THE LONELY STAR (Contd. from BD birthday party)

[piosenniel]

Angara dropped a flask of miruvor at Pio's feet.

'Thank you! There are too many things to be done today and too little sleep to fuel me.' She poured a little of the liquid into the flask cap and sipped at it.

'So, what do you and your new little charge have planned this day?' The dragon perched on the railing, looking out to sea. 'Any more *diversions* in store for the crew?'

'Now that was a fiasco, wasn't it!?' sighed the elf. 'No, I think we'd better get down to the business of finding Beleriand and getting prepared to actualy be there.'

'How much do you think the rest of the crew knows about the 1st Age or Beleriand?' asked the dragon.

'Not much, I think. Mithadan, perhaps some, and Child, from her studies. But even for them it's dusty ancient history at best, or the stuff of myth and story. What do you think of having Child do a brief course on the history of Beleriand - hitting the high points, say: Where the major settlements of the Elves were, the Wars, the major players. I can loan her a map or two. Perhaps Mithadan would agree to point out a few strategic areas we will be concentrating on for our time jumps.'

'Might work, but remind Child that the lectures can't be too long or too detailed, or she'll lose her audience.'

Pio took another small sip of miruvor and resealed the flask. She slipped it in her pocket and made to go downstairs to wake Daisy, when the dragon spoke once more.

'One other thing, elf. Perhaps you should speak with Khelek about his knowledge of the Sunken Lands. I heard him humming to himself the other day. A song not heard for ages - from Beleriand.'

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: HEY EVERYONE!! Wow! Alot has happened. Poor Daisy, you think I could charge you all of tween abuse? LOL! The poor hobbit needs a hug. smilies/biggrin.gif ::

After swimming Rose had withdrawn herself from the action. She had hovered around watching and listening. When Daisy was first found Rose had been very happy for the chance of a playmate. It wasn't as if she wasn't having fun and her friends were all plesant to be around. But Daisy had been a good friend of Rose once and was more her age.

However, Rose was dissapointed when she bairly was able to get close to the young hobbit. She felt Daisy was being treated too harshly for her first real adventure. She had hoped to comfort her but could never find her on her own.

So instead she brooded about the ship ignoring her chores. She was not afraid of Mithadan's wrath if she didn't do her work. He would probably not notice with all the recent problems anyway.

Then with a mind to get a snack Rose headed for the kitchen where she found a copper kettle bouncing about in Celeaewen's hands. She imediatly identified it. "Kettle of Fish!? How did you get here?" then she looked up at the elf as if she expected the answer from her.

[piosenniel]

Daisy was up and dressed by the time Pio had gotten to the cabin. Child was nowhere to be seen. 'Had breakfast, yet?,' asked the elf.

'No, Ma'am.' she replied and Pio smiled at her.

'Then let's hurry before Bird and Child eat the rest of the berry jam.'

At the mention of Bird's name, Daisy blanched, and stammered out, 'Is she all right, ma'am?'

'Yes, she is, Daisy. It's really none of your fault what happened to her. And I wanted to apologize for acting so cold to you during that incident. I have no excuse except to say I was very frightened for the life of my good friend, and acted out of that fear. If you will accept my apology, I will do better next time.'

The hobbit thought for a moment and said, 'Yes, I will accept it, Lady Pio.'

The two had a quiet breakfast of tea, toast and jam, and eggs. Pio spent the time looking at a particular book of maps in which she had made notations over the years, and Daisy just enjoyed the food and the sunshine streaming through the porthole.

When they were done, they both straightened the eating area. Pio then went up to the helm with Daisy following.

Veritas was at the wheel, the wind filled their sails, and the ship was clipping along at a steady speed. Pio discussed their position with Veritas, and pointed out to Daisy both their position as plotted on the map in her hand and the sighted landmarks off starboard.

Pulling a crate in front of the wheel, Pio stood Daisy on it and let Veritas show her how to hold a steady course using the ship's compass.

'Hold her steady, now, little mate!' said Veritas with a laugh, 'You've got the helm; she's in your hands!'

'Yes, ma'am!' came the crisp reply from the beaming hobbit. She was both thrilled and terrified that the ship was now her responsibility.

Veritas bent over a map that Pio had unrolled and placed on one of the barrelhead. She traced the ships course so far for today. 'There are the Ered Nimrais.' She pointed with the tip of her finger. 'And here is Ras Morthil.' She indicated the cape at the northwest edge of the Bay of Belfalas. 'We have just come round Andrast - its peninsula, and are heading into Belegaer, the Great Sea.'

Pio frowned and calculated distances in her head. 'This means in four or five days we could be near the Gulf of Lune.' She looked at Veritas.

'Yes. Providing the wind and weather holds for us.'

'Hmm . . and from the Gulf of Lune to Tol Morwen, about, say, another two days.' She looked northward, as if she would will the island into view. 'Then we must be ready to try the crystal device by then.'

Veritas looked northward, too , and wished she had Mithadan's PC with which to work out their problem.

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

[piosenniel]

Pio glanced toward Daisy to see how she was doing. The brisk wind had blown her curls all about her face, and rouged them with its coolness. But she stood firm and kept the ship on a true course. There was a light in her eyes as she looked ahead, and her easy stance at the wheel gave off an air of contentment and surety.

Veritas nudged Pio. She seems well suited to this.

Yes, I think this might be just the place for her to blossom! She looked at Veritas inquiringly.Will you take her on and teach her to be a navigator if I send her to you

Of course, Pio! With pleasure!

Veritas bent to the map once more, seeking a certain landmark. 'Was this where you meant to put in for a while?', she asked.

Pio looked to the map. 'Yes, anywhere near that, where you can put in safely. It should only take an hour for us to get what we need.'

Veritas went to Daisy and showed her the navigational map, explaining the symbols for currents and for hidden reefs, rocks, and other obstructions. She told her that when the ship reached the area they sought, that she would take the helm from Daisy and show her how to pilot the ship safely in near shore.

'You have about two hours before we drop anchor.' said Veritas. 'If you like, Daisy can stay here with me while you attend to other business.'

Pio thanked her and hurried off to find Child.

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

[piosenniel]

She found Child and Mithadan sitting together in the galley, discussing all the clues that had come to light since the beginning of this journey. Mithadan was talking and Child was drawing a diagram incorporating all the facts they had discovered. There were bold lines indicating direct connections with facts and clues and what they knew of First Age History, and dotted lines indicating more tenuous connections. It was a large, complicated diagram and Pio wondered in amazement at its thoroughness.

'That's exactly what we need!', said the elf out loud. Both the Man and the hobbit looked up at her in surprise, both having been so engrossed in their talk that they had not noticed her enter.

'What is exactly "what"', said Child, pushing her reading glasses up to the top of her head and eyeing Pio.

'Your diagram! It's just the place to start for your lectures to the crew.'

'My lectures? . . . to the crew?' asked Child, in puzzlement.

'I'm sorry', said Pio, 'I've jumped ahead of myself. We will be well within the waters over Beleriand by tomorrow and at Tol Fuin sometime near the end of the week.'

Mithadan raised his eyebrows at this statement.

'That is, given the continued graces of a good wind and fair weather.' she directed toward him.

'What I'd like you to do, Child, being our resident scholar, is to put together some short, informal talks on the areas we'll be going to, their history, geography, types of people, etc. The crew will need to know what to expect when we jump in time.'

'Excellent idea.' said Mithadan, 'and Child is just the one to do it. Good choice!'

Child beamed at this, and Pio could see her calculating already just what she planned to do.

'I'll supply any maps you need.' offered the elf, and sit in whenever you need as will Mithadan.' She looked to him for confirmation, and he shook his head in agreement.

'Well, this will certainly be a challenge,'said Child gathering her papers from the table, 'but I relish the thought of sinking my teeth into it!' She retreated through the door and could be heard murmuring to herself, 'Now where shall I start? Oh, I know! Now where is that book I need to reference it?.' Her steps grew fainter down the hall - 'Angara, come help, please' would be the last they heard from her for the next two days.

[piosenniel]

Mithadan motioned for Pio to take a seat at the table. He stood up and
pulled out a large map that he and Child had been studying, and rolled it out on the table, securing the corners with tea mugs.

'I'm concerned,' he said,looking at the hazily sketched drawings of the submerged Beleriand lands, 'that once we reach our destination we will not be able to find the necessary places to make the time jumps. In fact, I'm beyond concerned, it frankly frightens me. We could endanger ourselves and our ship if we cannot plot the jump precisely. I had hoped that Idril and Tuor would be here to guide us, but now that they are gone, I cannot think how we will accomplish this.' He shook his head in puzzlement and dropped his hand wearily to the map.

She waited for him to sit down, then opened her map case and took out an old navigational map, well drawn and annotated by the hand of many who had used it. 'If it comforts you, Mithadan, Tuor gave me this map to help us find the way.'

He looked at the map closely, and still sighed as he sat back in his chair. 'This will be a great help', he acknowledged, 'but still it would be easier had someone from that time and place been here to guide us. I cannot see how we can do this.'

'With the grace of Ulmo, Mithadan we will acomplish this quest. Finding Kali's family is only a small thread in the tapestry we are woven into. There are larger forces that move with us, and help will come to us along the way.'

He looked at the elf. 'And how is it you know this?'

Veritas could be heard calling Pio's name. 'Ah, we must be where I need to put ashore! Let us talk of this later, when things are not so rushed, and I will tell you what I can.'

She ran upstairs, leaving Mithadan to puzzle at her words.

[piosenniel]

They had passed some twenty miles up the coast off Drùwaith Iaur, when Veritas took the wheel from Daisy, who stood by watching his every move. He put the ship as close as he could to shore, and then shouted for the crew to drop anchor.

Pio called for Rose, Cele, and Khelek to accompany her ashore. Two boats were lowered to the water - Pio and Rose in one, and Khelek and Cele in the other.

Once on land, Pio handed each of them a stout hatchet and lead them to an outcropping of trees.

'I need some staves cut, about this long and this large around.' She indicated the dimensions with her hands. 'About ten of them will do. So if Cele and Rose will get two apiece, Khelek and I will find three each.'

Cele and Rose went in among the trees. 'Try to get them as straight as possible!' shouted Pio after them.

Khelek and she went a short way further north before they entered the stand of trees. Their axes rang as they soon found young saplings of just the right dimension. They cut them to length, stripped them of bark. and shaved down all the bumps from little branchings they had hewn off.

When they had finished they sat for a while in the shade. There was an unobstructed view of the beach where they had moored their boats, and Pio kept an eye out for the return of the hobbit and the other elf.

'Angara mentioned,' she said to Khelek, 'that she had spoken with you the other day. Khelek nodded his head, 'yes'. 'She said she had heard you humming a tune and asked you about it.'

He looked at her and waited for her to continue, not knowing where this might lead.

'She said that you had learned it in Minas Tirith. Is this true?'

'No, what I recall saying is that it came to me in Minas Tirith.' said Khelek. 'I think it is a song I heard once long ago, but I can't remember when or where. I do know I was looking at some of the lore books in the library concerning the captives of Morgoth in Angband, when I recalled some fragments from a verse of it and the tune came back to me. I have been humming it on and off since then.'

'Do you know the name of it?' she asked.

''I don't think I ever knew.' he replied.

She asked him to hum what he knew of the tune, and he complied. He had gone through what he knew of it twice, when she stopped him.

'You truly do not know that which you sing?' she asked. He shrugged, and gave a negative shake to his head. 'What is it?' he asked.

'It is "The Lay of Leithian" / Release from Bondage - a song of Beleriand.'

A song of Beleriand, he thought to himself. 'Can you teach me the words?'

'Yes, but not now. Look! Rose and Cele have returned to the boats. We must get back to the ship and on our way.'

They loaded the staves and then themselves back onto the boats and rowed back the short distance to the Lonely Star.

Just before they got there, Rose asked, 'What are we doing with all these sticks, Pio?'

'We're going to practice swordfighting, Rose. And I'm counting on you to help me teach the others, using these as practice swords.'

'So you think we may need swords in Beleriand?' said Rose.

'We may, Rose. So, I want us all to be prepared.'

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

[Kettle of fish]

Kettle looked at the staves of wood and the figures preparing for their fighting lessons. Mournfully, it hoped that it would know how to protect itself in a fight.

[Rose Cotton]

Everyone had gathered on deck and were using the last rays of sun to start learning to sword fight. But instead of there being one teacher they all found themself teaching eachother the bits and pieces they new.


Rose found that her use with a sword was still very premature and she learned alot. Daisy new almost nothing before they started but she learned quickly and soon became better then Rose. Even Kali was able to learn after Pio asured him that the sword would only be used for defence purposes.

As Rose went to the side of the ship to rest she noticed Kettle sitting and watching everyone else. "Don't worry Kettle. " said Rose asuringly, " We can find you some kind of weapon."

[piosenniel]

Pio watched the crew trying their 'blades'. She let them play for a while, and then began to pair them up - an experienced fighter with a novice. Daisy she took for her own pupil.

Lining each pair up, she took them through their beginning paces - some short comments on grips and stances, and then a basic defensive lesson on parrying.

They worked hard for a good hour, until the lesson had almost become an automatic response. Then she told them to put up their 'swords' and come to dinner.

'That was good work, Daisy', she said to the hobbit lass, who had managed to get only a few small bruises when her blade failed to turn Pio's. 'It will be a great advantage to have someone like you at our side, should we need to defend ourselves.'

Daisy beamed, and followed her down to the galley.

[piosenniel]

Supper being got over, the crew went up on deck to enjoy the stars for a while and talk quietly among themselves. It had been a long, busy day and for the most part they were tired. After a while, one by one they said their good-nights and went off to bed.

The deck was quiet, and Pio sat on the bow railing, watching the moon's silver path on the water rise and fall with waves.

Angara sat nearby watching the elf.

Do you never sleep, Elf?

When there is time, I will sleep. But now I must puzzle out a few more details before we reach the Gulf of Lune.

What then?

Then, my dear wingéd friend, I think we shall pull far out to open sea and chance a flight to get the lay of the sunken lands.

I see. Then I shall go off to sleep now. It will require all my strength to have to carry your carcass about!

And with that remark, the dragon quickly flew to the mast top, before Pio could respond.

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

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: Alright, we need something to slow the pace and make things intresting. And since we've all been hoping for good weather I think we should get in trouble with mother nature.::

As Pio sat on the deck and the others slept in thier quarters unknown to them the winds started to shift. And on the horizon a stormclowd was forming silently sheilded by the dark of night.


And Pio suddenly felt small raindrops on her cheeck.

[GreatWarg]

Khelek went up to the deck for a breath of fresh air, standing on the starboard side to watch the horizon. Uncannily, clouds formed overheard and the weather worsened with great speed. Soon, it was a torrential downpour of freezing cold rain.

"Loos like a storm's coming up," Poi said, coming up. "We had better warn the others and prepare."

[Kettle of fish]

The whirling storm clouds were mirrored in the shiny copper surface of the kettle. Rain drops fell, and soon a rising layer of water was building up inside the open kettle.

[ July 23, 2002: Message edited by: Kettle of fish ]

[piosenniel]

OOC: Please don't slow the story down - I want to be near Beleriand by the time Mithadan comes back to the boards. We need to make some time jumps, to see how to put the ship safely down where and when we want it. By the time Child returns, we need to be ready for the rescue of the hobbits from Tol Fuin, the bringing of the hobbits back to middle earth from Numenor, and the reunion of Kali with his family.

On the other hand, if this is not the consensus - then please let me know and I will bow out of the process.

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: I'm sorry, I didn't know we were on a scedual. The storm doesn't have to last that long. I just thought we needed somthing fun to do. But whatever you all want is fine.::

Rose was awakened by the sound of feet overhead. She went on deck to find everyone preparing for the storm that was now coming upon them.

[Kettle of fish]

The kettle started to float haphazardly, trying to make its way back inside the ship. Luckily, the door opened as one of the hobbits came out. This sucked in a lot of water, including the water that the kettle was bobbig on. With a clang, it bounced down the stairs to the safety below. That had been a close call. Any wave could have washed it overboard.

[ July 23, 2002: Message edited by: Kettle of fish ]

[Birdland]

Birdie had watched the taming of Daisy with a jaundiced eye. She did not believe that the little cat could change her stripes so easily; it would take more than some practice with wooden swords before the skin-changer would trust her on this adventure. Sometimes, Birdie could have a rather unforgiving nature. She avoided the Halfling stowaway whenever she saw her.

Bird was on deck with Veritas, taking her turn at watch and helping with the wheel as the great ship rode the squall out. The wind was blowing steadily, sending rain into their faces and waves over the deck. Somewhere Bird heard a kettle clang as it bounced down the stairs, and worried if the galley had been secured properly before the storm.

It was a night for troubled sleep, and Bird wondered how this storm was effecting the dreams of her companions. Particularly Kali, who was more used to riding out storms below the sea rather than in a pitching, rolling, stuffy cabin.

And far, far away, Birdie could still hear the calls of the Dolphin-Folk, as they too rode out the storm.

[ July 22, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Kettle of fish]

The heavens were unleashing their fury upon the ship, creating mountain ranges of the waves and vicious winds that tore at flesh and wood.

More than one life lost in the turmoil thought, 'Surely we will sink'.

[piosenniel]

The sudden storm had awakened Daisy. Coming up to the deck, she looked for Pio who was busy lashing down a canvass thrown over some of the crates on deck. 'Here, let me help, ma'am', she said as she grabbed a rope flailing in the wind.

Once done, both went up to the helm, to see how Veritas and Bird were faring. Pio asked Daisy to assist Bird. Bird turned a baleful eye toward Pio, but since help was needed she accepted it in icy silence.

Pio took Veritas aside to confirm their position. 'I think we should turn her and head out to open sea.', said Veritas, her words almost lost in the wind. 'This squall is probably limited in area, and I think with the wind behind us, we can move to calmer waters.' The elf agreed, and left Bird and Veritas to refigure the ship's course.

Taking Daisy, she headed back below to see what needed securing. On their way down the steps to the helm, she heard Bird give a grudging 'thanks' to Daisy, and smiled.

Once below, they checked the galley, and saw the large kettle rolling helplessly on the floor, banging into chair and table legs. Pio picked up the kettle and put it safely in a cabinet just its size and locked the latch securely. 'Best you stay here until the storm is done.', she said to it before she put it away. 'Wouldn't want you to get too many dents in your sides. I'll come back directly after we are in calmer waters and let you out.'

Daisy and she went to check on the other crew members and to reassure them.

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

[piosenniel]

OOC:

KETTLE - please respond to the PM's I've sent you. Would be happy to discuss the storyline with you.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose was trying to find someway she could help when Pio and Daisy came up to her.
"I think we're alright." Pio said. "We're just going to stear out of the storm.

At that moment Kali came up the stairs. "What is..." then he noticed Daisy. He gave her a frightened glance then turned and made his way back to the lower decks. Rose went to follow him but was thown down by a gust. The wind was getting really strong and all around people where struggling to stay on thier feet.

"I don't think this is just a thunderstorm." said Rose.


ooc: I like the idea of being picked up and dropped in a convienent area.::

[ July 22, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[piosenniel]

The storm had indeed been a powerful one, moving the ship swiftly westward, like a seabird through the air, about four hundred miles off the coast from Vinyalondë. When day broke, fair and clear the following morning, there was no coastline visible, only open sea and gentle waves.

Bird and Veritas lay in exhausted slumber on the helm deck, having covered themselves with a tarp. Pio stood at the helm with Kali beside her, Daisy being still asleep in the cabin. The elf had lashed the wheel in position to hold them on a westward course, and was using the sextant and compass to determine the location of the ship. Kali looked askance at the intruments, wondering how these two pieces of metal knew where they were. Pio explained their workings as she went along, but still it puzzled him.

His wondering was cut short by the arrival of Mithadan on deck, who looked as if the rough, stormy seas had kept him up most of the night.

Mithadan looked toward the now long gone coast, then at the compass, and frowned.

'Where in Arda are we?', he asked, taking a look at the navigational charts. 'And why are we heading West?'

[ July 23, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Kettle of fish]

Land at last. The sight of it seemed a pleasant sight after so many days of nothing but sea.
Not all were happy though, some wore expressions of bewilderment or worry.

[Losthuniel]

Celeaewen's eyes were rather salt-crusted, for she had spent the night helping on deck. She was having great trouble seing through the salt crystals on her lashes, And ecided that a little (non-salty) water never hurt anyone.
"Now, where did I put my soap?"

[ July 23, 2002: Message edited by: Losthuniel ]

[Birdland]

Birdie awoke to a bright, hot sun streaming down on the tarp which she and Veritas had huddled under after their turn at the wheel was over. She gave a suspicious sniff and looked down at the slumbering Elf. Whooo! Even an Elf could stand a bath after a night of storm and hard work! (Bird didn't even want to think what she smelled like.)

She stood and stretched, then gave Veritas a nudge with her foot. She immediately awoke and wrinkled her nose, giving the skin-changer a sideways look. Then she too threw off the tarp, and leapt up in a far more jaunty manner then Birdie had.

"Where are we?" she asked, scanning the horizon around them. They noticed Pio and Mith working at the charts and walked over to find the answer.

[Kettle of fish]

A derisive voice broke Kettle's joyous outburst.
"You silly kettle, that is a mirage - only the ghost of land"
A puff of smoke billowed from Angara's nostrils as she regarded the upset kettle.

[Rose Cotton]

Daisy had woken up. She was badgering Pio and Mith. Hovering around them and talking nonstop. After a minute of this Pio finnaly looked up from the charts and snapped at Rose to take Daisy somewhere else. Rose could tell Pio had had a hard night. She lead Daisy down to the lower decks her own cabin. As soon as the door was shut Daisy burst into a tantrum. "It's not fair! That thing was with her all night and she didn't send it away at all. She thinks I'm a horrible person just because I don't like that thing. I mean can you blame me?" She gave Rose a penatrating stare. "Yes. Of course you do. You havn't done anything in my favor either. And we were supposed to be friends."

"Daisy." said Rose softly. And even though Daisy had been shouting she was able to quiet her. "Sit down. I DO understand. I think they're being too harsh too. This is your first real adventure and they're expecting too much. But that doesn't mean that your behavior is all that great. Why do you think Kali is horibble?"

"He looks like a monster."
"And you look like a little girl who should be home learning to sew. What if you were judged by your looks? Because you and I know that your much more then that. Can't you understand that Kali is much more then he seems? He is a decendent of a breed of hobbit that took to the sea. They changed their apperance in order to survive in the water. If he looked like a regualar hobbit he would be the same person. Daisy I know how scary it can be. Sometimes I see him coming out of the dark and for a fleeting instant I recoil. But then I remember who he really is. Do you understand?"

Daisy nodded. "But they will still hate me."

"I don't think so. Even if they wanted to our current situation forbids it. We're all going to be one happy family whether we like it or not. But I think it would be even better if you proved your worth liking."

"Like what?"
"Making it up to Kali."
"How?"
"Dinner?"
"Can you help me?"
"Lets get started."

[Child of the 7th Age]

OOC---here I am at my brother's house in Michigan. He has computer with a strange keyboard so my typing may look weird. Probably won't post again till we get to Toronto Thursday night. My mom doesn't have a computer. Havinga good time. Went on a boat ride on the river and it really went UP and DOWN. Ugh! (Child almost got seasick)
_____________________________________________

Once Child heard that Daisy had agreed to her idea of cooking a fine meal for Kali, she decided to give her a hand. The one thing Child definitely knew about was cooking meals for very hungry hobbits. She suspected that feasts for hobbrim would not be too different.

She sat down with Rose and Daisy to review the provisions in the galley and to think about something special that Daisy might make. Even Bird, who harbored suspicions about the hobbit girl, agreed to help gather special seafood delcacies which they would need for Kali's feast.

Before long, Child had Bird hunting for the eggs of seabirds nestled in the rocky outcrops which stood along the shallower waters close to the shoreline itself. When the wind died down and the ship stood still, Child begged Pio to drop anchor for a bit and had Rose get in the small dinghy with a net and pole to try her hand at fishing.

Child dragged out several old cookbooks tucked away in the galley, as she and Daisy poured over them. When they couldn't find exactly what they wanted, Child ransacked her memories of family recipes which she had served to her husband for the many years they had shred a home and raised their children.

Finally, they came up with a list of foods which they knew to be Kali's favorites:

Steamed Clams
Devilled seabird eggs
Stuffed Sea Salmon
Seaweed Pie
Fried Searooms

To this they added a number of delicacies which they had secured in the markets of Minas Tirith:

Roast Beef and bread pudding
Saffron Cake
Fine ale

The finest touch was to be a large bowl of fresh fruits which were the very last of their store.

Mithadan came down and put his head through the door at all the noise and activity in the galley.

He laughed, "Even a whole village of hobbits and hobbrim could not finish the piles of food which you are preparing here!"

Child promised that the leftovers would be plentiful enough to feed the entire crew for dinner. But she made Mithadan promise to give Daisy some time to set out her table, and let the two have a quiet meal first.

Finally, after hours of scavenging, cooking, and baking, Daisy's feast was ready. Child sent off Rose to go retrieve Kali and bring him down to the galley.

[Rose Cotton]

Once Pio had been notified of Daisy's dinner with Kali it had been her and Veritas's job to keep Kali at the helm of the ship and away from his suprize.

So that's where Rose found the hobrim. She led him down to the galley promising a meal. At the entrance she made believe that she had to go fetch somthing and told Kali to go ahead by himself.

Kali walked into the gally to find a nervious Daisy waiting for him.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Rose quickly made her way over to the cabin which had been assigned to Kali. She knocked on the door.

Kali answered with a shy smile, happy to see one of his cousin's visiting him.

Rose hastily explained, "Someone has a surprise for you Kali, a big surprise they hope you will like."

Kali looked back with puzzlement in his face, but agreed to accompany Rose down to the galley. Rose was so excited she took Kali's hand in her own and pulled him along behind her. They came together to the galley door, and Kali gently pushed it inward. Rose let him go through on his own, and slipped backwards into the hall to run away to her own cabin, hoping that Kali and Daisy could make peace on their own.

As Kali went through the door, he immediately saw the table which had been beautifully laid out with so many of the seafoods which his own mother had prepared for him so many years ago. Memories began pushing into his mind.

Then, he turned and saw Daisy, standing at the head of the table. Her brown curls had been pushed back carelessly from her face because of all the cooking she had done, and she still held a long spoon for stirring in her hand. She had meant to go back to her cabin and change into a clean dress, but Kali's early arrival had put an end to that idea.

For once, she looked not tough or angry, but sweet and vulnerable, as if she were afraid Kali would reject all the efforts at friendship she had made. Daisy held out her hand to her guest. In it there was a small present, much like a mathom one hobbit would give to another on her birthday.

"This is for you," Daisy whispered, "the present and the meal. No one else on board knows this but it is my birthday today. I am sixteen years old, and I wanted to share this day with you. Go ahead, open it." She pushed the small package towards him.

Kali peeped inside the paper wrapping and took it off slowly, as if he were afraid he might destroy a magic treasure inside. Out from the papers fell a small knitted bag. The knitting had definitely been done by a beginner, as there were a few holes here and there which perhaps should not have been there. But Daisy had evidently labored over this hard and long. Child had taught her the basic stitches and made her unravel any of the rows which got too unruly.

Daisy continued, "I know how you like to collect shells, and I made this little bg for you to store your treasures in."

