"My kinsman could see my feeling, my worry, and asked what he might do to ease my anxiousness.  So, I wrote a letter to my cousin, Glorfindel, asking him to follow the four as closely as possible and send word to me by the trail.  This elf delayed his journey to Valinor to deliver my letter to Rivendell."

            "How very kind of him!"

            "Yes, Rosie, very kind indeed.  I did not receive word for one month following.  And when I first spoke with the messenger, I was afraid to hear his message.  Much had taken place.  I don't quite know how to tell you or where to start.  There are so many details…"

            "Well, Di, Rosie and I may not know much about life outside the Shire, but we do know that there is good and evil all around.  It can't be much different out there.  Just try lass.  Try for us."

            Diamond dove into an intense explanation of the One Ring and its master, Sauron.  She told of the lads' flight from the Nazgul and of Mr. Frodo's wounding by the Witch-King.  She told of the journey to Rivendell and Frodo's recovery.  She had begun telling about the Council of Elrond when she finally noticed her two companions.  Rosie was almost to the point of fainting and Estella was biting her hand to keep from screaming.

            "I've said too much, haven't I… The rest is much more terrifying and dangerous than what I have just told you.  I've terrified you to tears and it hasn't even begun.  Are you absolutely sure that you can handle this?"  Rosie had begun to sob at the thought of hearing more, but with a squeeze of Estella's hand, she nodded.

            "We're ready, Diamond."