[Mithadan]

All about him, the Hobbits were breaking camp and gathering their things into packs and sacks. The Elves stood nearby watching patiently. As was their wont, they had travelled lightly, unencumbered by things so that they could move quickly and quietly through lands outside their own country.

Mithadan looked over to where Cami stood with Rose and Piosenniel yet again reviewing a map. He smiled at the care and caution which the Elf was taking with giving direction to her friends -- it was so very unlike the impetuousness which had marked her behavior. Then he grew grave, understanding that this was the only way Piosenniel could place the Hobbits under some semblence of her protection as they journeyed on their own.

He rose and walked over to the small group, and waited patiently until the conversation ended and the map was stowed in its container. Then he addressed the Hobbits. "Rose, Cami," he said. "I have some things which I would like to give to you." He reached into his pouch and withdrew a brass box which he held before Cami. "This was given to me by my first shipmaster after I apprenticed myself as a mariner rather than living the lazy life of the son of a noble." Cami opened the hinged box and withdrew a cloth which contained a small piece of wood in which was set a dark grey sliver of stone. She looked at it curiously for the stone was not fair and did not seem valuable.

He smiled and took the box from her hands. The bottom half of the box he filled with water. Then he took the piece of wood and carefully set it floating on the water with the stone facing up. "See," he said. "See how the stone turns on its little raft? If you place the box on a flat surface and float the stone upon its water, it will turn and the end of the stone which is painted red will ever face the north. If ever as you wander you become uncertain of your direction, you may use this to find your way."

Cami looked at the gift in wonder. "Is it magic?" she asked. "Nay," answered the Man. "If it is magic, it is only such magic as the Valar have imparted to the stuff of Arda itself. Yet, in its own way it is valuable, for Northstone is not easily found or identified." He emptied the box and dried it carefully before returning the stone to its place. He handed the box to Cami and then turned to Rose.

He reached back into his pouch and withdrew a fine gold chain. On it was hung a shell. "While on Tol Meneltarma, I found this shell," he said. "It is the match to the one which hangs upon my throat. In this way, you may look upon it and remember both me as well as Meneltarma and your cousins who dwell there." He handed the chain to Rose, who examined the shell, then placed the chain upon her neck.

They stood wordless for a moment, then looked up at Mithadan, who knelt on one knee and took each of them in his arms. He kissed their brows and held them close for a moment. "I will miss you both," he whispered. Then he stood. "May the Valar guide your feet and protect you from harm..."

[ December 30, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]