Kali looked up and smiled softly, "It has been a very long time since my mother and grandmother died, and this is the first present anyone has given me since then. It's very special to me, Daisy, especially when you took so long to make it with your own hands."

Daisy looked up at Kali and smiled, "This is special for me too. Last year, my mother had died in Bree, and I was left all alone. So now I have friends to share the day with. That is, I hope I do."

Child's ear had been pressed against the galley door for the duration of this conversation. The moment she heard it was Daisy's birthday, she sent Rose around to everyone to let them know about it. She also included a gentle suggestion that it was hobbit custom to give small gifts for birthdays.

She heard Kali and Daisy talking inside. It seemed that all was going well.

[piosenniel]

A long night had advanced into a long day, and now evening was upon her.

Pio had spent most of the day looking at Tuor's navigational map with Mithadan. The storm had proved fortuitous, and now they were just off the coastline of the sunken realm of Beleriand. Tomorrow the ship would turn north once again and head for the sunken bay of Balar. Angara and she would then risk a flight to sight for landmarks, and the ship would attempt its first time shift.

But tonight, the ship had dropped anchor per request of Child. They were to have a birthday celebration for Daisy, her 16th birthday. 'A special day in any young one's life.' thought Pio. 'I must find her a special present to celebrate it.'

She showered, trying to wash off her weariness. Once dried, she pulled from her bag a soft grey dress with a border of shells and flying seabirds along the neck and lower sleeves picked out in silver thread. Tugging it over her head, she smoothed out the wrinkles, and passed her fingers through her dark curls.

'Angara,' she said to the dragon lying on the foot of her bunk, 'come help me pick out a gift.' She pulled a large leather roll from under her bed, and unrolled it in front of the dragon. Her hands travelled over several items until she found the one she sought.

'What do you think of this?', she asked, holding it aloft.

'A handsome gift,' said Angara, 'but are you sure you want to give it away, and to her?'

The elf smiled. 'Yes, I'm sure.' She placed it on a piece of soft leather and rolled it up, securing it with a leather thong.

Pio left it on Daisy's pillow, and then the two of them went to the dining area to join the others for the party.

[ July 23, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Birdland]

Birdie had only seven words to say when told about the impromptu birthday party for Daisy: "I have no time for such foolishness."

She then went back to checking the ship for storm damage and preparing it for the next stage of its journey.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child looked into her little collection of mathoms. There didn't seem to be anything there that would suit the young Mistress Greenhand. She wanted something special, something that a young hobbit girl would remember with fondness.

Child dug deep into her pack where she carried her special treasures. These were things that her own family had given her, some of them handed down from one generation of hobbits to the next. Her fingers felt the chain and locket that she was searching for. She drew it out of the pack.

It was very old and simple,at least by hobbit standards, a silver band to be fastened about the neck with a heart attached. Child had gotten this from her own mother when she was quite young. Many of her other pieces she had gladly given to her own son and daughter. But this special piece still remained. She wrapped it in a scrap of velvet, and wrote Daisy's name on the outside. Then she took it to place on a table on the deck where others were also leaving their gifts.

She hoped Daisy would understand that it was given with much love from one hobbit to another, a gesture of kindness that the young girl had experienced all too few times in her own short life.

[piosenniel]

Pio sought out Daisy as soon as she entered the dining area. The hobbit was standing next to Kali, and the two were chatting in between the well-wishers who came up to wish her a happy birthday. Pio, herself, went up to the both of them and gave them each a big hug. 'Look at you two.'she said, one hand on an arm of each of them. 'This is the kind of feelings I like to see between the companions on this ship!' She looked at each of them intently. 'I hope this is only the start of a firm friendship between the two of you.' Neither of their faces betrayed a different thought than this. Mithadan and Khelek came up behind her to congratulate the birthday girl, and she left them all together while she sought out Child.

Child and Rose were both near the table, replenishing the supply of food as the platters and bowls became empty.

'It looks as if things are going well, don't you think?' she said to both of them, indicating the area where Daisy and Kali stood together.Rose and Child both agreed with her. 'Where's Bird?' 'Has anyone seen her?' Child shook her head and pointed up to the main deck.

'I see. Well then perhaps I'll just get an assortment of food and go up and speak with her.'

She loaded up a large plate with an assortment of offerings from the table, found a bottle of wine and two glasses, and went up to the helm deck. Bird was sitting on the bow railing, watching the sunset.

'So, is this your idea of preparing the ship for tomorrow's journey?! Polishing the rail with your derrière!' She laughed and ducked the wrench Bird aimed at her. 'Careful! I come bearing food and drink.'

'Hmmph. Probably poisoned, knowing her!'

'Come now! I've personally tested each of these delicacies and suffered no ill consequences. Share this plate with me.' She put the plate down on a barrel head between them. 'We'll wash it down with some good Dorwinion wine.' She handed the glasses to Bird, pulled the cork on the bottle, and poured them each a full glass of the dark, red wine. The scent of plums and berries mixed with oak and spice teased their noses.

'To a succesful journey!' said Bird, raising her glass high.

'And may its price be small!' responded Pio.

They raised their glasses and clinked them together. In the light of the sinking sun, a blood red light flared from the glasses for a brief moment, staining their hands. Each took a drink and then set the wine aside.

'That was an odd toast, Pio.' said Bird, stuffing her mouth with the seafood delicacies.

'Mmmmhmmm' returned the elf,noncommitally, and concentrated her attention on the food.

[ July 23, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Much later that evening, after the party had wound down, all the well-wishes given, the mathoms gathered up, Daisy said a tired goodnight to Rose and to Kali. They had promised to see each other the next day and go for a swim. Rose and Kali were going to teach Daisy some tricks to stay beneath the water longer without needing to come up for air so often.

Daisy yawned widely as she went down the hall to her and Pio's room. There was a soft light on; she could see it streaming under the door. The elf was sitting cross-legged on her bed, the porthole open, starlight streaming in when she entered. She appeared engrossed in writing in a well-worn journal as the hobbit entered, but soon put it aside and greeted her.

'So, was it a Happy Birth Day for you, Daisy?'

'Oh, yes, ma'am! Very much so!'

'I noticed you seemed to be getting on quite well with Kali. Yes?'

'I had a long talk with Rose, ma'am,' said Daisy,putting her party clothes away and pulling on her nightgown, 'and I think I'm starting to put together all the things that people on this ship have been trying to teach me. It will take a while, I know, but Kali has promised to bear with me and Rose has promised to yank me back when I've stepped over the line.' She giggled. 'And besides, Kali is a lot of fun once you get to know him! We're all going swimming tomorrow! That is, if you don't mind, ma'am.'

'I don't think there will be a problem, there. Just make sure you schedule it well before we time jump.' Pio watched as the hobbit brushed out her curls. 'What about Bird?' she asked.

The brush stopped in mid stroke and Daisy sighed. 'She's a lot like me, sometimes. She's angry and suspicious of me. I hurt her friend and I hurt her,too. I wish I could make it up to her all at once, but I know I can't. It'll take time, maybe lots of it.'

She put her brush on the little table by her bed and sat down on top of the quilt. 'O! what this?' she said, finding the leather roll beneath her. She pulled it out,undid the thong, and carefully unrolled it.

'It's my birthday present for you.' said Pio.

The hobbit's eyes were wide with wonder. Before her, on the piece of leather, lay a small sword. Golden-red in color, with a black leather-wrapped grip, and a pommel crusted with pearl dust that picked up light and reflected it like a small blazing sun. Along its blade ran glyphs of sea shells and waves, twining round and round the blade from hilt to point. She picked it up, feeling its solid weight in her hand, and tried a few of the practice strokes she had learned.

'This is beautiful!' she exclaimed, perching herself on Pio's bed, and turning the sword over and over in her hands.

'This is a sword, given to me when I was very young by my sea-friends. It is named Eäranna, Sea-gift. Take care of it, and it will serve you well.'

Daisy frowned, and laid the blade down on the bed, between herself and Pio.

'You do not like it?' asked Pio.

'Oh, I love it! And I'm honored that you would think of giving it to me. But this is something special, something a mother should give her daughter. You should save it for that day, Lady Pio.' She pushed the sword toward the elf.

Pio cradled the blade in her hands and placed it gently on Daisy's lap. 'I cannot wait for that day, Daisy. And it is you to whom I choose to give it.' She turned off the light, and only the bright starlight now lit the room. 'Wrap it back up, and put it away safely now. We should sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day.'

Daisy placed the wrapped sword gently beneath her bed, and crawled in under the covers. She lay her head on the pillow and whispered, 'Thank you, Pio.'

'You're more than welcome.' came the soft reply.

Both sank gently into sleep.

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

[Kettle of fish]

The kettle had watched the feast and the melting of hostilities with joy, doing a quiet dance in the corner. But now night had fallen, and it was time to copy these creatures and sleep.

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: Pio: Not complaining but it seems as if you had TWO first swords as a child
This was my first sword, given to me by my father's sister, my dear aunt. It was the blade she first used as a child.
Probably just a mistake. smilies/wink.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/smile.gif ::

The next day Daisy couldn't help showing off her new blade. At least not to Rose. Daisy came into her cabin that morning and showed her the sword. Rose couldn't help laughing out loud. "Why Daisy that's wonderfull." she took out her own sword and held it up to Daisy's. "This was also given to me by Pio. Yours the Sea-Gift and mine the Star-Jewl. But I'm afraid your is better. Ready for a swim?"

Daisy nodded and they went to find Kali.

[Mithadan]

Mithadan approached Piosenniel after the feast. All appeared to be sated and of good humour, notwithstanding the serious tasks to be undertaken in the upcoming days.

"It appears that Daisy and Kali have agreed to set aside their differences," he said. "Your efforts have borne fruit."

"Yes," replied Pio. "Though this is just a start."

"Indeed," answered Mithadan. "But I wish to speak of something more serious. Your instruction on swordplay is a worthy effort and a welcome diversion. But in our case we must avoid battle at all costs. Not even an orc should be slain by us."

"Why should we concern ourselves about the fate of an orc?" questioned Pio.

"Consider this," said Mithadan. "We slay an orc chieftain in the First Age. If he had lived, he would have been the ancestor of Azog of Moria. Because he is slain, Azog never exists. Instead, another orc becomes the chief of the Moria orcs. When Thror enters Moria, he is slain just as is told, but instead of sparing his companion to tell other dwarves of Thror's death, this hypothetical new chieftain also slays the companion. Word of Thror's fate never reaches the Dwarves and there is no Dwarf-Goblin war as a result. At the time of the quest of Erebor, the orc army that assails the Lonely Mountain is far greater and defeats the Elf, Dwarf and Mannish armies, seizing Erebor. Bilbo and all his companions are slain in the Battle of Five Armies... Do you see what I mean?"

[piosenniel]

The day rose overcast, soon to burn off with the mid-morning sun.

She had wakened early, and lay in bed thinking about the conversation she had had with Mithadan after the party. She turned his argument over in her mind, examining it from all sides. The logic of it seemed sound enough.

Yet . . . three things worried her. She could not see how they might accomplish this quest without being able to defend themselves if attacked. And second was the niggling thought that if this quest were meant to be then perhaps their actions were already woven into the fabric of the Age. Lastly, she was not certain of this, for Mithadan's argument had been a solid one, but she did not believe that the vectors of time and space necessarily produced events which progressed from each other in such a constrained and linear fashion. But then again, it would be wise to err on the side of caution.

She yawned and stretched, throwing her arms out wide as if to throw away this twisty puzzle.

She pulled on her clothes hastily and hurried to the galley for some strong tea. Then up to the helm to plot their course with Veritas and Bird. And finally to awaken the sleeping dragon.

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

[Rose Cotton]

As they swam Rose made sure that it was Kali that taught Daisy the most. It felt important that they became even better friends. Just to make it official. After a few hours they climbed back up to the ship's deck. Rose noticed Pio talking to Angara. She told Kali and Daisy to go get somthing for them to eat and that she would be down in a minute. As soon as they were out of sight Rose crept up behind a barrel to eavesdrop. Perhaps she could find out more information if she did it untruthfully.

[piosenniel]

'Angara, don't breathe your sparks onto the map, please!' Pio pulled the old chart from under the dragon's nose and brushed off the hot spots. 'I know it's a dangerous business going up; you might be seen and all that. But we need to do it. I want to triangulate our position from this distance and do my closest guestimate of where we are on the Beleriand coast.' She rolled up the map after making a few more notations on the rough sketch of it in her notebook. 'And beside that, you're a big lovely dragon. Wouldn't you like to make a few swoops over the ship and impress the crew?'

She knew the elf was appealing to her vanity, but nonetheless Angara agreed to meet her in an hour on the water, well away from the ship. 'I don't suppose I could flame the topmast just a little, could I?!' asked the dragon with a hopeful look on her face, as she went to the maindeck to find something to eat.

Pio put her notebook and the small sextant and compass in a well-worn leather pouch and belted it around her waist. She walked toward the steps to the maindeck and heard a small rustle of clothing coming from the direction of a stack of barrels next to the stairs. She smiled to herself, and walked on past the now quiet barrel.

About halfway down the steps, she spoke over her shoulder. 'You'ld best come and have some lunch, Rose! There'll be no eating once we go up. I'll need you to write notes for me while I mark our position. And wear something warm, please.'

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

[piosenniel]

On her way toward the stairs to the galley, Pio noted that Child was pinning some maps and charts to a line she had strung between the main mast and the railing to the helm deck. She stopped to look at them, and marvelled at what her friend had managed to produce in the last two days.

'So this will be the start of the lessons on Beleriand and Numenor.' she observed, giving the hobbit a hand with an oversized map of Arda, First and Second Ages.

'Yes,' said Child, 'we'll start right after lunch is done and see how much we can get accomplished today.' She finished her arrangements and walked down to the dining area with the elf.

'If all goes well this afternoon,'said Pio, just before they entered the galley, ' we should have a real visual for them to hang their learned facts on. Angara is taking Rose and I up to get our bearings, then we'll do a trial jump.'

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

[Mithadan]

Mithadan watched Angara rise with Piosenniel and Rose on her back. Their task was to seek any observable and recognizable landmarks from which they might be able to determine their position with respect to the sunken coast of Beleriand.

Mithadan was troubled by the breadth of their undertaking and its possible consequences. But assuming that Pio could position them well off the coast of Beleriand, there was one reason for relief. Historically, Morgoth was not known to have ever assembled a navy. So long as they were on water, they would be relatively safe.

[Birdland]

Earlier, Pio had talked with Bird about Mith's concerns about the possibility that the actions of the "Lonely Star" and her crew could have disasterous effects on the past and future of Middle-Earth's history.

"Hmmmmmm", said Bird, sitting cross-legged on a water barrel and puzzling through the 'goblin theory'. It's an interesting theory. And if taken to it's farthest end, it should discourage us from making ANY attempt to go back to the First Age. I suppose it is possible that a rabbit we kill for our supper in Beleriand could have been meant to be eaten by an Eagle. Because we took the rabbit instead, that Eagle may die from hunger. If that Eagle was the Great-Great Grandsire of Gwaihir the Wind Lord, then that one rabbit could change the whole course of Middle-Earth history!"

After a moment though, Birdie said slowly: "N-n-n-ooo. I can't believe that it is that simple. Or complex. Whatever. Our success or failure on this journey is being guided by something more than chance events. If we make it to Beleriand, and have any effect - for good or ill - I feel in my heart that it was meant to be. The things we experience were meant to be experienced, and the people we meet? Well, I feel we were meant to meet them."

Suddenly Bird sat upright, and a startled look came to her eyes. "The people we meet, we were meant to meet..." she repeated. Then Bird looked to the right as the stowaway, Daisy, came up the ladder from below deck. Wonder and grave doubt, in equal measure, spread across the skin-changer's face.

[piosenniel]

Dragons were amazing creatures in flight. They could generate great speed with their large wing-span and aerodynamic bodies.Unfortunately, their top speed was not one which other, more earth-bound creatures, could endure, or even survive.

Rose was glad that Pio had told her to dress warmly. They had risen far into the sky, where the air was colder. That, combined with their speed, made her shiver even in the blanket the elf had wrapped around her.

Angara had planned to fly this high - it would be less likely that a casual observer would take any notice of her, and she knew that it had been many long years since the coastal people had set dragon watches.

They were heading northeast from the ship. Pio hoped to sight the city of Vinyalondë to her right and the tip of the northwestern coast of Harlindon to her left. From between these two large points, she looked to find Mt Dolmed. Once this was known, she knew she could determine the distance from it to the coast of Beleriand, using her instruments and the rough drawn map she had sketched in her notebook.

It took them almost two hours to make the flight and do the sightings. Rose's fingers were numb with cold, but she held firm to the pencil and wrote down the stream of numbers and directions that Pio directed at her.

An hour later the dragon made a graceful landing in the waters near the ship, and the elf and hobbit rowed themselves back to the Lonely Star. Rose's teeth were chattering and her cheeks had a red, angry look to them from the cold, chafing wind.

Several cups of hot tea later, and a consultation with Veritas and Mithadan, the crew began sailing the elven ship northwest, keeping about a 450 mile distance between themselves and the present coastline. In approximately a day or two, they would reach the area just beyond the Bay of Balar on the Beleriand coastline.

Child came to the bow railing and stood with Pio looking out at the expanse of water. 'Well, it was a successful class, if I do say so.' she said. 'Although, tomorrow, I don't think I'll schedule it for after lunch. Had to poke too many people with my pointer who were dozing off after eating!'

She leaned her elbows on the railing. 'I thought we might have that visual you were talking about just before you left. Did you decide we should cancel that?'

'No, we'll still do that, but in a few hours. I'd like it to be later, with the sun setting behind us and off a forested, less populated section of Beleriand's coast. What say we have an early supper and do it then?'

Child nodded her head, and went down to enlist Daisy, Khelek, and Kali in the preparations for the meal.

[ August 04, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Supper was over. Rose and Pio had eaten large helpings, several times over. And the elf was just thinking she had room for one last slice of pie.

Her thoughts on this matter, however, were cut short by Child, who stood up at her place at the table and wrapped on it with her knife handle. All eyes turned to her.

'Now you know we were studying about Beleriand a little today.' she began. She heard a low groan come from down the way and fixed an icy eye on Bird. 'To continue - I think we've had our fill of food for the time being,' she stared at Pio who had just reached for the pie pan, 'and Pio has promised us that we will see the real thing this evening. So, let's leave the dishes and food for now, and go up on deck, shall we?'

The entire crew went upstairs and lined up along the starboard railing. Even Levanto had been hauled up by net for the time being. Rose, Daisy, and Kali stood together, looking out at the wide water and wondered what they would see.

Veritas placed the crystal in the slot they had figured for the First Age and gave it a little twist to secure it. 'Okay,' she said, 'Hold on! Once I close the top and lock it, the desired transition should take place.'

It was so quiet on board they heard the cover snap shut and the snick! of the key as it turned in the lock.

The sea in front of them shimmered and seemed to blink for a second.

Before them, about twenty-five miles from the ship, a great expanse of forested coastline appeared where once there had been only open sea.

[Mithadan]

Looking out over the bow, Mithadan satisfied himself that they were not in imminent danger of running into any rocks or shoals. Nor were any other vessels visible. He looked out at the distant shoreline with a frown, yet a light burned in his eyes. He had long studied the legends of the First Age and longed to see the fabled lands of Beleriand.

"Alright," he said. "We're here. Now when are we?"

[piosenniel]

Pio sighed in relief when the coastline came into view. So far their calculations had been correct, now all that was needed was some fine tuning along the time line. There were several ways to adjust the crystal once they knew their initial date of entry, but that would have to wait until she had gotten some sleep.

She heard Mithadan voice his question, as he looked toward Beleriand. "We're here. Now when are we?"

'We won't know exactly "when" we are until we reach our position west of the Bay of Balar, though Veritas and I believe we are somewhere in the window between the beginning of the Battle of Unnumbered Tears and the Fall of Gondolin. Once we reach the Bay, I will go ashore and pinpoint our exact time, then we can adjust the crystal as we wish.'

'A dangerous time for an elf to be in Beleriand.' remarked Mithadan, frowning at this revelation.

'Yes. It was.' sighed Pio, looking toward the now darkening shore.

She turned back toward the helm and helped Veritas reset the crystal to their previous position.

The land winked out of existence and once more the Lonely Star sailed northward through the unbroken expanse of The Sea.

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

[Birdland]

Birdie did not know what to expect when they traveled back to the First Age. Would it be a land somehow fresher, greener; an entire continent touched with Elven grace? Would they be given a taste of what the Elf Kind see when they travel to the Farther Shore?

But the land off the bow of the Lonely Star looked no different than the one they had left. If Bird had not seen the shore line appear instantly where there had been only open ocean, she would have thought they were in any sheltered bay of the Fourth Age.

As Pio and Veritas winked the ship back to their original location, the skin-changer heard Pio and Mith discuss the pinpointing of the place and time they would be in when they made their final "departure".

"Yes", thought Birdie, "but how are we to do that? Walk up to one of the local First Agers and ask them for the time?"

[Rose Cotton]

Rose came up behind Birdie with Kali and Daisy behind her. "Hey Bird, would you like to come with us? We're going to go out on the water for a bit. Levanto is coming. Please."

[piosenniel]

'Hey, Rose! Sounds like fun.' said Pio. 'But why don't you get the others and go in by yourselves for now? I need to speak with Bird for just a few moments. She smiled as the hobbit lass' face turned from sunshine to stormy. 'I promise!! It won't take long, and then she can join you!'

Rose ran to gather up her friends and con Levanto into playing with them.

'I was going to ask a favor of you once we get to our position off the Bay of Balar. I need to get to a place just north of there, Barad Nimras. But I want to go without taking the ship. I'll go ashore there and find out what year and date we have the crystal set for. With that we can figure out how to set it for the exact date we want.'

'Barad Nimras?' interjected Bird. What is that, and how do I figure into this. Surely you don't think I can go walking about in First Age elven-land without drawing some suspicion?'

'What I need from you, if you'll agree to it, is to get a small boat and myself as swiftly as possible to Barad Nimras with the help of Levanto. It will be a lengthy swim for you, but I thought if we took a boat you can rest in it periodically in your human form. As to Barad Nimras, it is a tower on a small peninsula in the Falas, the kingdom of Cìrdan, if you will. It's in northwestern Beleriand, between the harbors of Eglarest and Brithombar. The sea-elves dwell there along the coast and it's with them that I'll be talking. And no, you need not go ashore. Just wait for me in the boat, with Levanto.'

'What date are you hoping to set the crystal for?' asked Bird.

'510 1st Age is the year when Gondolin fell to Morgoth. His intention is to capture the hobbits at that time who are in the Hidden City of Turgon. He will imprison them in Dorthonion, and we must make contact with them there. By the time The War of Wrath occurs, we must make sure they are safe in the Dorthonion Highlands and have not been taken to Angband, or we must take them all before Gondolin falls, before Morgoth's capture of them, and hide them on Tol Fuin in the 2nd Age. We will have to work this out with Child, Mithadan, and Angara.'

'I think I can do the boat trip with the aid of Levanto. It should be no problem.' said Bird. She looked speculativlely at her friend. 'But tell me, how do you know all this?'

'It is always in my thoughts.' replied Pio, quietly. 'And now that I have seen Beleriand once again, it burns ever brighter.'

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child stood on the deck, staring across at the shoreline of Beleriand. It was hard for her to believe that she had hobbit ancestors who had dwelled in this strange land.
For so long, she had read and been told that the earliest hobbits in Middle-earth were those who had lived on the shores of the Anduin about the year 1000 or so in the Third Age.

She wondered if the hobbits of the First Age would look and act like those she had known all her life. This was something that had never occurred to her before. She had always mentally assumed that hobbits of any age would dress and act and talk exactly alike. Now that she thought about this, however, she realized such an assumption was quite foolish.

Her distant ancestors could, indeed, be quite different from herself or Rose or even Kali. This idea was not especially comforting. She would just have to wait and see.

[Birdland]

Birdie agreed with Pio's plans, but the background she gave and the questions Pio asked to herself only increased the skin-changer's trepidations.

Superficially, Bird looked like any other human, but she certainly would not look like the mighty First Age Second Children of Ilúvatar. She thought of the grace and beauty of the Numenorians she had seen in Minas Tirith, and knew that she would stand out like a scrub pony in a field of Rohanian purebreds.

And how did people dress in the First Age? Did they dress at all? What WOULD Halflings look like? Certainly in dress nothing like the proper Hobbits that peopled the Lonely Star. Birdie doubted that waistcoats and corslets were standard wear for First Age halflings.

And what of Pio? Bird knew that her Elf friend was displaying an eagerness and interest to explore the First Age beyond the usual preparation for an "adventure". How would Pio react to her meeting with any of the First Born?

Suddenly the skin-changer had a surprising thought. Surprising because she had never thought to ask before. Just how old WAS Piosenniel? She knew all Elves were "immortal", though she wondered if anyone under the Doom of Man could really conceive just what that meant. When Pio spoke of the landmarks of Beleriand, was she calling upon her knowledge of books and legends...or was she relying on memory?

[piosenniel]

Bird had questions. A number of questions, if Pio had read the expressions playing across her face correctly.

She stood waiting for her friend to voice them, wondering all the while, how she might couch her answers.

From her perch on the mast top, Angara watched the interchange with interest.

Time grows short. she heard the elf think to herself. Perhaps truth will be the better path.

And which truth will that be, Elf? the dragon wondered.

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

[Birdland]

Birdie thought about how she would couch her last question to Pio. Asking an Elf his or her actual age was considered to be rather "bad form". They might hint at their age in general terms, or speak of events in the ancient past that they had witnessed, but Bird had never heard an Elf say "Today is my 7,356th birthday."

The best that Bird could finally come up with was:

Uh, Pio...? When you finally get the chance to walk in Beleriand, is there a chance that you might already BE there?"

[Rose Cotton]

Rose, Kali, and Daisy lowered a small boat down to the water to meet the mer-man. Then they started to drift lazily away.

[Child of the 7th Age]

OOC -- Oh, goodie, my title came through!
_____________________________________________

Child walked onto the deck and stood in silence listening to the interchange between Bird and Pio. It seemed to the hobbit that, the deeper they penetrated this maze, the more bizarre and entangled everything had become.

On the one hand, there was the question that Bird had posed hesitantly to her friend. The thought of coming face-to-face with one's own past did not make Child happy. She wondered whether the "old" Pio, if there had been such a First Age version, would be a child, a maiden, or a fully grown adult. The thought of the childlike Piosenniel clutching onto toys seemed even more foreign to the hobbit than the possibility of encountering a fully mature Elf.

Child also wondered if Mithadan, who spent so much time worrying about how they might alter the past, had envisioned this particular scenario. She did not think he would be particularly happy about it.

And there were other possibilities Bird had forgotten or perhaps hesitated to mention. Child had always understood that one of Piosenniel's close kin had not been an Elf, but a hobbit. Indeed, if Child remembered correctly, that close kin had actually been Pio's mother.

Now, it was quite true that her friend looked nothing like a hobbit. In fact, Child reflected, the surprising thing was that Pio generally spoke and acted as if she had no hobbit blood whatsoever. How many times had Child seen Pio storming about the ship protesting some little trick or silliness which one of the hobbits had managed to concoct? Khelak or another Elf might have laughed at these antics, but Pio had taken strong offense, lecturing Child or Rose on their behavior.

