The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

[mark12_30]

Cami looked up with a startled smile as Gamba walked a straight line towards her. With Maura in his arms, and Roka, Asta, and Ban following, he walked up to her, and held her eyes.

"Hello, Gamba, " she whispered.

He put Maura down, and reached for Asta, and picked him up, and handed him to Cami. Her eyebrows went up, and she accepted the boy. Rose watched.

Next, Gamba took Ban's hand, and drew him towards Rose. Grateful, she gathered the boy close to her, and he snuggled into her skirts, looking up at Cami and then over at the group on the shore.

Gamba pulled Roka between Cami and Rose, and then bent back down, and picked Maura up again. But he stood so close to Cami that Maura reached up and grabbed a lock of her hair. Gamba absently caught Maura's wrist so that he could not pull her hair, and then his attention wandered and he stood like that. Cami smiled, waiting. Gamba forgot all about the boy, and the imprisoned lock of hair.

Finally Asta reached over and tried to help, hauling on the lock of hair. Cami winced, and indeed the wrench came soon after, as Asta successfully freed the lock.

"I'm sorry!" Gamba whispered, jolting back to reality as he heard her gasp. To his horror, she was crying. He reached up to wipe away her copious tears.

But they had started long before Asta had pulled her hair. She freed one arm, and wrapped it around Gamba, who drew still closer to her. She kissed his curly head, and he smiled at her, nervous and embarassed, but glad to be near her and Rose. Rose put a hand on his shoulder, and he nervously smiled at her too.

They turned back to watch the shore.

[ November 16, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[piosenniel]

The calling of the names was now done, and Ancalimon rolled up the scroll, placing it securely in the belt at his waist. He walked among those who had chosen to become Hobbrim, murmuring assurances and congratulations to many as he passed. Then going to the group of Hobbits who had chosen to migrate into Middle-earth, he bade them now step back from the beach and onto the grassy rise which ran along its sandy, rear boundary.

A great hush fell over the assembly as Man, Elf, Hobbits, and Hobbrim looked to the West. Those on the beach felt themselves drawn to the very edge of the sea-strand. The frothy tide lapped at their feet and inched up their ankles. As all watched, a great, black cloud formed on the horizon of the now darkening sea. The air grew cold as if a storm would soon pass in toward them.

There were murmurings and stirrings among those gathered on the grassy rise. Some there were who were sore affrighted at these events and sought to rush out toward the sea to bring back their loved ones. But Ancalimon held them back, saying, ‘Look to the faces of those who stand in the outreaching arms of the sea. They yearn for what comes. It burns brightly in their hearts, and they are not afraid. Stand back, and let this pass to them.’

Then did all those gathered look toward the place where the sun had been, that was now hidden like a smoky flame behind the menacing sky. And it seemed to them that a great, dark wave rose on the horizon of the waters and rolled toward them.

Wonder held them in their places as mists and shadows played about the wave as it drew near. Then it crested, and curled, and broke, rushing forward in long arms of foam and froth to rise up round the waists of the Chosen Hobbits.

And where it had broken, there now stood tall against the clearing sky a great figure of shifting light and majesty.

All who stood there, bowed in reverence to him, for he seemed a mighty king. The long dark tresses of his hair glimmered with sea foam as they cascaded down his mighty back. Upon his head was set a crown of silver, and about him draped a long grey cloak that clung to him like a soft mist.

He threw open his cloak and beneath it was a gleaming coat, well fitted round his torso as the silvered mail of a giant fish. And below that hung a shimmering kirtle, girt with ropes of pearls, in deep greens that flashed and flickered with an inner fire as he strode toward the shore.

Thus it was that Ulmo, The Dweller of the Deep, The Lord of Waters, stood, knee deep in the waves and beheld those who had chosen to be counted among his creatures. He smiled at them, then, like the sun breaking through a clouded sky to light up the waves beneath it. And in his gleaming eyes they beheld the depths of the deepest seas

‘Arise!’ he called to them, in a voice so deep it seemed to issue from the very foundations of the firmament. ‘Fear me not. For thou art my people now, and thou will I cradle dear in my arms, until thy doom calls thee to its fulfillment.’

Then did he reach out his mighty arms to them, and as one they strode out into the surf, heedless of the rising waters. To his lips he raised a great Conch, blowing a single, deep resounding note upon it, and moved his arm in a great circle before him, stirring the waters of the world to his purpose.

There arose before him a great swelling of the sea, a mighty wave, rising up in glassy greens and shot with the fires of an inner light. Its spume caught the sun’s light, and dazzled the eyes of those who stood on the land so that their sight was taken from them for a moment.

Then did it break over those who rushed toward it. They were engulfed by the power of it, and vanished utterly as it pulled all under and flowed over them.

[ November 15, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami knelt down on the sandy ridge, with the ringing of the sea sound in her ears. The pulse and flow of water raced through her body, like a river rushing forward from an underground fount. Many things that had been hidden now seemed clear, as the Lady of her dreams stood before her again, with swirling snowflakes on her skirt. Then, Cami saw a single tear falling from Nienna's eyes, a gift more precious than any jewel. Too soon, the scene shimmered and faded away.

Each in that assembly saw a different thing when the great wave rose. Many feared for their kin and their friends, as they cried out for succor and relief. Some spied the wave but were not afraid, because they sensed its goodness. But a few heard quiet stirrings within their own hearts.

Gamba was one of these. In a split instant, he knew his brother stood nearby. Phura sang more beautfully than he'd ever done. The boy yearned to turn and hug him, only he wasn't really there. As grief and joy flooded together, Gamba's tears spilled down. Then Cami went over and slipped her arm around his shoulder. They stood like that a long time, both gazing towards the Sea.

[ November 18, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

The long arms of the wave came rushing up toward the grassy rise, inundating completely the now empty beach. Fingers of foam reached forward to wet the toes of the waiting friends and families and then receded quickly. Ulmo stood still in the moving waves, as they rushed past his mighty thews to return to the greater sea.

One by one, curly haired tops of heads popped up through the retreating waters, and familiar faces surfaced, eyes blinking in the now bright sunlight. A great intake of breath was heard as those waiting on the grass saw their loved ones reappear from beneath the receding waves.

Then did Ulmo speak once more. ‘Angara, Ancient of Worms! Thee I name Protector in my stead, here on this fair Isle. Thou wilt nurture and preserve my creatures until another Age calls them to fulfill their weird. Come, I bid thee escort thy charges to their new home.’

Angara came down among the new changed Hobbrim and stood with them as they bowed as one to Ulmo. She, too, bowed her head in acknowledgement of the Vala’s gracious gift, both to herself and to the destiny of Middle-earth. They watched as Ulmo gathered his cloak of mists about his mighty form, and then turning from them, strode quickly out toward the deeps of the sea.

It seemed, even as he did so, that it was not he but the waters which diminished before him. For he did not sink beneath them, but moved through them with their waves lapping ever at his knees. And having come at last to the joining of sky and water, he turned and placed the great Conch once more to his lips and blew a single, clear note that fell upon the waves like silvered fire and brought a rush of hope and light into the hearts of all those who heard it.

Then in an instant was he gone from their sight, a bank of glimmering mist soon disappearing in the sun’s light.

The mesmeric moment passed, and soon the two groups were calling loudly to one another as they ran to greet and embrace their loved ones.

[ November 17, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[mark12_30]

"You're so beautiful."

He was lost in her eyes. Azraph wondered whether she was blushing. Could a Hobbrim blush? She didn't know.

Beside Phura, Kesha bobbed, and splashed with his newly webbed hands. Loremaster splashed him back. Kesha dove at Loremaster, and the two of them began splashing, wrestling and dunking each other, Loremaster letting Kesha win more often than not.

Phura was still staring at Azraph, completely overwhelmed. Azraph smiled, and drew closer to Phura. She studied his face, changed, and yet not changed. She smiled wider, and soon laughter bubbled up inside her. Mischief sparkled in her eyes, and suddenly, she leaped towards him, diving into the water at his side.

It took him a moment to snap into motion, and then he followed her. She swam beneath the water, holding her breath, and he swam beside her; she came up for breath and he followed her to the surface, and their eyes met. She dove again, heading for deeper water.

They came up for breath regularly, laughing, looking out over the deeper water. But suddenly as they surfaced, Kali appeared beside them.

"Reach for the water, not for the air, " he told them.

"How?" Phura asked.

"Wait, " Kali said and swam back towards the shore.

Azraph shrugged, and began swimming circles around Phura. He watched her, twisting in place as best he could. Before long he was rather good at it.

Suddenly Kali reappeared, and beside him swam someone that looked familiar.

"Daisy?"

"Hello!"

"I'm so glad you came, " Azraph said.

Kali smiled, and then said, "Come on. The three of you. Follow me under."

They dove. And Kali led them deeper, and deeper, and deeper, plunging beneath the sun-shot water. Purely from habit, Phura's mind was crying out, Surface, surface, you're going to need air. But his lungs were fine; his head was clear; and Kali only led them deeper.

Azraph met his eyes, and she laughed underwater. All the air in her lungs escaped, and the bubbles rose; and still she followed Kali down.

Phura laughed, and Daisy too, and still they dove. Schools of fish flashed by, and nearby dolphins clicked and whistled, and still they dove.

Finally, Kali slowed his descent, and met their eyes, waiting. Hovering in the emerald murk with a faint glow above, they gazed around. The ocean floor was not far beneath them, and from where he was, Phura could see coral, shells, plants, and starfish.

They each picked up something interesting from the floor, and passed it around. And then they remembered their relatives and friends, and together they turned around and headed back towards the beach, carrying their discoveries.

Gamba had waded knee deep into the water, and was waiting for his brother. Phura and Azraph approached him, and as they came to waist-deep water, their hands met. It took them a moment to readjust their grip to their newly webed fingers. But they walked towards Gamba, wondering what he would think.

Gamba grinned. "Has Kali called you Cousin yet? You look it, " he laughed, and reached for his brother. "Are you cold?"

"I don't know, " Phura said, "Am I?"

"Clammy!" said Gamba, touching his brother's arm. "Gee, it's kinda leathery, too, " he poked and prodded.

"Well I won't hug you then, " Phura chuckled, but no sooner had he said it than Gamba bear-hugged him ferociously.

Loremaster and Kesha came to joint hem, and they walked up on shore. The four hobbit-boys clustered around Kesha, poking and prodding him, and then they explored Phura's face and Azraph's hands. Ban cried, and Phura could not comfort him; Gamba had to.

"I suppose you'll be joining the hobbrim for dinner, and all that, " Gamba said wistfully.

Phura saddened, a little, and then said, "Where will you be?"

"He'll spend the night with us, " Cami replied, approaching. "On The Lonely Star. That is, unless he wants to sleep out here in the trees."

Gamba turned towards her, momentarily bewidlered by the choice. With Nitir and Azra on the ship? Or out under the beautiful, haunting, friendly, welcoming trees? But then he remembered that there were elves on board the ship too, and that tipped the balance. "All right. The ship."

"Well, if you're not here by midmorning again, I'll swim out and find you. All right?"

Suddenly Gamba realised that for the first time in his entire life, he and his brother were not going to be in the same place for the entire night. "All right. I'll see you then, " he whispered.

---------------------------------------------

Child's post

As Cami walked smiling over the beach, she was astonished at the number of hobbrim grinning back at her. She'd gotten used to Kali, and then to Andril's hidden enclave on the shores of Numenor that numbered about thirty-five. But this was hundreds and hundreds of hobbrim, all cavorting and scampering about on the rocks, in the water, and through the sands. It was an amazing sight.

