg had given a deep curtsy to first Princess Lindiriel, and then to Lady Lothiriel, and she now turned to give a slightly less deep one to the McClouds and acknowledged the introduction by repeating their names: "Master McCloud, Mistress McCloud, Sir Kevin, Miss Kaylee, and Miss Megan.  And Mistress Mairen."  She gave a warm smile to the two little girls. 

Dame Meg gave a glance to Princess Lindiriel.  "Your Grace!  The meal is not ready, but it will be finished very soon."  The Princess nodded.

Kaylee looked at the three children and then raised her hand up, as if she was in school.  Gail noticed.  "What is it, Kaylee?"

"What are their names?" Kaylee asked as she looked at the children, putting her hand down at her side.

The three looked up at Dame Meg, who nodded.  "You may give your names," she said, in an encouraging tone.

So, the first girl was holding the hand of the little boy.  "This is my cousin, Gellam.  He does not talk much to strangers.  He is only five.  My name is Glauriel, and I am almost seven."  She gave a look at the other girl.

"I am Thilieth.  I am six."  She glanced over at Glauriel.  "I am not their kinfolk, but we are friends now, since we got to this place."

Kaylee smiled at the boy.  “Guess what!  I’m five, too.  Maybe after lunch, we could go out and play!”  She scanned the other children’s faces and added, “All of us.”

Gellam shyly glanced up at her face, and then quickly turned to put his face on his cousin's side.  But Glaurielsmiled at Kaylee.  "He is timid, ever since his house burned down and the orcs killed our parents.  But he will like to play with you, perhaps, if you let him be silent."

Kaylee could see tears in Glauriel's eyes.  Her own eyes teared up, and she looked up at Gail.  Uncertain what to say in front of all the others, Gail acknowledged Kaylee's concern by squeezing her shoulder, and giving her a small nod.  "Later," she said very quietly.  Biting her lower lip, Kaylee nodded.

"Do not worry that the meal is not ready," Princess Lindiriel told Dame Meg.  "We came early, so that I can show Master and Mistress McCloud the progress which has been made on restoring the building."

Kevin and Princess Lothiriel both decided to stay with the adults, and Dame Meg suggested that Mairen take all of the children into the back garden.

"I will ring the bell as soon as luncheon is ready, Your Grace," Dame Meg said, with another curtsy.  There was a clatter in the kitchen, and Dame Meg said, "Ah, those apprentices!  I had best get back to the kitchen!  If you will excuse me, Your Grace?"

The Princess nodded, and with another curtsy, Dame Meg retreated into the kitchen.  Lindiriel led the others to the staircase in the entry hall, while Mairen led all the children into the kitchen as well, which presumably led to the back garden.

-oo000oo-

Lunch had been very good, thought Kaylee, as she walked with the others back to the Citadel, even if the grown-ups did spend all the time talking about boring grown-up stuff.  The dessert had been very good.  It was some sort of cheesecake that smelled like flowers!  It had tasted of them as well, but only just a little bit, and it had been sweet, but not too sweet.  She started looking back on the time she had spent with the orphans…

The three orphans had not eaten with them at the table.  Kaylee could hear them in the kitchen, laughing and talking as they had their own meal, and she wished she could have eaten with them instead of the grown-ups.  

Then she and Megan had been allowed to go into the back garden after the meal ended, to play with the other children.  Glauriel and Thilieth were eager to play with her, but Gellam hung back shyly, until Megan took his hand, and they went to sit in a corner of the garden together. 

She went over to a lidded box next to the door to the kitchen and took out some smooth sticks about a foot-and-a-half long, a light metal hoop that reminded Kaylee a bit of the little wooden hoop she used for embroidery.  Each hoop had some colourful ribbons tied on it.  They weren’t quite like the large metal hoop that one of the boys had invited Kaylee and the other children to roll with a stick back at the river, when they had met the Beornings.

"Do you want to play rindanad?"

"I don't know that game," Kaylee answered.  "Is it like a hula hoop?  Or maybe rolling hoops?" She was puzzled.  The hoop didn't look big enough for a hula hoop.

"I have never heard of 'hula hoop'," Glauriel replied.  "And we do not have rolling hoops.  Perhaps it is like our game?"  She passed out the sticks

Glauriel handed Thilieth and Kaylee two sticks and a hoop.  "Watch!" she told Kaylee.  Glauriel used the sticks to sling her hoop to Thilieth, who used both her sticks to catch the hoop.  Then Thilieth flung it back.

"Now you try!" they said to Kaylee.  Thilieth sent the hoop her way--Kaylee tried to catch it on both sticks, but only managed to get it on one of them.  But the other girls cheered her, anyway. When it got to the point that all three of them were missing more often than catching, they were laughing so hard, they all fell down on the soft lawn.

Kaylee sat up and glanced at Megan and the boy.  He was at least talking a little bit to her younger sister, although she was talking enough for three people.

Glauriel rolled over on her stomach and glanced at her cousin.  "He must trust your little sister.  He hardly talks at all to most people, anymore."