And, truly, Piosenniel's behavior was the most "Elflike" of any Elf whom Child had ever encountered. Child recalled the innumerable times she had come upon Piosenniel standing erect upon the deck, her Elven face strict and imposing, looking with longing and sad eyes out to the distant corners of the Sea. It seemed that her friend rarely let herself go, or let others peep into the hidden corners of her heart.

And, just as significantly, Pio never talked about her family or past with her friends. From a hobbit perspective, that was truly the strangest of all. For any hobbit, however positively or negatively they might view their kin, spent considerable time ruminating on these issues and discussing them.

Indeed, Child remembered that Daisy had only begun to heal after she had spilled out the sadness of her family to Child. Never had Child heard Piosenniel reflect on her kin with either happiness or sadness. Yet, however Pio might deny it, Child sensed there was a small piece of hobbit underneath which could not be forgotten or denied.

It was almost if Pio had consciously decided to take a part of herself and hide it in some deep place. Perhaps, she hurt too much to deal with that aspect of her fea, or perhaps others had made her feel that it was not such a good thing for an Elf to have a hobbit mother.

Child had not considered these questions before, or how heavily Pio's past might weigh upon her. Child knew that the sons and daughters of human/Elf unions had been required to make a choice. Earendil himself had chosen the path of an Elf, partly out of deference to his wife. But what about the children of Elf/hobbit unions? Did they make a choice too? And where and when did that choice occur?

A few Elf/human unions were recorded in the books of lore, but Child had never read about marriages between hobbit and Elven kin. Only once had her Uncle Bilbo made a strange and fleeting reference to a "fairy" in the Took family tree. Child had immediately seized upon that sentence and pressured her Uncle to explain more. He had said nothing, but merely fixed her with a stony glance that said she had stepped on forbidden ground and was to discuss this issue no further.

Just how forgiving and loving would the two communities have been if faced with such a union? Child knew that her own hobbit kin would not have been tolerent of outsiders, and she suspected the same of the Elves.
Perhaps it wasn't surprising that Piosenniel looked lonely and aloof sometimes, or preferred to keep some things private.

Child sighed. She had a sad feeling that the greatest challenges of this voyage would not be physical. It was one thing to take up bow or sword or knife to defend one's own life or, just as importantly, to protect the lives of those whom you cared for. But it was quite another to wrestle with hidden shadows in your own soul.

Child's body trembled gently for an instant, although no wind blew across the sails of the ship. How many times had her Uncle told her, the greatest danger from evil, came not from outside but from within. And, by that standard, Child feared, they might all be in very great peril indeed.

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

[piosenniel]

As soon as the question was out of Bird's mouth, Pio breathed a great sigh of relief.

"Uh, Pio...? When you finally get the chance to walk in Beleriand, is there a chance that you might already BE there?"

'Well,'said the elf, considering her answer carefully, 'there is always the possibility of chance playing a major role in any undertaking. I certainly have no art to see exactly what might happen.' She laughed, 'But, come, my friend, I never knew you to be of such a philosophical nature. Let's put these musings aside and see how best we can devise a way for me to get the information needed.'

Bird stared at her as she went to find Levanto to include him in their planning. 'What sort of answer was that?' she wondered.

[Birdland]

"Now what sort of answer was that?" thought Birdie.

"Go not to the Elves for advise..." goes the old saying, but this was going a little too far. Bird was not asking for advise, just a little more information for a friend who suddenly was equivocating in a very disturbing manner. Birdie did not like this, oh, no, not at all. In fact, she was getting angry.

The skin-changer strode across the deck after the retreating elf, grabbed her arm and whirled her around.

"Now see here, Pio. Don't be trying to hand me any of your Elvish airs or answers that are no answers at all. I asked a simple question, and I want a simple answer. Shall I make it simpler still? Very well then - Just how old are you, and were you around during the First Age?"

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child had heard Piosenniel's equivocal answer, and it had not pleased her any more than it had Bird. She seemed to be saying a little of "yes" and a little of "no" which truthfully did not amount to any answer at all! All of this made Child suspect that the Elf had been less than truthful, and that she had, indeed, been a resident of Beleriand at some point in the First Age.

Child felt that the time had come for telling the truth, and she decided to join the conversation with Pio and Bird. She walked up to the two who were facing off as if in an arena of combat.

"Piosenniel, there was one other point I wanted to check with you on. I had never realized, of course, that there were any hobbits in the First Age. But now this appears to be the case. And from what Kali has already told us, there was more interaction between hobbits and elves in the ancient days than we had ever suspected. Can you tell us something about your own family, and how they came to find one another?"

"This is more than an idle or curious question. It may be very important in helping us piece together all the information we can get on hobbit customs so that we can find kali's people and help them. I wouldn't be asking this of you, but I know how much you love Kali, and any information you can share with us could make the difference in whether or not we are able to help him."

Piosenniel glared at Child and at Bird with a strange look upon her face.

[Rose Cotton]

After a few hours the three in the boat saw land on the horizon. Rose was intrested in exporing the shore. Surly since Pio said they had jumped back to the fourth age for a while it would not be perilous.

"But won't we be out of sight of the ship?" asked Daisy.

"If they need us back that bad they can just send Angara," replied Rose. "And if we need them...Pio will know."

Within another hour they had reached the land.

[piosenniel]

Angara dropped down from the mast and placed herself between the elf and the others, growing large enough to shield her should the need arise. She had knocked Bird's hand away as she landed. Now her eyes blazed, and her head on its long sinuous neck wove back and forth between the two, fixing each of their positions.

Bird and Child stepped back quickly. Surprise tinged with fear registered in their faces followed swiftly by hurt.

In that instant, Pio made her decision. Stepping close to the dragon she laid her hand upon the great neck and spoke softly.

'These are not our foes, Angara.' She looked at Bird and Child each for a long moment. These are our charges, our companions, our friends. We will face danger soon enough, and I would have them firmly by our side when we do. Let them ask their questions, and I will answer them, for good or for ill.'

'What is this "for good or for ill"?!' demanded the quiet voice from the stairs. Mithadan had come just in time to see this dangerous tableaux and hear the last of Pio's statement. He strode toward them, a frown on his face.

'Late, as usual, Son of Man.' observed the dragon, then stepped aside, as the elf stepped forward.

[piosenniel]

Pio came toward her friends and looked at each of them as if seeing them for the first time, clearly. She rubbed the back of her neck in weariness, and sat down on a barrel.

'It would be better,' she said, 'if we agreed to meet a little later. I'd like to see all the crew gathered, and all the questions done with at one time, instead of piece-mealing answers here and there in a disconnected and confusing way. Can you three get everyone together and agree on what you'ld like to know from me?' She thought for a moment. 'What about just after dinner? That should give everyone an opportunity to think through what they want to know. Will this be acceptable to you?' she asked, looking at Child and Bird.

Bird and Child went down to speak with the rest of the crew. Mithadan stayed behind. She heard his unvoiced question and felt his concern.

A fey light was in her eyes as she regarded him.

'I cannot tell you how the course of events will run, Mithadan. Only that by your presence here with us you are now well into them. Light and shadow run like twin roads beneath your feet, each step your own choosing. Choose well, my friend, and wisely.'

He turned to gaze toward the sea and hidden Beleriand. She stood and placed her hand gently on his shoulder, as if to offer some small assurance.

'After dinner, then.' she said, and went down to her cabin to rest.

[Birdland]

Well, it would have to do. Bird was a little hurt by this new swing of events. What other motivation did Pio have for going back to the First Age, besides a quest for the fate of Kali's ancestors (and descendents)? It seemed that Pio was going to let her companions walk into a potentially dangerous situation blind. Bird couldn't believe that Pio would do such a thing. And what role did their new shipmate Khelek have in all this? "No secrets," muttered Birdie determinedly, as she went to search out the other crew members.

And could not find them anywhere! Birdie search the whole of the ship, but Kali, Rose and Daisy were not to be found. Running down the stairs, she burst into the Elves cabin. "Pio! Where are Kali and those Halfling lasses?" Pio sat up groggily, having just drifted into mortal sleep. "They said something about going swimming."

Bird ran up on deck again, looking around. The skiff was gone, and there was not trace of boat or passengers anywhere on the horizon. The others on the ship looked up in confusion as Bird ran from rail to rail, scanning the sea, shouting "Kali! Rose!" and even once "Daisy!" The changling, already suspicious from the recent behavior of Pio, immediately suspected the worse.

"By the One! If that little stowaway had done anything to Kali...!" Bird ran to the rail and jumped over, calling as she fell: "Levanto!"

[Rose Cotton]

They took out the food they had brought and were just about to eat when Levanto said he had to go. The hobbits and hobrim watched him go curiously but wern't worried. After they were full Rose stood and looked about.
"How about we explore a bit." then putting on the air of a pirate. "Arr! There be gold buried here me maties. Look for the x. Remember x marks the spot. Now spit up and find the tresure. If there be any mutany you'll be walking the plank."

At first Kali didn't know what Rose was talking about but he soon caught on and they were looking about. It didn't take long for them to relize they were on a small island. Rose was a bit dissapointed but she didn't let it damper her spirits. When they met up again Daisy cried out "Let's call the island Lonly Star Island."

"I think that is best name." said Kali. He laughed and jumped in the water. "Want to swim?"

"Actually I thought we could see what's in the center of this island." said Rose " You can stay in the water a bit Kali and join us later."

So Kali dissapeared beneath the waves and Daisy and Rose made their way through the trees to the center of the ile.

[Kettle of fish]

The kettle was aroused by the sudden noise about the ship. It heard shouting and running feet. What was the meaning of these unruly movements. Sleepily, it sank back into a doze, murmuring,
"Rub a dub dub, three men in a tub..."

[Birdland]

Birdie swam around the Lonely Star frantically, but there was not sign of Mer-Man or Hobrim. This made her feel a little better. Perhaps Levanto had followed the Halflings - where ever they had gone.

Then Birdie heard them; far away, the sea-folk, the dolphins, whistling and calling. She shook her head.

"No, this will not do. Not now." Bird turned and swam into the depths, then turned again. Beating her tail as fast as it could go, she shot towards the surface, breaking through and springing high into the air.

At the top of the arc, the body of dolphin morphed into the body of crow. The wings were still heavy with water, but they would dry soon enough.

The black and white jackdaw circled above the waves, then set out looking for a small boat with small passengers, in a very vast sea.

[piosenniel]

She heard the panic in Bird's voice, and willed herself awake. Running up the stairs, she was just in time to see Bird become dolphin and slip into the sea. Child was standing at the railing, her eyes straining for a glimpse of Kali and the two girls.

'Can you see any sign of them?' she asked Pio, as the elf shaded her eyes and swept the horizon with her gaze.

'None.' She looked again. 'None at all.'

Pio called to Angara, then, and asked if she would bring back the missing boaters. The dragon spread her wings and glided far out to sea, then rose up a great distance for a long look all around. Hovering in air for a brief moment, she then turned west and flew on.

'Angara will find them, Child.' she said, trying to reassure her friend. 'She will see them home safely.'

[Rose Cotton]

"Look!" Daisy called out. "There's light up ahead. The two hobbits ran threw the trees and came out into a large clearing. Rose could see that the sun was getting low in the sky. She wondered if anyone was worried about them.

Strewn across the grass were bits and pieces of stone. And in the middle was what looked like the ruins of a building. There were two floors. Though in it's prime it might of had more. The top floor was exposed exept for some walls and the top floor had large holes in it. As they got nearer to it they saw what was most likely the door frame. but it had large parts chiped from the sides. On the ground in front of it was a the large wooden door that had once fit into the frame. It was broken and rotted and as Rose lifted it bugs scapered out from holes. They went inside to a stone floor. The tiles were loose and they had to be carefull walking across it. Around them were remains of furiture. They looked like they were once very comfterble and elagant but were now no more then skeletons with strips of cloth and cusoning hanging over them.

"Wow." said Rose finally."What is this?"

"It looks like someones home. But who lived here?"

"More importantly, when did they live here? Help me look for clues. Any hint of anything. But becarefull."

There were quite a few rooms. Not too many. But enough that it must have been resonibly comfterble. It didn't look like a hobbit dwelling. Was it man or elf? Or even dwarf. Rose didn't know what a dwarfs living style would be. The last room Rose entered had a bed and in the corner what looked like a chest of drawers. She opened the top drawer and found what looked like some dresses. But as soon as she picked them up they started to fall apart. Rose took note that they didn't have any of the usuall signs of ware. No moth holes, and whatever dust was on them imediatly fell off. They had to be elven. So this was an elf home. When she went back to Daisy her compainan showed her dolls and other small toys. Did that mean that children where here?

Just then they heard Kali coming. He was shouting for them. "Come see. Come see. Found somthing."

[Birdland]

The jackdaw struggled along, scanning the waves for any signs of boat or halflings. She tried to ride the thermal drafts, as she had observed the seabirds do, but she was a crow, not a seagull, and was not designed for such effortless gliding. Determinedly, she flew on.

Suddenly, the golden form of Angara passed her by, swooping and rolling through the air, then hovering like a hummingbird in front of Birdie, though she did not move her wings to do it. Bird ignored her. She could tell a game of one-upmanship when she saw one.

"Is that the best you can do, Changling? Seems you could have chosen a more airworthy, not to mention pleasing, form."

"I do not choose the form; it chooses me." Bird said with an effort, and flapped on. "I assume that Pio sent you to look for our missing crew? Have you seen anything?" she puffed.

"Nay, but there is a small island coming over the horizon. I shall fly ahead and scout it out." Angara flipped her wings once and shot up into the sky, heading West. "Take your time." she called back over her shoulder.

[ July 27, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Rose Cotton]

Kali lead them back over to were he had been swiming. They followed him down under the water until they could see a tunnel. They went through and reached a cavern. It was just like Kali's. "Hobrim home." said Kali.

"Wow." said Daisy.
"This is what Kali's home looked like. More or less." Rose told Daisy.
"And there was another one at the city river." said Kali.

"Look." cried Rose. "There's stuff on the walls. Let's go see."

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child stood with Piosenniel on the deck of the ship. A short while before, when Piosenniel had declined to answer questions about her background, there had been an awkward moment of silence between the women. Now, with their companions in apparent danger, all other thoughts and divisions had vanished. Though separated by different form and visage, both women were now bound together by their common concern.

Child gazed into Pio's eyes, her fear for Kali and Daisy and Rose mirrored openly on her face. The hobbit whispered to her friend, "I know what Birdland is thinking, but I don't believe this is some contrivance by Daisy to strike out at Kali. Even though the little one's grief is far from healed, I believe that she is loyal at heart, and would not reach out in anger towards us."

Pio shook her head in agreement, "I feel that you're speaking the truth. But Birdland must reach that decision and trust on her own time and in her own way. Until she accepts Daisy in her heart, nothing that we say or do can change her feelings."

At that instant, both Pio and Child heard reassuring words from Angara ringing in their minds. "I have seen it, an island. Their boat is moored there. I believe they are safe. Bird and I will investigate."

Piosenniel took Child's hand in her own, squeezing it in reassurance.

[ July 28, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Kettle of fish]

Already it was starting to get dark. The kettle saw the two tall figures, stiff with worry, leaning over the edge of the boat, as if hoping the sea or sky would tell them something. It looked up, the dragon was gone from it's usual post as well.

[Rose Cotton]

On the wall of the cavern were expert drawings. A little like the ones Kali drew but with much more detail. Rose reconized a picture of the isle. Another one showed...hobrim?...standing on a beach. The last one. It had to be the house Daisy and Rose found. It looked alot different but Rose could tell. Around the building were hobrim...no they were drawn too tall..elves?

Many smaller drawings strewn around the cave showed the hobrim figures interacting with the elf figures and what looked like mer-people and dolfins.

"Well," said Rose "At least we know they got along."

"How do you know." Daisy replied. "They could be fighting eachother in those other drawings." She laughed and they continued to explore.

[Birdland]

Angara had already circled the island, and was sitting on the bow of the empty skiff when Birdie finally arrived, landing with a thump on the branch of a driftwood log lying along the shoreline. She sat slumped, catching her breath and raising her wings to cool herself after the hot, long flight. It had not improved her temper one bit.

Finally, she caught her breath enough to ask "Did you see them?" Angara shook her head, then gestured wordlessly up the beach. The light footprints of three halflings, one with webbed toes, led up the sand and into the interior of the island. Looking to the right, Bird saw another set of prints coming out of the woods and leading back down to the shore, where they disappeared into the waves.

"Oh, no," sighed Birdie. Stretching herself one last time, she flapped her wings wearily and dropped into the waves, changing into dolphin form once again. Angara lifted above the water, then dove like an arrow after her.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose made sure as they searched Daisy stayed with her. She didn't want Birdie to find the younger hobbit alone. The skin changer might not totally believe in Daisy's inocence.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose thought of somthing. "Bird? Did you see Levanto when you came to get us?"

"No." Birdland replied. "He was with you wasn't he?"

"He left us just after we got to this island. I thought he was going back to the Lonly Star."

"Probably taking care of his own things."

Rose wondered about that.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Angara and Bird emerged in the cave at the very same time. Ahead of them, they saw the two girls searching the wall for more and more pictures. Birdland quickly morphed back from her dolphin form.

The instant she had done this, Bird looked about the cave from side to side with concern evident in her face. "I see the two of you, but where is Kali?" she stared directly at Daisy.

The young hobbit's words came tumbling out with nervous apprehension, "I'm not certain. He was just here a moment ago. He led us into this place. He has to be here somewhere!"

Rose placed her small body between Bird and Daisy. "She's right, Bird," she countered. "Kali found this underwater place and led us in. We were exploring. He must have gone further down this tunnel, or slipped out while we were examining pictures. If anyone is at fault here, it is me. I probably led our boat too far out into the seas, and didn't keep a close enough watch on the hobbrim."

"But," Rose continued, "Kali is as old as I am. He is not a prisoner, or a small child. If he wishes to explore this island, I'm not going to stop him. In any case, none of us meant any harm."

[ July 28, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Birdie was anything but mollified by Daisy's words. To her they sounded like the prattings of a youngster who disclaims that "they did nothing wrong" when the damage has already been done. To take off on a Hobbit's "boating party" when they were getting ready to set out on a dangerous, mysterious journey seemed the height of folly to her. And the actions of Pio were still in the back of her mind. Bird wondered if their company was falling apart.

But the time for ranting and recriminatons was not now. Grabbing some charcoal and pieces of bark off the floor of the cave, she thrust them at Daisy, demanding gruffly. "You write, child?" When Daisy wordlessly shook her head "no", she handed the pieces to Rose, saying, "Write down everything you see on these walls. Even if the water damages the notes when you leave the cave, the action will help fix them in your mind. Some of this may be of use. Then go to the skiff and WAIT with Angara. I must go out and find if Kali and Levanto are together."

"Will you be alright?" asked Rose softly.

"By the One! How should I know!" barked the skin-changer, and she dove into the sea once again.

[Rose Cotton]

Afraid of the skin changer's rath Rose quickly wrote down what was on the walls. And she and Daisy had some of the dresses and toys they had found at the elven home so they seemed to have enough evidence. They swum back up to the boat with Angara and waited.

[piosenniel]

OOC: Whatever Kali has in his hand, let's match it to the drawing in the bag from the Minas Anor cave.
*******************************************

Evening was drawing near, and still no sign of the boat with the errant youngsters. No further word had come from Angara, which in the elf's mind was a good sign. Being a creature of few words, Angara would only notify them now if something had gone wrong.

A small wind had come up, bringing with it a chilly breeze. Pio went down to the cabins to get something warmer for herself and for Child.

She picked up a thick shawl for the hobbit from her room, and then rummaged on one of her shelves for a sweater to put on. As she pulled one down, something fell with it.

'The bag! The old bag from the cave in Minas Anor! I had forgotten it was here.!

Pio ran back up the stairs to the maindeck quickly and handed Child the shawl. She held out the bag to her with her other hand.

'Look, Child! See what I've found!'

[ July 28, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Birdland]

Thankfully, Birdie soon found Kali with Levanto. The two sea folk, big and little, were having an animated conversation, about what Bird did not hear. What surprised the changling was that Levanto seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Ah, Bird! Glad to see you could join us. Kali and I were just having the most facinating conversation regarding the similarities between the cave he and his companions just found, and the one under Minas Tirith."

"Actually," continued Levanto, "Kali here is a most charming fellow. I'm very sorry that I did not get to know him better, sooner."

"Birdee!" exclaimed Kali. "Lee-vanto says he wants to come with us to the seas of the First Age and help us. He has even agreed to ask the Mer-Folk to help me in searching for all my kin in the Fourth Age."

"That's wonderful, Kali. But we have to get back to the ship and get this adventure going, or we'll all be grey-haired before we ever find your people."

The three swam back up to the skiff. Kali and Levanto chose to swim back the the Lonely Star while escorting Daisy and Rose. Bird prepared to make a leap into the air, so she could morph back into crow shape.

"Aren't you going to swim back with us?" asked Levanto.

"No, best not for now." replied Bird from mid-air.

"Don't you want to ride with us in the skiff?" asked Daisy hesitantly.

"No!"

[ July 28, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[piosenniel]

Standing watch on the ship, Child and Pio saw a moving dot come toward them. As it drew nearer growing larger, it became recognizable as Angara. They saw no riders on her back, and wondered where the others were.

As she landed on deck, they went running toward her with shouts of 'What happened! Where are they?'

She stretched herself, unconcernedly, and then looked at the two frantic creatures who faced her. 'They're on their way back. The mer-people are bringing them in the skiff. Just an addle-brained tweenage outing gone awry! Bird should be here shortly, too. She was flying back . . . aah, here she is, even as we speak.'

A black and white feathered missile came hurtling down from above.

[ July 29, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Rose Cotton]

As they made thier way to the deck Rose could see that the others were anoyed. This made her the same way. She had told them they were going for a bit. That just showed how much attention she got. No. That wasn't right. Her friends normally listened to her. They just must be distracted.

Upon reaching Pio, Child and Bird, Daisy and Rose showed them thier prizes. One of the elven dresses, a few of the toys they found in the house, and the copied drawings.

[piosenniel]

Daisy pulled out a small carved wooden toy she had put in her net bag for safekeeping, and brought it up to Pio.

'Look, ma'am,' she said, excited with her find, one of the hobbit children must have left this when they went away.'

'Hobbit chidren?', said Pio, turning the finely done little carving of a ship in her hands. Rose had come up too and the two young hobbits explained what they found on the island.

Child and Kali were standing a little apart from the rest, talking. Child had opened the little bag from Minas Anor and was carfully unfolding the piece of parchment within. The elixir Pio had used on it had worked well, and the paper folded open without a tear. Revealed upon it was a crude drawing whose meaning the two of them were trying to decipher.

Rose wandered over to them, wanting to see what they were looking at. She peeked at the paper and exclaimed, 'O! it looks just like the toy we found on the island, Child. Come look!'

Sure enough, in Pio's hand and in Child's were representations of what appeared to be ships of elven design. Each bore an identical banner, a six-pointed star with a faceted jewel in the center.

'Show them the drawings, too, Rose', said Kali. Rose unrolled her quick drawings of the etchings in the cave room. There for all to see was another rendering of the ship with the star banner.

'What can this mean?', said Child, studying all three closely.

[ July 28, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

The finds from Kali, Daisy, and Rose's expedition provided much fodder for conversation during dinner. There was an undercurrent of excitement as each voiced their interpretation of the ships, most hoping for a connection between what they'd found and their own ship's upcoming trip into the past.

Ever the voice of reason, Mithadan reminded them that their own banner had once flown on an elven ship in a previous age. He wondered if the ship referred to by the drawings might be that of Eärendil, himself.

Others agreed with that possibility, but the hope that it referred to their tiny ship ran like a live current beneath the arguments.

Pio sat back, and hoped this course of conversation would overshadow the request that she answer questions on her own history. Seeing Bird, Child, Kali, Khelek, and Mithadan engaged in close conversation, she stood and made to leave the galley area.

She had almost made it out the door and to the steps, when a voice called to her.

'Pio! Wait! You said you'ld answer questions for us, and we do have some.'

She turned back, to see Bird and Child looking at her expectantly. Rose and Daisy glanced at each other and shrugged their shoulders, not knowing what was going on.

Pio came and sat down in her chair. 'Ask then, and I will answer as best I can.'

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child looked into Pio's face with trusting eyes. She did not want to hurt her friend, but she felt it was essential that the Elf share whatever knowledge she had with the others on board. If Piosenniel did have direct experience of First Age Beleriand, that understanding could be crucial to everyone on the ship. Indeed, it could be the one critical component which determined whether or not they were successful in finding and reuniting Kali's extended family.

But there was something else too. Something which Child could not admit even to herself, let alone to her friend. Child desperately wanted there to be more to the hobbit past than to have her people dropped down in the middle of nowhere on an Anduin River bank some two thousand years ago. And she wanted that past to have some dignity and meaning, even if it was humble by Elven standards.

How many times had Child heard men, and Elves, and dwarves arguing with great passion about their ancient roots, how their people had been favored by one of the Valar or the Maia, or how they had trekked West to follow the Light? She had listened time and again to tales of great battles, or marvellous inventions. But, in all these splendid tales, no one spoke of hobbits.

Many hobbits who contentedly tilled the soil and loved the earth did not bother their hearts with such questions. But Child knew she was not the only one to find the silent gaps in her people's past intensely disturbing.

One time, she had asked Bilbo about where the hobbit people had come from, and exactly what their relation with the big folk was. He had shaken his head sadly, and said, "I have spent the past fifty years learning the lore of Elves, and also that of men, but however much I learn, one piece of that puzzle is missing. And that piece is where my own people come from, and what brought us to this point in time. I cannot even explain why hobbits are divided into three clans, or why we have a feeling for the green earth and small growing things, beyond all other living creatures in Middle-earth."

Child remembered that Bilbo had sighed and reached out an aged finger to softly stroke the cover of his large book of translations from Elvish lore. And he had stared off into the distance, at some point known only to himself, as if gazing at a blank sheet of paper could somehow will the words of hobbit history to write themselves. It was the closest that she had ever seen him to weeping.

And then he had whispered the final words he had ever spoken on the subject. "Perhaps, sometime and somewhere, our people came to realize that the green earth is not to be taken for granted, but is a special gift of the Powers, even when we do not call those Powers by a name. Some tragedy perhaps, or some mishap, awoke in hobbits a fierce love of the soil, and the desire for a quiet life."

She remembered quite clearly how he had laughed and looked down at her, an orphan and a girl, hardly a likely candidate for adventure. Yet there was something more in his words that day, some hope passed from older to younger, some sense of a task left undone. "Perhaps, Child, you can help find the missing piece, and, if you do, remember these words I have given to you today."

Child drew in a long breath. She suddenly realized she was on a mission to rediscover part of herself, and to fulfill a promise she had silently made to her teacher that day. But child knew she could not do it without her friend's help. She turned to Pio.

"Pio, we'd like you to tell us first whether you or your parents ever lived in Beleriand. I believe you told me once that your mother was a hobbit. I had no idea then that your heritage might extend so far back in time."

"If this is true, how did your Elven father and hobbit mother manage to meet and have a family in such troubled and ancient days? Was it difficult for them? I have never heard such tales among my own people. Even Bilbo, who knew and loved ancient tales with his whole heart, was never able to search out these truths. And, even in his long and happy life, I believe it made a little hole that he could never quite fill."

"Please, Pio, for me and my people, for Kali and his kin, tell us what you know."