Most of the hobbits ran over to greet their friends and kin who'd now taken on this different guise. They were intently curious, poking and prodding their cousins to see exactly what this new form was like. Souvenirs of seashells and shining rocks were brought ashore in large numbers as gifts to waiting hobbit hands. Cami stuffed her pockets and her belt until she could carry no more. Even the more fearful of the hobbits were brave enough to come closer and get a good look at the hobbrim.

Cami darted about the shoreline here and there, hoping she could store enough memories in her head so the pictures would survive her next trip through the veil of time. What a long way she'd come from that mysterious note in the margin of Bilbo's book referring to a lost sea-hobbit! Now the whole isle was filled with the ringing laughter of hobbrim voices.

Before returning to the ship with Gamba and the boy that evening, Cami stopped for an instant to gaze towards the West, a smile on her face. Bilbo, good teacher, I don't know if you're there, or if word of this will ever reach you. But, if so, I hope you will look on this scene and be pleased, and remember the little girl next door whom you befriended. Your book has opened a door for our people. Thank you. Truly, thank you.

[ November 18, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]


Cami showed Gamba her quarters. He looked around, wide-eyed, and circled the room twice, asking questions, looking at things, picking them up and putting them down. Colorful things fascinated him almost as much as they did the little children; sometimes more.

Then he yawned, and wearily sat crosslegged on the floor, and little Maura climbed into his arms. Cami watched, hungry to be holding the toddler, knowing better than to come between the two. Maura settled comfortably down, and waited. Gamba sighed.

"Why don't you sing?" Roka asked him, coming over to sit down.

"I was waiting for you, and for Asta, and Ban, " Gamba said. They came, and joined him. He sighed. "I miss Kesha, " he said, and they nodded. "And Phura too, " added Roka, and Gamba bit back sudden tears.

"Now why don't you sing?" Asta prompted, and Cami was tempted to shush him, watching Gamba struggle. But he took a deep breath, and said, "I need you two to help me, all right? You, Asta, and you too, Roka."

They nodded, very seriously.

Gazing into little Maura's eyes, Gamba softly and sweetly began as if he was singing a simple, little lullaby. The boys joined in. But the song was no lullaby, not simple, not brief. It went on and on.

Loremaster bold, our Maura wise
Together staunchly held the tribes
In the northward marching columns;
Kind he was, stalwart and strong.

With grieving eyes and healing hand
he led his people cross the land
to Ladros, and our wounds he bound,
our tears he dried, and hope he found.

And caring hearts and hands were felt
In ruin bleak, where children dwelt;
With Nitir's strength, and Azra's cheer
Raising hope, dismissing fear.

With caring eyes and guiding hand
He settled us into that land
to till and watch the roots go deep
til autumn brought a harvest sweet.

With sparkling eyes and passionate hand
He told us stories of that land,
Its past, its people; now our lives
Reflect their struggles in our time.

Through storm, hunger and snowstorm bleak
Our hope failed not nor did grow weak.
Til winter fell; at midnight came
The order dark to march again.

He gathered then the wise counsel
And they this march prepared full well.
We gained, as one, Dorthonion's peak;
We lost nor aged nor the weak.

With shining eyes and steady hand
He led his people cross the land,
Fear cast aside, fell weapons hid
That victory gave to freedom's bid.

Our strength flourish'd in courage keen.
We tilled the lush hillsides and green,
While round us surged the raging main;
Dorthonion's slopes our home became.

Alone we dwell now on this shore,
Ancient homes drown'd forevermore;
Memories alone of them we save,
Beleriand sunk beneath the wave.

Bold Maura sleeps beneath these hills
And hearts he had with courage filled;
Beloved he lies beneath our land,
With closed eye and resting hand.

Beyond the circles of the world
In unknown realms his spirit dwells,
Holds love in those eternal lands
With joyful eye and gentle hand.


The song finished. Little Maura was sound asleep, and Asta, Roka, and Ban were yawning, and even Gamba was beginning to nod during the final verse. In a single, practiced motion, Gamba carefully shifted Maura close to his chest and lay down on the hard wooden deck while Roka, Asta, and Ban snuggled around him, and the five of them were sound asleep in seconds.

With the last verse of the song echoing in her heart, Cami got up, one by one kissed her fingertips and softly touched each of the five boys' curls; and then brought a blanket, and gently spread it over the five of them. Rose came in as she did so, and whispered, "Why aren't they in a bed?"

"Tomorrow. They'll be all right for one night."

"I was looking forward to rocking a toddler, " Rose pouted.

"So was I, " murmured Cami. "So was I."

[ November 18, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[piosenniel]

Pio watched as the festive group of Hobbits and Hobbrim celebrated having come through another trial. Daisy had run to her, wet from the embrace of the sea, her curls dancing with flowers of foam. She was happy, and a steady light burnt now in her eyes. Pio had rejoiced with her, and hugged her fiercely; then, smiling, sent her back to seek out Kali.

The Elf stood back on the rise, removed from the reveling group. She watched as Cami and Rose moved among the Hobbits and Hobbrim, belonging among them. Angara had found a spot on the sandy beach, and now had Hobbrim children swarming over her in playful abandon. Bird had waded out into the waves to speak with Kali and Levanto. Mithadan stood with Ancalimon greeting and speaking with those who approached them. He was happy and relaxed and laughed readily at the comments Ancalimon made to him.

Her own face bore a reserved countenance, her eyes a growing sadness. Soon, too soon, would this all be ended. She turned from the sights before her, and made her way south to where Tuor’s ship lay at anchor. A short ride in one of the skiffs brought her there, and she called out to Idril.

Idril! It is Piosenniel. Let me come on board. I must speak with you.

********************************************

‘Always interesting is it not when one of the Valar show themselves this side of Aman.’ It was a statement, not really meant as a question. Small talk by Idril as she watched Pio collect her thoughts.

It was late afternoon, heading rapidly toward evening as the two women sat watching the sun descend toward the rim of the sea. Idril had asked one of the Teleri to go to the Star to let Mithadan know where Pio was, and that she would return when they had finished talking. Though by the indecisive look on Pio’s face, she thought that might be late into the night.

Idril sat back in her chair prepared to wait out the silence, then thought better of it and decided to simply ask what the pressing problem was that bothered her so.

Pio, you asked to speak with me. I can tell you are unsettled over something. Tell me, what troubles you, and how might I help.

Pio sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. ‘I think I have made the wrong decision,’ she said staring out toward the darkening waters of the bay. ‘And I am so far into it, I cannot see my way clear of it.’

[ November 17, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Idril frowned at the oft recalcitrant Elf, and wondered if this were just another case of resistance to the common standards of behavior come into play. She could sense no hint of stubborn defiance in her attitude this time, though, only a sort of overwhelming sadness.

She drew her chair near Pio, and looked out over the water toward the western sky. The stars had begun to come out, and the moon had risen just enough to catch the curl of the waves with a silvered glow.

‘Let us start from the beginning, Pio. Exactly what do you mean by “wrong decision”?’

Pio laughed ruefully. ‘I should have said “series of wrong decisions”. Starting with my agreeing to return to help on this mission and ending with the ridiculous predicament I find myself in at present – that I am for all intents and purposes wedded to a Man. I would laugh save for the fact that the thought of the sorrow I will cause him brings me near to tears.’

She looked down at her hands, murmuring softly. ‘I should never have allowed him to kiss me. Nor should I have kissed him back. It was ill considered on my part.’

Pio looked back toward the starry darkness, unseeing. ‘I cannot be what he needs. We are nothing alike. There will always be friction between us at some level, and my actions will cause him sorrow again and again. What sort of life will that be for him?’

‘That is an exceedingly morose line of thought.’ Idril frowned, unseen in the darkness. ‘And what exactly did you mean when you said you “cannot see your way clear of it”?’

‘I was considering making a clean break of it . . . running, if you will. Though I do not know where I might go. My friends are all leaving and the West is closed to me. I could stay here with Angara, I suppose, but endless Ages of “I told you so.” do not appeal to me. And, anyway, I am afraid I would be as redundant here as anywhere.’ She yawned, and rubbed her eyes. ‘I am tired; I should go back and get some sleep.’

Idril shook her head in the darkness and called for some food and drink to be brought. ‘Stay here for the night, Pio. We can talk more in the morning. I need to consider what you have said, before I respond to it.’

She watched as the Elf ate some fruit and bread then led her to her cabin and bade her lie down. When she was satisfied that she was sleeping, she rose from her side and stepped into the galley.

Idril grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen and wrote a quick note to Cami and Bird, detailing what Pio had told her. She ended with a plea for them to come talk some sense into their friend. As she bluntly put it:

‘There will be no party and no exchange of rings if the Elf bolts.’

She called for one of the Teleri to deliver it this night to the Star. Then she sat in her chair on the deck and considered what she might say tomorrow.

[ November 18, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami's jaw dropped as she stared at the letter in front of her. It seemed to be genuine enough. It was written in exquisitely tiny runes, with Idril's signature appended at the end.

She'd had one hint the day before that something might be wrong. She'd asked Piosenniel something about the public celebration they'd planned to honor her nuptials. The Elf had turned away grumbling there might not be enough time to do that and still get everything else wrapped up. Time indeed! This sounded more like a case of extremely cold feet.

Cami didn't know what to think about this letter. A small piece of her felt some sympathy for Pio and her uncertainties. But the greater part wanted to go in and shake the Elf until her teeth rattled.

Cami found this whole idea hard to fathom. In the last day, she'd turned down a marriage proposal and decided that she might be eternally bound to a man she could not even be with. Now her friend had the audacity to complain that she would just as soon not go through with the public affirmation, and indeed was sorry she'd ever returned to the Star, or met the Man. And, as far as the children went, the little ones were not even mentioned. The hobbit could forgive many things, but not this. She began to boil over with anger.

Cami glanced over at Gamba who was finally asleep, curled up with the children by his side. Even Rose was no longer awake. Cami hated to leave them after all that had happened that day, but she saw no choice. She scribbled out a note that they should not worry in case she did not return by the morning.

Throwing her cloak over her shoulders, she began her search for Bird all up and down the ship. Bird, however, was nowhere to be found. One time she saw Mithadan pacing back and forth in the corridor. Cami went and hid in a nearby closet until the Man disappeared. He was the last person she wanted to see at this moment.

She left a message tacked up on Bird's cabin door in case the shapechanger returned. A frantic search for Angara turned up nothing, until she remembered that the wyrm was spending the night on the isle as the new guardian of Meneltarma. There was nothing left to do but to crank down the small row boat.

With fierce determination, she rowed the short distance over to the Elven ship which was sitting in shallow waters just a little towards the east. She climbed the side ladder up onto the deck, and immediately marched to Idril's cabin, banging loudly on the door.

[ November 18, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Idril had returned from the galley, and was seated quietly at her desk when she heard the insistent knockicg on the door. She quickly went to answer it. Seeing Cami, Idril nodded to the sleeping form, and asked the hobbit to be less noisy so Piosenniel would be able to sleep.

Cami glared at Idril, "Sleep? You want her to sleep? After I get done with her, she won't sleep for the next ten years. You'd better get her up right away!"

Part of Cami could not believe she was talking this way to Idril about another Elf. She'd always been taught to treat Elves with respect and courtesy. But right now she was too angry to think very much.

Idril smiled and indicated to the hobbit that she should sit down. "Cami, calm down."

The hobbit stood up and glared back, "If you want me to tell her politely that I understand her concerns, then you'd better get someone else. Because frankly I don't understand them at all."

"Cami, you can say anything you want to Piosenniel, but you will listen first to two things I have to say. First, I know Pio. When someone screams at her, it's like putting a red flag in front of a very angry bull. She won't hear a word you're saying. She'll only get angry in return. Say what you must, but if you want her to listen, try not to bludgeon her."

