"I have been contacting my kin regularly since… since the day Peregrin missed our weekly tea."  Estella and Rose gave each other knowing glances and turned towards Diamond.

            "So, lass, perhaps a wee bit more than friends with that Took lad?"

            "Stella, be nice.  Don't tease her, or she won't tell us anything more!"  Diamond frowned, but couldn't hold back her laughter.

            "Rosie, I would do nothing of the sort.  But you're right… Stella shouldn't tease.  I am not the only lass here with such feelings.   Everyone knows Estella is smitten with the handsome Brandybuck heir.  And I have heard whispers of Rosie's affection for Samwise Gamgee.  That is really the only reason I've agreed to tell you anything.  And, I'm still not sure that you're ready to hear all of these things, but I'm going against my better judgment and telling you anyway.  Now that we have that clear, may I return to my explanation?"

            "Of course, Diamond.  My apologies.  Please continue."

            "Thank you, Miss Stella.  Now, Peregrin missed our weekly tea without an excuse or a notice.  I knew there was something wrong, so I rode out to the elven trail and met a group of elves leaving for Valinor."

            "Where?"

            "That is another story for another time, Miss Rosie.  Now, where was I?"

            "Valinor."

            "Oh, yes, thank you.  One of my kin, a very noble elf, had seen four young hobbits on the road to Bree."  Rosie gasped in shock.

            "That's not so strange, Rosie.  Hobbits go to Bree quite often.  Even Fatty has been a few times."

            "Well, for a Gamgee or a Cotton or any other common hobbit, it is quite unheard of!"

            "Please, ladies.  There are many more adventures in these tellings that are much more shocking than a trip to Bree.  And we are running out of time.  Please contain yourselves."  Diamond took a deep breath.  If the girls were already overreacting, could they handle the rest?