[ July 29, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

'Of the ancient history of Hobbits I can tell you little. For even in my younger days that was clouded, as if hidden by some power greater than the memory of Elves or Men. I will tell you, in time, what was told to me.

But let me first speak of my family. My mother was said to have been a fair hobbit lass with a fiery spirit when first she met my father. Her name was Holly, of the Stoor clan. Her family was one of a small number of hobbit families who had settled near the River Esgalduin in the forest of Region, in Doriath. They were, by nature, an independent lot, and had not gone with the others when the Westward call had come to settle altogether in the Hidden City.'

'The Westward call? The Hidden City?', asked Child.

'This will come clear in time, Child.' assured Pio.

'But let me continue. The forest in which they dwelled was near the great Elven city of Menegroth, City of the Thousand Caves in Doriath, delved for Thingol and Melian by the dwarves of Belegost. My father was from that city. His name was Elurìn, one of the sons of Dior and Nimloth, and the elder brother to Elwing. Dior was, himself, the son of Beren - a Man, and fair Luthien, the daughter of Thingol and Melian. Thingol is said to be one of the originally awakened elves, and Melian is a Maiar.'

She paused for them to take this in, and then continued.

'Suffice it to say, my father met my mother on one of his many hunting trips to the forest there. Over time, they fell in love, and he thought to make her his wife. She was already carrying me, the fruit of their deep affection for one another, when my father, in 504 of the First Age, brought her to dwell in Menegroth, thinking it would be a safe place for his new family and that they would celebrate their wedding there. This was not to be.'

'In 505, shortly after I was born, my father was lost in a great war of elf against elf, the second Kinslaying. The sons of Feanor, determined to fulfill their oath to regain the Silmarils, sacked the city of Menegroth, destroying the fair realm of Doriath. Dior and his two sons were slain, while Elwing fled with the Silmaril recovered by Luthien and Beren.'

All was silent in the little room, as she paused to take a sip of water.

'I never knew my father, save what my mother told me of him when I grew older.' She shook her head sadly, and went on.

With Menegroth gone, and the land of Doriath in chaos, my mother made her way to the River Sirion with me and northward to the Hidden City - the city of Gondolin.'

She looked at Child. 'This is the place to which the hobbits were called and hidden soon after their Awakening.'

'Their Awakening?' asked Child.

'Yes, when Men awoke in Hildòrien, so did hobbits awaken in the the Vales of the Great River Anduin, the valley lying between the Misty Mountains and Eryn Lasgalen, Greenwood Forest. But hobbits, so it was told to me, were to serve a hidden and greater purpose than Man. And so, on their Awakening their memories were clouded and they were brought west to Gondolin to be hidden and safe from Shadow. From there they would be brought forth to serve Arda when need was greatest.'

'But what about you and your mother, ma'am?' blurted out Daisy. 'What happened next?' asked Rose.

[piosenniel]

'Let's go up and sit on deck under the stars.' said Pio, feeling as if her words in that small room were crushing her with their sadness.

'Who told you about the hobbits?' asked Chld as they walked up the stairs. 'Not your mother, since her memory must have been clouded also. Did the elves know all of this?'

'No, this was not common knowledge to the elves. Only to some who were to aid the hobbits. And as to who it was who told me, I have made a promise, and cannot tell you.'

'But your mother,' said Kali, 'what of her?'

'We made it safely to Gondolin, and were allowed in, there to dwell with the many others of our kind. Many clans, all together. My mother and I came to the notice of King Turgon's daughter, Idril. And she took us under her wing, to smooth out my rough edges and teach me my elven heritage.'

She looked up at the stars, and tears dimmed her sight of them. 'I was happy there for five sweet years. Until that horrid day in the year 510 when we had all gathered as was the custom of the Gondothlim to celebrate the great feast Tarnin Austa, the Gates of Summer. The armies of Melkor, his orcs and balrogs, serpents and dragons, fell upon the city that night. And not even the eleven houses of the Gondothlim and the bodyguard of Tuor could prevail against them. "Great was the Fall of Gondolin", so said the King before he went to his death.'

'My mother was at that time in the house of Idril and Tuor, and she asked Idril to look after me, saying she needed to see about others of her clan who were in the northern part of the city, and she wanted me kept safe. I think she knew that she would not see me again. She took from her neck a fine silver chain with an enamelled silver holly leaf on it bearing three red berries, a present to her from my father in happier times. She put it round my neck and held me close, kissing me once on the forehead. Bending close to my ear, she said 'Remember, Pio. And return to me if I cannot return to you.' Then she placed my hand in Idril's and ran down the stairs. We were soon forced to flee the city with other elves of Gondolin and became refugees in a land that now groaned under Shadow.'

'But your mother' asked Bird, 'did you see her again?'

'She never returned to me.' said Pio quietly, 'but now I am here, and I will return to her.'

There were many more questions that buzzed in the air as she finished this portion of her history. Pio stood, her eyes now dry, and asked that she be allowed to continue tomorrow. She used tiredness as her excuse to finish her story later, but it was grief that stopped her flow of words.

[ July 29, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Kettle of fish]

Suddenly all aboard were struck with the new significance of the quest. And of how it was more than chance that put them on the path. Each would have the role to play, and each prayed that when the moment of need came, they would not falter.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child sat in the stern, watching the waves slide behind the ship, one-by-one. She talked to no one. Her eyes were wet with tears. Now, she understood why Piosenniel the Elf sometimes withdrew by herself to remember days long ago.

For some strange reason she did not understand, a memory came and tugged on her heart. It was something she had once seen as a child but had forgotten for many years. She recalled going with Bilbo to a great meeting in the town hall of Bree. It was the first and only time she had seen that city as a young maid. She had been so excited to go and carry her Uncle's scrolls and books.

When they had reached the hall, a group of men were engaged in a lengthy debate. Child had shrunk into the corner of the room and listened with every bone in her body, remaining absolutely silent. Bilbo had sat in a chair at the table listening to the words of the men.

At the end of the discussion, the men had turned with great solemness to Bilbo, and declared that they indeed had figured out the origins of the hobbit folk. The leader among them, the one whom the others deemed most wise, got up before the group and declared that the hobbit people were half-way between the non-sentient animals of the world and humankind. Since hobbits had no inscriptions or great works of art or large buildings, and waged war very infrequently, they could not possible be men themselves, or even a race equal to that of men. They lived in holes in the ground and, therefore, they must be animals.

She remembered that the men had assured Bilbo that he himself was, of course, an exception to this general rule. Bilbo had sat, smoked his pipe, and said nothing. Child had shrunk into the corner feeling more and more like a rabbit who had been cornered after the hunt and was awaiting the kill.

Then they had left and gone home to the Shire, and Bilbo swore never to return to Bree again.

On their way home, Bilbo had looked at Child and asked her what she thought of the men's speech. Child had shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I wanted to ask that tall man how many of his ancestors had listened to the call of the Dark One to become Uruk-hai or to go out and murder his own kin or perhaps to pound down all his neighbors beneath him so he could rise up over them as lord. I don't think that there were too many of us who did such things. Perhaps, if being a man means such things, it actually might be better to be called an animal."

Bilbo had looked at her, reached out his hand to tousle her hair, and laughed quite heartily. He then said, "You have a head on your shoulders, Child. Don't ever lose it, but also hold onto your love of mathoms and parties and running through the fields and silliness. You are wiser than the big ones know. And remember too that not all men believe such nonsense. Seek out the ones whose hearts are true. "

Perhaps, Child thought, if the big ones had heard Piosennil's story, they would not have been so ready to call her own people insulting names. But maybe they would not have stopped to listen to the story, since they were very busy with their own affairs in the Fourth Age, and sometimes seemed to forget even the wisdom of the Elves.

Child shook her head and, once again, tried to decipher the meaning of Piosenniel's words. Then she got up from the deck and decided to go search out Rose and Daisy, and tell them that she thought their journey in the small boat was not such a heinous act as Bird had said. For, if one could not do some silliness with friends now and again, what would life ever come to? And she added to her list to try and speak with Birdland sometime soon, for the shapechanger had seemed a bit sad and testy in recent days even for one of her own kind.

[ July 29, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan had listened to Piosenniel's words in silence, then quietly slipped from the room. He retired to his quarters to think. In one sense, Pio's tale was just another sad story of the ill-fated First Age. But her desire to reunite with her mother alarmed him as did this entire quest. If they mis-stepped, could they disrupt future events? Or were past events set, perhaps captured within the music of the Ainur, so that they could do their part and no more?

Sleep came to him uneasily, but at length he settled in his bunk and journeyed in Lorien's realm. In a dream, he stood on a beach facing the West. Waves lapped the shore and sea-birds cried their mournful songs above. Knowing what would come next, as it had so often before, he sat in the sand and waited. Beside him was a shell, a small fighting conch tinged with orange and shades of cream. He lifted it to his ear and heard the quiet music of the waves that had been captured within such shells from the beginning of the world. The whispers of the shell continued for a time, then changed and in it he heard a small voice which said "He comes."

He stood and looked out upon the sea. The wind rose in the West and far out to sea, a wave rose and climbed higher and higher as it approached the shore. Just before it reached the sand it collapsed, revealing a tall figure, bearded and bright-eyed. On its brows was a string of mighty pearls and it wore a corselet of shining silver fish scales which winked and flashed in the sun. A spray of water surrounded him which the light converted into a rainbow over his head. Mithadan bowed deeply.

"Scion of AElfwine," he said. "Who was in turn descended from Earendil the bright, ye fear what ye must do. But do not fear to act for only through the valour and determination of thee and thine fellows may the circle which began ages ago be closed and the Music made whole. Do not fear to act, yet do not seek to do more than can be done. Gondolin fell and Beleriand was drowned and in those wars many died and ye cannot halt these things. But all is not set and the tapestries in the Halls of Mandos are not complete. Ye can still fail in your task, but only if you fail will the course of things be changed. If ye succeed, worry not of the consequences of your acts for then the circle shall be closed and the history of Arda, at least this small piece, shall be whole and complete and much sorrow averted. Fear not to act."

The figure stepped back and sank into the waters. A great wind blew again and he was gone.

Mithadan woke and rose from his bunk. He walked to a small cabinet in which her kept some few personal things. He opened a drawer and moved a silk cloth aside to reveal a small fighting conch shell. A small hole was drilled neatly in one end, evidence of the animal's battle with another of its kind; a battle which it had lost leaving behind only its hard carapace. He had found this shell on a beach as a child and taken it home as a little treasure. His dreams had begun soon after. He lifted the shell to his ear for a moment. Then he lifted a silver chain from the drawer and ran it through the hole in the shell. Clasping it about his throat, he tucked it within his shirt.

Mithadan smiled. Let Piosenniel have her secrets. They would do no harm, he now knew. And she was not the only one with secrets...

[piosenniel]

Dawn's rosy fingers crept over the surface of the sea, slowly and then more quickly, light driving the last of darkness from the face of the water.

Angara rose up from her seat beside Pio and stretched herself from snout to tail tip.

What more will you tell them, Elf?

All but what I have promised be kept secret until he reveals it to them

Foolish old meddler! How can he know how it will work out? It could be as well for ill as it is for good!

Pio laughed. You have grown so contrary with the years, my friend! Don't forget that he works under the guidance of one greater, one who loves this part of Arda and the creatures within it.

Kali had come up to greet the dawn, and now quietly drew near the elf and dragon.

Pio smiled and drew him into the circle of her arms, seating him close against her, that they might watch the sunrise together.

'Another beautiful day has come, Pio.' he said as the waves turned from red to golden.

'Indeed!'

They watched in quiet companionship for a while, then, in a small voice, he asked her, 'It isn't just to find your mother that brings you here, is it, Pio?'

'No, little one, no, it isn't'

[Rose Cotton]

That night Rose had gone to her quarters and locked herself in. This forced anyone wanting to see her to talk to her from the hall.

But Rose's solitary wasn't entirely from greif. She was also curious. She approched the bookshelf and pulled down the Silmarillion. She jumped onto her bed and flicked through the pages past where she had last left off to chapter 14. "Of Beleriand And Its Realms". She spent all night trying to understand just what happened so long ago. She didn't remember drifting off to sleep but must have because the next morning she was woke with her head resting on she pages she had been recently reading. There was alot more to Middle Earth then she had thought.

[Mithadan]

The next morning, Child, Birdland and Piosenniel came on deck to find Mithadan already busy examining the maps and charts of Beleriand. He smiled and called them over.

"It is time for us to undertake our second trip to the First Age so that we may pinpoint our time of arrival and devise a way to get when we want to be," he said. "Also, I've been thinking about how to get to Gondolin. If the tales are correct, there are two things to consider. First, the story of Turin tells us that the vale of Sirion is occupied by Morgoth's forces and that the road was at all times watched. Second, Tuor's story implies that the Hidden Way was blocked after his arrival so that route may be closed to us. I have been considering whether Angara's services might be enlisted to carry us where we want to be during a moonless evening. What do you think?"

Birdland, Child and Piosenniel exchanged glances. Some change had come over Mithadan since the previous evening.

[Rose Cotton]

Just then Rose and the rest of the company were making thier way on deck. Rose looked around and smiled. "However sad your story was last night Pio, I think it's made us a closer group." She glanced between Birdie and Daisy hoping she was correct.

[piosenniel]

'The Hidden Way?', asked Child and Bird together. 'What is that?'

'The city of Gondolin was hidden in the Vale of Tumladen.'said Pio. 'In a giant, steep-sided bowl, if you will, formed by the Echoriath, the Encircling Mountains. The Valar themselves, it is said, "wrestled the great mountains asunder, and the sides of the rift were sheer as if axe-cloven". The Hidden Way is through the ravine and tunnel left by a now dried river. It leads to a series of guarded gates which bar the entry into Gondolin.' She turned to one of the charts before Mithadan, and traced the way for them from the intersection of the River Sirion and the Dry River. 'I, too, believe this way is blocked to us.'

Her finger moved northward on the chart to Cirith Thoronath. 'There is another way, however, though I cannot say how safe it will be for Angara to take us there.'

'But first, if you wish to leave soon, then let me go ashore and let me find "when" we are now.'

[piosenniel]

By mid morning, the ship had reached a point just south of where Barad Nimras would be, along a sparsely populated area of the coast. Veritas reset the crystal, and returned them to the First Age.

The sea was glassy, the waves stilled to just a gentle undulation. A very slight breeze stirred the sail of the Lonely Star. Bird and Pio lowered a small skiff to the water and set off with Levanto to reach the coast.

Four hours later, the trio returned to the ship. Child and Mithadan were waiting for them as they came on board.

'Did you find someone to ask?' said Child. 'Do you know what the date is we're in?'asked Mithadan.

'Yes and yes!'laughed Pio. 'We are about two and a half centuries past the Dagor Aglareb. The leaguer of the Noldor about the fortress of Morgoth holds, and the Long Peace endures. From my reckoning it is the year 325, late spring.'

Bird's stomach growled loudly as if to punctuate this pronouncement. 'What say we eat!', she said. 'I'm starving!'

[ July 29, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Rose Cotton]

Rose, Daisy and Kali had already been preparing food for everyone. They all sat down and started pestering Bird and Pio with questions.

[Kettle of fish]

The kettle watched with baleful eyes. Such cheer usually meant danger would strike soon, and hard. But it did no good to dwell on such things.

[piosenniel]

It was a wonderful spread of food. Pio and Bird piled their plates high and set to with a great gusto.

The skinchanger had been in a strange mood for many days now, and Pio could not puzzle out the why of it. Many questions were asked of Bird about what the place was like where she and the elf had gone, but she turned them aside with curt answers. Discouraged, the questioners turned to Pio.

Unfortunately her answers were not as colorful and exciting as the youngsters exected. Walking on a coastline strewn with ordinary rocks and growing ordinary trees, and worse yet speaking with an elf who looked much like Pio and had only one head and no fangs, halos, or wings - well, that was not much of an adventure at all by their standards!

Daisy turned the questions back to the tale Pio had been telling them last night of her life. 'Ma'am, just what did you do after you escaped with the other elves from that city?'

'Were you scared?' asked Rose.

'Yes, I was very frightened. The armies of Morgoth were terrible to see and terrible in their actions. My child's imagination ran wild thinking of the horrors that might happen if they caught us. But Idril kept me close, and I was cheered up by the company of her little boy. He was only a few years older than myself,but so brave. He told me he would protect me, and I believed him with my childish innocence. The older elves were preoccupied with getting us to safety and finding us food and shelter, so much so that they never seemed to have time for childish questions and pursuits. He was my dear, sweet friend, and a small beacon of light in that long dark way.'

'Did you have to go far to get away?'Where did you live? With Idril and Tuor and their son?' said Child leaning forward.

'We journeyed for about a year, until we came to the mouths of the Sirion at the Bay of Balar. Over half our little band was lost. Morgoth's evil infested much of the lands we passed through, and many times we fought off marauding orcs to make our way to safety. It was a grim year, but Tuor and another of Gondolin, Voronwë, brought us at last to safer lands.'

'So, you did stay with Idril's family, then.'

'No, I was fostered out to a Falathrim family, in Brithombar. Idril believed it best that I go there. She thought it safer there for me, as it was so far from Morgoth's forces in Angband. And in truth, I loved it there! It was a large family, and they taught me all their sea-craft and sea-lore. I had many new brothers and sisters and cousins and aunts and uncles of all kinds! It was a wonderful place for a child to be, yet still I wished often that my mother could be there to share it.'

'How about your friend, Idril's son. Did you ever see him again?' asked Rose.

'I saw him as often as Idril could find time to come to see me. We remained fast friends, but the visits grew less often over the years as Morgoth increased his power and his evil Shadow spread further into the land. I do remember his last visit. He had grown into quite a handsome young man. When he smiled the light played about his eyes, and he was tall and strong and wonderful to look upon. My cousins all turned into mush-brained tweenagers when they saw him, and were quite crushed when I told them they had no hope of ever marrying him. He had come to tell me he was going to marry Elwing, my father's younger sister.'

'O! Elwing!' said Rose, her face lighting up. 'She's the one whose little practice sword you gave to me!'

'But you never told us your friend's name.' brought up Daisy. 'Who was he?', pleaded Rose.

Bird looked up at this question, fixing both of the young hobbits with a disbelieving stare. 'Did you two learn nothing during school, other than to ask irritating questions and pay no mind to the answers! It was Eärendil she meant, you great ninnies!' She shoved herself roughly away from the table and stomped up the steps. Rose and Daisy stared at each other and at Child and Pio with tears welling in their eyes.

'We didn't mean to make her mad!' they cried.

Child went round the table to comfort them, and Pio went up stairs, following her friend to the helm.

'What's the matter, Bird. What's happening to you?' Pio reached her hand out to touch her arm, but Bird pulled away and was silent.

[ July 30, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan looked at Birdland with great concern. She had not been quite the same since the incident where she had difficulty morphing from a dolphin to her human form. He would speak to her privately later.

"So we need to adjust ourselves by about 175 Years of the Sun," he said. "That shall be a task for you, Piosenniel, and Veritas. But I would also like to hear how you intend to have Angara land at Cirith Thoronath without being assailed by Thorondor and his kin...." He left unsaid another issue, how would they transport a quantity of Hobbits from an area invested by Morgoth?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child stood outside the door of Birdland's cabin, knocking on the panel to attract her friend's attention. She could hear muffled sounds inside that sounded halfway between anger and tears.

"Bird, Bird, it's me. It's Child. Please let me in. I need to talk with you now."

There was no response so Child continued to tap away at the closed entry way, fidgeting with the knob in her hand.

Then she heard shuffling steps coming slowly to the door. There was a pause and then Bird's voice came in small, halting measures.

"Not now, Child. Not now. You and Pio and Mithadan are not the only ones who have much to ponder. I can not share with you until my own heart is at rest. Leave me in peace until I can see the path I must follow."

Child bent down in front of the door, and placed a small garland of sea lillies which she and Kali and Daisy had found just an hours before and carefully woven into a band. Kali, who was just learning to read and write Westron with Child's help, had scratched a greeting on the tag in wobbly letters. The card read: "We love you, Bird. We hope you feel better. Please tell us if we can help. Your friends, Kali, Child, and Daisy.

[piosenniel]

Veritas and Pio soon had the crystal reset to the time requested by Mithadan. Veritas was about to close the cover and readjust the ship's position, when Pio stayed her hand.

'Let's check to see if all is ready and all are on board before we shift times.'

Veritas went to gather all crew members on board, while Pio went to alert Mithadan.

'We've set the crystal, Mithadan. And are prepared to engage it as you wish. The crew should all be accounted for onboard soon.'

'What of the problem I put forth concerning Eagle's Cleft?' he asked.

'We will bear the banner of the House of the King when we go. Thorondor will recognize it; and if needed we can request his aid.'

http://www.forodrim.org/gobennas/heraldry/kingturg.gif

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child sat with her arm about Angara's neck waiting for the ship to make its leap. The dragon turned its jeweled green eyes on her, and then laid her head in the hobbit's lap. The dragon's act was a strangely protective one, as if she wanted to shield Child from some strange unknown danger.

Angara whispered to Child under her breath, "Hold on. You and your brothers and sisters. Strangely enough, I have become somewhat fond of your people. And, unlike the Man or the Elf on this vessel, you have little knowledge or lore to protect you. You go to face something you do not understand and can not even imagine."

"You may think you come from a different world and time, but if the Dark One should glimpse you, he will see only a hobbit face and body. His plans for you and your little friends will be no different than that which he envisions for all your other kin from the First Age."

"Unlike the Elf, you have never faced great evil. Unlike Man, you have never felt the touch of brokeness in your soul. But if you are going to help your people survive, I fear that sometime, somewhere you must look into the eye of darkness and stand firm."

"And I will tell you that, even with the power and wits of Man and the lore of the Elven kin, this venture will fail unless a hobbit finds the strength to endure, the simple act of hanging on and lasting even in the face of evil."

As Child listened to Angara's grim words, something inside her quailed, and she sensed a quiet fear she had not known before.

[ July 30, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ July 30, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

As the crew readied themselves for the upcoming voyage, Mithadan paused before Child who sat with Angara's head in her lap.

"Why doesn't she ever do that with me?" he asked with a smile.

"Perhaps if you bathed me again," suggested Angara. "I might consider it. I feel the need for a good scrubbing soon."

Mithadan laughed. "Perhaps when we finish our tasks, we will have a dragon bathing party in your honour," he replied.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked Child. "If we witness the fall of Gondolin, it will certainly not be pleasant. It is easy enough to read about great deeds, but much harder to actually see them. And the deeds of the Noldor in the First Age were among the greatest...and the most futile."

[piosenniel]

It was nearing sunset when they jumped. Veritas closed the clasp to the crystal device, and once again the area about the ship shimmered and blinked once.

Night fell quickly. The sky was overcast with a thick covering of cloud; no light from moon or star shone through.

Silence shrouded the little ship, with only the sound of waves lapping at the sides to mark its presence.

Clinging on to Pio's hand, Daisy broke the quiet with a small whisper. 'I'm scared.'

[Birdland]

Bird sat in her cramped cabin, a place she normally avoided, except to toss things she had no need for. Those things really didn't take up much room, since the Changling had always believed in traveling light.

She had heard Pio's entreaty, had ignored Child pounding on her door. Perhaps everyone else on board the Lonely Star could come up with answers to hard questions on this voyage, but Bird wasn't even sure what her questions were, let alone the answer. Normally, Birdie was not a very introspective person.

As much as she wanted to help Kali, she feared and dreaded this excursion into the First Age, and wondered how much it would help the hobrim, and how much it would really be an opportunity for Pio and Child to explore their own past and their own questions.

But deep inside, Bird knew that the reason she was so troubled by the atmosphere on board the ship was the realization that others may find the answers to the mysteries of lost kin and their life's purpose, but it would never happen for Bird.

The Beorn were but one lofty branch of the odd and mysterious family of skinchangers. Settled and prosperous, with their own country that they defended zealously, they had no reason to question their role in Middle Earth.

But Bird was not a Beorn. She had been left at Carrock as an infant with a scribbled note begging, for the sake of kinship, that this changling be taken, "...for we must flee."

The Beorn were kind about such things, and told of other skin-changers that had been reared by them in the past, but they were never accepted into the family of "Bear-Men", and were cast out when they reached adulthood. And Bird had been cast out into a world where there did not seem to be another skin-changer. And she HAD looked.

But then had come the song of the Dolphin Folk. The more Bird assumed this new form, the stronger that call became. Was that what happened to her own people? Had they all found happier forms and disappeared into the worlds of badgers and birds, Ents and eagles, dolphins and dormice? The idea terrified Birdie, yet strangely appealed to her as well.

"We are a ship of orphans." Birdie muttered sadly to herself. It was all rather pathetic, actually.

She sighed and stood to leave her cabin. When she opened the door, a wreath of sea-lilies with a scribbled note fell at her feet.

Bird read the note and shook her head. "Ah, children. When will they learn that, sometimes, love is not enough?" It was a lesson Birdie would not wish on anyone.

She trudged up the stairs to the deck, and addressed the assembled crew. "I will accompany this mission in crow-form. And I will not be told 'No'."

[piosenniel]

Angara turned an eye toward Bird as she heard her proclamation.

'Crow is fine,' she said, 'but best not fly about in Thorondor's country, Bird.'

[Birdland]

"I'll fly where I like, Wyrmling! And a small crow is doubtless less conspicuous then the likes of you!"

Sometimes, the little dragon just irritated Birdie to no end.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child sat in the moonless night remembering the events of the day. She thought of the dragon and his stern warning of the dangers to be faced and the need for a hobbit to hold on and endure.

She remembered leaving Angara and going below deck to stand bathed in the pale sunlight which filtered through the round window of her cabin. She had placed a deep basin of water on the table to catch the afternoon rays of the sun.

Child had stood over this mirror of water watching her wavering reflection emerge from its depths. In her mind were the pictures of hobbits Kali had found in the tunnel under the ancient city of Minas Tirith. All these had been lost and buried when the keystone of the arch collapsed.

Still, on Kali's return to the ship, Child had asked him to describe and draw these hobbit images with as much detail and accuracy as he could manage. The results had been amazing.

That afternoon Child had propped one of these drawings against the wall and then looked down at her own form and figure reflected in the bowl. What Angara had said was true. The only difference between the ancient hobbit in the picture and her own reflection was a bit of dirt and crude clothing made of skins. Other than that, Child had recognized with both shock and pleasure, she could easily have fit in with the residents of that long buried home.

Now, sitting in the darkness with few stars visible in the sky, she found her thoughts turning equally somber. Morgoth's command issued at Gondolin had explicitly stated that all hobbits were to be rounded up and imprisoned. He had certainly not thought about making fine distinctions between hobbits of the First Age and any stray time travellers who might be wandering about his domain.

At the same time Child realized that the worst thing that they could do was to give Morgoth any information that would indicate hobbits had survived as a free people into the later ages. That would be a virtual death sentence for those hobbits living in Beleriand. Once Morgoth recognized that he had been cheated of his prey, his revenge would be swift and terrible.

The answer was quite simple. Whatever sleuthing was to be done in First Age Beleriand, the hobbits must make certain to blend into their surroundings, to copy and imitate their cousins, thereby guaranteeing that no one could distinguish between Fourth Age hobbits and First Age ones. The fact that Child's Elvish and Adunaic were so halting and limited would actually be an asset in these circumstances.