"Second, you and Pio are very different people. The Elf has spent her whole life avoiding commitment. I'm talking about any kind of commitment, whether to a person or to a cause. Habits like that are hard to break. I'm not saying she doesn't need someone to remind her how fortunate she is, or even to scold her a bit. But remember she is her own person with her own experiences. You are not going to turn her into an Elf-sized Cami."

Joint post: Pio, Sharon, Bird

Cami sat on the bed, listening to Idril speak. It was at this moment that Bird burst through the door. ‘What is this?’ she asked angrily, wildly waving the note Cami had left her. ‘What is that fool of an Elf doing now?’

Idril frowned at this loud intrusion and stood between Bird and Pio. Cami rose from her seat and approached her fuming friend. Placing her hand on Bird’s arm to quiet her, she brought her to sit next to her on the edge of the bed.

‘I don’t know what all this means, either, Bird.’ she said in a soft voice. ‘I got the letter from Idril and I couldn’t believe my eyes.’ She sighed and rubbed her forehead. ‘Why can’t things ever move in a straight course for her?’ She looked toward Pio and shook her head.

‘Because she’s Pio.’ replied bird. ‘And a damnable, stiff necked Elf to boot.’ She nodded briefly toward Idril, but did not apologise.

Pio sat up in bed, her face in darkness. ‘You may have the right of it that I am stiff necked, Bird, but I am not deaf. Do not presume to talk to me as if I were not here.’ She turned her face into the light of the small lamp which shone from Idril’s desk, her face drawn, her eyes cloaked in the shadows of her lashes. ‘What are you doing here?’ she asked Cami, focusing first on her.

‘To be truthful, Idril suggested that I come. I almost didn’t because I was so angry with you. But you’re too good a friend to desert, even though you’re deficient in common sense.

A snort from Bird punctuated this reply. She leaned in toward Pio, her face close to the Elf’s and looked her deeply in the eyes, seeking some understanding. ‘We are concerned about you Old Friend.’ she said softly. ‘What is wrong?’

‘Leave it to Bird to get straight to the point.’ remarked the Elf. She held the gaze of her dear friend. ‘I suppose Idril has told you both of my maudlin discussion with her this past evening. I would say I wished she had not done so, but perhaps it will be better if we start with that.’ She looked up, taking all three of them in. ‘I believe I have made the wrong decision concerning Mithadan. And I am seeking some way to rectify it – one that will bring him the least sorrow.’

‘The least sorrow!’ Cami choked on these words as she said them. ‘How can you be so arrogant to make those decisions for him.’ She looked up at the ceiling, her cheeks burning with indignation. ‘He loves you, completely from what I can see. He offers you a wonderful gift – love and family. And you wish to throw it away? Why?’ Pio’s face had become a mask of reservation, and Cami reached out to touch her on the arm. ‘Tell us that you do not love him any more and we will leave you alone.’

The Elf was silent. Bird urged her on. ‘Speak to us, Pio. We can’t read your mind. Your actions though make you seem like some shy and hesitant maiden forced to marry by her Papa. Not a woman who has a free choice.’

‘Love Mithadan?’ she spoke quietly, to her two friends. ‘Yes, I love him. And love is not the problem. It is all the actions which surround it, support it, are expected of it that I cannot fathom.’

She looked at Cami. ‘You are right to name me arrogant. I have always relied on myself. That perhaps is what is hardest for me. I cannot see how that will change. This has been an ongoing source of turmoil between us. And though he assures me he does not expect me to surrender to him, I feel the pull toward doing so to make it “easier” between us. If I cannot come to some sort of resolution on this for myself then either I will be lost should I stay with him or I will leave him.’

She rubbed the back of her neck in irritation. ‘It was my thinking that I should leave now, before our course is so entangled that we both choke on it.’

Bird laughed in disbelief. ‘You are going to cut and run? What do you think this is? Some alliance gone wrong with thieving Corsairs in Umbar?’ She paced angrily. ‘You can’t run your life like you did before, Pio. It won’t work. What did you think you would do? Mithadan aside, you set a course now for two others besides yourself. You can’t go tramping the back roads with me any longer.’

The two old friends stood toe to toe, bodies tense, eyes flashing. Then Pio began to giggle and a hysterical sort of laughter seized her as she fell back on the bed. ‘Bye the One!’ shouted the mystified Bird. ‘Are you possessed? Do we need to call Ancalimon over here to wave his stick over you?’ She looked at the prostrate Elf. ‘Or perhaps we should borrow his stick, and Cami and I will beat some sense into you!’

Idril had been silent until now. She stepped forward and said quietly. ‘That is the whole problem is it not, Piosenniel.’

Pio sat up wiping the tears from her eyes, waiting for Idril to continue.

‘Mithadan is too much the leader, as you see him. When you traveled with Bird, it was at her side, and she by yours. You never followed, nor did you see yourself as leading. You worked side by side, in comfortable tandem, did you not?’

Cami and Bird were quiet as they watched Pio consider this. ‘Yes, that was always so, and is.’ she said.

‘But from your expression I read that you do not think this is possible with the Man.’ Idril paused and knelt before Pio, taking both her hands in hers.

‘Think back to when you first teamed with Bird. It was not smooth going from the start. You are both very independent. You had to learn to work together and I should think it took a fair amount of time for you both to come to some agreement on how things should be done. But over time, the yoke of trust and friendship linked the both of you, and your times together ran easy.'

‘Will you not give Mithadan that same chance? It is not necessary to forge the yoke I spoke of all at once, doing so only makes it seem a heavy burden. It should only be a light one, hardly felt, if felt at all. Something comforting and familiar to lean against when needed. Can you not look to your past and bring some counsel for yourself to your present problem?’

Idril sighed as she looked at Pio. ‘You have ever been one to keep your own counsel, Piosenniel. From first I knew you as a small, often willful child, you have always weighed the counsel of others against what your heart told you was true. And if that counsel proved wanting you always followed the designs of your own making. I would only ask that you stay yourself from the urge to solve this problem by running from it, and look deeply within before you make a final decision.’

Pio’s eyes narrowed as she turned Idril’s words over in her mind, considering them from all sides. There was an undercurrent of tension as her two friends awaited her answer.

‘I’ll think on it. On all your words.’ she said softly. ‘But not here. Somewhere more private, I think.’

She went on deck with them, and climbed back down to the skiff which had brought her over. A small breeze filled her sail as she set her course for the Isle. She turned once, saw them standing at the railing, and waved a farewell.

[ November 18, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

As the new day dawned, Mithadan sat in his cabin alone. Piosenniel had not returned to the cabin the night before -- and part of him had not expected her to. When he had waked from unconsciousness just days before and reached out to Piosenniel and touched her hand, he had sensed a flood of emotions. Relief and gladness were among them; gladness that he had roused himself and relief that he lived.

Yet he had also sensed anger, and she had displayed anger that he had concealed his injuries, but this was not the limit of that emotion. For deep within her he had sensed a hint of disappointment with that anger and they were interwoven. She had been ill at ease with him even before the assault on the caverns and had at times even avoided him. At first he had believed, or convinced himself, that she had been preparing herself mentally for the battle, even as he had done himself. But that was not it, and during breakfast, the morning of the assault, when he had seized her hand he felt it --the fear-- it was fear that he might die in the assault but it was tinged just faintly with fear also that he might live. And he understood at last that perhaps he had asked more of her than she could give.

And so, when she had asked him why he had not told of the extent of his injuries while the battle raged in the caverns, he had not answered. He was glad that she had not asked again. But after their first happy embrace upon Ulmo's healing of his wounds, they had been togther rarely -- and he had not been surprised by this nor spoken to her of it on those times when they had seen one another.

The day before, he had spoken with Ancalimon after the choosing of little matters and laughed at simple joys. At that time Ancalimon had returned to him his mother's ring which he had entrusted to the Grey Peddler to give to Pio if he did not survive the battle. He held it now for a moment, then put it down on his desk. Then he drew forth another package from his things. It was the knife Piosenniel had left to him after her "death". He buckled the knife to his belt and lifted the ring, placing it in his pouch.

Then he left his cabin and climbed to the deck. With no further thought, he leaped into the water and swam to shore. Up the beach he walked even unto the slopes of the remainder of Meneltarma. And he began to climb...

[ November 18, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[Mithadan]

The ascent up the slope was difficult. Often the Man had to pause and descend to seek another set of hand and foot holds before moving on up the mountain. Then, after much labour, he reached a shelf on the slope which he discovered was the remnant of the path to the summit. He proceeded carefully along the ledge, at times climbing over crumbled portions of the way, until he at last reached the summit. It was flat and slightly depressed like a shallow bowl. He moved inward a bit until he found a rock on which he could sit. He rested there for a moment, catching his breath and taking in the expansive view of the seas surrounding the island.

As Mithadan sat, pondering the many kings and queens who had stood here before him, a voice came from behind him. "Man." Without turning, he responded, "Angara."

"Welcome to my eyrie," said the dragon. "I must remember to crumble that road, lest any of the Hobbrim attempt what you have and injure themselves. You could have found a less foolish way to speak with me if you wished my company."

"I wanted some peace and solitude," replied Mithadan. "I have the need for some quiet thought."

"Do the others know that you have attempted to break your neck this way?" asked the Wyrm. Mithadan did not answer. "I see," continued Angara. "And for how long may I expect your company?" The Man remained silent. The dragon stepped forward to stand beside him and twisted her long neck until she looked into his face. "Well, I go to see to my children for a time. I will return shortly if you would like to speak. If you like, I will bring you back some lunch?"

"Thank you," answered Mithadan simply. The Dragon tilted her head in a serpentine shrug. Then she unfurled her wings and leaped into the air only to disappear over the edge of the sheer drop towards the beach below.

Mithadan pulled up his hood to shade his face from the sun. Then he settled in to ponder the odd course that his life had taken. With a sad expression on his face, he drew out Piosenniel's knife and examined the blade in the bright sun. "Like you," he muttered, "my actions have had two edges..."

[ November 18, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[piosenniel]

Pio had reached the southern sea strand and beached the small skiff, pulling it as far onto the sand as she could, tying it off round one of the ragged boulders flung there after the island’s reemergence. She pulled her cloak about her as if to hide and made her way east down the beach to a secluded cove.

As she picked her way along the rocky edges of the water, she thought on what her friends and Idril had said. Cami had named her arrogant and a fool. And perhaps that was so. Bird had called her to account on her actions, making them seem ill advised when looked at from another’s perspective. It was Idril, though, who spoke most to her heart. Idril and her talk of trust and friendship, her gentle plea to give Mithadan the chance to develop these with her.

She simply did not know how to do this, how to allow another person participate as an equal in the process. And it angered her that she did not. Trust and friendship were given rarely by her, and even so there was always a part of her that remained aloof and reserved, a security against the possibility of disappointment. This would surely prove a continual stumbling block could she not see her way through it. But again, ‘How?’ she thought.

A small flock of kirinki startled her as they rose from the beach, a scarlet cloud against the white sands. The suddenness of them shook her from her tangled thoughts and she laughed in delight as their shrill cries chided her for disturbing them. She looked about and saw that she had come to the place where the spiral road had once begun that lead up and round Meneltarma to the northern lip of the once tall mountain’s summit. She recalled with fondness how she had loved to make the trek up to the top when, as Tulë, she had visited Númenor. The view from there had always been so clear and unobstructed, the place so silent and peaceful. Perhaps the climb would settle her thoughts, and the beauty of the place would prompt her to clarity.

It was a more difficult climb this time. The path was rough, strewn with boulders and in great sections had disappeared altogether, causing her to seek with hand and foot what out juttings and cracks in the face of the mountain she could. It was slow going, but satisfying to have only the immediate problems of where to place a hand or move a foot fill her thoughts completely.

