The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

piosenniel · 11-26-2002, 04:17 PM

The sun was just barely peeking over the eastern rim of the sea, when she nudged his shoulder, saying, ‘Mithadan! Wake up!’ The inviting odor of sweet tea mingled with that of the fresh smell of the sea breeze as it blew softly through the open porthole. He sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and yawning.

Beside him sat Pio, a tray on her crossed legs. She was pouring him a mug of tea and offered him a small plate of fruits and bread, spread thick with honey, and a hard-boiled seabird egg. He smiled at her and sipped the hot tea. ‘Why are you up so early?’ he asked, reaching for a slice of bread.

She pulled a map off the small table beside the bed, holding it up for him to see. ‘We need to start thinking about sending some of the Telerin ships back and about getting the Hobbits to the Third Age Anduin. It is Cami’s wish that we leave soon. By tomorrow if possible.’ He leaned forward, licking the honey from his fingers, and took the map from her.

‘I was looking at this last night,’ she continued, ‘as you were sleeping. We are approximately here.’ Her finger pointed to an empty place in the western portion of the Bent Seas and traced a route east toward the entrance to the mouths of the Anduin. ‘Once we enter the river, we can go up as far as Rauros Falls, and then the Hobbits will have to go from there by foot.’

‘We will need only fifteen ships to transport the Hobbits.’ he said, doing a quick mental calculation. ‘There will be you and I and Bird. Cami and the Hobbits. Kali to take back the time crystal. Khelek and Veritas. Have I missed anyone?’

‘Levanto!’ she laughed. ‘And I know Daisy will want to come also. Khelek and Veritas will not return with us.’ He frowned at her, saying, ‘Surely they are not thinking of staying on Meneltarma.’ ‘No, I have spoken with Idril,’ said Pio, ‘and she has agreed to take them with her into the West. They have grown weary of this world, and wish to return over the Seas.’

‘I am going now to speak with the Teleri,’ she continued, ‘to make the final arrangements for the ships. Tuor’s ship and the six others which will return with him will leave the same morning as do we. Will you see to the Lonely Star, that she is made ready for the voyage? Cami will make arrangements with the Hobbits.’ She paused for a moment, thinking. ‘Perhaps she should also make arrangements for Kali and Daisy. I am thinking there will be some sort of problem with them being unsupervised when they sail back in the skiff. Some Hobbit custom as I recall.’

She stood, and gave him a fond kiss on the cheek before she left. ‘I will see you later, for lunch perhaps. Let me get these details straightened out and you yours.’

[ November 26, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

11-26-2002, 04:17 PM	#436
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	The sun was just barely peeking over the eastern rim of the sea, when she nudged his shoulder, saying, ‘Mithadan! Wake up!’ The inviting odor of sweet tea mingled with that of the fresh smell of the sea breeze as it blew softly through the open porthole. He sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and yawning. Beside him sat Pio, a tray on her crossed legs. She was pouring him a mug of tea and offered him a small plate of fruits and bread, spread thick with honey, and a hard-boiled seabird egg. He smiled at her and sipped the hot tea. ‘Why are you up so early?’ he asked, reaching for a slice of bread. She pulled a map off the small table beside the bed, holding it up for him to see. ‘We need to start thinking about sending some of the Telerin ships back and about getting the Hobbits to the Third Age Anduin. It is Cami’s wish that we leave soon. By tomorrow if possible.’ He leaned forward, licking the honey from his fingers, and took the map from her. ‘I was looking at this last night,’ she continued, ‘as you were sleeping. We are approximately here.’ Her finger pointed to an empty place in the western portion of the Bent Seas and traced a route east toward the entrance to the mouths of the Anduin. ‘Once we enter the river, we can go up as far as Rauros Falls, and then the Hobbits will have to go from there by foot.’ ‘We will need only fifteen ships to transport the Hobbits.’ he said, doing a quick mental calculation. ‘There will be you and I and Bird. Cami and the Hobbits. Kali to take back the time crystal. Khelek and Veritas. Have I missed anyone?’ ‘Levanto!’ she laughed. ‘And I know Daisy will want to come also. Khelek and Veritas will not return with us.’ He frowned at her, saying, ‘Surely they are not thinking of staying on Meneltarma.’ ‘No, I have spoken with Idril,’ said Pio, ‘and she has agreed to take them with her into the West. They have grown weary of this world, and wish to return over the Seas.’ ‘I am going now to speak with the Teleri,’ she continued, ‘to make the final arrangements for the ships. Tuor’s ship and the six others which will return with him will leave the same morning as do we. Will you see to the Lonely Star, that she is made ready for the voyage? Cami will make arrangements with the Hobbits.’ She paused for a moment, thinking. ‘Perhaps she should also make arrangements for Kali and Daisy. I am thinking there will be some sort of problem with them being unsupervised when they sail back in the skiff. Some Hobbit custom as I recall.’ She stood, and gave him a fond kiss on the cheek before she left. ‘I will see you later, for lunch perhaps. Let me get these details straightened out and you yours.’ [ November 26, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.