In her mind's eye, Child selected her oldest and most shabby dress, with the intention of dismantling it still further. Then she could see herself concocting a strange paste of dirt and water which she set aside for later purposes.

Finally, she shook herself out of this reverie and went over to Mithadan whom she found in deep conversation with Piosenniel and Veritas. Child stood in front of him and said, "I do not know your exact plans or who you intend to include in the first landing party, but I will be one of those who go in on the dragon to Gondolin. Mithadan, it does not matter how high your lineage is, or how many ties Pio has in the court. You can not hunt hobbits unless you have a hobbit along."

"I know my own people. They will not open up or share secrets with the big folk in the same way that they would trust and talk to me. Angara was right. If you do not take a hobbit along, you will not succeed. It is time for me to stand firm."

Pio started to protest, but Child quickly cut her off. "I will be dressed and look as close to hobbits of the First Age as I can. And I saw the gleem in Angara's eye. If you do not do this thing, the dragon will not carry you. Not any of you! I am very certain of what I speak."

Child drew herself to her full height and glared back at Mithadan and Pio. "Good. That's settled then. Tell me as soon as we are leaving." She turned on her heels and left to carry out the plans which she had envisioned in her head.

Angara had been perched on the mast above listening to this entire conversation. She turned and looked at Child as the hobbit stormed back to her cabin. Angara snorted a smokering through her nose and muttered approvingly. "Good for you Child. I have an idea what you are up to. Stamp the dust off your soul and do what must be done. I'll make something of you, yet!"

The dragon arched her wings and began preening her scales as she reviewed possible flight plans in her head.

[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

"I'll fly where I like, Wyrmling! And a small crow is doubtless less conspicuous then the likes of you!"

The dragon snorted at this protest. As the skin-changer strode past her, she pushed forth her tail along the deck, and tripped the unsuspecting Bird, sending her sprawling most ungracefully.

Flying back to the mast-top, Angara called down to her. 'Fly where you like!? Humphhh! You can't even walk properly!'

[Birdland]

Birdie got up slowly from the deck, and she was not laughing, though others on the crew had taken the incident as nothing but a harmless joke.

Glaring upward, Bird raised her arms and immediately transforming into the jackdaw, launched herself towards the top of the mast.

[piosenniel]

Child's dramatic retreat downstairs was cut short by a sharp whistle from behind her. She turned, and there stood Pio, thumb and second finger curved under her tongue emitting an ear-splitting sound.

'Look,' said Pio, motioning her companions to come closer,'let's back it all up here a bit. In a very short time we will begin a crucial part of our quest, can we approach it in a less defensive and offensive manner?' She looked round the group. 'Some of us will need to stay on the ship, that's a given. Now, Veritas has volunteered to stay since she's the one who will need to maneuver the ship as needed. Kali, I think should stay also, since there is no way I think we can explain the presence of a hobbrim. Is that alright with you,Kali?'

The hobbrim shook his head 'yes', his large eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.

'And Daisy, what about you? Will you come with us, or stay here?' Daisy moved near to Kali and took his hand. 'I'm staying here, if you please, ma'am. You can just tell me what happened when you get back. We'll take care of the boat, won't we?' she said turning to Kali and Veritas.

'Rose?'

'I'm going, Pio!' cried the hobbit.'Alright, then, get Child to help you dress so you'll fit in. And please see that you follow all her directions.'

'Bird, of course you're going! It will be long flight in and out, though, and we will be travelling very swiftly - would you consider riding someone's shoulder until we reach our destination?' Pio looked about, frowning, where was Bird?

She looked about the deck again. 'Who's seen Khelek recently?' Veritas spoke up, telling her that the elf was a bit under the weather, and had been spending a lot of time in his cabin, reading and resting. 'So, maybe you can let him know he'll be on the ship with you. Perhaps you can get him to work up some of the computations we may need for other time and place shifts.'

'And Child, most certainly you'll be with us! You're our hobbit heart and soul. And as you said, the needed liaison with the Gondolin hobbits.'

'And as for myself, I can either stay or go as needed. Mithadan and I have gone over the maps, and he can take you all in as well as I can. And by the way, I have no "connections in court" as you put it, Child. For all intents and purposes, I'd be just another elf in Gondolin.

She gestured toward Mithadan. 'I'll let Mithadan speak for himself.'

[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Thee dragon easily caught the jackdaw in her talons, and held the protesting bird close, inspecting her form.

'Very interesting!' she commented, turning the ball of black and white feathers this way and that. 'Excellent take-up of the physiology!' She set Bird on the sail. 'You know, Bird,' she said with no hint of her usual condescension, 'I wonder if you have ever thought of becoming a dragon?'

[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan hesitated before answering. History told that only one Man had ever entered Gondolin without invitation. And Tuor had been escorted by Voronwe. In addition, his father had been welcomed to the Hidden City by the King. Mithadan had no such pedigree or invitation. But he and Tuor shared one thing in common, the imprimatur of Ulmo. Words welled up from his memory: "Do not fear to act." Yet he hesitated.

"Pio," he said carefully. "I think that I shall accompany our troop. But to proceed into Gondolin without an Elf among us would be foolhardy. We would, like as not, be imprisoned at the least. And while Turgon's banner may avoid an attack by Thorondor, his allegiance to the King remains; I cannot imagine that our arrival will not be reported. I think that you must come."

[Rose Cotton]

Rose was relieved when she heard she was aloud to go. They would need more then one hobbit. She and Child went down to get themselves dressed to look like hobbits of the first age.
"Child, I was wondering." Rose asked. "If Morgoth ordered the capture of the hobbits. It seems that in curent history he succeded? So when he did he would have thought that there were no hobbits left in ME. But if his orders are not carried out because we rescue them won't he know that there must be some place where they're hideing. He might find the Shire. Although I'm not sure if I'm correct on anything I'm saying right now. It's a good thing your here because I stink as far as history goes.

But there's another thing. Why would he order the capture of hobbits in the first place. Had he ever done that with Elves, Men, or Dwarfs?" Rose talked herself into silence then waited for Child to understand somthing of what she had said.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child looked at Rose and softly shook her head. "I don't think we need to worry about what Morgoth thinks. As far as we know, he has no idea we're coming or what we'll try to do. The one thing we have protecting us that can keep us from harm is his ignorance about us and our existence."

"If we manage to rescue the hobbits, then it doesn't matter what he knows because our people will be safe. If we don't, then he'll think he has won and won't bother with us anymore. Of course, the ship and crew will try again and again until they do succeed, even if it takes a hundred tries, but he won't know that."

"And, don't forget your history. As Beleriand sinks under the waves, Morgoth will be thrust into the void. He can't bother us from there. In fact, the only thing more important than keeping our secret from Morgoth is keeping it from Sauron, who is his chief lieutenant."

"You know, it's possible that we may even meet Sauron, sometime and someplace in Beleriand. and, if that happens, we can not let him know who we are or what happened in the Third Age. That is the worst thing we could do, not just for our own people, but for all of Middle-earth."

"Your other question, Rose, the one about why he would order our capture, and whether he has ever done that with Elves, Men or Dwarves....." Child's voice trailed off. She sat in silent reflection, and then spoke to the young hobbit.

"I have wondered about this hour upon end, and the true answer is that I don't know. Morgoth is an evil creature who hates all beings, especially those who are free and love goodness. He bears little love for Elves, Men, or Dwarves unless they serve his will. He has killed without hesitation, and I am certain he would kill more if he could. But even his wanton murders are not as hideous as his efforts to corrupt and twist the souls of all around him."

"And yet, Rose, in one way, I think you're right. Somehow, with us, it is different. His hatred, his desire, are more focused. I think it is because he wants to rid the world of all hobbits, preferably by corrupting us into his service. If he finds he can't do that, then I think he will try to eliminate us, down to the very last child. For some reason, he wishes none of us to live, at least as a free people of Middle-earth."

"But why? Why us?" Rose whispered. "Why would he do such a thing? We are not strong like men or wise like Elves or even talented with the beautiful things of the world like Dwarves. We are so little, so unimportant in the great affairs of the world."

Child sighed, "I know, Rose. I know. And I truly can not say why. Perhaps it's merely that he thinks we are different, and he doesn't like that difference. Or because we have too much simple joy and fruitful earth in our lives. And he is no friend to joy or sweetness. Or maybe there is something more, something that we don't know, and couldn't understand even if some power told us. Perhaps, we have some role to play. Perhaps, when Melkor heard the Music, he heard a single line which whispered something about our people, something that made him fear. He may have tried to drown out the line, but it hasn't gone away."

"You know, there may have been something beyond chance that picked out Bilbo or Frodo or even Gollum to carry the Ring. And maybe the picking is not over. Maybe, in some other day and age, there will be another picking of hobbits or hobbrim. And perhaps Morgoth fears that."

"But I suspect that our own part is simpler. It is merely to hold on, to endure, and our people are good at that." Child sat and thought. There were many things in life that were beyond her, things that Mithadan or Bird or Pio could do with ease and confidence. But holding on was definitely within her capabilities. She privately vowed that, whatever happened, she would not despair or let go.

"That is all I know or can guess. I wish I understood more but that is the best I can do." Child reached down to gently hug Rose.

She hesitated, and then spoke again. "It's possible, Rose, that, in Beleriand, I may need to go off on my own, to do some things which need doing. I know you'll understand, and won't feel bad. Don't worry about it, it's nothing terribly important."

Rose said nothing, but promised herself to keep a close eye on her older friend.

[ August 04, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

The two friends finished their disguises, with much giggling and horseplay. Each tried to outdo the other in looking scruffy and disheveled. By the end of the session, both were laughing and holding their sides.

At one point, Daisy and Kali came in to pay a visit and see how the preparations were coming. The two of them tried to hold their faces frozen, but then began to laugh as they had a closer look at Child's raggedy dress and Rose's scruffy hair which she had cut in jagged edges. Daisy giggled and predicted that Rose's new hairstyle would soon be all the rage in the Shire. There was absolutey no sense that the two were about to leave on a dangerous journey that could mean life or death for their own people.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose's talk with Child had made her in much better spirits. It also made her feel very important. Child hadn't mentioned it but Rose felt that as Bilbo and Frodo had been choosen for thier task she and Child had been choosen for thiers. Perhaps that was the melody of the hobbits. To hide, tucked away until they were needed for small but important missions. And before they went on deck Rose went to tuck her sword under her dress then stopped and layed it back. She couldn't bring anything. What if it was found. She didn't know whether first age hobbits carried weapons with them. She and Child would have to rely on thier hearts and minds.

The two accompanied by Kali and Daisy went up to the rest of the crew.

[Mithadan]

Mithadan buckled on his belt with his sword and a long knife hanging from their sheaths. In hidden sheaths in each boot he inserted a throwing knife. From his belt, he hung a soft leather pouch filled with tiny spheres made of metal. A second pouch held bandages and pins and was hung next to a coil of rope with a three-pronged hook. Over his shirt, he pulled on a thin vest of leather which he covered with chain mail. On each arm, he strapped a vambrace of bright steel. Supple leather gloves covered his hands. Over all was a grey cloak with pockets inside and out filled with knives and small tools. He considered, then rejected a buckler, then debated whether to carry or wear a helm. Soon, perhaps in a matter of days, he and his friends might find themselves in the midst of one of the evilest battles of all the ages. He had no intention of being less than fully prepared.

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: smilies/eek.gif WOW! Your not taking this halfway are you Mith.::

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: Alas I must go away for a few weeks. I will return on the 16. Good luck saving the hobbits and getting Birdie to cheer up. smilies/wink.gif smilies/biggrin.gif This was probably the worst time to leave but I'll read all about our adventures when I get back. Just try not to offically end the story without me. Bye::

[Birdland]

Birdie carried no weapon except her sling, which she wore as a belt around her waist. Her duty on this journey would be to provide far-ranging eyes and information to bring back to the party, if only to keep them from stumbling into any nasty surprises over the next hill.

Now that the mission was actually about to begin, Birdie felt a lightening of heart, which seemed peculiar considering the danger they might be walking into.

"At last, Kali will begin to find his answers, and if others have their questions satisfied as well, so be it."

[Child of the 7th Age]

Unlike Mithadan, Child could not imagine that she would be of much use in a pitched offensive, whatever weapon she might bring. She was, however, reasonably adept with a bow and had slung one across her back, along with a small quiver of arrows. Just after she had married, her husband had taught her to hunt down rabbits and other small game when they had lived in Frogmorton, not far from the forests of East Farthing. So, in a pinch, the bow could serve a double purpose.

Most of Child's supplies were geared towards defense and survival, rather than outright battle. Around her waist and visible to all she carried only a small dagger, a rope, and a leather pouch with food inside.

Under her skirts, however, was another matter. Here she hid a belt with another small dagger, a flint to make fire, a cord and hook for fishing, and a few useful tools. She had gone down to Piosenniel and begged her for herbs, bandages, and other simple remedies that could be used for healing. These too were strapped under her skirts.

Piosenniel had pushed into her hands one more packet. It was filled with some kind of seeds. Child held the seeds in her hands and squinted at them closely, "What is this? And whatever would I need seeds for? I'll not be staying long enough to start a flower garden!" She looked up at Pio and nervously laughed.

Pio replied, "These are precious. My people call this plant 'athelas' and it has great power in healing."

Child nodded her head in recognition, "You mean kingsfoil, but I still don't understand." Child then looked up at Pio with concern written over her face, "Pio, I don't think this plant was known in First Age Beleriand. If Mithadan knew I was taking this.....," Her voice trailed off.

"Of course, it wasn't known in the First Age, and, most likely, these seeds will never sprout or see the light of day. We will undoubtedly take care of our business, rescue the hobbits, and all return quickly to the ship. But, if you are somehow trapped in a desperate situation for a long time, these seeds could make the difference in someone's life or death."

Child scarcely knew what to say. She thought she had been more discreet in her plans. She opened her mouth to stumble out a denial when the Elf abruptly stopped her, "Rose came to me and mentioned some nonsense about going off on your own important business. I am not going to ask questions. Just carry these if you need them."

Pio smiled gently, "And I did tell Rose to guard her tongue in the future. Other than that, I have spoken to no one."

Child gave the Elf a hug and slid the seeds under her belt.

[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child went to check on Rose and see how she was coming along. The young hobbit was packing a number of items in a bag to sling over her back. Child and Rose were discussing their provisions when there was a knock on the cabin door.

Kali and Daisy came in together. Kali carried a small dagger in his hand, and Daisy a wooden bow with arrows.

Kali explained why they had come. "We knew you couldn't take your sword, Rose, and we wanted you to have something to protect yourself. We've brought what we have to share with you. They are simple weapons but they will help if you need to guard your life or to search for game to eat. Please take them."

For one moment, Rose thought she might say no, but immediately realized how false such a response would be. She thanked her two friends for their generosity, and promised to do her best to return the bow and knife as soon as possible. She gave Daisy a hug and squeezed Kali's hand.

Then Rose turned to face the hobbrim and said: "I will do my best Kali. If your kin are there, we will find them."

Just as Kali and Daisy were about to go out the door, Child came over and said, "Kali, we've asked you a hundred different questions, but there is one important one which everyone has forgotten. Do you have a family surname?"

Kali turned in puzzlement, "A family surname? What is that?"

Child replied, "It is a name that everyone shares in a single family, and it is usually passed down from parents to son."

Kali's eyes lit up, "Yes, we have this name. But we do not use it often. My family's name....it was 'Burrowes.'"

"Thank you, Kali," Child responded. "That may be important or not, but every scrap of information we can gather may help us break through the puzzle."

[ August 01, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

As Child paced down the hall, she came upon the trampled remnents of a sea-lilly band and a card with wobbly letters. She quickly scooped these into her hand and desposited them inside her cabin so none of the other hobbits would stumble onto the discards.

Child clambered up onto deck with her supplies and belongings. Bird stood by the rail, humming a strange tune. She looked a bit more cheerful than she had the last day or two, but still not her normal self.

Child walked up and wished Bird good luck on her flight. She wanted to say something else, but was uncertain how to begin. Then she decided to plunge ahead. In a situation like this, there was simply no reason to hold back.

"Bird, I know you're worrying about lots of things that I can't possibly imagine or understand. But I know one thing that concerns you is Kali, and whether or not he will find his family. You have to believe that I also care about this deeply."

"We'll probably go in and rescue the hobbits quickly. But, just in case, it doesn't work like that, my people may have to survive for a while in a difficult situation. I will do everything that I can to make their survival possible. For, unless the hobbits live on, Kali will have no kin to return to in this age or in any other."

Child turned away quickly and walked to the stern of the boat, looking up into the starless night. She watched her friends assemble on deck, a strange mixture of different races, both male and female, yet with one common goal.

[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

She became a hare,
A hare upon the plain;
And he became a greyhound dog
And fetch'd her back again.

Hulloa, hulloa, hulloa, hulloa,
You coal black smith!
You have done me no harm
You never shall have my maidenhead
That I have kept so long;
I'd rather die a maid.
Yes, but then she said,
And be buried all in my grave
Than I'd have such a
nasty, husky, dusky, musty, fusky
coal-black smith
A maiden I will die."

"Birdee, what is that strange song you sing?" Bird whirled around to find Kali standing behind her, solemn-eyed and looking a little overwhelmed by all the last minute preparations.

"Why, Kali, it's just a silly skin-changer's song I learned when I was young." Bending down, she gestured the hobbrim close and whispered conspiratorially. "It's actually called 'The Meeting of Aulë and Yavanna', but don't tell Pio that. The Elves are rather touchy about having their precious Valar sung about in jest."

Kali nodded, wide-eyed and not really understanding the joke, but willing to play along all the same. "Do you know other skin-changer songs?" he asked

"Oh, a few, a few," Bird muttered. She was suddenly uncomfortable about the direction of the conversation. "Tell you what, though: along with any word we have of your kin, if I hear any good songs in our journey, I'll bring them back and we'll sing them together."

"I'd like that very much, Birdie...Did they change into very many things? Aulë and Yavanna, I mean?"

"Why yes, all sorts of silly things, which is really not how it works, but then, it's just a song. In the end Aulë wins her heart, and they rule their part of Arda to this very day."

Then Rose called to Kali for last minute advise on her costume, and he waved and ran back to the group of Hobbits.

Of course, Bird did not sing the last verse to Kali, Bird had never understood it herself, and in the present circumstances, it seemed to whisper dire portents:

"She became a corpse,
A corpse all in the ground.
And he became the cold, grey clay,
and covered her all around."

[piosenniel]

Pio found Child at the stern. There was one last thing she needed to share with her before they left.

She put her hand on Child's arm, and drew her closer for privacy.

'Should you carry out your intended plan, I would have you know two things: One is that there will come among the hobbits a young man in grey robes who will aid you as he can. He will call himself Ancalimon, and it would prove wise to listen to his counsel. Approach him freely with your concerns and questions and have no fear that he is a servant of Morgoth, that he might betray you. He serves only the Light.' She paused to make sure Child had understood what she said.

'Second, know that we will come for you, though the years seem long and hope seems dim. We will not abandon you.' She released Child's arm and stepped back and smiled at her.

She spoke her quiet good-byes to the rest of the crew remaining on the ship, and gave some last minute instructions to Veritas.

She passed Bird, standing at the railing, humming to herself. Leaning against the railing herself she spoke to her old friend. 'All angst aside, Bird, on both our parts, I want you to know that I know I can count on you, and you - well you know me - I got your back!'

Angara awaited on the waves, grown large enough to carry them all.

'Well, shall we go?' said Pio, pulling her cloak about her, and headed toward the boats.

[ August 01, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Just as the party left, Child leaned towards Rose for one last word. "Don't forget Mithadan's instructions to us. You and I are to tell no one we come from a future age. We are merely servants to do menial chores and carry messages for our masters. It's doubtful anyone will ask anything more , but if they should, Mithadan found us in the forests of east Beleriand, probably stragglers cut off from the original group of hobbits who made their way towards the west. Keep as silent and hidden as possible until we see our kin and can figure out how they talk and act." Rose nodded in agreement.

[ August 01, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Anagara raised her wings and leapt from the sea to the sky, her passengers clinging to her back. The black and white crow circled the dragon.

Then the party set out for the far shore, the remaining crew on the Lonely Star cheering them on.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child's eyes had difficulty adjusting to the blackness of the night sky. Gradually, however, she became accustomed to the darkness and began to see shadowy outlines of both water and land below.

Pio and Mithadan had kept their exact navigational plans secret, but they had dropped a few hints, and Child thought she could figure out their intentions. She knew that their ship had been located just south of the coastline of Barad Nimras. This meant their initial flight path would have to wind north over the water along the edge of the coast. Child guessed that Pio and Mithadan probably meant to bring them in from the north near Cirith Thoronath over the Secret Way. This meant their northward trip would occupy a considerable portion of the journey. However, they would then veer east over land to reach the Encircling Mountains and the City of Gondolin itself.

Child could not judge how long they had journied north over the water. Angara was flying very high in the sky, and the hobbit's bones felt bitterly chilled. The whole flight seemed more like a dream than reality. Just behind them, in the wake of the dragon's winds, flew a small and determined crow.

Then, in an instant, Angara swooped down. Child abruptly awoke from her cold reverie to focus on a clear image of water and coast. She glimpsed what looked like the start of a mountain chain and a tiny peninsula jutting out into the Bay. Child's heart leapt with excitement. The tallest peak she could see had to be Mount Taras. This would be near the now deserted city of Vinyamar which Turgon had left many years ago in order to lead his people to the safety of Gondolin. Some said the city had been set on the northern slopes of the mountain, while others maintained that it had been built beneath Taras itself. There would sadly be no time for such explorations.

Angara did not turn east here, but continued her northward flight hugging the coastline, her great wings cutting the air stroke-by-stroke.

[ August 01, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Despite the length of the flight, there was little talk or interaction of any kind between the mounted riders. Each member of the party seemed locked inside their own thoughts and dreams.

Child could feel Rose's small body seated just behind her. Despite the young hobbit's heavy skirts and shawl, the girl was shivering and had pressed herself against Child's back and neck in a vain attempt to conserve warmth. A few of Elbereth's stars glittered dimly in the heavens above. All else was dark and bleak.

Child wondered whether the wintry conditions were also unpleasant for the Elf who had dressed in such light garments. She guessed not, since her kind seemed far more immune to extremes of heat and cold. Pio's eyes appeared to be fixed on the distant horizon with little indication that she was even aware of the bitter chill which invaded the small frames of the hobbit folk.

Angara began wending steadily more eastward as the chain of hills swung inward to meet the Firth of Drengist. Child raised herself up on her heels to peer over Pio's shoulder. Down below, and ahead in their flight path, lay the gigantic gorge called Cirith Ninniach in Sindarin, or 'rainbow cleft' in the common tongue. From here, running northward, Child caught her first glimpse of the Ered Lomin or 'echoing mountains'. For one instant, Child wished she could go down and see if sounds echoed through these slopes as loudly as others had suggested. But there was no time for that now.

The Ered Lomin ran towards the northwest to form the western border of Hithlum. Their own path, however, would soon veer far more sharply to the east.

In a single instant, the dragon came to a halt in mid-air, hovering on a single point. The crow who had valiantly kept up with Angara's rapid strokes came colliding into the tail of the dragon. For an instant, she alit on the topside of the winged wyrm, then swung out and slowly began circling around, making a complete circuit from tail to nose and back again.

The dragon lowered his head and nodded towards the east, to indicate that it was time to change their course. Until now, flying over coastal waters, they had little fear of meeting any hostile forces. But, the instant they began to fly over land, the probability of being seen increased and, with it, a heightened sense of danger. Child wondered to herself if Mithadan would send out the crow to scout out the terrain below.

Child found her own breath, with its icy puffs of mist, catching within her throat. Her lungs cried out for more air. But, she admitted to herself, there was still another cause for her labored breathing. They were here. They were really here in First Age Beleriand, and Gondolin lay ahead.


_____________________________________________

OOC -- If I have got any of this geography wrong, please advise and I will edit these last two posts.

[ August 01, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

The thrill of the ride wore off quickly, between the cold and the growing tension. It was important that Angara not be seen, at least until it was unavoidable. Mithadan doubted whether the dragon could somehow bypass the Eagles of the Crissaegrim. Which reminded him...

He turned and shouted back to Birdland, "Keep close! We don't want some eagle making a snack of you!"

[Birdland]

The entire journey had turned into a frozen dream, with Birdie falling into an endless rhythm of wingstrokes. She followed the faint golden glow of the dragon, a star which had constantly led her on, almost in a hypnotic state.

This state ended abruptly when the dragon stopped and hovered in mid-air. Bird, awoke from her dream state as she crashed into the dragon's scaled tail, and skittered down it's length. She recovered and slowly circled the length of the now massive wyrm, wishing - not for the first time - that crows were of the hovering kind.

She had not realized how cold and high they were, wondering for a moment if they had somehow lost their way and had wound up in the Reagions of Everlasting cold. Below them yawned a vast, dark fissure in the earth. "The Rainbow Cleft", Bird knew it to be called, but there was no rainbow brightness to it now. It looked like a gigantic slash of ink in the landscape below. The mountains to the north gave off a faint glow of starlight from their snow-shrouded peaks.

Mithadan turned and shouted to Birdie: "Stay close! We don't want some eagle making a snack of you." The skin-changer started, looking around wildly, then sent a mock-glare at the Man-Elf. As if the likes of Thorondor and his kin would interest themselves in munching on crow. May as well say that Gwaihir the Wind Lord would fancy a snack of housefly.

"Since when did the Eagles hunt at night?" Bird shouted back. But then the entire party looked to the East. The faintest milk-glow of light - not even light, but a mere description of light - was touching the far horizon.

[Mithadan]

In the dim light, they glimpsed the peaks of the mountains surrounding Dor-Lomin as they dropped beneath the dragon. A wide vale lay below them, wreathed in shadow, and as time passed, Mithadan knew they had crossed over the Teiglin and, though the vale was still dark, they were approaching the mighty Sirion. Ahead, the light of the rising sun illuminated the peaks of the hills and mountains that were the western border of Dorthonion, now known as Taur-nu-fuin. Angara tilted slightly and they turned a bit to the south where the icy, white tips of still higher mountains grew bright in the dawning light.

"We're almost there," said Mithadan.

[piosenniel]

Angara, soon we will cross the great river Sirion. You must head for the sheer sided peaks of the Crissaegrim, and make for the Cirith Thoronath. I will watch for landmarks and you may use my eyes and memory.

The dragon nodded its head once, all her thoughts focused on lookout for any danger to her passengers.

Pio could see Bird falling behind the great dragon, her small wings growing tired. She asked Angara to slow for a moment and motioned Bird to her. 'A frozen bird will be of no use to us.' said Pio, as Bird landed on her arm. 'We are approaching the Cleft of the Eagles and you must now stay close to us, or risk being killed by them. Once we are near the route to the Secret Way, you may fly free once again.' She perched Bird on her thigh, and drew her cloak over her.

Pio's eyes sought out the Pass through which Tuor had led the Gondothlim to safety. When she had it fixed in her sight, she pulled out the blue Banner of the House of the King and held it streaming aloft and directed Angara to descend. They plunged swiftly into the icy reaches of the Echoriath, and landed on the stony flat of the pass. 'Do not dismount yet.' she said.

Pale dawn mixed with moonlight caught the banner as Pio held it high. The setting night was silent, a few stars peeked through the black sky. Then they were blotted out, and there was a rushing like a great wind in rocky places. A force of mighty eagles fell from the sky with a great screeching and encircled the dragon and her riders.