It was late morning when she reached the northern summit. She was tired, her muscles protesting against the exertion. Hands on hips, she stood on the rim of the mountain, looking toward the western sea, drinking in its beauty as it sparkled in the sun. When she had caught her breath, she turned and descended a short way to the great flat expanse of the mountain’s top.

There was someone here, already. He was cloaked, his hood pulled up about his face, and she could not make out who it might be, save that he was tall. An Elf, she thought. She was about to leave him to his solitary enjoyment, and make her way back down the mountain, when she saw something flash brightly in his hands as it caught the sun’s light.

Shading her eyes against the sun, she saw it was a knife he held. She frowned at this, and strode quickly to the rock he sat on. His back was to her and he did not see her as she drew up beside him. With a brief plea to Eru Ilúvatar for his indulgence, she spoke aloud to the seated figure.

‘How comes it that you bring a weapon to the mountain top? It has never been the custom to do this.’

He placed the knife on the flat surface of the rock before him and she gasped in recognition of it. He drew back his hood and turned his head to gaze at her, and she took in the cares and sorrows that played across the solemn features of his face.

She ran her hands through her hair, her thoughts as tangled as the windblown curls now tousled by the breeze. She stepped close to him, and reached out to him, taking his hands in her own.

‘Mithadan . . .’

Mithadan's Post:

Mithadan pulled his hands from hers gently, and picked up the dagger as he stood. He looked down at the blade and toyed with it for a moment before looking up again. Despite the care that showed in his eyes, his face was calm and composed. "So, you have found me," he said quietly as he turned the blade over in his hands.

Piosenniel looked at the dagger with a frown. He followed her gaze and, with a humourless laugh, sheathed the blade. "I was not seeking you," she replied. He nodded. "No matter," he said.

An uncomfortable silence settled between the two, and they stood facing one another like scoolchildren uncertain of how to proceed. At length, Mithadan spoke. "You have been in doubt and unhappy, though I know not why, and uncertain of the rightness of your choice to be with me."

Piosenniel gasped. "Who has spoken to you of this," she demanded.

He smiled grimly. "You have," he answered. "You, who taught me to speak without words need ask this?" Piosenniel closed her eyes in sudden grief understanding that Mithadan had perceived her thought. "Know this," he continued. "I would not keep even a bird in a cage, and certainly not you whom I love. To do so would pain me more than would setting you free. If it is your will, I release you from your vows to go and do as you wish."

Her eyes brimmed with tears. "And what is your will in this matter?"

"My will is of no consequence," he responded. "I am not your master. I will not force myself upon you or have you stay with me from some sense of duty or guilt. I will not cage you, just as you could not cage me. If you were to walk before me I might not follow, and if you were to walk behind me I might not lead. I wanted only to have you beside me, together, neither master nor servant. But I have said this before and perhaps it is not enough. If this cannot be..." His voice cracked and he turned away for a moment before facing her again.

"I regret what I have done," he said bitterly. "I regret having lacked the strength to conceal my mind and I regret having drawn you into this. I am sorry, so very sorry. I will trouble you no more." His hand reached for the dagger and fumbled at the sheath.

Her eyes narrowed and, without further thought, she launched herself at him, batting his hand from the blade and knocking him onto his back. She reached for his wrists, seeking to pin him down, but with a twist and a heave, he threw her from him and rolled to his feet.

"Enough!" he cried. "What madness is this?" Mithadan reached to his belt and unbuckled the sheath, letting Piosenniel's knife drop to the ground. "I return this to you. It was your one gift to me and I need it not as a memento. Your memory will live within me all my days without it and though we are no more, I shall treasure the thought of our days together. Would that things could be different. Angara was right." He turned with bowed head and stepped toward the roadway.

[ November 19, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[piosenniel]

The now great form of the Wyrm rose up from beneath the summit’s edge, wings outspread, to perch upon the lip of the mountain. She crouched upon the hard stone of the rim, her talons gripping the granite in a steely vise. Her eyes whirled in anger at the figure of the approaching Man. Her head snaked forward, weaving back and forth before him, barring access to the path.

‘Man and Elf!’ Her eyes locked on Pio, for a moment, as she stood by the stone. ‘I might have known you two would mar the peace of this place.’

Mithadan stepped forward, seeking a way around Angara. Her long neck lashed forward, her head striking him in the belly, causing him to stumble back, and fall.

I will say who comes and goes now to this place.

Pio ran forward, her knife now in her hand, to stand between Angara and the Man. ‘Touch him once more and I will sink my sea-blade into you, Dragon!’ Her voice was dangerously quiet, and she danced lightly before Angara’s lowered head, her eyes ever seeking an advantage as the Dragon turned her head to regard the Elf.

Angara laughed, a deep sound of thunder booming over the rocks. Then as lightning her head darted forward and struck Pio soundly on the chest, leaving her to sprawl in the dirt beside Mithadan.

It is an awesome thing to feel the sigh of a great Dragon. She sucked in a deep breath that seemed to draw the mists wreathing the mountain’s top to her, then blew it out again, a sound like wind rushing through the narrows of a steep canyon. All within its path trembled from the force of it, heavy with the feel of sorrow.

You two are fools! The force of her thought echoed in their heads, and for a moment they could not rise.

Pio stood and offered her hand to Mithadan. Grasping it, he hauled himself to his feet to stand beside her. The Dragon fixed them both in her now icy stare.

‘The walls of the mountain, here, near the top, are steep and smooth. They will afford no purchase for your hands and feet should you seek to descend. I am withdrawing now, following what remains of the pathway. I will destroy it as I go, leaving the sides of this peak smooth, my aerie inaccessible. When you have spoken plainly to one another, and have settled matters between you, for ill or good, then call to me and I will come for you.’


Angara left them in the swirling cloud of whirling debris occasioned by her beating wings. The two brushed themselves off as best they might, coughing in the dusty air, and walked back toward the rock. Pio sat down and brought out the skin of water she had thought to bring. She took a swallow then offered it to Mithadan, now sitting next to her.

He put it to his lips for a long drink, then handed it back to her, his eyebrows raised. ‘That was an interesting move you made. To threaten a Dragon with a throwing knife!’

She took the skin from him and sluiced a little over her hands, and washed the dust from her face. ‘It might have worked,’ she said, laughing briefly at herself, ‘had she believed me.’

‘Might have worked? I thought the Elf only dared the actions she was sure of.’ he murmured, staring out toward the sea.

‘Yes, well, perhaps that is how it has been. But of late, and with the stern counsel of friends, I have begun to consider other options.’ She put her hand on his arm, glad when he did not withdraw it. ‘Let me speak clearly now Mithadan, or as clearly as I can my muddled thoughts.’

She could feel the muscles of his arm tense beneath his tunic, noting how his jaw clenched as he waited for her to begin.

‘Angara was not right. But then neither are you on this. I was wrong not to have spoken with you directly. I should not have left you to glean what half thoughts and unfinished reasonings you could from me. A little osanwë can be a dangerous thing when it only furthers misunderstanding.’ She moved her fingers down the length of his arm, and clasped them lightly round his hand, drawing it up to cradle her cheek. ‘You also should have spoken to me. I am sorry you felt you could not do so.’

She opened her mind to him fully. His eyes widened at the depth of her feelings for him. There was no hesitancy or reservation.

You said I was one to dare only the actions I was certain of. In a way that is true. My love for you is a certainty. And yes, still have I been unsure of how to see my self with you. Be patient with me, hold me close with your arms and words, even as I drive you mad. Will you do this for me? Let me dare to walk beside you.

She had laid the knife on the rock next to her when she sat down. Now she picked it up, holding it carefully by the flat of its blade, and extended the hilt toward him.

‘Here,’ she said, in a soft voice. ‘I believe this is yours.’

[ November 19, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Mithadan's Post:

He took the knife by its hilts and gazed at it thoughtfully. Then his eyes widened and he turned to her. "You didn't think that I... with this...that I would..."

She snorted. "I did not know what to think," she answered. "You were distressed and reached for it, and you were holding it when I arrived."

Mithadan straighted his shoulders. "Life is the gift of the One and none should cast away that gift without great reason or need," he said huffily.

Piosenniel laughed. "Now that is the Mithadan I know; ever riddled by rules and traditions. Though I do not disagree with you," she added hastily as he scowled.

His face softened. He slipped the knife into his pouch and took her hands again. "My fair Piosenniel," he began. "I said, long ago it now seems, that 'I will have you for a day, for a season or for a lifetime, if you will have me.' I have given my word and my heart to you. You have only to take them; they are yours." He lifted his hand to her hair and placed his forehead against hers. "This," he said, "is yours." And he opened his mind to her. When they separated, her eyes shone with tears and her lip seemed to threaten to quiver, so he kissed her, tenderly at first, then with greater urgency.

When they parted he smiled and looked up at the sky. Then he reached down into his pouch and brought forth a gold ring. "You must have something of mine now," he said. He slipped it on her finger and then clasped her hand tightly and there, on Eru's Mount, he repeated again his vows to her. When he had finished, he caressed her face. "Together, Piosenniel," he said. "Together we will face the world."

[ November 19, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[piosenniel]

Pio held up her right hand in the bright sunlight. She looked at the slender band of gold on her index finger and grinned. ‘No more lectures from Tuor on the efficacy of traditional symbols to cement a union.’ she thought to herself.

The thought of Tuor and his fatherly admonishment of her before the rescue reminded her of the gift he had pressed on her. She fumbled at the small purse on her belt, her fingers seeking the thin circlet within. ‘Ah! Here it is.’ she said, drawing the slender gold ring out and placing it on the palm of her hand. ‘This is Tuor’s gift to us.’ She drew Mithadan close to her. ‘Look at the markings on the outside of the band. I never noticed them before.’ Seven swan feathers wove round the outer surface in a fine tracery.

She took Mithadan’s right hand in her left and placed the ring securely on his index finger, repeating the blessings she had said with him not all that long ago, calling on Varda, Manwë, and Eru to bless and strengthen their union.

Then she kissed him lightly on the lips, and laughing, smoothed his raven hair, shot with silver, back from his brow. ‘Why do you laugh?’ he asked, drawing her into the circle of his arms.

‘Because,’ she said, laughing once again, ‘it will probably take all three of them to see us safely through this marriage venture!’

He bent his head to her, and stopped her laughter with his kisses, pulling her close in a tight embrace.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

‘We had best go down now, Piosenniel. Our companions will be worrying about us.’ He laughed as he thought about it. ‘Although, Bird, by now, is probably laying bets on who has bested whom.’

‘Or wondering which of my many ways I picked to do you in.’ returned the Elf. ‘And Angara is probably scouring the lower slopes as we speak, looking to see how far down the hillside your poor body bounced when I tossed you over.’

They walked hand in hand toward the rim of the summit. Pio called to the Dragon.

Angara! We are ready to go down now.

[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[mark12_30]

if needed

[Mithadan]

Angara appeared over the rim of the mountain mere minutes after she had been summoned. She landed lightly before the two and glared at Mithadan before speaking to Piosenniel. "No blood at least," said the Dragon. "Has the Elf regained her wits yet?"

"Yes, Angara," said Piosenniel with a smile.

"Then may I roast the Man for causing you such grief?" continued the Wyrm.

Mithadan shook his head with a smile. "A Dragon who jests?" he laughed. "Varied indeed are the creations of the One."

"Don't be so sure that she jokes," intoned the Elf. "No, Angara. Can you carry us both to the beach?"

"How disappointing," responded the Dragon. But she allowed the two to mount her and perch behind her sinuous neck before moving to the verge of the mountain and dropping off into the air.

