They looked at the bark glasses and Friend Nudged Little One - You go first, ladies first.

Uhuh Said Little One- you're just chicken.

Oh really? Well what do you think of this - said Friend and grabbing a glass he proceeded to empty its contents in a number of very loud gulps.Satisfied that he had proven his point he sat back smuggly and said - Now its your turn Little One. I apologise for being rude but I had to as you insisted you know....

Little one looked at Friend and satisfied that he wasnt dead picked up a glass. She eyed the swirling glowing mixture with some dread but taking a sip found it to be delicious.

Oh how wounderful Mrs Monroe! she exclamed this tastes just like my grandmothers strawberry pie she only makes on my birthday.

Yes Said Mrs Monroe - she is a very good friend of mine and we often swap recipies - I modified her strawberry pie to make the weeping willow margie drink. I am glad you think it is just as good. She said beaming.

Anyway we should be off said Friend and with that he took Little Ones hand and lead her to the door.

Safe journey said Mr Monroe, and be careful mind.

We will said Little One, what could possibly go wrong...?

As Mr and Mrs Monroe watched them walk down the street and turn the corner Mr Monroe hugged Mrs Monroe as he said. They are so young, do you think it was right of us to give them such a big burden to carry? They dont know how important it is that they suceed. Oh, I need another nicotine patch! - and then he sighed.

Dont worry said Mrs Monroe, what is done is done - there is no point in regretting the past, just hope for the best in the future thats all you can do. Do you remember before you lost all that weight and you got stuck in the Burrow between the well and Mr and Mrs Ladybirths home? What did I say to you then to help you calm down?

You said that I would have to find my happy place he sighed. But that is besides the point he protested!

No its not she repremanded. The point is when you calm down you see things more clearly and if you did that now you'd see that Little One and Friend are more than capable of doing what they set out to not because they are experienced or know where they are going but because they have the will power to succeed just like you finally accepted that you would be stuck in there for a day or two till you stomach got smaller again.

As Little One and Friend walked determinedly down the road and rounded the corner. They bumped into an old friend called Melrose, mad as a hat but still a by all acounts a very good friend indeed.

Melrose! Said Friend we are in a great hurry but we cant tell you why because its very important that we dont.

Don't be mean Said Little One looking at Friend sternly!

What? asked Friend - I am only trying to protect our mission to save the rivers, the flowers and the birds. and immediately after he had said that he realized that now their mission was really no secret at all so it wouldnt harm them or their mission for Melrose to know the entire story.
Once he reached that conclusion he saw Little one was looking at him with a very befuddled expression on her face indeed.

What? He asked again? this time a little redder. Ok, he said tell Melrose everything and maybe he can join us? How does that sound Little One?

To which she immediately agreed. Melrose - she said we could use someone like you most definitely but we will have to watch the weeping willow potion. As there is only so much we have on us and it has to last the entire mission to keep the rivers flowing the rain falling, the flowers in bloom and the trees bearing fruit.

dumdumddedum....and the adventures of Little One and Friend will continue at an indefinite date.When I am feeling silly again so you probably wont have to wait that long.