'Who comes bearing the banner of the King through so dark a night, and to so perilous a place?' the greatest eagle demanded. His steely beak glinted in the pale light and his swordlike talons clicked dangerously on the rocky ground as he drew near them. 'We have marked your journey for sometime now, and it seemed to us one of desperation and of stealth. Solely by reason of the token you bear have we allowed you to come so far. But you will not pass these mountains nor live beyond this morning if you cannot satisfy me of your intent. Speak ye who ride a worm of Morgoth!'

Angara hissed in anger, but Piosenniel stayed her wrath. 'Peace Angara, for they know neither you nor the history of your race,' she said. Pio placed Bird on Child's lap, and dismounted with the banner,throwing back her hood to make her face visible. She bowed low, and introduced herself.

'O great Thorondor, we do come on a desperate mission. One we cannot hope to accomplish without your aid.' She began an explanation of their journey and what they planned to do. Thorondor and his folk knew of the hiding of the halflings in Gondolin, and their eyes blazed when they heard of the treachery Melkor had planned for them. The elf explained as best she could the need to contact the hobbits in Gondolin so that they might prepare to be taken to a safer place. None of the explanation included any reference to timelines or knowledge of events to come other than the known evil designs of Melkor.

The King of Eagles asked many detailed questions and sought to pierce her story at every turning, looking for any undercurrent of darkness. Then he was silent and turned to face the West. After a moment, he nodded his head, as if in agreement, and turned his gaze back to Piosenniel. He fixed her with a great yellow eye and said, 'I fear you have not told all you know, but what you think is best for us to know at this moment. Yet you have not come to do evil, this I see. I cannot find any taint of darkness in you, and I will accept your tale if you will vouch for these others.' His gaze transfixed the hobbits and the man in turn, coming to rest on the dragon. 'But you cannot fly a dragon into Gondolin, Elf. Not even if night be black as ink, and day shrouded by thick fog.'

'I will vouch for my companions.' said Pio, naming each one of them including Bird, who stared in wonder at the mighty eagle. 'And as for the dragon, I would wish it that she stay here hidden by you until we can return.' Angara growled but held her tongue.

'Agreed. The dragon may stay here with us. But how will you descend to the city and enter?'

'That is where I ask your greatest aid, Thorondor. We needs must get down directly from this pass to the Vale of Tumladen. From there I will take them through Idril's Secret Way which Tuor has delved for her.'

'You know of this way, Elf?'

'I do, O King, but the story of how is for another time. We must pass through it quickly. Will you aid us in this matter?'

'We will do what you ask, Piosenniel. But how will you return?'

'When we are ready to return to Angara, we will send Bird to you with a message.'

Thorondor spoke to his gathered folk, 'Mark the bird well! And do not harry her when she comes to us.'

The rest of the companins dismounted, and secured what they had brought upon themselves. Each was grasped securely in the talons of one of the eagles and born silently down to the floor of the encircled valley, and gently deposited. Bird flew down herself and landed on Child's shoulder.

The group followed Pio a short distance to a large basin which had once been filled with water, but was now grown full of thick bushes. They pushed their way through to a rocky outcropping, where the Elf bent apart two bushes and ushered them into a dark tunnel.

Mithadan lit two small lights he had thought to bring, and he took up the rear guard while Pio led them along the close, dark way.

[ August 01, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[Birdland]

Bird shivered and ruffled her feathers. Even riding on the shoulder of Child, the roof of the tunnel appeared uncomfortably close, and it was as cold as the sky they had just left.

"How long is this cursed tunnel", she whispered "and where does it take us?"

[piosenniel]

'Have patience, Bird.' chided Pio. This is a long tunnel, running from Idril and Tuor's house in the southern corner of the city, through the Amon Gwareth whereon Gondolin is built. It passes under the Main Gate to the city, and then beneath Tumladen's surface to the Encircling Mountain's where we entered it. At the pace we are going we should reach the end in about an hour and a half. We will know we are near the other exit when we climb the stairs into the the house itself.'

She glanced behind and saw Rose was beginning to tire and lag. Putting the little one on her back, she cautioned her to keep her head low.

Then Pio picked up the pace a little and forward they strode into the unyielding darkness.

[ August 01, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child had said farewell to the dragon Angara with great reluctance for she had grown to know her well. She noticed how the King of Eagles and Thorondor had fixed on the beast with a puzzled look. For, never before in the First Age, had a flying dragon been seen. The Dark Lord had a plentiful number of wyrms, but only those that crawled upon the ground.

Once she had said her goodbyes, Child entered the tunnel and glanced nervously about its recesses. The party trudged forward through the darkness. The older hobbit kept her fingers loosely fixed over the hilt of her dagger, afraid that the shadows might pull back to reveal some hidden danger.

In Child's mind, the very rocks of the walls seemed to be whispering. They spoke of prophecies and doom not yet fulfilled as well as untold sadness and tears of frustration spilled forth without ceasing. Child found herself shuddering once again, but this time it was not the night air which chilled her soul to its core.

She could not imagine how her own people could ever survive in such a world. Even the difficulties of the late Third Age seemed to pale in comparison. It was as if every tree and tunnel and particle of soil had been corrupted by the machinations of Morgoth who loomed quietly over all. Here there was not a single Ringbearer to hold the powers of evil at bay, but an entire world of Elves, Men, and Hobbits who were commanded to stand firm in the face and presence of a shadow whose fingers lengthened and probed into every crevice of existence.

Child stumbled over a rock and found herself tripping, falling down onto the jagged floor of the cave. Mithadan's welcoming arms came forward in the darkness to catch her and set her forward on the winding path. Bird sputtered awkwardly at this interruption,. The crow lost her balance for a moment only to recover and perch once again on top of Child's shoulder.

Child herself was still lost in her imaginings. She found it difficult to envision hobbits living under such conditions. It was one thing to pick out a few gifted individuals whose task was to represent the community in its battle against the shadow. It was quite another to expect an entire population to take such a stand.

And what negative effects this situation must have had upon her people and their culture! Child's mind conjured up images of a low and brutish tribe, living only at the suffrance and pity of the Elves. She found herself uncomfortabe and saddened at this depiction.

Suddenly, from the front of the column, Mithadan's voice rang out with urgency, "Heads up. The stairs are just before us." Beyond these stairs, a light, dim but certain, began to glow.

[ August 02, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ August 10, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

They reached the top of the stairs. Pio cautioned them to silence and pushed aside the screen which hid the entry way. Stepping quietly into the neglected storage space, which served to hide the entrance to the tunnel, she looked to see that no person was in the room. She saw no one, and motioned her companions to leave the tunnel.

'Stay here and be as quiet as you can' she whispered. 'I'm going out to see who is in the rest of the house, and to find out what day this is.'

She took off her sword and knives leaving them for Child to watch, and unwrapped the coil of rope from about her waist, putting it in Rose's keeping along with her cape. When Rose looked at her questioningly, she explained she would be less noticed if she appeared unarmed.

As a last measure she checked the hidden knives in her boot tops, and the one at the small of her back. Satisfied they were in position, and easily accessible, she opened the door to the storeroom and stepped into the hall.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child, Rose, and Mithadan sat in the storeroom waiting for Piosenniel to return. Bird perched on an overhead shelf. At one point, Rose tried to open the storeroom door and peer out into the hallway, but Mithadan quickly pulled her back.

The dire foreboding which Child had sensed as she trudged through the tunnel was largely gone. She dug into the provisions in the pouch at her side, and began setting out food for everyone to share. Mithadan sat alone preoccupied with his thoughts, so the two hobbits settled down to eat as they waited for the Elf's return. Bird remained nestled on the shelf above. Child wondered when and if she would take a different form.

[piosenniel]

Pio took a deep breath, and then proceeded down the familiar hallway. Her last memories of this home were as it lay in ruin just prior to their escape from the wrath of Melkor.

The house was quiet. No servants busied themselves with early morning duties as yet; but then, as she recalled, Idril and Tuor lived a more simple life than other royal folk, preferring to do much for themselves.

Now she had come to Idril's apartments, where that fair lady liked to spend the early morning hours engaged in organizing her day and the affairs of the house.

The door was ajar, and she heard the scritch of a pen as it marked items on a list.

Pio put her hand to the door as if to enter and heard that familiar greeting, 'Come!'.

Idril was intent on her lists when Pio entered. She glanced up, and then frowning, stood and bade the elf advance no further.

'Who are you?' she asked and circled the still figure. 'You seem familiar, but I cannot place you firmly in my mind.'

'Lady Idril, it is Pio.' came the simple answer.

'What madness is this?' returned Idril, 'You have lived years untold; this I perceive. And you claim to be a child? Surely you jest. But if so, it lacks humour. I saw the little one and her mother just an hour ago, slumbering in their room downstairs. Do you mean to tell me you are she? Do you mean them harm? What trickery is this?'

Pio asked leave to sit, and placed her hands on her thighs, in plain sight. She told a simple story of herself and her companions, and their desire and long journey to rescue the hobbit population in Gondolin from the designs of Melkor. She told Idril of the Eagle's help and their passage through the Secret Way. No mention was made of the soon to be besieged city or the terrible wanderings to be endured by the escapees through the Secret Way. Idril went over the story point by point, considering each one carefully.

'I see,' she said carefully. 'Yet surely you understand that your claim exceeds the bounds of reason. Have you no small proof that you are who you say you are?'

Pio unclasped the fine silver chain that hung about her neck, and pulled out the small pendant from beneath her mithril shirt. She held it in the palm of her hand and offered it to Idril.

'This is Holly's necklace!' said Idril, recognizing the green enamelled silver holly leaf by its fine craftsmanship. 'I see it about her neck every day. How come you by it?'

'When the shadow comes, she will give it me as a token of her and my father, who made it for her. I have promised her I will return one day to let her know I fare well.'

'I see,' she said again. With a slight smile and a steady hand, she handed the necklace back to Pio, who replaced it around her neck and hid it once again beneath her shirt. 'Now where are these companions of yours? I would meet them and judge their character for myself.'

'I will bring them to you.' said Pio, rising and bowing to Idril. 'They are just down the hall.'

She went toward the door, and then thought to ask, 'What day is this, my lady?' The answer chilled her.

'Surely you know this,' she replied sharply. But she again smiled and her face grew calm 'In three days will be the gathering for the observance of the Festival of the Gates of Summer.'

'We must hurry, then.' said Pio and went to fetch her companions.

'I surely will,' replied Idril. She hurried away down the hall.

[ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Once she reached the storeroom, she opened the door carefully, announcing herself softly.

'Come quickly and quietly.' she said. 'We are going to see Idril.'

The passage to Idril's rooms was a safe one, and Pio ushered them through the door, closing it firmly behind them.

'My Lady,' she began, but Idril was not there. Piosenniel frowned and looked about. Her friends stood and waited with growing unease. But moments later, Idril returned. She looked at the company with interest.

'This is Child and Rose, the hobbits of whom we spoke,' siad Pio. 'This is our companion Bird,' indicating the jackdaw perched still on Child's shoulder. 'And this is Lord Mithadan.'

Idril regarded each of them closely, a small frown creased her brow as she looked on Mithadan.

'Another Man in Gondolin. That will be a sore puzzle for my father should news of you come to his ears. But come, let us discuss matters in a reasonable fashion. Where is Piosenniel?' Idril asked.

'Here my Lady,' replied Pio with a frown.

'Come now,' answered Idril. 'This jest, if jest it be has gone far enough. Where are the child and her mother?'

'Lady Idril,' Pio began, but Mithadan laid a hand on her shoulder. He bowed to the Princess and said 'My Lady, our tale is strange, that is true. Yet we do not lie, surely you can perceive this.' He met Idril's gaze steadily, but she turned away quickly and walked to the door. She whistled sharply and Tuor burst in holding a great axe aloft. Several Elves followed bearing drawn swords. Two seized Mithadan roughly and pulled his arms behind him. Others set the points of their swords to the chests of Pio, Child and Rose.

'Idril!' cried Piosenniel in anguish.

Tuor stepped forward to face Piosenniel. With a grim look on his face, he cried 'What have you done with Holly and the child? Answer now! If you have harmed them, your lives are forfeit!'

Birdland cried out and raised her wings as if to launch herself at Tuor. 'Bird! No!' cried Child sharply. With a dark look at Idril, Bird settled herself reluctantly.

At that moment, another Elf rushed in and shouted 'Holly and Piosenniel are safe in their chambers! She wears the pendant and chain about her neck!'

Idril looked at Pio in confusion, relief obvious on her face. But Tuor's face remained set in a look of anger. 'I know not what game you play, but it is a dangerous one. If you indeed entered upon the Secret Way, your lives are no less in jeopardy than if you harmed Piosenniel and her mother. I will have the truth now and quickly!'

'May I speak, Lord?' asked Mithadan. Tuor nodded curtly. Mithadan looked down at the sword hanging from his belt. The green stone on the pommel glowed and swirled with the colors of the sea. He looked up again and met Tuor's eyes. 'About my neck is a chain,' he said quietly. 'On it hangs a small conch shell. Take it from my neck and hold it up.'

Tuor and Idril exchanged glances, but the man stepped forward and took the chain from Mithadan. The Elves held Mithadan tightly as if suspicious of some trick but he merely looked on with a slight smile on his face.

Tuor looked at the shell, then at Piosenniel. With a shrug, he held up the shell. A faint mist came from its opening which gathered in the air before Tuor. The Elves murmured nervously and raised their blades. The gathering cloud glowed and in it appeared an image of the sea, small but clear. The sound of the restless ocean could be heard and then came the clear tone of a great horn being blown. Then a voice was heard. 'Tuor,' it said. 'Ye have served me well and faithfully. Do so again now. Those before ye are on a mission and follow a fate as great as thine own. Give them all assistance and doubt them not.' Then the voice faded and the cloud disappeared.

Tuor and Idril stared at the shell in amazement. Then Tuor motioned the Elves to release Pio and her friends. He turned to the Elves and said 'Go now and speak to no one of this or our guests. This is the will of Ulmo, Lord of the Seas.'

The Elves departed and Idril again turned to Piosenniel. 'I am sorry,' she said. 'But these are dark times and your tale was beyond belief. What is your mission and what help can we provide?'

Piosenniel sighed with relief. 'It is as I said, my Lady. The Dark power seeks the Hobbits of Gondolin and we have come to give them such assistance as we may. But time is short and we must be allowed to act quickly.'

[ August 02, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[Mithadan]

Tuor handed the chain and shell back to Mithadan with a smile. 'Forgive me,' he said. 'And be at ease. We will give you such aid as we can.'

[Child of the 7th Age]

Idril shook her head and looked again upon their group. "It is true that Morgoth has recently issued an order to capture and imprison the little folk. Even years ago, we knew that he held this people in low regard, and that they all lived in great danger. For that reason, they have dwelled here, in the peace of Gondolin, for the past sixty years, and we have done all in our power to protect them."

"You two," she said, nodding at Child and Rose, "would do well to guard your true identity. If Morgth knew hobbits still lived as a free people in a later age, I do not know that he would do."

Child curtsied and responded, "Yes, Lady, we had already realized that. Rose and I are poor refugees from East Beleriand who canot even remember our names or the clan from which we sprang. We desire to rejoin our people. The horrors of war have driven all else from our minds."

"And that story is a common one," Idril replied. "Few would think to question such a tale in this age and place."

"Lady," continued Child, I would like to meet with some of the leaders of the hobbit community and speak with them about our own desire to return to our people, as well as our friends who wish to help them. Perhaps, you could arrange for me to journey to one of their homes,"

Idril nodded in reply, "Yes, I believe so. The hobbit Lindo is in my sevice. He speaks fluent Elvish as well as the language of your people. I will have him convey you sometime tomorrow to the house of Maura Tuk that you may meet with him and others of importance in your community."

Child could barely stifle a smile....Maura Tuk....Frodo Took....some things never change. She nodded and murmurred, "Thank you, maam."

Idril turned to leave, "I will have the servants prepare chambers for you. And the bird....?"

Rose piped up, "She is my companion, and will stay by my side."

[ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Idril smiled for the first time since the strange band, with their stranger tales, had walked into her chambers. Kneeling down, she laid her hand on Rose's cheek and said, "Very well, you may keep your strange, but faithful companion. How did you come by your little pet, sell?"

Rose started at the word "pet", and Bird's claws tightened on her shoulder. But Rose stammered "Oh...I...I found her under a tree when she was just a fledgling. She had fallen from her nest and I took her home. She has been with me ever since. Haven't you, Bird?"

Bird bent down nibbled one of Rose's curls, while whispering in her ear furiously, "I'll get you for this, Halfling!"

"Oh, she speaks!" said Idril with delight, "but I could not catch the words. What did she say, little Rose?"

"Oh, she can say all sorts of things! Why sometimes you'll think she's almost human. Say "bain fileg", Bird."

Bird scrunched her shoulders and glowered around the room, then muttered "bain fileg".

[ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Their party was quickly led through the halls by one of the Elves who served Tuor and his household. Each was taken to a room where they found a comfortable bed, a tray with food, and even a new set of clothing for the next day.

A simple peasant skirt and blouse was laid out on Child's bed. This was apparently the type of clothing which hobbits of the First Age wore. Child breathed a sigh of relief. This neat outfit, although utilitarian and rustic, was far different than the crude skins that had been depicted in the hidden room beneath the city of Minas Tirith. In fact, this clothing was considerably nicer than the ragged outfits which she and Rose had improvised.

The rooms themselves were large, and by any standards, elegantly furnished. Lace curtains hung at the windows which seemed to glisten and sparkle in the candlelight as if they had been swept with snowflakes. There were intricate tapestries hanging on the walls, and thick rugs upon the floors.

Child decided to visit Pio whose chamber lay next to hers. Just as she was about to try and learn the Elf's plans for the next day, the women heard a gentle knock. As Pio undid the latch and loosened the door, the tall and gracious figure of Idril emerged. The Lady inclined her head to Child and inquired if she had found everything to her satsfaction. The hobbit responded with polite thanks, and then thought best to leave Pio and Idril in privacy. As Child ventured into the hall to return to her chamber, she could hear Idril's words, "Piosenniel, I believe you and I have much to discuss. While the hour is late and you are tired, a few things must be said before we retire for the night." The heavy door to the room closed, and then there were no more words to be heard.

After finishing her meal, Child slipped into the large bed, with its down matress and comforter. She felt as though she were floating on a cloud. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed such luxuries. At that same moment, another knock came on her own door. She got up to answer and was greeted by the small figure of Rose, a pillow stuffed under her arm.

Rose yawned and asked, "Do you mind if I come and join you? My room is very large, and Bird seems quite angry at me. I definitely get the feeling she would prefer to be left on her own. And, to tell the truth, I am a bit lonely and just a little uncomfortable."

"Come in, Rose. Come in," Child responded. "This bed is so huge, it could sleep three or four Elves. I'm sure two hobbits could manage in the space."

As soon as they had settled down, nestling into the covers, Rose's small voice whispered, "Lady Idril, she seems so,.... so different. It wasn't just Tuor or the battle axe. It's as if the person we met on the Lonely Star was different than this Idril."

Child responded with sadness, "I understand what you mean. This is a grand Lady preoccupied with matters that come with running a large household and helping to guard the fortunes of a great people in uncertain times. Remember, too, that she does not know who we are. How would you react if someone you did not know arrived on your doorstep with such a fantastic tale, riding upon the back of a dragon? Now, don't worry about it, and try to get some sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow."

Rose rolled over and was soon sleeping. But Child lay awake in the mountain of down and covers, running over thoughts in her head. Her mind again turned to Idril. Idril did seem different than the last time they had met. The Lady that Child had served upon the Lonely Star had eyes that looked into countless ages with endless wisdom and sadness. She had seen so much and experienced so much. The hand of Nienna lay upon her face, and in every act she performed. Child had been so proud to wait upon that Lady, for in all her words, in all her deeds, boundless compassion poured forth.

This Idril, the one in charge of the household, looked ageless and beautiful and filled with knowledge, yet she was not the same. She clearly showed her love for her own people and her concern for the hobbits, but she had not yet experiencd the full measure of pain or sadness which can transform the soul. She had never looked upon the slopes of Taniquetil or seen the white shores of the Blessed Lands. And this Idril was a stranger to Child. The hobbit was even a little afraid of her.

Child pushed these bothersome thoughts away, and whispered silent thanks to Ulmo who had apparently guarded their way into the city of Gondolin. Then she fell asleep.

[ August 04, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ August 04, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

That night, as Child lay sleeping, she witnessed a strange thing. The hobbit saw herself standing and weeping on the ridge of a hillside, on a small island within a tree-shadowed lake. Far distant, a Lady walked alone. She was a tall shining figure whose silver edged skirts brushed against grass of green and gold. In her hand was a book. As she read from its pages, her voice rang with measureless sorrow and compassion.

And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.

Child felt irrisistably drawn to the path of the Lady and followed after her as fast as she could. The hobbit yearned to reach out and touch her skirts which, like the curtains in her own chamber, seemed edged with sparkling snowflakes.

Just as Child could run no further, the shining one turned to speak, "Little one, come. I will grant you a blessing."

The Lady bent down and reached out her hand. She was so near that Child could even see her eyes which held deep stores of mourning and compassion. She gently kissed the hobbit's curls and whispered, "Do not weep so bitterly. I am near to you and your kin. I will help you hold on. And I send one who has dwelled in the house of Nienna, who knows the way of patience and pity. But you must use your wits and your heart to protect those who are most weak and vulnerable. Put away darkness, and rise up to greet the morning."

In the next instant, Child was awakened by the sound of songbirds which had lit on her window ledge to greet the first hint of dawn.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Birdie was weary, but restless and bored as well. She would have even welcomed the chattering of Rose, but the hobbit-lass had chosen to sneak over to Child's room and spend the night with the comfort of her own kind.

The quest quarters of Idril's home were the most luxurious Bird had ever experienced, and she would have gratefully sunk into the swan-down coverlets of the high bed, but she was fearful to change back to human form, lest a servant walk in and catch a strange woman sleeping there, instead of a small black and white crow. She had tried sleeping with her head under one wing, then the other, but it was no use. Bird flitted her wings and landed on the window sill.

She would have thought a walled city surrounded by a crater would have been as dark as ink, but the buildings and walls of Gondolin gave off a faint, milky glow, as if every bit of starlight were captured by the city and given back again. It seemed as beautiful as any pearl to the little skin-changer. Taking her beak to the latch, she lifted it up and hopped out the window.

The honey-scented breeze caressed her feathers and she raised her head to drink in the night air. Bird knew, or gathered, that in two days time this city, and most of the people in it, would be gone. Her inner voice did not even have a chance to issue warnings. She took off, flying over the city of Gondolin at night.

Bird was soon drunk with the beauty of Turgon's creation. Northeast of Idril's house were two sparkling fountains, and Birdie dived into them like a kingfisher, splashing and laughing softly to herself as she bathed her feathers. She flew in to a silent marketplace, picking up a few forgotten scraps that to her tasted as good as any feast. She perched on the roof of a darkened house and gazed in awe at a great needle of a tower that seemed, from her perspective, to reach higher than the mountains that surrounded them. Silently, and for hours, Bird flew around the city, stopping to admire a hidden garden here, a massive piece of statuary there; drinking in the glory of Gondolin, greatest tribute to the genius, and the passions, of the Elven Kind.

At last, about a half hour before dawn, Bird found herself in a narrow, winding avenue, completely shrouded on both sides by acres and acres of roses of every kind. It took her back to the wall in Minas Tirith, where the roses had hung low and covered the first of the clues that they had found there. Bird was very tired by now, but in a good way, and she lingered among the rose trellises for a few more moments, plucking a bloom with her foot, and wishing she could morph back to woman-form - just for a moment - so she could wear it behind her ear. She sang idly and happily to herself:

O She look'd out of the window,
White as any milk;
But He look'd into the window,
As black as any silk.

Hulloa, hulloa, hulloa, hulloa,
You coal black smith!...

The song was interrupted by footsteps coming up the path. Bird shrunk back among the rosevines as a tall, black figure walked slowly down the avenue. It would have seemed that the Elf was taking in the beauty of the flowers as well, except that his head was down, and he seemed to see nothing but the walk ahead of him. Then he stopped in silence and slowly lifted his head to a dark sky with the smell of dawn.

Bird's heart stopped, as did her breath. She thought back, not so long ago, to a storm, a broken wheelhouse, and a spectre screaming into the wind.

There he was: white as milk, black as silk. The skin-changer was looking into the pale, melancholy face and dark cloaked form of Maeglin.

[ August 04, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child awoke startled, but peaceful, from her mysterious dream. Hearing the sweet melody of the songbirds, she ran to the sash and pushed it open. Outside, the day was bright and summery. The early rays of the sun gleemed white and silver off distant towers and turrets.

The southern portion of the city, where Idril lived with her husband and son, lay open and uncrowded. Plants and trees of surpassing loveliness surrounded the house, spilling flowers and fruits of many different colors out onto the grounds. It was difficult not to fall under this magic spell of Elven beauty. It was even more difficult to comprehend that this scene of grace and goodness would be totally destroyed in just a few short days.

Child hurriedly tugged her clothing on and combed her hair. Rose still lay in bed, curled up in a small ball and sleeping. Child knew that they had two days to plot out their course, until the dreaded evening before the Summer Festival. She carefully considered what this meant for her own plans. Rose could come with her today to visit the hobbits of Gondolin. Tomorrow morning would be a different story.

Child snatched a pan of water sitting on the bureau and sprinkled drops onto the sleeping form of her friend. Within a few moments, Rose was alive and awake, laughing and threatening to chase Child about the room to pay her back for her mischief.

[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Suddenly a small black and white bullet dived in through the open window. It took a moment for Child to realize that the frantic, flapping creature winging through the room was Birdie. Rose had let out a little shriek and had snatched up bottle from the bedside table, taking aim with hobbit accuracy until she too realized what it was that had sped into their room.

The crow finally seemed to get its bearings, for it dived under the covers and disappeared.

Child and Rose exchanged disbelieving looks before bending down over the bed and slowly pulling the covers back. Bird was huddled in the center of the bed, feathers slicked down flat and shaking miserably.

"I saw him! Child, I saw him!"

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child raced over to the bed and cradled Bird between the palms of her two hands, something that she would not normally have done. But the crow looked too miserable and stricken to protest this outrage.

"Who, Bird, who?" Rose demanded.

The reply came swift and sure. "Him, that murderous Elven traitor Maeglin, who slinks about the gardens and squares as if he already owns them all. He dresses in black like a minion of the Dark One."

"And I have seen something else. I'm afraid it is something that doesn't bode well for the safety of your folk."

It was Child's turn now to press the crow for an answer. Bird cocked her head up and puffed out sleek black feathers to resume her usual size and shape. "The hobbits live in small burrows dug into the hillsides along the edge of the city. Their fields too are there. Most of them seem to be cultivating fruit and vegetable gardens to provide food for the Elves. They apparently sell their products within the Greater Market."

"And, Child," Bird said, her voice rising with alarm. "There are so many of them, not hundreds, but at least a thousand. Maybe even more. I am certain of that. Their burrows look small, but they are all crowded in next to one another."

"One thousand or more?," stammered Child in disbelief. Apparently, Idril's hospitality and compassion had been more than they had imagined. Child also wondered how Mithadan and Pio could hope to rescue such a mass of refugees. "And where is this community located?"