With a rush of wind, they plummeted towards the narrow strand below. Then Angara extended her wings and pulled up to circle briefly before landing. The Man and the Elf dismounted and waved their thanks.

Mithadan paused before walking away. Angara? The Wyrm looked down and responded. Yes, Man? He smiled broadly and patted her now massive forearm. Thank you. Thank you for everything, my friend. The Dragon smiled in a toothsome fashion. You are most welcome Mithadan. It has been...interesting.

Mithadan turned to find Piosenniel standing before Cami, Rose, Bird, Idril, Tuor and Ancalimon. Behind them were many Hobbits and Hobbrim. Cami stood with crossed arms and pursed lips. "Well?" she asked.

Before Piosenniel could respond, Mithadan stepped forward, yawned mightily and answered, "Well what, Lady Goodchild?"

[mark12_30]

As Cami's face slowly reddened, Gamba leaned over to her and whispered none too quietly into her ear, saying, "Go ahead, Mistress Nitir. Whack him."

[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami heard Gamba's remark and giggled. It was indeed tempting. There stood the happy couple in front of the assembled crowd. They snuggled close, their heads on each other's shoulders, their hands clasped together. This, she pondered, was unusual public behavior for the Man. Plus, the two of them looked as if nothing whatsoever had happened between them in the last day. How very maddening when she had been sitting up worrying non-stop day and night.

Mithadan was grinning slyly, looking enormously pleased with himself. The whole thing reminded Cami of a scene back in the Shire, when she'd seen a fox run away from the chicken coop with one fine prize in his belly, and the other bulging out of his mouth. That fox had also worn a fine expression on his face as he disappeared around the rear of the henhouse with Cami's dinner in his mouth.

One of the hobbrim children came up to her, asking in a timid voice. "Is it going to be alright, Mistress Cami? Will everything work out?"

"I expect it will, Seabreeze. That is as right as anything can ever be with these two in control."

After hearing Seabreeze's words, Piosenniel arched her eyebrows and walked up to Cami. "Why are all these folk gathered here? Have I missed a party invitation?"

The hobbit shrugged her shoulders, "I expect they want to know what's happened with you two."

Piosenniel struggled for composure and said quietly, "Cami, how did all these people hear there might be a problem between my husband and myself?" As the Elf glanced around, she could see that virtually the entire encampment seemed to be waiting.

Cami shrugged her shoulders again, "I expect I told one or two what happened. And then it kind of spread."

"You mean you were responsible for all this," Piosenniel gestured grandly towards the assembled throng. "That is amazing. And you're such a small hobbit."

She shook her head, "Oh no, I couldn't do all this alone. I think Bird spoke with the wyrm, and Angara was concerned. She warned everyone to be on the lookout for either of you and to let her know immediately if that should happen."

"Did she now?" Piosenniel looked over in Angara's direction.

Cami blurted out, "Don't be angry. Everyone was worried. No one wanted you and Mithadan to make a big mistake."

"I see, you had it all figured out."

Cami nodded in agreement, "Actually, I think we did figure it out before you two did." The hobbit wondered whether her friend was going to yell at her. Getting yelled at by someone twice your size can be quite scary, especially when it's a friend.

At that moment, Piosenniel put her hands on her stomach and doubled over with laughter. She slipped down to the ground, unable to stop her belly roars. Everyone in the crowd--the Man, Cami, Bird, and all those assembled-- began laughing out of sheer relief.

"So do we get it?" Cami interrupted.

"Get what?"

"The Party!" squealed the hobbrim children with glee. "Idril said there was no party if you bolted from the Man."

Piosenniel gave Idril a sly glance out of the corner of her eye. Then she smiled and answered. "A party, of course we'll have a party. We all have a great deal to celebrate!"

[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

Mithadan grabbed the Elf's hand, and yawned widely again. He made his excuses to the gathered crowd, saying they were tired from their long climb up the mountain, and hurried her to the skiff, heading for the Star. He waved back at the assembly, the ring on his right hand catching the sun's light. Tuor nudged Idril, who laughed in delight.

Coral and Shell frowned at the retreating pair. 'Hey! Where are they going? We haven't even had supper yet. They can't be tired!' Azraph and Daisy smiled at each other, and stepped forward to take the two little girls by the hand.

'Leave them to their rest, you two.' admonished Daisy. 'We'll see them later.'

'Come!' laughed Azraph, glancing once at Phura. 'We have a party to plan, and you two must think what you would like to do for it.'

Coral looked at Shell, and their little voices piped in unison. 'Fireworks!' they said, eyes gleaming at the prospect. 'Pretty fireworks for Pio!

[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[mark12_30]

Phura watched as Daisy, Azraph, Coral and Shell wandered off, conspiring. Azraph shot a backwards glance at Phura, and he nodded, and turned to find Gamba.

He was with Cami. "So they're all right, just like that?" he was saying. "As if nothing had happened."

"Well, they want it to look like nothing had happened, but they know," Cami replied, thoughtfully.

"What do you mean? Of course they know, " Gamba replied.

Cami studied him, and glanced at Phura. "Sometimes after a struggle like that, feelings run deeper. Trust changes. Friendship changes. Hopefully the feelings and the trust and the friendship grow stronger and deeper, and better able to withstand the next storm."

Gamba frowned at Phura, who looked thoughtful.

"You remember, " Cami turned to Phura, "when Azraph was jealous of the attention you gave Daisy because she was new? After you two worked through it, and Azraph understood that you were loyal to herall along, your relationship was stronger afterwards."

Phura nodded, thoughtfully. "But fighting is miserable, " he said.

"Oh, I don't go looking for a fight as a rule, " Cami said hurriedly. "But if one presents itself and I've no choice, it's better to work through it, and regain as much trust and friendship and affection as can be regained."

Gamba studied her, mulling the concept.

Phura realised that Cami was expecting Gamba to need this information not for some romance, but for his relationship with Cami as her adopted son. They would need to learn how to fight, and fight fair, and come out trusting again on the other side.

"I fight sometimes with Loremaster, " Phura said carefully.

"And?" Cami prompted, noting that Gamba was waiting on Phura's response.

Phura grimaced. "I hate it, " he said.

"But do you learn to trust him again?" Cami prompted.

"Always, " Phura replied quietly.

Cami ran hr fingers through Phura's curly brown locks, and he leaned into her hand, and reached up when she was done, and briefly caught her hand. "Thank you for befriending my brother."

"Adopting, you mean," Gamba interrupted.

Cami's eyebrows went up. The word hadn't been used yet in their conversation.

"Well, you have, " Gamba shot back, as a challenge.

Cami replied carefully. "Yes, of course, if that's what you want."

"I'm here, aren't I? I thought that's what you wanted, too. You offered to take me with you."

"And I want to, " Cami replied.

[Birdland]

"A party?" thought Birdie, "Well, what's a party without food, and pretty lights, and music? Especially music. I suppose some of the Elves on the ship might have some instruments, but then, Elves aren't exactly known for the good, foot-stomping music such as these folk love. I doubt that the poor Hobbits got much chance to make music in the caves. They might not have so much as a ratchet amongst them.

Birdie looked around for Kali, and the two put their heads together with the rest of the Hobbrim. Soon they had the children out searching for pretty greenery, while the adults were sent to sea and land to gather whatever fresh food they could find.

"And if you can find any thing that makes a noise, any noise at all, bring it back with you!" shouted Birdie to the departing search parties. Most of the adults looked at her in puzzlement at this, but the children all grinned and cheered as they ran off across the island. The party preparations had begun.

[piosenniel]

Idril sat at her desk, staring at the long list in front of her. She was ticking off items concerning the party, and was having problems moving past the first one. Leave it to Piosenniel to ruin her plans for a public exchange of rings and vows! Could that Elf never do anything the way it was supposed to be done?

Tuor had shaken his head at Idril’s concern, saying only that he was glad it had been done. And as far as he was concerned the summit of Meneltarma seemed a perfectly appropriate place to have Manwë, Varda, and Eru bear witness to the union.

But Idril had her heart set on seeing it done properly. She wanted to stand in stead of Pio’s mother and give the bridegroom his gift, and she wished for Tuor to do the same for the bride. She would have it also that she and Tuor would join the hands of the pair and bless them. And in her wildest imaginings she had already picked out a dress she wanted to see the much too boyish Elf in.

A frown creased her brow at her list of wants. She could already see Pio sighing and politely, but adamantly, refusing to follow through on any of this. She chewed hard on the end of the pen, and tapped it on her teeth.

Perhaps she could approach Mithadan? Or better yet, perhaps Tuor might approach him, and plead for help in keeping his own wife happy. She smiled at this idea, circled it twice, and moved on to the next section of party preparations.

Bird was handling the food needs, the lighting, and the music. She had better check with her on that. Many of the children had begun piling all sorts of noise makers on the large beach where the party would take place – sticks, pots and pans, shells filled with small pebbles and bound together with twine, small hollowed logs with grooves cut across them, spoons. What could Bird be thinking of doing with all these? They would make quite a din and the elves who had promised to bring their flutes would be drowned out.

She wondered what Bird was thinking of for lights. The swanships could be anchored in close to the shore and their elven lamps lit. Those, and perhaps a bonfire at night, maybe one or two torches should be enough.

Ancalimon had already promised her that he would do the fireworks, and Coral and Shell had immediately volunteered to help him. They already had some ideas for some lovely effects, and they had a new helper, Kesha, along with them. He was just as enthused as they were about the art of pyrotechnics and couldn’t wait to be on the production end of it.

Daisy and Azraph had organized the others of their age to do the decoration of the site. Younger Hobbits and Hobbrim lent their eager hands to gathering the materials needed. Fragrant flowers and greenery, and little star shaped shells on ribbons to dangle from the branches of the trees set back from the the beach.

Someone should be asked to do a welcome to the party - she would talk to Cami about that. Then perhaps the actual wedding ceremony should come next, nothing too elaborate about that, just short, sweet, and final! At last, then,, a time for eating and drinking. Her pen flew over the paper as she drew up her plans.

She needed to talk to the Loremaster. Perhaps she could do that when she talked to Cami. He had mentioned he wanted to say a few words of thanksgiving. Come to think of it, Phura had been present when he had spoken to her and has nodded his head ‘yes’ also. Andril, also, should be included in all of this.

Idril wondered when Cami wanted to present the quilt to the man and Elf. She had better work that in somewhere – perhaps at the end, just before the fireworks. She circled it along with the previous two sections to talk to Cami about.

She held up the piece of paper and surveyed the entire plan. It was doable. Day after tomorrow would be best, she thought, looking at the extent of her plan still to be put in place.

The speakers would need a little time to prepare. The musicians would have time to practice. Gandalf and his assistants would have time for some glorious displays. Decorations would be complete. And most important of all, at least to her mind, was that there would be time to get the couple on board with the full, traditional Elven, observance of custom.

She put down her pen, the first two fingers of her right hand now stained black from ink, sat back in her chair, and smiled.

‘Tuor!’ she called sweetly. ‘I have something urgent I need you to do . . .’

[ November 22, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Idril smiled as she glanced over her long list. Detail afer detail slowly fell into place. The check marks were growing in number, as the Elf graciously and efficiently maneuvered all the parties towards their appointed tasks.

This would not only be a celebration for Mithadan and Piosenniel. It would be a day of festivity for those rescued from Numenor, a time to rejoice in their freedom and say thanks to those who'd made this possible.

Idril was talking with Ancalimon and a number of others who'd asked to help with the planning. Cami and Rose, along with Andril and Loremaster, were perched on chairs in a small circle. Phura and his brother sat cross legged on the floor at Idril's feet.

