Author: Sam

Story: What’s in A... Song?: 5 of ?

Series: none

Song Note: Childhood by Michael Jackson.

Feedback: Yes, please? Especially constructive. samwise_baggins@yahoo.co.uk

Webpage: http://www.oocities.org/samwise_baggins/index.html

The Cavalier grinned in a wolfish manner and strode boldly over to the bench, grinning until Sheila, flushing horribly, slipped to another seat. Hank went in a different direction, sitting next to Presto instead. With a nod, the dark-haired teen stepped onto the bench. Bobby turned his full attention to the now unsmiling older boy, waiting to see what would be dedicated to him.

Eric, surprisingly enough, had a very good singing voice, and his soft tones were hard to hear until someone shut up the rudely commenting Dwarves.

Diana tilted her head and whispered across the table to Hank, "think he's talking about Bobby... or himself?"

Hank nodded and made a thoughtful noise in his throat, not taking his eyes off their exasperating, but surprisingly deep friend.

Bobby's eyes widened at the slow, meaningful ballad. He slipped his arms around Uni, who nuzzled him and looked back up. In fact, the entire group was riveted on Eric's near soulful look as he eerily summed up Bobby's last three years in one song.

The Dwarves let out a cheer of approval, but hurried to quiet down lest they miss more of the interesting ballad.

Diana shook her head, watching Eric with a strange expression in her eyes. Presto frowned at the look, but didn't interrupt, worried about breaking the mood Eric was weaving.

The Ranger turned to glance over at Bobby and noticed his suddenly sad look. It must have been noticed by Uni, as well, for she neighed softly and nuzzled his neck. He pet her mane without looking.

Sheila, still standing far from Hank and Presto, moved over to Bobby and hugged him tight. He glared at her, but when he saw the tears in her eyes, the boy relented and let her cuddle as much as she wished. The red-haired girl turned her face to take in Eric's figure, but still hung onto her little brother.

Moving almost absently, Eric strode down the bench a few steps, but thankfully stopped before he could get into an accident on the narrow wooden plank. He was closer to the siblings, and his voice softened with the last lines of his dedication.

With the last few notes drifting off, Eric hopped from the bench with a clang of armor. Even the Dwarves looked in awe at the Cavalier. "That was... insightful, Eric... where'd you think it up?" Diana still had that odd look in her eyes.

With a soft snort, the raven-haired teen shrugged and gestured to Sheila. "She's always been a Michael Jackson nut, and I saw that one on the juke box. Remembered it as one Sheila was always blaring out her window in the summer."

Bobby wriggled away from his sister, and wiped his face free of her salty tears. "Aw, Sis, quit slobbering on me."

"Myeah..." Uni was quick to agree with anything Bobby demanded, so the redhead didn't take umbrage to the braying comment. Instead she turned to the others and grinned a bit. "Uni needs a song. Who hasn't gone yet?"

Quick to point the finger, Eric whirled on Hank. "It's his turn."