The crow shook her head and whispered, as if concealing a terrrible secret. "That is the worst of it. Their burrows are directly east of the North Gate. They extend along the outer wall from the gate itself down towards the Great Market. Their homes stand northeast of the Road of Arches and the Palace."

Bird stopped to let these facts sink in, while Child shook her head in dismay. She was no expert on miliary tactics or strategy, but she knew enough about the fall of the city and Morgoth's battle plans to realize that she could not have selected a worse location for the hobbits if she had tried.

[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child left Rose and Bird talking to each other about the sights of the city. She undid the latch and went next door to Pio's room. The Elf was already busying herself with morning preparations.

Pio informed Child, "As soon as you are ready, Idril has arranged for two ponies to take you and Rose to Maura Tuk's house. Lindo will show you where he lives. Meet him in front of the stables as soon as you can."

Pio hesitated, but then went on, "Unfortunately, the hobbits live in the far side of the city just west of the North gate."

Child nodded agreement, and explained what Bird had reported from her flight the night before. When she mentioned the name "Maeglin" to her friend, a scowl came over Piosenniel's face.

As Child left the room, the Elf gave her one final warning, "Remember, no matter what happens, you can not tell anyone that the attack will occur in two days. Try to persuade the hobbits of our goodness and our concern for them, and the general danger of their situation. Explain to them that Mithadan and I will speak with Tuor and the King today to decide what is the best course to take."

Child said yes and went back to make her preparations to leave. The three friends agreed that Bird would perch on Rose's shoulders, and come along with them.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

The three made their way to the stables where they found Lindo saddling the ponies. Child could not help herself. She turned to the hobbit and gazed at him with curiousity. He was slender and fair, and was dressed much like any other Elf in the household. It was apparent that he spoke fluent Elvish.

He tersely said to them, "The Lady has requested that I take you to the home of Maura Tuk, so I will do that."

Beyond those words, he offered no greeting. The hobbits could sense that he neither trusted nor liked them.

As they rode along, Child felt a tentative pull within her head. She had felt that tug before. It was the sort of thing Angara would do when she wished to speak mind-to-mind, or find out something that Child already knew. Child knew that Elves often communicated with each other this way. She herself could not speak with any elves or hobbits, but with her own dragon it was different. Angara had taught her to share ideas, and to close down her own mind so that no one else could peer inside. She had even helped Rose master the skill of shutting down her thoughts to protect her privacy.

Child wasn't sure where this tug came from, but she instinctively clamped down to push the intruder out. The three continued their ride in silence. At one point, however, Rose's eyes met her own, as if she too had felt something strange. Occasionally, Bird took off from Rose's shoulder and flew about to have a look at all that she could see.

After they had ridden some time, the landscape began to change. Ahead lay a bank of hobbit burrows nestled into a vast series of small hillsides, one tucked immdiately next to the other. To Child's immediate left, she could see the North Gate.

[Veritas]

I'm back!! from holiday.
I missed a whole lot. Could someone please give me a quick freshing up, because I don't want to read ten pages story. (yes, I'm lazy) Please? Thank you.

[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Veritas ]

[piosenniel]

Veritas - I just Private Messaged you - please read that!

[Child of the 7th Age]

OOC -- glad to see you. I will try to give you a summary later today.

_____________________________________________

As Child glanced about, she saw several hobbit children playing near their homes. They looked healthy and well fed. Their laughter and simple games rang out over the green grass. They wore clean but rustic clothing, much like the outfits Idril had given to herself and Rose.

Lindo stopped his pony before a round door which looked no different than others they had passed. Then he dismounted. "This is it," he said. I will return to get you later in the day." Abruptly, he turned and left, before Child could even open her mouth to ask a question.

She had hoped for an introduction, but was evidently not going to get one. She stepped forward with Rose and Bird, knocking upon the door. A tiny but well tended garden sprouted under the single window which faced the shady lane.

An instant later, Child was looking into the eyes of a young hobbit woman, her face open and kindly. She seemed to be a young matron. Child offered her hand and greetings, "Very pleased to meet you. We are guests of Idril and are here to speak with your husband about our own needs as well as something important to our people."

"My husband?" The girl sounded puzzled. Then she smiled and answered in the common tongue. "You mean my father Maura Tuk."

She quickly invited them in. Bird who had been riding on the top of Rose's head had to bend her neck to keep from scraping against the ceiling. The girl continued, "My own husband, Ban, is off working in the fields. My name is Zira, and this is our son Abar." At that moment, a three-year old scooted by on steady legs.

She pulled up chairs and went on. "A messenger came this morning and brought a letter from the Lady. She told us something of your coming and the sad tale you bear."

"You have recently escaped from the harsh lands of east Beleriand?" Concern was evident in her voice.

"Yes," stammered Child. "My daughter and I would like to join your community. I know it sounds strange but so much happened to us that we remember some things about the war and about ourselves, while others have totally slipped from our mind." Child's voice trailed off....."We can't even remember the names we went by."

Zira grasped Child's hand and said, "Do not feel badly. You are not the only ones. Father has taken in many who have found themselves in similar straits. Generally, the patrols find our people wounded or unconscious outside the gates of the city. Sometimes the patrols blindfold them, to protect the secrets of our ways, and then bring them to us."

She smiled slightly. "You, however, are the only ones to arrive on the back of a flying beast, or so the tales in the streets say." Child shifted uncomfortably and said nothing.

At that moment, Maura Tuk pushed aside the curtain which separated the two small rooms of the house. He strode in, with a small book of lore in one hand, and three hobbit children from the neighborhood scampering about his feet. He turned to the the threesome and said with laughter, "Get back to your parents to help in the gardens, or they will have my neck for keeping you away from honest work too long."

He turned to Child with an explanation. "I'm sorry to be late. The children come here most mornings, and I, or my daughter, teach them a bit. Nothing fancy, how to read and write our own tongue or a bit of Elvish. They always manage, however, to prod some stories out of me about the First Elves or the Valar or even how our own people awoke."

Child looked at him, her eyes widening. In this simple and crowded world, some hobbits were struggling to pass on what learning they could.

Maura continued, "I was sorry to hear what happened to you and your daughter. Do you have any older memories at all?"

"Yes, a few." Child felt increasingly embarassed to lie to this gentle man and his family. She decided to share as much of the truth as she could without revealing who she was. "I am a teacher. I love to work with children. And my husband....my husband died in our village after an attack." This was very true, although she made no mention of Saruman and his role in all this.

The light in Maura's eyes softened. "Our family, too. My wife who was a healer went out with the patrols to gather certain needed remedies. There was an ambush by Orcs. I never saw her again."

"I'm sorry," Child whispered.

He turned again, "But you, you are welcome to join our community. You may stay with our family until we build you a small burrow. Things may be crowded, but I think you will find things more pleasant than where you were before."

"You must have names, though. At least first names to start out with. Your young one," he said, looking at Rose with distant and shining eyes, "will be Azra because she looks to be one who loves the Sea. "

Child wondered how he could possibly have sensed that.

"And you, who are a teacher are Nitir, or 'kindler'. For our people say, whoever teaches, kindles a fire in the fea of a child."

"Now, I know you bring other business as well, but that will wait until after lunch."

Child awkwardly voiced her thanks and sat down to the noon meal, her mind reeling in confusion. They were soon joined by Ban, who came in with several large baskets of fruit. He stopped to play with his child.

Child could not help but think that these were not the crude forefathers she had imagined or feared. For, in certain ways, they had more grace and gentility than the hobbits of her own world.

[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Birdie did not like that Lindo, oh, no, not at all. "Putting on airs. Turning his back on his own people, he is", thought Birdie to herself.

As she took a short, circling flight around the ponies, she considered doing to Lindo a certain trick that the crow-folk were famous for, but decided that Child would never forgive her for such crudity, even in her current form.

So she contented herself with landing on the Halfling and pecking at the Elven brooch on his shoulder. Lindo started and waved the "bird" away brusquely, only to have the crow return again and try to filch the shiny object. A sour look from Child soon put an end to this game, though.

Now these other Hobbits, This was more like it. You could see that their stay in Gondolin had had an effect on them, but their kindly, life-loving Hobbit nature still shown through.

Birdie waited politely, like a good "pet", on the door lintel of the hole, waiting for introductions and, perhaps, a share of the meal. But as she gazed out over the city, the most human part of her mind was repeating a mournful refrain: "Two more days. Only two more days!"

[Child of the 7th Age]

The meal was hearty and plentiful Child and Rose felt as though they had returned to the Shire after a long, unwanted absence. There was one dish of sausange and mushrooms which Child silently swore was exactly the same as her mother used to make. Even Bird seemed to be having a good time. Abar insisted on feeding large plates of food to the crow, who then paraded her linguistic talents much to the delight of the boy and to everyone at the table.

After all had eaten more than they could hold and Zira played several tunes on the flute, Maura guided Child behind a curtain into the small side room. He sat down on a stool near the broad window ledge and drew up a seat for her. Idril's letter lay on the ledge between them. Maura pointed his finger at it, "Nitir, what can you tell me about this?"

Child scarcely knew what to say. How could she possibly make this good man understand that his entire world would soon be destroyed? And she was not even allowed to use words that were clear and precise.

She tried to explain as best she could. "These are my friends, the man Mithadan, and the Elf Pio." She thought also of Bird but said nothing about that. "They have big hearts and care about our people. The are afraid Gondolin will soon come under the hand of Morgoth and that the hobbits will be dragged off and imprisoned, or even worse. They have travelled here to speak with Tuor and Turgon to try and make a plan to lead you, to lead us," she corrected herself, "to safety."

Maura put his head down to rest on his palms. "Safety? What or where is safety? Nothing you say is new. Every hobbit knows of Morgoth's hatred of us, though few understand its cause. The greatest safety we have known has been here in Gondolin."

"This is my city. This is my home. I hope it will last for ages to come. But, if not, if some terrible thing was to happen, we will fight for our families as well as for the Elves who have been our friends and protected us. You may bring whatever proposals you wish, and I will show them to the other leaders in the community. But, unless Idril personally tells us to leave and to go someplace else, I will not advise our community to flee. We will hold on."

Child looked up with a start. "Hold on." Angara had used those same words, and she had heard them, too, in her dream.

Child turned to him sadly, "Maura, don't you believe what I say?"

"Nitir, I do believe you. I believe that the hobbits are in danger and that Gondolin hangs by a thread. But there is no place for us to flee. I believe that you and your friends have good hearts, but somehow the time is not right for such things as you suggest. If the time had been right, surely I would have ....." His voice abruptly halted.

"Child placed her hand over his, "Please, go on. Tell me what you are thinking."

He continued, ""If the time had been right, I would have been told."

"Told? Told by whom? she asked.

"Surely you know. I am no mayor or organizer of soldiers. Other hobbits have more skill in these jobs than I. I am keeper of the lore, of the tales, and sometimes, just sometimes, Ancalimon speaks with me, whether through dreams or face-to-face. He tells our people what to do. He has said nothing about a rescue, so I do not believe the time is right."

"Who or what is Ancalimon? Child questioned. She remembered the stone inscription and picture from beneath Minas Tirith. She also remembered Pio's words about a young man in grey robes who was a servant of the light. But she still did not understand who Ancalimon was, or why he chose to help her people.

"I am not certain of that, but he has counselled our great-grandparents, and even their great-grandparents. He comes when he is needed, and sometimes when we least expect him. It was because of him that our people turned west and left their lands to come here, to stand closer to the light."

"I am sorry, Nitir, but until Ancalimon tells me it is time to leave, our people will stay here and hold on. We belong here. And, even if I were certain that, one week from today, the entire city would fall, I would still say this answer is right."

"And you, Nitir, what will you do, will you go with your friends, or stay with us?"

Child looked at him and said softly, but firmly, "I too am a hobbit, and like you, I will hold on."

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

As Child turned to leave, she stopped for an instant. "There is one more thing I need to ask you. When you speak with Ancalimon or dream dreams, are there times when you can not tell others what you have seen? Not because you deal with evil, but because the world is not ready for some things yet. Does that ever happen?"

He shook his head yes in reply.

Child continued, "For me, too, it's the same, although I do not know this Ancalimon whom you speak about. Please don't tell anyone about this, but I've also seen things which I cannot share with you or anyone else here. To do so would bring only sorrow. But I have come to help."

"I can't lie any more, but there may be times when I will turn my head away and say nothing. The truth is the young girl is not my daughter, but she is like a daughter to me. I will probably not bring her with me, since I don't want to lead her into danger. And she and I didn't forget our names, but it is far too dangerous for either of us to remember them. And it may be more honest to say that I'm simply from someplace you've never heard of that's very far away. Other than that, I have told you the truth."

Maura nodded in understanding. "In war, many things must be forgotten, and we are at war. Wouldn't you agree?"

Child gazed at him intently, "Yes, Maura, we hobbits are definitely at war."

Child entered the main room. She glanced over at Rose. The girl's face looked as white as a sheet of snow. Child wondered just how much of her conversation had been overheard. Lindo had just come inside the house. Another hobbit, Tomba, stood by his side. The other hobbit was to lead them back to Idril's household, while Lindo remained with Maura to deal with some business. They shook hands all around to say goodbye, and Child promised to return the next day. Bird perched once more on Rose's shoulder, as their party made its careful way back across the city.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Maura slid his arm around the shoulders of the younger hobbit, "Come, let's get some air. We can talk outside."

Lindo looked up at Maura. "What do you think? Was I right? The woman isn't telling the truth. Her mind is shut up like a clam after it's been pulled out of the lake. And I tell you her party arrived on the back of a dragon, and, before they left, this woman placed her head down upon the beast's neck to bid it goodbye. I spoke with one of the guards on duty."

Maura looked at Lindo and smiled, "I don't deny what you say, but it's not the whole tale. This woman has secrets. But there is no evil in her words or deeds, or, I believe, in those of her friends. And who has heard of an evil dragon that will let a lady touch or speak with him? I have talked with the woman for some time. She says she wants to help, and I believe her."

"Lindo, you are still young. Not all secrets in life arise out of evil. Sometimes, great goodness also finds its home in a quiet spot. And there are many reasons why some things may not always be said in the light of day."

"Nitir has asked to remain with my family, and I have said yes. She's not sure about her daughter. We will see about that later, although even there I have a feeling she may grace my table too."

Lindo turned to the older hobbit and asked, "What will you do when these strangers speak to Tuor and Turgon, and suggest that we leave Gondolin to go to another place where it will supposedly be safer?"

Maura shook his head, "That is another matter. I have already explained to her that, unless Idril commands us to leave or Ancalimon tells us something different, I will recomend that we stay where we belong, which is here in Gondolin. And I would not change my mind if one hundred dragons and balrogs came banging on my door tomorrow."

"And she accepted this?" Lindo asked.

"Yes, she says, like us, she will stay and hang on. And I will not deny that right to any hobbit in the world."

"And, Lindo, one more thing. No more pushing yourself into the minds of others, even when you do it quite well and are only trying to protect your people from someone you suspect. Remember, we've been taught to show mercy towards strangers. This woman and her party are no exception. If you give her a chance, you may come to find her more pleasant than you thought!"

Lindo sighed and nodded, "Alright, alright, I'll try. I just wish she'd get rid of that blasted crow. It attacked me and my cloak with its Elven clasp all the way across the city."

A peculiar picture presented itself in Maura's mind. He could not help himself. The image of the crow dive bombing onto the younger hobbit's shoulder was too delicious to resist. He began holding his sides and laughing, until Lindo himself broke down and also began to chortle. Lindo sniped back at his older friend, "I never knew service in an Elvish household would entail such difficult chores!"

"Well," replied Maura, "You'll have to take lessons from my grandson Abar. He seems to have mastered the task of placating the bird. He feeds it great bowls of food and ruffles its feathers!"

They arrived at the door of Maura's burrow with great laughter, and went inside arm-and-arm to sit down.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

As they rode back, Tomba pointed out the sights, naming the different buildings and squares for the two hobbits in his charge. Child paid close attention to the names of the streets and every twist or turn in the road, so that she could return on her own, if she needed to.

She knew she had to report to Piosenniel or Mithadan as quickly as possible. Unless Idril gave a direct order, or they could find this mysterious Ancalimon, it didn't appear likely the hobbits would consent to go anywhere. And something in Child's heart whispered that, this time at least, there would be no Ancalimon to come and speak with Maura.

But still, she thought, they would have to try. And she also had personal questions for which she needed an answer. Perhaps Piosenniel could tell her more about who or what Ancalimon was, and exactly what it meant to be "keeper of the lore." She had lived in hobbit villages her whole life. She had heard of mayors and thains and messengers and hobbits who summoned others to battle in time of need, but never had she heard any of any "keeper of the lore".

And the most perplexing question of all, what should she do about Rose? Rose had said little to her since her discussion with Maura. Child did not know what she was feeling or thinking, or even what she had heard or understood.

The older hobbit still felt she needed to do this thing on her own, without endangering her friends. She considered speaking to Pio to keep a close eye on the girl to make sure she would come out safely.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan paced back and forth within the confines of his quarters. He had spent the morning on the balcony looking out on the center of the city, trying to glimpse such detail of its buildings and layout as he could at such a distance. He had drawn a rough map to the extent that his vision of the streets and thoroughfares were not blocked by the many towers and buildings. The city seemed to be laid out in quadrants with four main roads meeting at a central square from which rose the Tower of the King.

He ground his teeth in annoyance. Here he was in the greatest city which elves had ever constructed in Middle Earth and he could do no more than strain his eyes to catch details of its splendour. It was clear that he would stand out like a sore thumb if he attempted to walk the streets. There was only one Man authorized by the King to be in the city and he could not pass himself off as an Elf unless he wore a deep hood and cloak, and that would also be unusual. So he cooled his heels in a luxurious room which, for all purposes, might as well be a prison cell, while Gondolin at the height of its power and beauty was a matter of steps away. He attempted to console himself by planning to exit the house under the cover of darkness but this provided him with little solace. The city at night could not compare to the city in full light. In anticipation of the next evening's exertions, he laid himself down for a nap.

[Child of the 7th Age]

After Rose and Child had returned their ponies to the stables, Child went about the house hoping to find Piosenniel. She was nowhere to be found. Child went down the hall to Mithdan's chamber and knocked softly on the door.

She heard some scuffled sounds inside, and then the noise of Mithadan taking up his sword and cautiously approaching the door. Child whispered through the keyhole, "It's only me, Child. I need to speak with you. I've just come back from Maura Tuk."

The door opened slightly and Child slipped through. She explained to Mithdan where she and Rose and Bird had gone and what they had learned. The man listened carefully.

Several times, he interrupted with questions. He seemed to want to know many details about the layout of the city, the size of the streets, and the dimensions of the buildings which Child had not considered at all. Like Pio he looked concerned when Child described how large the community was and that there might be well over a thousand hobbits.

As Child described her conversation with Maura Tuk, Mithadan's face grew even more grim. He responded sharply, "How do we know this Maura Tuk speaks for all hobbits? He is only one among many. Even he mentions that there are other leaders."

Child looked up, "Yes, only one among many, but he is special. If this question involved what crops to grow or how many men to send out to help patrol, then I think he would have no more voice than any other. But this question we bring......, it is a more basic matter. Ancalimon has told him that the hobbit people are to remain where they are, even if there is hardship and death. He will speak against any rescue plans, unless Idril herself should command them to leave, or he should hear otherwise from Ancalimon."

"Maura seemed to assume that, since I was a hobbit, I would have heard of Ancalimon. The problem is that I have only seen the same inscription as the rest of you in Minas Tirith plus the little bit that Pio has told me. I really do not know or understand very much. Perhaps, Ancalion is an Elf who has befriended the hobbits for many years. Perhaps Idril knows him, and can summon him to speak with Maura, and then the hobbits will agree to come."

"And you, Child, did you explain what we wanted to do, or try to talk a bit of sense into this hobbit?" He turned and looked at her with serious eyes.

Child swallowed and would not meet his gaze, "A little," she said.

Mithadan turned towards her, "A little?" His voice was stern and probing. "Your people are in danger of perishing in the flames."

Child said weakly, "I did the best I could." Then she continued, "I will say this. The man is no fool. He understands that an attack may come any day, but he believes the hobbits must remain in Gondoln for now."

What she did not tell Mithadan, what she could barely admit to herself, was that she had found Maura and his words very convincing. If Ancalimon did not come and tell them something different, perhaps the hobbits were meant to remain here, to hold on and deal as best they could with the catastrophe which would soon be upon all their heads.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan softened his tone. "I'm sure that you did as best you could. I suppose that we all considered the possibility that we would not be able to convince your kin to leave. After all, we can give them no good reason why they should. We cannot tell them that Gondolin will come under attack in less then 48 hours. Beleriand is almost entirely under the domination of Morgoth and they cannot conceive of leaving this fair city for any place that they know of. And even if we did decide to depart and the King allowed them to do so, a big if, how could we transport them all?"

Mithadan rubbed his eyes wearily. His short sleep had given him little rest. "How can we transport them all? We have not planned well or thought matters through. Angara cannot carry a thousand Hobbits. And it is too late for them to simply walk out of the Echoriath into Beleriand. This area must be rife with the Enemy by now. Our plan has gone awry."

Child looked at Mithadan with dismay...

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[piosenniel]

The small atrium was just as Pio remembered it. Sun streamed into the courtyard, glinting off the watery cascade flowing down the sides of the small fountain in its center. Water burbled from the top of the natural rock formation and slid smoothly into a pool at the base where floated many flowers. Sunlight caught the fine mist rising from the water's source and threw rainbows shimmering into the air.

She picked up a small toy ship, discarded on the pool's rim, and turned it over in her hands. Putting a few small pebbles in it for 'crew', she placed it gently on the water and let it sail about. It bumped into flower 'islands' here and there, and sailed on round 'til it was out of site behind the fountain, just as she knew it would.

'We like to do that, too', came a small, girl's voice from her left. 'If you wait long enough,'added a huskier voice, 'it will come back to you.'

She saw them, then,in the shade of the courtyard entrance - a young girl with short, brown curls and her slightly older male companion. Both had boats in their hands, and looked at her expectantly.

'Would you like to play?', asked the girl, smiling and peeking out from behind her friend. 'Yes, it's more fun if there are more of us to make up adventures.' added the boy. He pulled his friend by the hand to stand in front of the seated elf. 'I'm Eärendil,' he said fixing her with his clear eyes, 'and this is my friend, Pio.'

Grey eyes looked into grey eyes, and her breath caught in her throat. The girl raised her hand to touch the older elf's dark curls. 'Look, just like mine!' Her smile mirrored its twin on the face of the older elf. 'What's your name?' asked little Pio. 'Are you the Lady I heard had come to visit last night?' A stream of questions came pouring forth from the curious children.

'Yes, I came last night with some friends to visit Idril and Tuor.' laughed Pio, 'and my name is . . .'

Before she could finish her sentence, another laughing voice cut her off. 'Pio! You are not making a nuisance of yourself are you? Perhaps the lady wants some time to herself without such inquisitive imps as you trying to entice her into one of your adventures!'

Two sets of grey eyes turned to that familiar voice.

'Oh, ama! We weren't bothering her. She was already playing when we found her. She's nice. Come meet her!'

[ September 08, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

The hobbit woman came forward at her daughter's request, and curtsied slightly to the elf. 'I'm Holly Stur,' she said, 'and this, as you must already have guessed, is my daughter, Piosenniel - or Pio, as we more often call her.' She smiled at the elf.

It was all the older Pio could do to refrain from reaching out to wrap in her in a big embrace. She reached out her hand to Holly and took the hobbit's hand warmly within her own. 'You have a lovely child!' she said, 'She bears a good name for having a mother named Holly! I thought never to meet another with that name - mine, too, is Piosenniel. Or Pio, as my friends call me, also!' She winked at the girl. 'Listen, little Pio,' she continued, 'why don't you and Eärendil play here for a while and I will come join you. I'd like to speak with your ama for a little while.' She saw the girl's face begin to break into a frown at this request. 'I'll come right back! I promise!' she said, 'And we'll sail our ships and look for treasure!'

Somewhat mollified, the two children launched their own ships into the pool, and chattered on about what lands they might sail to.

The two women stood and watched them for a few moments, then left the courtyard.

Holly invited Pio to the small terrace near her rooms. 'We can sit here, and talk, if you wish.' she said, inviting the elf to be seated. The terrace faced the Fountains of the South, and in the background stood the distant Tower of Turgon. A gracious hostess, Holly brought out a small plate of sweetmeats and a bottle of chilled wine. She poured each of them a glass and sat down next to Pio, the small table of refreshments between them.

'It's a beautiful view, isn't it?' she said, gesturing with her glass toward the northeast.

'Yes,' said Pio looking at the profile of the hobbit, 'indeed.', then turning away, her words stuck in her throat.

'Lady Idril has spoken with me, Pio.' came the quiet voice of the hobbit, now looking full on at the elf. 'She did not want me frightened when I met you. I can scarce believe what she told me. Though on looking at you, I can see what my little one might grow into. A strong, lovely woman, but with some lingering sadness.' She reached across the small space between them and took Pio's hand, bringing it to her own cheek. 'Show me the necklace, Pio, and tell me of your life.'

Pio unclasped the necklace and placed it in her mother's hand. Coming to sit at her feet, she rested herself against her mother's legs as she did when a child.

'Oh, ama, now I am no longer sad.'

The two spoke long and quietly, until the trees near the edge of the terrace threw long shadows to the east. Then placing the necklace around Pio's neck once more, Holly stood and embraced her daughter. 'We should check on the little one.' she said. 'She will be wondering why you haven't returned. And Lady Idril wanted to see us also, soon. So, let us find them both. Though I think it wise not to tell little Pio who you are; she would not understand. And I would have her days with me as happy and carefree as I can keep them.'

Having made this agreement between them, the two walked side by side back to the atrium, to find the children had gone on to other games. Telling little Pio to come wake her early tomorrow to play at ships, they left the two youngsters and went to find Lady Idril.

[Birdland]

At that moment, a small, black and white crow circled the garden and lighted on the fountain's rim. It shook out its feathers, and eyed the children with a cocked head. Then it turned its glance at Pio, before a returning boat caught its attention.

As an abandoned boat came around, the bird plucked a shiny pebble, round and glittering with quartz, off the deck of the toy craft, and solemnly paced over to the brown, curly-headed girl by the water. It laid the pebble in the lap of the girl, then croaked "bain felig!", while the children looked on, open-mouthed. "Ohhh, is he yours, Lady?"; and the boy-child beside her echoed: "Is he yours?"

The dark-haired Halfling lady held out her hand to the pet, But Bird ignored her, taking the opportunity to hop on Pio's shoulder, where she whispered in her ear: "They return. The news is bad."

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Mithadan]

"Its a logistical nightmare," groaned Mithadan as he scribbled on a paper with a pen from Child's pack. "If we assume that Angara can carry 20 Hobbits per trip, and that may not be correct, then it will take 50 flights to evacuate 1000 Hobbits. And what if there are 1200 or 1500?"

He rubbed his eyes wearily. The afternoon of straining to make out the details of the city had given him a headache. "On top of that, the Lonely Star will not hold more than perhaps a 100 Hobbits plus its crew, and that may be stretching matters. That's 10 trips to transport them to...wherever we're taking them. We have not thought this through at all."

"I wish we had another dragon," mused Child.