Ancalimon said he'd be happy to give a few words of welcome before the party started. Both Loremaster and Andril wanted a moment to thank the Elves and the crew of the Star for rescuing their people. Phura suggested contacting Bird to see if a singer was needed to help with the music. He'd already put the children to work on tambourines, using the flexible wood of young saplings to make a hoop, with fine leather stretched in between.

"But where did you get the metal discs to tie onto the edge and make a noise?" Rose questioned.

Phura grinned back, "That was the fun part. We had soft copper knives left over from the rescue. It was no trouble to melt them down and mold them into small discs. And it felt great to use knives like that."

Idril made some notes on her list and looked up, "Anyone else? Have we forgotten something?"

Cami thought a moment, and then spoke, "Yes, I'd like a minute or two myself. I've got some folk I need to thank."

Phura and Gamba looked puzzled at Cami's choice of words. "Why would you need to thank anyone? You're one of the rescuers." Gamba seemed genuinely curious.

Cami smiled mysteriously and looked over to Ancalimon, wondering how much she should reveal. "You know from the tale of Nitir and Azra that Numenor was not the first stop for the Star. There were other events, much further back, where a great debt of thanks is owed."

"Andril, you know I'm leaving Idril's day book to you. It records everything that happened on our journey. That book needs to be kept safe on Meneltarma. But there's one thing I can say even now."

"Long ago, I came across a reference to sea-hobbits. More than anything, I wanted to go out and search for them. But I couldn't find anyone to help. Without Piosenniel, and Mith, and Bird, this whole voyage would never have taken place."

"So I'd like a minute to say thanks, and present the journal to Andril. There are still blank pages. Maybe you can use it to record the lore of your people, long after I've sailed away."

A flash of pain showed briefly on several faces in the room, as folk reflected on the separations which were soon to take place. Then Idril smiled sadly and said, "So Cami, you have used my little gift well. It will find a home here so that what the Star has done will never be forgotten. That much I can promise."

[ November 22, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Save, please.

[piosenniel]

Idril looked fondly at the Hobbit. It had been a long and difficult journey that had brought Cami to this place. A journey that would have overwhelmed many of the bigger folk. ‘We were right,’ thought Idril, ‘to have placed our confidence in her.’ ‘I will miss you, Cami.’ she said aloud, ‘but know that my thoughts will ever turn toward you and the band of brave Hobbits you lead.’

Cami’s cheeks were stained with crimson, and she looked toward the floor, so that the tears which threatened at the corners of her eyes would not be seen. She took a deep breath, recovering herself, then went back to the business at hand. ‘Now that we’ve more or less got things sorted out,’ she said, ‘let’s plan for the party to be the day after tomorrow. It will give us plenty of time . . .’

‘To prepare!’ said Idril, smiling. ‘I would swear you read my mind on that!’ the tension of the previous moment broke, and the laughter of the two women filled the room.

Idril took out another clean sheet of paper intending to make a list for Cami to have, and divided it into four sections. Under ‘CAMI’ was found all the speeches, thank-yous, presentations that were to be done. Cami was to make sure everyone who was making a speech was prepared to give it. ‘BIRD’ held all the party preparations such as decorations, food, music, entertainment. Ancalimon’s name was noted prominently in this last section. ‘IDRIL’ was primarily concerned with the wedding ceremony and all that entailed.

‘What’s this section?’ asked Cami, noting ‘TUOR’ with the single name ‘Mithadan’ written under it. ‘That is something which is hopefully underway right now.' said Idril. 'And proceeding smoothly!’

Cami looked at Idril, and smiled. ‘This is going to go without a hitch isn’t it?’

[ November 24, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Mithadan had left Pio sleeping in the cabin, and had gone to the galley for something to eat and drink. Several minutes of dedicated searching had found enough dried fruit for a light snack, and a small, dusty bottle of unopened red wine. ‘How did we miss this one?’ he wondered to himself, as he uncorked it carefully and decanted it into a clean, wide mouthed bottle. He piled an assortment of fruits on a small plate and taking the bottle and a goblet in the other, he went up on deck.

He sat at the bow, his long legs propped on the railing, and looked out over the sea. To the east, where they would soon be bound. The occasional seabird flew low over the ship, and Mithadan threw small pieces of fruit to them, delighting in their loud insistence on this treat. He sipped at his wine in a contented manner. Affairs in his world were proceeding as they should, he thought to himself. He smiled as he thought of Piosenniel, and how pleasant it seemed to have things smoothed out between them.

He was drawn from his reverie by the sound of a voice hailing him from the opposite side of the ship. ‘Tuor!’ he cried, striding to where he stood in the skiff. ‘Come aboard, of course!’ He stood back as Tuor clambered on deck. ‘Delighted to see you!’ he greeted him.

‘I hope you continue to think so, after I speak to you about Idril and her desires for what she thinks should happen at this upcoming party.’ He sighed and sat down in a chair near Mithadan, who then excused himself to retrieve another goblet. Mithadan poured each of them some wine, and offered some fruit to Tuor. They sat in a companionable silence for some time, looking out over the waters.

‘Perhaps you had just better tell me straight out what it is that Idril wants of me.’ Mithadan said, after several attempts by Tuor to broach the subject. Tuor sat his wine down on the low barrel head between them, and went through Idril’s desires concerning the ceremony, and her hope that Mithadan could talk Piosenniel into agreeing to do all this.

Mithadan frowned and rubbed his forehead. ‘Her request places me in a very uncomfortable position. Can she not work this out with Pio herself? For my part, I will be happy to accommodate Idril. But surely she does not think I can order Pio to comply?’

Pio had come up quietly behind the two, and now put her hand on Mithadan’s shoulder. ‘And what is it you are to order me to comply with?’ she asked, looking from Mithadan to Tuor and back again. She sat on the railing and looked at both of them, noting that Tuor seemed somewhat ill at ease. She laughed, breaking the tension. ‘I see.’ she said, looking closely at Tuor. ‘Tell me, what does Idril want of me?’

She heard him out with a serious face, listening to all he had to say without interruption. Then she knelt before him and took both of his hands in hers. ‘Tell Idril I will do this for her.’ she said, smiling at him. ‘And thank her for wishing to do this for me.’ She kissed him lightly on his cheek. ‘Thank you also, Tuor, for all you have done for us. Tell Idril I will come to her tomorrow, and she can show me what she wishes me to do.’

Tuor took his leave of them, relieved that things had gone so well. Arriving at his ship, he was met by Idril, who asked with some hesitation just how it had gone with Piosenniel.

‘You can cross me off the list, my dear!' he replied, beaming. 'She’s agreed to do what you want!’

[ November 25, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Retreating back to her cabin, Cami rummaged through her storage chest until her fingers touched the large quilt that she had tucked away at the very bottom several weeks before. Its squares were decorated with brightly colored strips of felt and cotton, each depicting a different image that someone had thought important to remember from the voyage. Now that she studied it more closely, she could see a number of things were missing. But there were plenty of blank squares where new pictures could be sewn.

She headed for her table and, like Idril, began jotting down notes for another list. This one had names on it: Ancalimon, Idril, Phura, Gamba, Loremster, Corby, the boys.....with large question marks beside each. They still had one full day to go, so there should be enough time.

Cami took out a pen along with sheets of vellum and began writing a series of notes. By the late afternoon, she had a small pile completed, with each reading like this:

After the exchange of vows, we'll be presenting Piosenniel and Mithadan with a fine quilt to take back to their new home. This will show pictures from our voyage, the Rescue, and Meneltarma. Would you like to help us add to this quilt? Think of the one memory which you'd most like preserved, and let me know what that is. This may be happy or sad. You may do the picture yourself, or just let me know what your idea is. I have a group of hobbit children who've promised to help sew. Please let me know quickly, since the party will be the day after next.

Then, Cami had Rose untie the skiff, which was now kept permanently moored right beside the ship, and sail to the different Elven vessels to deliver the messages to each of the names on her list.

[ November 24, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

The sun rose bright and promising on the day of the celebration. It was now midmorning, and gentle breezes played through the decorations gracing the trees which stood on the hillock to the back of the beach, and ruffled the bright cloths on the tables set in the opening among them. The young Hobbits and Hobbrim had outdone themselves. Colorful streamers beckoned one and all, inviting them in among the greenery and banks of flowers which threw out their sweet and subtle fragrances to the air.

Musicians were practicing their instruments amid the general bustle of Hobbit and Hobbrim who hurried here and there setting up food, drink, and all the plates, utensils, and cups they had scavenged from the ships. Idril smiled, recalling how they had swarmed over the unsuspecting Elves like hummerhorns, intent on securing a prize. It was motley gathering of eating ware which now graced the tables, but somehow appropriate to a quest pieced and patched together during its long course by the ingenious crew of the Lonely Star.

Piecing and patching brought to mind the request she had received from Cami concerning the quilt. She hoped she had gotten her idea in in time to be placed on it. ‘Just like a Hobbit,’ she thought to herself, ‘to make so grand a theme bend to practicality.’

Idril walked to the small rise where Mithadan and Piosenniel would make their public exchange of vows. A small sigh of relief escaped her, recalling how amenable the Elf had been to her plans. And when she had remarked on this, Pio only laughed and said, ‘I have caused you too much grief already, have I not. Let me do this for you, as you for me.’ She had hugged Idril tightly, surprising her, and whispered in her ear. ‘I am glad to have you stand in for my amah, Idril.’ She held Idril at arms’ length, saying, ‘In all probability, I will not see you again once this all is finished. I would have our last time together bring pleasant memories to both of us.’

Earlier that morning, Idril and Tuor had come to the Lonely Star seeking Pio and Mithadan. They were dressed in their Elven finery, as if to punctuate the fact that this was a formal visit on their part. Mithadan had welcomed them aboard graciously, and stood with his arms around Pio as Idril explained that they had come as part of the wedding ceremony.

‘It is our custom,’ she explained, ‘to give the bride and groom gifts before the ceremony. The bride’s mother gives one to the groom, and the groom’s father one to the bride.’

Idril stepped up to Mithadan, who had come to stand at Pio’s side. In her fair hands she held a small, bright green stone, set in silver and hung on a silver chain. ‘An Elfstone.’ she told him, as she placed it round his neck. ‘Elf-friend, I name you, as were the Faithful of old named.’ She smiled at him, her lashes shiny with joyful tears. ‘Take care of our fair Piosenniel, Mithadan. You are more than worthy of her.’ He bowed courteously to her, and thanked her for her gift.

Tuor stepped up to Pio, and smiled at her gently. ‘I know the gift that should be given is one not so dire as this. But it is the one I wished you to have.’ He brought forth a small, silver sheathed dagger on a belt of fine worked silver links and fastened it about her waist. He drew the blade and placed it in her out held palms.

She gasped when she saw it, holding it by the hilt up to the sun. A silvered dagger, set with traceries of white and gold along its blade, patterns of the rising sun and moon interwoven in a repeating motif, and on its pommel was set a deep scarlet, heart shaped stone. White, gold and red – the Moon, Sun and Scarlet Heart of Gondolin.


She resheathed the dagger, and hugged him fiercely for this gracious gift.

Then Idril and Tuor bade them farewell until they saw them later in the day. ‘Do not be late!’ admonished Idril. ‘I will come fetch you myself and take you in hand.’ she warned Pio, seeing an impish gleam dart through her eyes.

Mithadan smiled, and placed his arm round Pio’s shoulders, drawing her close. ‘Have no fear, Idril. We will be there – both of us!’

Amid another chorus of thank-yous and good-byes, Idril and Tuor left the Star to see to last minute preparations. Soon it would be time, the guests would arrive, the speeches and ceremonies given, the grand celebration begun.

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

[Child of the 7th Age]

Amid the colorful streamers and banks of flowers, the guests made their way to the shadowed forest glade. A large gathering of Elves, hobbits, and hobbrim as well as everyone from the Star waited there for the ceremony to begin. Friends and family members were careful to stay close to each other, not wanting to see the day end too soon. For, after this celebration, many would part and go their separate ways.

