It was almost a year before he could return again, for his father started him on the farm, for now that he was nine he was old enough to start learning. And 'start learning' meant doing all the time consuming and energy requiring jobs. Finally he was able to go to the dragon's lair again early next fall. He brought the improved version of the drawing he'd done when he' been there last.

As he came down the stairs he found her beneath her mounds of gold again, but this time her eyes, fiery and stunning wide open and watching him and she said, "Hello stranger, why have you come to me today?" she seemed angry.

He shrugged and told her, "My father has chosen to get me working on the farm this year, so I have little time besides that. I finished that picture." He stated as he pulled it out, it was only in black and white but still it was well done. It was a drawing of his perspective of her that day, so long ago; It depicted her head down with eyes closed as a thin smoke came from her nostrils and her tail was also visible, looping around to join up with her head and the glittering of her scales and jewel mounds were very nicely detailed.

"It is adequate." she replied, "Are you up for another riddle competition, little one?"

Putting the drawing down onto the pile of treasure he nodded and asked, "Shall I start?" to which she to nodded.

"I never was, am always to be,
No one ever saw me, nor ever will,
And yet I am the confidence of all
To live and breathe on this terrestrial ball.
What am I?"

Pshirrta thought about this one while he ate a small snack but eventually said, "Tomorrow." to which he gave an affirmative nod. "You will die, eventually." she stated suddenly and with a mocking tone, "Either by accident or age. How sad." Then she said her riddle,

"The dark realms constellation did I gain my birth,

Secret children of Mother Earth,

In armour's coat the protection I give,

To lie beneath those who live."

He paused in his chewing for a moment, then managed to say, "Your treasure hoard." through his mouthful.

"You've improved." she purred, then added, "Why do you waste your time with manual labour? You've an adequate mind for other mortal tasks."

Gulping down his bite of food Mathiew asked, "Is that your question, or are you simply asking? She raised her head, it rising to be at least 30 feet above him and she looked down at him with what he swore was pity, but her expression changed quickly.

"Of course not." she hissed

He nodded, and then answered her question, "I'm happy living here, working on my father's farm and helping my mother. This is where I want to be." then he stood up, leaving his possessions and going to her side and leaning against her front leg.

She twisted her long neck around to regard his little form, "Liar, you want more then the dirt of your forefathers."

To this he remained silent as he touched her shiny red scales, then he looked up at her and said, "I know your right, I guess. I just don't want to disappoint my father, my family."

"You cannot meet the expectations of everyone all at once, young one." Pshiirta told him as her great head lowered to his level, "And one most definitely cannot follow ones own goals with the goals others have made for us in our way." This made Mathiew lower his gaze, then she added, "You must choose between walking the path given to you, or one you define for yourself. There will be difficulties and there will be those who resent your choice, but in the end it is important that you be happy with your choice."

Little Mathiew was very quiet for a long time, and he sat with his back away from her view. She heard his light sobbing, and saw the shaking of his shoulders. But she didn't say anything, instead she began a thrumming in her chest. Slowly his crying subsided as he leaned onto her, pressing his ear against her side. He was calm and quiet for a bit, then he slowly looked up at her, his eyes bloodshot and the remnants of tears still evident he smiled.

This baffled the great wyrm, but she remained silent until he spoke, "You know, your the only real friend I've ever had. And the best friend anyone could ever have dreamed for." He knew she'd probably laugh at him, or worse kill him to prove she was no such friend, but he wanted to be honest with her. He wanted her to know that he appreciated her advice.

But he was frozen in amazement as she didn't frown or berate him or try to hurt him, but instead she told him, "Little hobbit, through all my centuries I've spoke with wise elves, who said I was only evil; And dwarves who told me I was filled with greed; and humans who cowed in fear as they told me I was only a being of destruction. Never in all my centuries has someone said something so kind of me." she bowed her head to him as she closed her large, flame red eyes, "And I thank you for it."

"I'm happy that it means so much to you." he smiled in return as he went back to his things, "I think I may leave that picture with you." he added as he pointed to the sketch of her, to which she nodded.

"It is about time you left isn't it?" she frowned as she looked up through the holes at the stars. Gazing up to where she was looking he nodded.

"I believe it is." he replied then looked at her and continued, "I'll try not to be so long in returning."

Lowering her massive head on level with his she responded, "You'd better not, or I may have to come and find you." to which he smiled and bowed, then picked up his sack and headed for the stair. When he reached the bottom of the stairwell he waved then ran up, out of sight.

Mathiew (For the first time since he went to see Pshiirta) was home on time, and was quite surprised when he opened his front door. His mother was just taking the coats of their guests, his mother's friends Merile and Reginald Poppy, with their daughter. Like her mother the girl had reddish-brown hair, with freckles adorning her face just below her eyes (Which was common for hobbits of the east ways) but when he looked at her feet he was confused. She wore shoes, little green and pale tan shoes that went to her knees that she was in the middle of taking off.

"Oh, there ya are Mathiew. Why don'cha come an' hang op' our guest's coats while I get warmed op' some tea?" His mother said to him, then she handed the coats to him as she gestured down the hall to the coat room.

He smiled as she lead them to the parlour and said, "Okay Ma." then went about his task. When he was done he quickly went to his room and changed from his dirty cloths into something a little nicer then he headed to the parlour. He found his father entertaining their guests with the details of his plans to expand his farm, while his mother poured their tea and brought in a plate of biscuits. The older two were sitting together on a sofa (Of red velvet and mahogany wood, an exotic treasure to be sure) while their daughter sat on a small arm chair of similar design.

As he walked in his father paused in his story and nodded at him then asked, "Boy, have I ever introduced you to the Poppy's?"

"Yes." Mathiew replied as he took a seat on the piano bench, "But I didn't know they had a daughter."

"Oh well, introduce yourself daring!" Mrs. Poppy said to the younger girl.

Standing up she smiled, "I'm Annibelle Poppy" then she gave a little curtsy and sat again.

He felt very inadequate with her formality so he got up and bowed saying, "And I am Mathiew Diggle."

Smiling she said, "I know, Mrs. Diggle already said your name." then she gave a little giggle.

"Right, um." Mathiew mumbled as he sat down again on the piano bench. The adults chuckled a bit which made his face flush but his father saved him some embarrassment by continuing his previous conversation.

His father talked much about his plans, with Mr. Poppy also coming in and adding what he though might be wise, and the more he listened the more he felt there was something he was missing in the conversation. Like if they were to share farm supplies and land how would they do so? The Poppy's lived across Hobbiton from them, it would make no sense. Finally as the night was winding down he found his answer.

"So, to-morrow I'll send over my boy to help you move your things, and I'll have the Mrs's finishing cleaning up the spare rooms for you." his father said, and Mr. Poppy nodded.

Surprised Mathiew asked, "They're moving here?"

"I suppose I forgot to tell you, me boy, but yes. They'll be in by to-morrow is the hope." his father told him, "Young Annibelle will be takin the room next to yours and the Poppies will be in the spare on th' other end of the house." Mathiew didn't know what else to say so he just managed an 'oh' for politeness and then his mother spoke.

"Well, if yer ta be workin in th' mornin then ya best be for bed." she told him as she pointed off down the hall to his room.

Nodding Mathiew turned to each in the room and said, "Gnight." before walking off to his room for rest.