"How come?" Kaylee asked, tilting her head in puzzlement.

Glauriel shrugged in response, and then sighed, before she answered.  "When one of the farmers came riding into our village with a warning that there were many orcs headed our way, all of us children were sent off to safety.  There was a hidden cellar under the town's storage barns, and we ran there and hid.  The grown-ups all got ready to fight, but we could hear our families screaming.  Then the orcs came into the barn and began to steal all the food our village had saved for the winter.  We were so frightened!  We were trying to keep the littlest ones from crying.  And then we heard the sounds of fire and smelled smoke, and we were afraid we would all be burned up.

"But then we heard horns and horses and the clash of a real battle, with swords!  The sounds of the fire died down, and we could hear voices.  It was Lord Devorin, son of the Lord of Ringló Vale, and his men."  Her voice stopped for a moment, before she spoke again.   "Anyway, every grown-up in the village had been slain.  Every last one of them, including our parents.  They took us children up to the Keep, and we stayed there until the fighting was all over with.  Word came that orphans who had no other kin were to be brought to Minas Tirith to be under the protection of the King."  She sat up.  "But that's all over with now.  Gellam saw his parents' bodies, but most of the bodies were too hard to recognize…"

Kaylee's eyes filled with tears, as she remembered.  How would she feel if her family was all killed?  She tugged at her mother's hand.

"Mommy?"

"What is it, sweetheart?" Gail looked down at Kaylee.

"Mommy, what will happen to Glauriel and Thilieth and Gellam?" 

Gail drew in a breath and sighed.  "Well, when the orphanage is all finished, they will get to live there, and they will be well taken care of.  Or it may be that some family’ll decide to adopt them and make them their own children."

Kaylee frowned.  "What if they only want to adopt one of them?"

"I don't know, Kaylee.  Perhaps we can ask Princess Lindiriel or Lord Faramir how they do those things in Gondor."

Kaylee nodded.  "OK."  She glanced up and smiled.  "Oh!  Goody!  We're almost back to the Citadel."

Now it was Gail's turn to look concerned.

Master Ondahir took leave of the McClouds as they entered the Citadel.  "Farewell for now," he said.  "I need to go and report on the things we have discussed to Lord Faramir."  The McClouds all said good-bye, as the portly official took his leave.

As the family started up the stairs that would lead to their quarters, a female voice called out Gail's name.  It was Éowyn.  "Excuse me, Mistress Gail!  A word with you if I might?" she asked.

Gail turned and saw her.  "Of course, Lady Éowyn!"  She turned back to Steve.  "Steve, would you take the girls upstairs?  I’ll be with you shortly."

"Of course, I will.  Kevin, are you coming up with us?"

"Sure, Dad!  I have a little time before it’ll be time for me to report to the Captain of the Guard."  As Gail followed Éowyn into another room, Kevin swept Megan up onto his shoulders, and Steve picked up Kaylee and positioned her on his hip.  There were a lot of stairs, too many for the little girls to climb.

As they came to the first landing, they saw Jennifer ahead of them, heading in the same direction.

"Jen!" Kevin called out.

"Oh!  Good.  I'm glad you're back.  I wanted to see everyone before it was too late."  She stopped until they caught up with her.  "I'm on my way back to my dorm.  Lalaith's having a birthday celebration.  She's sixteen today, and she brought some pastries to share before we go on our shift tonight.”

“‘Happy birthday, sweet sixteen!’” Kevin sang, grinning.  "Is Anborn going to be there?" he asked Jennifer.

"Of course not, silly," Jennifer answered, rolling her eyes.  "Boys aren't allowed in the dormitory!  But tomorrow she has a day off, and she will celebrate with him then.  She's going to supper with his family!"

"That's nice," Steve said, to stave off any further teasing from Jen's brother.  But he added a bit of fatherly teasing for her anyway.  "So, I hope you are not being courted by any soldiers."

She rolled her eyes again, as they approached the door to their rooms.  "Daaaddyyy!" she whined, and Steve laughed.  To stop any more teasing from either of them, she said, “Hey, where's Mom?"

"She's with Lady Éowyn," her father said, as they went inside.  "She should be along soon!"

Kevin swung Megan around as he lowered her to the floor.  She giggled and turned around to face her father.  "Daddy?  When is Mommy's birthday?  Did we miss it?"

The others all looked at Megan, eyes wide, stunned into silence.  Just before Steve could answer, the door reopened, and Gail swept in.  "Oh, how lovely to see you, Jen!  I wish you could have come with us.  Did I miss anything?"

-oo000oo-

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*The British florin, or two-shilling piece (2/– or 2s.) was a coin worth 1/10 of one pound, or 24 pence. It was issued from 1849 until 1967, with a final issue for collectors dated 1970.  It was the last coin circulating immediately prior to decimalisation to be demonetised, in 1993, having for a quarter of a century circulated alongside the ten-pence piece, identical in specifications and value.” (Wikipedia)





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