Then Ancalimon stepped before the hobbits and hobbrim, and gazed intently into their faces. His heart was warmed by what he saw. Many who'd been injured or grieving had found some measure of healing within the shores of the isle. It would be impossible to erase all the sadness of the tombs within a single lifetime. Yet, all around, even in a time so close to sorrow, eyes gleamed bright with hope that tomorrow would bring better things.

Then the Grey Peddler spoke to the gathering, "I can not tell you how proud I am of you today. Because of your choices, this day is one of joy. Your work and your refusal to give in have made a difference. For a single instant, we stood together at the brink and pushed back a tiny sliver of darkness. Soon it will be time for the world to change again, and our paths to part from one another. There will still be choices that need to be made and battles that must be fought. But today we celebrate and gather strength for the road ahead."

"What better way to do this than to watch a man and woman pledge their lives to one another. The path for Mithadan and Piosenniel has not been easy. There were things inside and out that sought to divide them. Yet, they did not give up and, with much help from their companions, now come before us determined to share a single path in life."

Loremaster and Andril walked forward at Gandalf's urging. Each brought good wishes to Mithadan and Piosenniel, and expressed the thanks of their people to the Star, and all who had served under her, whether they hailed from the shores of Middle-earth or the Blessed Lands. For, without the Star, none of the hobbits or hobbrim would have survived.

Finally, it was time for Cami. She stepped to the front of the large crowd, uncertain what to say. The right words seemed to elude her. For a time, she hesitated, then slowly began, "Long ago, I found a note on sea-hobbits in a very old book, and, although I'd never heard of them before, I longed to go searching and see who these cousins were. Yet not a single person would listen to my plea for help. I almost gave up. Then I met Pio and Bird and Mithadan. Without them, none of this could have happened."

"You are true friends to the hobbits and the hobbrim. Thank you for believing in us, and coming so very far to help. As you go your own way in life, may each of you find that which you hold most dear."

"There's just one more thing," Cami beckoned for Andril to come foward again, "Here is the day book that records everything that happened on our voyage. You'll see my hand on one side, and everyone else's comments and notes and pictures on the facing page. Andril, it's for you to finish and keep safe on Meneltarma. I will miss having it near me, but I know the book will be safe here, and all its secrets will be protected."

Cami presented the book to Andril and gave her a hug, then turned back to take her place in the crowd. At that moment, Ancalimon leaned over and whispered a few words in her ear. She flashed him a gentle smile and a thumbs up. Then she stood and waited quietly for the ceremony to begin, clutching tightly at a single sprig of heather she held beneath her heart.

[ November 27, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

Pio tugged at the dress Idril had chosen for her to wear. It was tight at the waist and bodice, and she longed for the easy comfort of her breeches and tunic. It was pretty enough. In shades of green that reminded her of a sea wave’s curl as it caught the bright sun. Tuor’s gift was secured round the crest of her hips, and her hand often strayed to it as she waited for the speeches to end, and Idril and Tuor to step forward.

She had never understood this need to make public those things which are private. It was enough for her that she and Mithadan had come to some peaceable resolve on the mountain top and had exchanged rings there. She sighed, wishing this part were over and Idril for once happy with the outcome.

Stop fidgeting, Elf! ‘spoke’ Angara, standing just a short space away, among the Hobbrim children who smiled and waved and pointed at Pio. You look like some child dreading a meeting with the schoolmistress!

And just what would a dragon know of schoolmistresses and wayward children? An image of Cami with a red faced Daisy came from Angara, and Pio laughed out loud at the sight of it.

‘She’s right.’ hissed Bird standing close behind her friend. Be quiet and pay attention. I have arranged for some lovely music here. Don’t spoil it! She reached out and pinched the Elf on the back of her arm, causing her to gasp quietly at the sharp pain.

Mithadan leaned toward her, whispering, ‘Are you quite alright?’ She nodded, her cheekbones bearing a crimson tinge, and stared straight ahead. You will regret that, Bird! she thought, though the tone of it was smiling and impish.

Idril and Tuor had come to stand on the small rise before the assembled company. They bade the couple come toward them as soft music played on Elven flutes filled the air.

‘Wait! Pio!’ cried two piping voices. Coral and Shell, curls flying, ran pellmell down the sand toward her, their hands filled with fragrant, bright yellow flowers. ‘Laurinquë!’ she exclaimed, as they motioned her to bend down, that they might place the wreath of them on her head. She kissed them each on their cheek, and sent them back to stand with Angara, who looked both pleased and horrified that two of her charges had done this. Pio stood, and plucking a single blossom from the wreath, turned and secured it in the eyelet of Mithadan’s shirt. Then they continued toward the awaiting Idril and Tuor.

The ceremony which joined them was a simple one. They stood forth before the company, and as was the Elven custom of old, Idril and Tuor, standing in as the mother of the bride and the father of the bridegroom, joined the hands of the pair, and blessed them. None but the couple caught the solemn words said to bless their union. But they were like to that blessing which the couple had first asked upon themselves and then repeated on Meneltarma. ‘Thrice blessed!’ thought Pio smiling. ‘Perhaps this will indeed endure.’

They had chosen not to remove their gold rings, for this would have been the part of the ceremony where they would have exchanged them. Instead, they simply held aloft their right hands and let the sun glint off them. Thus was the custom fulfilled, and the union recognized which would now join their two houses.

‘Just like the Elves!’ muttered Bird to herself as she realized the ceremony had ended. ‘All prettiness and grace and no substance to it.’ ‘Give us a kiss, at least!’ she cried, shaking her hand tambourine. Others of her ‘band’ took up the hue and cry, clapping hands and calling for a kiss to seal it.

‘It seems we have been prevailed upon, beloved.’ said Mithadan, smiling broadly at the clamoring throng, and then at her. ‘How can we disappoint them?’ He took her by the hand and drew her closely to him in a tight embrace.

Then he kissed her. Well . . . and thoroughly . . .

[ November 25, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Let me up for air!

She laughed and stepped away from him, holding his hand in hers. A wave of children, Hobbit and Hobbrim together, swarmed round the pair, chattering and laughing, and pulling them toward the tables piled high with food and drink at the side of the beach.

‘Ah! Food at last!’ cried Pio in delight, reaching for one of the plates. ‘Not yet!’ said Coral, taking the empty plate from her hands. ‘We have a gift for you first.’

The little ones pushed and pulled them toward a small group of children who stood with something held in their outstretched hands. Shell motioned the other children forward, as both Mithadan and Pio knelt down to receive their gift. ‘What’s this?’ asked the Elf, as she took the folded blanket into her hands.

‘Open it! Open it, Mithadan!’ came the piping voices of the children, their faces beaming.

She gasped as Mithadan stood and held the quilt up. ‘How beautiful!’ she said, her lashes rimmed with tears. ‘We all made it for you!’ crowed Ban. Asta and Roka nudged him in the ribs, and he blushed. ‘With Mistress Nitir’s help, of course.’ Mithadan and she secured the quilt to the low hanging branch of a tree, and stood back to admire it, murmuring softly and pointing at the various images captured on it.

‘Come!’ she said to the children. ‘Tell me what we see here.’

Two of the Hobbit children pushed a mildly protesting Cami to the front. ‘We don’t remember all of it.’ they said solemnly. ‘But here is Mistress Nitir. She remembers . . .’

[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami came forward smiling. In her left hand, she held aloft a list waving it back and forth. A sudden thought flashed through her mind. She'd compiled endless numbers of lists on their trip--lists of clues and supplies, lists of dead and living hobbits, dozens of lists of things to do--yet this was probably her very last one. She instructed the children to hold it up as she read off her notes, explaining what each square meant. When she finished, the youngsters gently laid the quilt down on the soft grass, and attached the list so others could come and read it:

List of memories

Mithadan: Then Mithadan and the Elven folk stepped forward, and raised a new sail upon the mast. And Lo! the company beheld a glowing 6-pointed star, surrounded by an arc of Elven Blue with star-rays of mithril, and the four compass points surrounding all. The wind filled the sail and the star danced. "The Lonely Star" responded with a leap like a dear. The journey had begun.

Piosenniel: The beauty of the fountain of Ondolinde in the final sad night in Gondolin.

Mithadan and Piosenniel: The couple standing before the assembly publicly exchanging vows.

Bird: A portrait of Gondolin-Under-the-Sea with Levanto, and Birdie/Dolphin, and Kali....and the Sea Cows!

Bird and Lindo: The magical encounter between Lindo and Bird on the isle of Tol Fuin.

Cami: The night of blazing stars and snowflakes when Maura and Nitir stood hand-in-hand on the heights of Tol Fuin, with Bird and Angara hovering overhead.

Cami and her Hobbit Children: Cami standing near Rose, Gamba, and the boys waiting to see the hobbrim transformed under Ulmo's sceptre.

Rose: The dragonback ride of Rose and Cami as they flew back towards the Lonely Star leaving Beleriand behind.

Angara: A double inset: Mithadan giving Angara a bubblebath and a portrayal of the wyrm as the Defender of Meneltarma sitting astride Eru's Mount.

Angara and the Hobbrim Children Angara teaching her hobbrim children on the Star.

Levanto : Piosenniel and Bird frolicking in the waves.

Ancalimon : The triumphant march over the snow from the camps of Morgoth to Tol Fuin with Nitir, Azra, and Maura's family.

Idril: The faces of Holly and her young daughter within the circle of Holly's necklace - a silver chain with a holly leaf pendant.

Khelek: The meeting aboard the Star when Mithadan confided the secret purpose of the mission.

Veritas: The arrival of the Teleri swanships.

Kali: Kali's first glimpse of his hobrim cousins through the storm tossed waves off the coast of Numenor.

Daisy: Kali and Daisy hand-in-hand after the transformation on Meneltarma.

Andril : Nitir presenting Idril's day book to Andril and the hobbrim.

Loremaster: The arrival of Nitir and Azra in the river in the dark.

Gamba: Bird's rescue of Gamba and Azraph in the tombs.

Gamba and Esta: Gamba and Esta swimming out together to see the stars.

Gamba and Rose: Rose taking the arrow for Maura on the banks of the Siril River.

Phura: The transformation by Ulmo; the trip to the abyss.

Phura and Azraph: Azraph's choice to become a hobbrim.

Kesha: Climbing on board the Teleri ship for the first time.

Roka: Levanto's first appearance at the river while Gamba sang and the children played games.

Asta: Sunshine and blue sky after the darkness of the tombs.

Ban: Butterflies on Meneltarma.

Maura: Birdie, the pretty dragon.

Corby: Mika and Kima's final, cinemactic duel at Candlestones the night of the rescue.

Annee: Mithadan and Piosenniel leading the rescue team to liberate the Locks.

[ November 26, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Bird presented two gifts after the ceremony. She had searched the waters far and wide around the sunken island, and with the help of Levanto had found in an old shipwreck a pair of matched loving cups, encrusted with jewels set in a deep red gold. They could have been fit for the halls of Gondolin themselves.

The other gift was to the Hobbrims. With the permission of Levanto. Bird had released the sea-cows back into the waters around the island. They both thought that the "herd" would give the Hobbrims a good start, and give them some familiar nourishment until they discovered the rich bounty of their ocean home. Soon the Hobbrim children were all petting Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup, and offering rides to the bolder Hobbit children. The sea-cows seemed very happy with their new home.

With a flourish of their instruments, the Elven musicians started the celebration of the marriage of Piosenniel and Mithadan. Birdie was delighted to hear that the Elves were capable of more than soft, melancholy dirges based on long-ago memories, and soon their lively airs had the feet of everyone on the island moving along.

