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

piosenniel · 11-26-2002, 10:37 PM

Pio continued her walk about Tol Meneltarma, looking often toward the summit. She approached the side of the mountain where once the path had climbed in a spiral from southern foot to northern lip. But it was no longer to be found. Angara had done a thorough job of crumbling it, and she could see no hand or footholds that she might use to reach the top.

A sudden shadow fell across the sun, and a great voice called to her.

Do you wish to come up?

Shading her eyes against the sun, now revealed as the massive body of the Wyrm flew past it, she watched as Angara dropped swiftly down the mountainside and glided far out across the waters. The Dragon banked in her flight at the outer limit of the bay, turning smoothly to return to the island. She circled the beach a few times and then dropped gracefully down to the warm sands.

Pio’s eyes sparkled as she watched her old friend. How dramatic! You begin to relish your role here, I see.

She ran toward the waiting Dragon, laughing as Angara bowed to her and bade her climb up on her shoulders. She could feel the mighty muscles as the Dragon beat them in a rhythmic pattern, her massive bulk rising easily from the ground. A few short moments and they had reached the summit. Pio climbed down easily and walked a short distance onto the surface of the plateau.

Angara watched her, in an indulgent manner, settling down on a ledge on the lip of the rim. It was silent, as it had always been, though now the faint sound of the waves as they rushed in upon the shore far below could at times be heard. Still, there were no birds which dared come here, as it had been so since the beginnings of Númenor. It was a place for quiet thoughts and for the remembrance of the graciousness of Eru Ilúvatar.

The Elf turned toward the West, offering a prayer that all might go well here now. That Light be ever present, and the Music weave its harmonies throughout. That Shadow and discord be held back until the Doom of those who now lived here called them into service against the darkness.

Look! cried Angara in her thoughts. They have come to witness what you ask.

It seemed as if the shapes of three great birds wheeled about the sky above her, then falling swiftly, disappeared beneath the western rim of the plateau. She bowed her head as they passed, sending a simple ‘thank-you’ to follow in their wake.

The two old friends sat in companionable silence for a while, letting the sun’s heat ward off the chill of the occasional breeze. Angara’s question broke their easy silence.

Why have you come, Elf?

To say fare well to you, Old One. We will not meet again within the circles of this world.

That is so, Piosenniel. And yet it brings me no measure of sadness that we part. We have come through together what was put before us, and now are we called to go forward to new paths and different tasks. We have done well, Elf. And it seems to me as if we will do so again.

Still, I would see you well and happy in your life here if I could. Pio smiled. Though I think that I will have enough in this new life to keep me well content – as will you. She looked up at Angara’s whirling, golden eyes, her own eyes glimmering. Let us agree to think of each other fondly when life goes well for us, and when it does not, call on the strength of our remembered friendship to pull us through.

So be it, Elf! The Dragon bowed her head to her. Come! Let me take you below now. It grows cold, and I would not have you chilled.

They dropped swiftly below the mountain’s rim, down to the beach once more. A swarm of Hobbrim children came rushing up to Angara, pleading for her to play just one game with them. Pio waved her off toward the clamoring little ones, and watched her as she played a game of hide and seek with them. The dragon pretending she could not find them, and the children pretending they could not see her when she tried to hide.

‘Someday I will play that game with my children, and I will remember fondly how Angara played it with hers.’

She waved farewell to the Dragon, but it went unseen in the busyness of the game. Pio turned from that pleasant scene, and went seeking Cami.

[ November 27, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

11-26-2002, 10:37 PM	#438
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Pio continued her walk about Tol Meneltarma, looking often toward the summit. She approached the side of the mountain where once the path had climbed in a spiral from southern foot to northern lip. But it was no longer to be found. Angara had done a thorough job of crumbling it, and she could see no hand or footholds that she might use to reach the top. A sudden shadow fell across the sun, and a great voice called to her. Do you wish to come up? Shading her eyes against the sun, now revealed as the massive body of the Wyrm flew past it, she watched as Angara dropped swiftly down the mountainside and glided far out across the waters. The Dragon banked in her flight at the outer limit of the bay, turning smoothly to return to the island. She circled the beach a few times and then dropped gracefully down to the warm sands. Pio’s eyes sparkled as she watched her old friend. How dramatic! You begin to relish your role here, I see. She ran toward the waiting Dragon, laughing as Angara bowed to her and bade her climb up on her shoulders. She could feel the mighty muscles as the Dragon beat them in a rhythmic pattern, her massive bulk rising easily from the ground. A few short moments and they had reached the summit. Pio climbed down easily and walked a short distance onto the surface of the plateau. Angara watched her, in an indulgent manner, settling down on a ledge on the lip of the rim. It was silent, as it had always been, though now the faint sound of the waves as they rushed in upon the shore far below could at times be heard. Still, there were no birds which dared come here, as it had been so since the beginnings of Númenor. It was a place for quiet thoughts and for the remembrance of the graciousness of Eru Ilúvatar. The Elf turned toward the West, offering a prayer that all might go well here now. That Light be ever present, and the Music weave its harmonies throughout. That Shadow and discord be held back until the Doom of those who now lived here called them into service against the darkness. Look! cried Angara in her thoughts. They have come to witness what you ask. It seemed as if the shapes of three great birds wheeled about the sky above her, then falling swiftly, disappeared beneath the western rim of the plateau. She bowed her head as they passed, sending a simple ‘thank-you’ to follow in their wake. The two old friends sat in companionable silence for a while, letting the sun’s heat ward off the chill of the occasional breeze. Angara’s question broke their easy silence. Why have you come, Elf? To say fare well to you, Old One. We will not meet again within the circles of this world. That is so, Piosenniel. And yet it brings me no measure of sadness that we part. We have come through together what was put before us, and now are we called to go forward to new paths and different tasks. We have done well, Elf. And it seems to me as if we will do so again. Still, I would see you well and happy in your life here if I could. Pio smiled. Though I think that I will have enough in this new life to keep me well content – as will you. She looked up at Angara’s whirling, golden eyes, her own eyes glimmering. Let us agree to think of each other fondly when life goes well for us, and when it does not, call on the strength of our remembered friendship to pull us through. So be it, Elf! The Dragon bowed her head to her. Come! Let me take you below now. It grows cold, and I would not have you chilled. They dropped swiftly below the mountain’s rim, down to the beach once more. A swarm of Hobbrim children came rushing up to Angara, pleading for her to play just one game with them. Pio waved her off toward the clamoring little ones, and watched her as she played a game of hide and seek with them. The dragon pretending she could not find them, and the children pretending they could not see her when she tried to hide. ‘Someday I will play that game with my children, and I will remember fondly how Angara played it with hers.’ She waved farewell to the Dragon, but it went unseen in the busyness of the game. Pio turned from that pleasant scene, and went seeking Cami. [ November 27, 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.