But the Hobbits and Hobbrims were adding their own melodies as well. The children had brought back a varied selection of natural materials, and soon Bird and Kali had helped them construct log drums, rattles made of strung-together shells, and slap sticks made from the branches of the elderberry tree.

Bird had also constructed a "bullroarer" from some rope and a piece of flotsam, and Gamba was soon whirling it over his head and making the most astounding varieties of noises. Kali had brought a conch shell, of course, and with his cheek puffing, was blowing a a low, thumping rhythm that would not be duplicated on Middle-earth until the 7th age invention of the tuba. And Bird was blowing a trilling counter-melody on a simple 5-hole wood flute, intertwining her sound with the silver pipes of the Elves.

Then, amidst the music, The Grey Peddler sent a stream of fiery stars and flowers into the air, to the delight of everyone. And so everyone on the island, (even Angara) was dancing upon the sands, lit by the stars, the candles, and the falling colors of the Wizard's craft.

Pio and Mith, of course, stayed for as long as courtesy demanded, then quietly retreated to the "Lonely Star" for their own celebration. But the rest of the revelers could still be faintly heard on the ship, rejoicing until the sun rose again.

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

[Child of the 7th Age]

As dawn broke over the horizon, only a few revelers could be seen tottering back in the direction of the hobbrim caves or towards the Elven ships. Two of the skiffs had been commissioned to ferry the partygoers back and forth across the small bay. One was just pulling out on its last trip. A handful of hobbit families had keeled over on the beach and fallen asleep on the white sands, each sprawled on top of the next, too tired to venture any further.

Other than that, only a few brave souls remained on shore trying to clear off tables and pick up debris. Gamba had a large burlap sack, and was wandering about the party site, haphazardly spearing garbage with a fishing harpoon and stuffing it into the bag. Cami was sorting through Pio and Mith's presents on one of the tables, stacking them in piles for one of the Elves to carry back to the Star. There were amazing gifts that grateful families had found or made with loving hands as a way of thanking the man and the Elf for leading the rescue in the tombs.

Gamba's four boys had not returned to the Star, but were sleeping by the edge of the beach, holding tight to one another. Rose had laid down near them, and also slept. She still was not completely healed from her wound. Gamba went over and covered them all with a large tarp he'd found from one of the tables.

Wearied from the long night, the last two hobbits still struggling to stay awake slid down onto one of the benches to rest a minute and catch their breath. Gamba had spent the night singing and dancing with friends and kin, acting as silly as any teener can act. But now he sat quietly, staring out to sea. The happiness of the party slipped away, as the boy fixed sad eyes on the distant horizon. Even Cami seemed subdued.

"It's hard, isn't it?" Cami broke into Gamba's thoughts. "Everyone thinks you should be over it, because it's been a few weeks. And they don't understand how you can be laughing and playing one minute, and then grieving and fussing the next."

Gamba sighed, not even questioning Cami's insights or her decision to bring up the topic. "It's the good times that are the hardest. I don't know why."

"When Pio said her vows, all I could think of was Esta. How we'd never stand together like that."

"I'm so happy to be here and alive. I just don't understand why she's not here too."

Cami looked away, and said nothing.

"Are you going to ask me to stop thinking about it? Some of my friends have suggested that."

Cami shook her head. "No. I think you should talk to someone who's willing to listen. Bottling things up won't get you anywhere. It only builds up and explodes."

"What would you know about that?"

Cami shook her head and laughed, "Plenty, I'm afraid. When I look back on everything, I think that was one of the hardest things about leaving Maura. There was no one to talk to. Rose was too young. I don't mean her actual age. It's just that she'd never gone through anything like that. And none of the others from the Star were there. I didn't feel I could say anything, not to Pio or Bird or Mith. They were my close friends, but there was always this one hole between us."

"So what did you do?"

"I found someone to listen, someone who let me vent when I was upset. Someone who had been there and who understood things a little."

"Ancalimon?" the boy asked.

Cami shook her head. "I saw great sadness and death in Ladros that I'll never forget, but nothing so hateful as what happened to Esta. You never get over that completely, no matter what people say. It changes you. But you do learn to live with it, and go on."

"I'm trying, I'm really trying." the boy replied.

"I know you are. I just want you to understand that I'm here if you need to talk, and if you don't want to, that's alright too."

The boy hesitated and asked. "Was it hard for you? When you left Maura. The songs are so sad. I never really understood them. At least not till I knew you."

She looked over at him. "I'm not like Pio, or even Bird. Maybe I wish I was, but I've never been good at seizing things and making them my own. Before this voyage, I spent a lot of time waiting and hoping. Things didn't happen very fast. And when they did happen on this journey, everything came and went so quickly. Too quickly."

"That's why you and Rose and the boys are so important. I refuse to sit and wait anymore. I can't have Maura, and I don't know what's going to happen. But at least I can stop waiting and start doing something that has some meaning for me."

Abruptly, Gamba threw his arms around Cami and buried his head in her shoulder, "I'm really sorry you couldn't stay there. I know you wanted to. But I'm glad you're here. I don't want you to leave."

"Who said anyone's leaving? Certainly not me. Not when I've found the folk I want to spend my life with." She kissed Gamba swiftly on the curls, and guided him over to lie down on the sands next to his children. She herself snuggled down beside Rose and almost instantly fell asleep, oblivious to the sun that had just crept up over the horizon to herald the arrival of a new day.

---------------------------------------------
Helen's Post:

Phura and Azraph surfaced a few scant feet from shore. Kesha popped up by Phura.

Phura and Kesha looked at the beach, as the sun rose. Kesha pointed to a tarp, and got out of the water and went to look at it. He lifted the corner, and suddenly waved to Phura and Azraph. They came to see.

Gamba and his four boys were sound asleep, and not too far away, Nitir and Azra were there too.

Phura sighed, and Azraph took his hand. "I miss them so, " Phura said, lifting Azraph's hand to his lips.

Azraph nodded. "I know we need to get some more sleep. But do we have to go back to the caves?"

"You could sleep near Nitir and Azra, " Phura realized, brightening. Azraph smiled, thinking back to several nights in the caves with Nitir and Azra, and then a mix of emotions crossed her face. She especially missed her sister, and mother too. But her whole family had returned to the ships.

"We'll be too clammy cold, and they'll complain, " Kesha objected.

"True, but we needn't snuggle right up to them; we can just sleep nearby. Come on." Phura found a corner of the tarp near Nitir and Azra, and Azraph climbed underneath it, and Phura tucked her in. Then he and Kesha went around near Gamba, and climbed under a corner of the tarp there.

But he did not sleep much. He lay awake, as he had done so many times in the Study, listening to Gamba twitch and mutter in his dreams. More than once, he heard Gamba calling Esta's name. It was such a lonely sound, that Phura sat up and made sure that Azraph was safe nearby several times before the sun was high.

[ November 27, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ November 27, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

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 ]

[piosenniel]

Her first destination was Tuor’s ship. She told him that they would need only fourteen ships to accompany them up the Anduin. He advised her that he would speak with the captains, and all would be ready by tomorrow. Idril had gone ashore for the day, and Pio followed after her, wanting to thank her one last time for all her effort on behalf of the companions.

She found her walking in the glade above the beach, taking in the sights and scents of what once had been Númenor. ‘Lovely, is it not?’ asked Pio. ‘What once was a fair gift to Men.’ Idril nodded, and Pio could read in her mind that she thought of all that might have been, had not Men’s hearts turned toward the shadow. ‘Still,’ she said to Idril, ‘This will bring a hidden hope when the world most needs it, and for that I am grateful.’

They walked long in Númenor, their graceful arms about each other’s waists, smoothing out those things which had once been rough between them. They made the peace which now would link them in harmony, for on the morrow the memory of it would be all that each would ever have again of the other. After some time, they parted and Idril returned to her ship.

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

[piosenniel]

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 ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami had finally awoken and managed to rouse her stiff limbs from the ground. All of the younger ones had already run off to start their day. She was surprised to find Andril standing nearby, waiting on her to get up. They seemed anxious to settle several problems about the Star's voyage to the Anduin.

"Kali came to see me for a favor." Andril explained. "He'll be going with Daisy on the Star. They'll be sailing with the hobbits to the Anduin in the Third Age and will then make the leap with the ship into the Fourth Age so Mith and Pio and Bird can get home. Mithadan will attach the time crystal to one of the skiffs, and then Kali and Daisy will head back to Meneltarma in the Second Age."

Cami responded, "That sounds fine. What can I do to help?"

"Actually, we're wondering if you wouldn't mind a few more passengers? Phura and Azraph would like to come along to say goodbye to Gamba. Plus, I'd like to make the trip as well. Idril's daybook isn't really finished until we record the tale of the hobbit landing in the Third Age. And it would certainly be easier to record if I managed to see it in person."

"Plus, there's the girls. Azraph and Daisy. Normally they'd be with their families, of course. Loremaster and I have agreed to keep an eye on them, and..."

Cami halted Andril's explanation and smiled slyly. Second Age or Fourth Age, some things about hobbits never changed, or at least not much. She suspected that the girls would be resourceful enough to manage on their own, but there was also how folk looked at things. "You don't have to say anything else. Of course, you may all go. I'll check with Pio or Mith, but I doubt there'd be any problem. "

"But remember that you won't have to do too much looking after Azraph. Her parents are going to the Anduin as well, and I suspect they'd welcome a chance to be with her on the ship. When I talk with Piosenniel, I'll ask her to make sure that they're also assigned to the Star."

[ November 27, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

It was Cami who first found Pio. The Elf had given up on finding the Hobbit and thought to take one of the skiffs back to the Star. She was hungry and thirsty, and she wished just to sit and speak of pleasant matters with someone who was not going to disappear from her life tomorrow. The thought of her belovéd’s face brought a smile to hers, and she hurried to push the craft into the deeper water along the beach and be off.

‘Wait!’ she heard, and turning her head saw Cami running toward her and waving wildly. She dragged the small skiff part way up on the sand, and walked toward her friend.

Pio said that she had been looking for Cami, to ask her to get the Hobbits ready to go by tomorrow – and would she please speak to Kali and Daisy and see if both of them were now coming. Cami laughed, and said that not only would she speak to those two, but to Phura and Azraph, as well as Andril.

‘Andril? Is she coming also?’ Then understanding dawned on Pio, and she laughed. ‘Of course! They will need an attendant adult! Someone to guarantee that proper conduct is maintained.’ She thought for a moment, her brow slightly furrowed. ‘Let’s put them all on the Star, together. That way everyone can keep an eye on them.’

She went on to tell Cami how many ships would be taking the Hobbits, telling her that the remainder would be going West with Idril and Tuor when the others left in the morning bound for the Anduin. Could Cami please take on the responsibility of parceling out the Hobbits to the remaining ships, including the Star.

Cami agreed and told Pio she would see her later on the ship, but that now she had something urgent to do.

‘I have not heard you mention Ancalimon.’ asked Pio as Cami made to go off on other errands. ‘Which ship do you think he might like to travel on?’

‘That is one of my errands,’ said Cami, ‘to say farewell to both him and the Loremaster.’ Pio frowned at this statement. ‘So, he is not coming back with you - will not accompany you and the Hobbits on your long journey?’

‘No, he will not be with us this time, but later will he come to help us as we have need of him. He is going back to Aman, at least for a while. There is more he wishes to learn there, before he comes back to Middle-earth.’

Then Cami took her leave, once again, of Pio and went looking for Loremaster and Ancalimon, to say her good-byes to them. The Elf returned to the Star. ‘One more farewell I must make.’ she murmured to herself, thinking of the kindly wizard who had helped to engineer her return as Tulë.

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