At that moment, Bird alighted on the windowsill and cocked her head at the two. Mithadan looked at the shapechanger and his eyes narrowed. "...'another dragon'," he whispered.

[piosenniel]

Pio excused herself from her mother, saying she had just remembered something she must take care of. She asked her to please make her excuses to Lady Idril for the moment, saying that she would meet with them later.

Holly hurried on then to her meeting, and Pio whispered back to Bird. 'Who? and what is bad news?'

'It's Child, she's back from her visit to the hobbits. She's gone to talk with Mithadan. I think you should hear it from them.' Pio nodded in assent. 'I'll fly back and let them know you are coming.' said Bird, already airborne.

The elf strode quickly down the halls to find her companions.

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Birdland]

"...but I keep trying to tell you!" Bird explained again to Child and Mith. They had been at it for a half an hour, Mith insisting that Bird could do it, "if only she tried", and Birdie telling him, "No Mith, it doesn't work that way, at least for me it doesn't!"

I've told you and told you; I don't choose the shape, the shape chooses me." Bird was suddenly very, very tired. She found herself missing Kali, and Levanto, and the sea.

Mithadan suddenly sweeped the papers off the desk, and slammed his fist down. The room became very silent. Mith had been trapped too long in this luxurious, but small cage while others had taken action. The fact that Bird had taken a tour of the city at night had not improved his temper one bit.

"Very well then." he said slowly. "Perhaps you would like to explain to us just exactly how these shapes 'choose' you. There must be something that triggers this phenomena. Something that causes your body to decide that it would very much like to try taking the form of, say - a neekerbreeker."

"Yes, Mith. There is." Birdie said quietly

"Well then what is it!"

"You have to try to kill me."

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan blinked twice then shut his eyes and shook his head. He opened his eyes again and forced them to focus upon Bird. "Excuse me?" he said.

"You have to try to kill me," Bird repeated.

Mithadan resisted the urge to sweep out his sword and test Bird's thesis. There would be ample opportunity during the next evening and the dark morning which would follow for Bird's life to be threatened.

"I'll kill you later," he muttered irritably.

[piosenniel]

'Who has to try to kill you?' said Pio, who had stood silently just within the doorway to Mithadan's room. She paused, considering the shape-changer, 'And must you be thinking of dragons just before the attempt to make it work? Or does your mind pull up the image needed to deflect the attempt to kill you from creatures it has encountered before?'

She waited for Bird to digest what she had asked.

[Birdland]

"Uh, I think it's the second one," said Bird, after puzzling over the syntax for a bit. "Remember when I fell off 'The Lonely Star' and almost drowned? That's when I became a dolphin for the first time. As for neekerbreeker:" here she glared at Mith, "When I was very little, I was playing in the forest where my foster father was tree-cutting. I got in the way as the tree was falling, and I just -well - changed. Neekerbreeker was my first." she said, with chin lifted high.

"And the crow?" asked Mith wearily

"Fell off a cliff." Bird thought for a minute, then mused. "I think the Ent-Wive was a landslide."

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[piosenniel]

'So,' continued the elf, simplifying her syntax for the befuddled looking bird, 'What kind of situation could we set up to see if you might change to a dragon?'

The three looked at Bird for an answer.

'Would it help if we enlisted the aid of Angara?' continued Pio.

[Child of the 7th Age]

"But how could we do that?" mused Child. "We couldn't just invite Angara here as if she was a houseguest. And I can tell you there are already rumors among the hobbits that we arrived on a strange flying beast. This sort of thing is not going to inspire confidence among my people."

She privately wondered what Maura would say if she invited him to ride on the back of a dragon. He seemed to take life easily and naturally. Perhaps, he would not be as reluctant as she might think.

She continued, "I suppose that Bird could fly out to Angara, and try to explain our problem. Angara might oblige by wringing her neck, of course. Or perhaps, she could suggest a more creative solution."

Child's eyes lit up. "What if Angara picked a fight with Bird? Maybe I could send her a message saying that Bird was threatening my own life, or perhaps the safety of the hobbits. She was pretty protective of me towards the end," said Child sighing. "Then Bird would have to change into a dragon to save herself. The problem is how would we stop the two of them from fighting and killing each other?"

"Wait a minute, Child," interjected Mithadan. "Are you certain that Bird would become a dragon in that sitution? If I were faced with an angry dragon trying to kill me, I might just find that a hideous balrog would be a more suitable match. Or, if Bird had even more imagination, she might become a neekerbreeker or a tiny mite and simply fly away."

"Well," responded Child. "I guess we'll never know unless we try. But it sounds awfully risky for both Bird and Angara."

"And I still don't undestand where you'd put all the hobbits once they dismounted from the dragons. In the best of circumstances, you'd be sending our ship back and forth through the ages a dozen times. How could you be sure that all the hobbits would end up in the same time and place? With a mistake of only fifty years on each trip, you'd have hobbits scattered in a dozen different times, friends and families unable to reach each other. And if you don't keep the community together, what hope do they have to survive?"

"Don't you remember how long it took Pio and Veritas to pinpoint precisely where we were going? We wouldn't have any time for trials in this situation. We would be racing to beat Morgoth who is coming here in a very short while."

Child sighed and shook her head, "I know everyone is only trying to help,and perhaps also to cheer me up. I know we're searching blindly for any idea we overlooked before, but I don't believe this will work. I wish I felt differently, but I don't. I don't know how to thank each of you for all you've done to help us, to help me, but this isn't going to get us where we want to be."

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

Pio agreed with Child's analysis.

'Despite how strongly we might want it, I don't think our time here was meant for the actual rescue of the hobbit population. It is more as if we were to bring Child and the Gondolin hobbits together at this time, and that has certainly been accomplished. It seems dangerous for us to think of action beyond that point, for it might prove perilous to all our little group. And we will be needed later, if we are to finally find Kali's family and get the hobbits back to Middle-earth.'

'Then perhaps we should leave now,' said Mithadan, 'and leave Child here among the Gondolin hobbits.'

'That would be rude, and suspicious.' said Pio. 'Not to mention that despite the friendliness of Tuor and Idril, he has set guards about the house so that no one leaves save by their will.'

'Rude?' asked Rose.

'Yes, there is to be a grand dinner this evening in celebration of our arrival. Idril, herself, has planned it and the invitations have already gone out. The king will attend, I know, though I'm not sure who the other guests will be other than the immediate family here. Idril has requested the presence of all our little group at this function.'

Rose's face lit up at the prospect of dressing up in a lovely outfit and seeing the nobility of Gondolin.

[Veritas]

I'm happy to be back, I'm bussy with reading now, but after a half an hour I'm still at the first page smilies/smile.gif , so I'll jump in the story by tomorrow or so. smilies/tongue.gif smilies/wink.gif smilies/cool.gif

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child looked at Rose and smiled. How very young she was, and how very happy! Pio was assuring her that Idril would make certain to provide them with suitable clothes for court. And she was giving the hobbit instructions on the proper way to greet an Elven king.

That afternoon, before they had begun their discussion about the shapechanger, Child had confided to Mithadan what she intended to do, if her people could not be rescued. Child felt sure this was one of the reasons Mithadan had struggled so hard to come up with an alternative plan so he could somehow fly the hobbits out of the city. She guessed that his own remark about leaving Child among the hobbits of Gondolin was simple confirmation that he had accepted Child's assessment of the situation and could see no other way to proceed.

Child had been a bit startled when she had heard Mith's words if only because Rose had still been present in the room. But she didn't think the girl had heard or understood what was said. And the moment the conversation had shifted to the upcoming evening at court, all other thoughts had flown out of Rose's head.

Child left and went back to her own room, to make sure she had gathered up all her belongings in preparation for her departure the next morning. Pio had even given Child a small packet of gems to tuck into her belt, thinking that she might need something to bribe guards for needed favors.

As Child stuffed her possessions into the belt and sack, she suddenly noticed a noise and a flutter coming from the rafters above. She looked up to see the figure of the crow, half hidden in the shadows. In a quiet voice, Bird asked what she was doing. Child assured her that she was just gathering up her things to make sure there was no mess left for the serving lady who would wait upon their chamber shortly. Bird commented that she had never known Child to be so tidy before. She tilted her head sideways and then pressed forward with another question. "So what did Mithadan mean about leaving you with the hobbits of Gondolin. That's never been discussed or suggested before."

Child sighed. She had known this moment was coming sometime, but she had not wanted it to be now. Her friend deseved a truthful answer.

Child began to explain. "This is not the decision of a single moment. It is something I have thought about for many days. Please don't tell me to reconsider, or say that I am doing something foolish. Perhaps I am. But I'll never live with myself unless I do this thing."

"Pio had guessed what I was doing even back on ship, and this afternoon, I felt it was my responsibility to say something to Mithadan since he is the leader of our group."

And then came back the one question Child had feared, "Why did you not say anything to me?"

What could she say? The truth? That, of all those on shipboard, she had known Bird the longest, and that she simply did not have the words to explain that she would be walking out of her life, perhaps forever.
Child did not know how to answer so she simply continued her explanation.

"I am the only one of our group who can actually do something for the remnent of the hobbits. No one will turn me back if I choose to share misfortune with my people. And I have the one thing the hobbits lack, the absolute certainty that there is a future, and that the future includes them. I can't reveal that in so many words, but if I manage to survive the initial attack, if I can go with them into prison or exile, my deeds and my behavior will tell them what they need to know. And if the Lonely Star can make its way back someday, that is all to the good. But, if not,I can live knowing that this was the right thing to do."

"I am sorry to have said nothing. The truth is I did not have the words to tell you. We have been friends a very long time. And I knew that lately there were things troubling you deeply, things that I still can't know or understand. It didn't seem right to dump this upon you as well."

The crow said nothing about Child's explanation, but asked once more. "Child, the ship is not supposed to return for another 70 years or so. In fact, Pio said something to me that we can not push too many holes into the fabric of time at too close intervals, or we may cause irrepairable harm. How will you survive so long?"

Child responded, "Pio has talked to me about that. She says that time runs differently in communities of Valar and Elves than it does in the lands of men. I remember back home that Bilbo and Samwise mentioned something like that to me. And it is most likly that I will be a guest of Morgoth." Child spat out the last name, and turned to resume her packing.

Bird did not argue or debate word-for-word, as the two friends had done so many other times. She sat silent and said, "But what of Rose? Have you spoken to her?"

Child replied, "She is too young. She has even less idea than I do of what she might face. Rose mustn't know or suspect. She needs to stay with you and return to the ship. Rose deserves a life in her own time ad place. Bird, please, keep an eye on her."

"And who" said Bird, "will keep an eye on you?"

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

After Child, Bird and Rose had left, Mithadan and Pio sat in silent thought. The room became dark and an Elven voice outside the window rose in song praising the stars. Mithadan stood, lit a candle and turned to Pio.

"We have failed, haven't we?" he asked.

"Perhaps for now," responded the Elf with a wry smile. "But we have plenty of time."

Mithadan winced, then spoke quietly. "We could attempt to rescue one load of Hobbits. We could bring them with us through the Secret Way and then Cirith Thoronath." At the mention of that name, he frowned as a memory of something he read once came to him. "No. We shouldn't risk that," he said suddenly. "And we shouldn't set Angara and Bird at odds with each other. I think that we will have another opportunity to 'persuade' Bird to take the shape of a dragon as we escape. And we shouldn't risk the lives of any Hobbits unless we depart before the assault, which I think we will not do. No, we did not plan well, but we can leave with such advantage as we may make for ourselves."

Pio looked at Mithadan curiously. The Man had clearly thought of something.

[piosenniel]

Pio pulled the man out of his reverie with her reminder.

'It is almost the hour set by Idril for the welcoming dinner. We should get dressed now and go down to it. It would not be politic for us if you sit here in the dark brooding over plans and do not attend.' She looked to see that he had heard her.

'I am going to get changed now. I'll see you there directly.' she said, as she left his room.

She threw on the dress that Idril had lent her, and gave a passing glance to her hair as she settled the silver fillet on her brow. 'One last night of brief happiness,' she said to her reflection in the mirror, 'before death walks out to welcome us.'

Gathering a length of her long skirt over one arm to give her legs some freedom, she ran down to her mother's room to see if she was ready.

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

'You never came back to play!' were the first words that greeted her as she entered Holly's rooms. 'We waited and you never came back!' Little Pio's eyes were snapping with irritation as she stood and glared at both her mother and the elf.

'It's not just you.'said Holly. 'She's also angry over the fact that I've told her she wasn't invited to the dinner, and she needs to stay here.' She glanced at her young daughter in amused exasperation, having been through many a 'battle' with her before.

'Well, we can't have that, can we?' said the elf, kneeling down at Pio's level. 'Now, go wash your face and pull on a clean dress. Nothing much to do about that hair!' She ruffled the wayward curls. 'You shall be my guest and come to the party!' A smile broke over the young one's face and she ran to comply.

'I'd better help her, Pio.' said Holly, as the elf stood up and brushed her skirt down smooth. 'We'll see you there, soon.'

Pio walked down toward the atrium courtyard where the celebration had been set up. It was a warm, starry evening for this time of year. A few of the early night-blooming flowers had opened and sent their scent throught the air. The water from the fountain made a pleasant background music to the murmur of conversation.

Lady Idril was engaged in conversation with someone when she entered, and she motioned her over when she saw her.

'Father, this is one of the visitors I mentioned - Piosenniel.' He inclined his head to Pio, and searched her face with his sharp eyes.

'And Piosenniel, this is my father.' Remembering her manners, the elf bowed her head and said, 'Lord Turgon, my pleasure.'

The others of her companions had come into the atrium at that time and Pio excused herself for a moment to bring them over to meet the king.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child and Rose were laughing and fidgeting with the buttons on each other's dresses. Child said she had never owned a dress with this many buttons before. She told Rose it was a good thing that she didn't have to dress like this every day, or she'd never get out of her room until mid-day, and would certainly miss breakfast every morning.

The young Rose was so excited that she could scarcely sit down for more than thirty seconds. Child gave her a hug and ordered her to concentrate on straightening her petticoats and taming her wild curls under a ribbon.

"Now, I am giving you orders, Miss Rose," Child admonished. "You must remember everything about tonight and keep it in your head to help you through those days when things seem a bit sad. I want you to remember every precious minute--how beautful the Lady Idril looks with her silken dresses and jewels gleeming like the light of the West, how Pio's mother beams with happiness and pride, and, Rose, remember me too, how silly I am and how much I love you."

Rose chattered away, "Do you think I can bring Bird. She can sit on my arm and nod solemnly at all the guests."

Child laughed, "I don't see why not, as long as Bird wants to come and minds her manners. Knowing Bird, however, the last may be a bit beyond her!"

For Rose, there was no tomorrow, no Morgoth and no sad ending. Child was very happy for her. The two hobbits ran down to the courtyard together, coming in just in time to see Piosenniel heading in their direction to bring them before the King.

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

It was just the immediate family and household who had been invited to the dinner. Idril thought it best that the number of people who knew of the companions should be kept small.

Dinner was announced, soon after all the guests had arrived, and Turgon led the way to the tables, with Lady Idril on his arm.

It was a lovely party, no long speeches to endure, just the exchange of pleasant conversation and the enjoyment of good food and wine.

Holly and little Pio sat by Piosenniel, and she heard much from the youngster of her opinions of the guests. Most were quite favorable, as the little one was of an age to be enthralled by heroes. The young girl was especially glad that Tuor had invited two of his friends to the dinner - Ecthelion and Glorfindel. They had been seated across the table from her and she flirted with them outrageously. They both smiled at her, and egged her on with compliments and amused winks.

By the time the desserts had been served, little Pio was yawning and leaning against her mother. Holly excused herself to take her daughter to bed. Pio whispered to her, 'I'll see you tomorrow. Sleep well.'

Soon the party itself wound down, and guests bade farewell to Idril and Tuor. The companions thanked each one for coming, and then said their thank-you's and goodnights to Idril and Tuor.

'Yes, we all must get plenty of rest for tomorrow.' said Idril, in return. 'It will be the festival of the Gates of Summer, and it will last all night, until we joyfully greet the dawn.'

Pio shivered at those words as she walked to her room. 'And that dawn will be a long time coming.' she thought to herself.

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child looked back on the events of the evening. She remembered seeing Idril lift up her silver harp and begin to play gentle notes, singing a mournful tune about the yearning of an Elf for the shores of Valinor. Her husband Tuor sat nearby listening to the lay. In his eyes, there was sorrow.

Like Rose, Child would preserve this memory in her mind, its beauty made even more poignant with the secret knowledge it would soon pass away. Pio had looked so peaceful, so comfortable sitting with her mother and the sleepy child. And she could picture Rose spinning about in the candlelight, dancing with the joy of a young maid and hobbit. Mithadan had appeared regal and resplendent in his black velvet gown, a figure in some ways similar to Maeglin, and yet so very different. She recalled too her good friend Bird, perched alone on top of a chair back. Few at the table knew her secret, seeing only a companion beast. And finally there was Angara, the absent dragon who waited outside the ridge of the city, remembering Morgoth's torture of his kin and hoping to fly at least some to safety. Child would not forget Angara, nor the magic of this night.

Her reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door. Answering it, she looked into the face of Lindo. "Lady, I ask your pardon, but I must speak with you briefly." he said.

Child was surprised at this visit, since the hobbit had seemed so aloof the last time they had met.

He softly replied, "I wanted to say I was sorry for my behavior earlier today. I did not believe your goodness, or your tale. But I was wrong. Wherever you come from, you are welcome here. Maura mentioned that you might need some assistance getting your belongings over to his house. Let me help you."

Child looked at him and smiled, "Yes, thank you. Could we meet at sunrise outside the stables? It would be helpful if we could use the ponies again, although I have few belongings."

He nodded, "I will have the ponies ready. And your daughter?" he asked.

"My daughter? she glanced gently over at Rose who was nestled down asleep under the covers. "I do not believe she will join us."

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan chose not to join his friends and return to their chambers. Instead he set out into the city under the cover of darkness, further concealed by his black clothing. The streets were paved in grey stone bordered at the sides with grassy strips upon which grew beds of flowers and fruit trees. The loveliness of the place was numbing in light of his knowledge of the upcoming days. Each building appeared to have been constructed with the goal of being pleasing to the eye, even before the consideration of comfort. Yet he had no doubt that the interiors matched the exteriors in both beauty and utility. At almost every intersection there was a fountain. Some simple, little more than upwellings of water into basins, and others intricate with interplaying sprays and streams of water. He lamented that he had not seen them during the day. He lamented that all this beauty would soon perish. A tear slid down his cheek.

"For what reason does this child of Man weep?" asked a voice from the shadows. A black clad Elf stepped forward in the dim light; Maeglin.

Mithadan chose his words carefully. "The loveliness of this city is overwhelming, and so I am brought to tears."

Maeglin smiled, but there was no warmth in his expression. "Idril has convinced the King that you and your companions are well-intentioned and mean no harm," he said. "But as the Lord of the House of Moles, I would also seek some assurances. It is said that you have journeyed here from many years hence; from the future."

"So it is said," replied Mithadan.

"Well," continued Maeglin. "If so, what can you tell me of the fate of this city which you find so fair?"

"It is said that this city's defenses, the Echoriath and Amon Gwareth as well as its valiant knights cannot be defeated save by treachery," said Mithadan after a moment's hesitation. "It is also said that all known to be traitors to the King perished."

Maeglin stood still, as if weighing the Man's words. With unfiendly eyes, he took a step towards Mithadan. At that moment, a white gob plummeted from the sky to land on Maeglin's shoulder. The Elf spun about but saw nothing. A bird shot down out of the sky striking Maeglin's head with an outstretched claw. He stumbled then backed away towards a nearby alley looking about him wildly.

Mithadan nearly laughed, but maintained a straight face. "It appears that it is dangerous to be out and about this evening, my Lord," he said. "Perhaps we shall have words at some other time." With that, Mithadan turned and made his way quickly in the direction of the dwellings of the Hobbits.

[Mithadan]

It was late that evening when Mithadan finally returned to his chambers, only to find that Bird had returned before him and reported his encounter with Maeglin to his friends. Pio, Bird, Child and Rose were all waiting for him when he walked in.

"Mithadan," cried Child. "Are you all right?"

He smiled and nodded. "I take it that Bird has informed you of my chat with Maeglin. We must take care tomorrow to never walk about alone. He may attempt to seize one of us and force some answers to his questions."

Pio scowled and asked frostily, "Why did you tell him about the fate of Gondolin's traitors?"

"It was the only way I could answer without giving him the satisfaction of knowing that Gondolin will fall," he replied. "Thank you Birdland, by the way. I'm sure the next question would have been more difficult if he didn't try to slay me outright." Bird nodded graciously.

He turned to look out the window for a moment. Then he faced his companions once again. "We have some decisions to make. I visited the Hobbit holes. I counted about 150 burrows. There may be 1000 hobbits or there may be slightly fewer. We cannot rescue them all. We must decide if we will rescue any and, if so, when. We must also decide when to make our escape. Then we must all get as much rest as we can. Tomorrow will be a long day and night."

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child went over and tugged on Mithadan's cloak. "I must speak with you. I don't know how to put this into words without hurting someone's feelings, but I'll try as best I can. My people are short of stature and enjoy the laughter of everyday life. We do not lead great armies, or journey West on magic ships to the Blessed Lands to live in the light of the Valar. But, never forget, Mithadan, we are not children."

"We have our own things we treasure--family ties, the joy of company, and the soft brown earth. You seem to be saying that we will do these things for my people without even knowing if they wish to have them done. Would you do this, even in most dire need, if the people involved were Elves rather than hobbits?"

"I do not see how we can rescue more than part of the community, but it is a serious thing to take a rural people and split them asunder. You are a Man. To you, a family tree is a dead thing on paper; to me, it is my lifeblood. If you take that tree and tear off some of the branches, this is no small thing for a hobbit. And do not forget, Mithadan, that however you pull apart those hobbits to be rescued, you will be making a cleft in that tree."

"Just whom do you wish to rescue, and for what reason? If it is for reasons of humanity only, I would say to take those least able to defend themselves, babes and their mothers. If you intend instead to use them in some later rescue scheme, then young lads would be more to your purpose. But, if the bulk of hobbits are to be led off into prison, at least leave them their leaders. Without such voices and examples, the community can not survive Morgoth's wrath.

And can we not offer them some indication of the choice before them? Or will we merely kidnap them off the streets? We can't ignore their leaders as if they don't exist. Maura Tuk is their chosen leader and, even as a rescuer, you owe him the same respect you would extend to Idril or Turgon."

"And I, as a hobbit, will not agree to help you unless I can see that respect and at least understand what you intend to do with my people after their rescue. For there are fates in this world that are far worse than death."

[ August 07, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

"Then assuredly we shall not feed them to Angara," laughed Mithadan. "This is the point I meant to make. There are arguments in favor of saving some few of your people, perhaps an assortment of women and children, and there are arguments against. The most persuasive argument in favor is that many will die in the attack. And if we do so, why don't you tell me where we should bring them?"

[Child of the 7th Age]

"Mithadan," Child stammered, "I do not doubt your good will or your heart, but you must think of the consequences as well."

"It seems to me that your choices are limited. You can bring a small group of women and babes to rest upon the Star, and perhaps promise to try and reunite them with their families after the war which even the hobbits understand is coming. Turgon may not think there will be an attack, but I have yet to speak with a single hobbit who agrees with him. They know there will be war, and that they will be among its victims."

"But can you really guarantee the safety of these hobbits? Can you be certain you can get them through the tunnel without an attack? And what about the dragon flights? Our ship is docked far away. And how many times have you told us that we must not interfere with the events of the past unless we are sure of what we do? Are we certain here? "

"If you feel you will succeed, I will travel to Maura Tuk tonight and persuade him to pull out women and children who will leave in the morning. I believe I know the words to say to him."

Mithadin sat without saying anything for a long time. Then he turned to Child, with a slight glint in his eye..................

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

"Let us consider one matter before you make your proposal to Maura Tuk," said Mithadan.

He turned and whispered quickly to Pio, whose eyes opened wide in surprise for a moment.

[piosenniel]

No sleep came for Pio that night.

She had returned to her room and shrugged off her party finery like so much unnecessary baggage, leaving it an untidy heap on the floor.

Pulling on her light leather leggings and a long sleeved leather shirt, she sat on her bed in a pool of soft lamplight. She seemed to frown, but it was only the concentration mirrored in her face as she carefully inspected each of her weapons.

Two long knives for in-fighting, two well-balanced shorter blades for throwing, and her sword were all pulled from the baldric lying on her bed and checked closely for nicks, dirt, and dull edges. She had done this already on the ship, but a second inspection before an engagement was always her practice.

The blades all shone clean and smooth in the light, and the edges proved razor sharp. Like a bumbling beginner, she had run a finger along the sword edge admiring its sharpness, and now she sat sucking the thin line of blood it had drawn.

Satisfied with her inspection, she replaced the knives in their holders and the sword in its scabbard, first lightly oiling the leather grip. The baldric gleamed from it's earlier cleaning and oiling, and the blades all slipped out easily from it when she put her hand to them.

Her last blades were the knives she kept in her boot tops. They too proved battle ready, though she knew that if it came to them, there was little hope left to her.

As she worked with her blades, she thought about the idea that Mithadan had whispered to her. It was a dangerous one, and she did not relish the idea of an experiment which might prove fatal to a friend. Dawn, was still far away, she thought, and there would still be plenty of time to consider it more fully.

For now, her objective was to contact Angara, to update her as needed, and to check any growing resolve on her part to join the actual fray. Pio was unsure how the sight of her corrupted kin might affect the dragon when she caught sight and sound of them.

[piosenniel]

Angara, are you there?!

Of course, I'm here, you half-witted half-elf! Where else would I be? Hemmed in by bossy eagles, all with a suspicious eye on yours truly!

A little testy are we, dragon? What about me - balrogs, orcs, and wicked wyrms on my plate tomorrow. I should be the one whining!

Hmmmph!! At least you will have the opportunity to strike a few blows, not sit here like some impotent two bit player waiting for word of what goes on.

Speaking of what goes on, Angara - you will probably not be too happy with this new plan of Child's. Or did she tell you of it?

Plan?! Spit it out, elf! What is it?

Pio filled Angara in as best she could about Child's plan to stay with the Gondolin hobbits, Mithadan's counter plan, and the possible plan to bring back some of the hobbit women and children. Angara was silent for a few moments, though the elf could feel anger humming like an electric current as the dragon considered these revelation.

The Man's plan is too risky. As much as Bird annoys me at times, I would not see her dead. And what will we do with a boat load of frightened hobbits? We have nowhere to put them! Child's plan I knew about, but I see now there are so many places it might go wrong. I should be down there, overseeing these plans!

Pio felt the resolution to action rise in Angara's thoughts, and then a loudly muttered, '. . .damnable eagles!' ripped through her mind as the action was denied.

Angara, there is still more we need to discuss. You must be ready tomorrow night to fly us out of here as soon as the eagles have retrieved us. It will be Mithadan, myself, Rose, and Bird who will return. Child is resolved upon her plan, and she will not be dissuaded.

I will be ready, Elf. See that you get the others back safely.

One last thing dragon, and I ask this as a favor for myself, please relay these instructions to Daisy and Veritas should I find myself unable to do so.

Pio gave Angara a long list of intructions, then asked her to please repeat them as it was very important they be given clearly and fully to the intended persons. When she had finished repeating them, the dragon asked -

What could possibly keep you from delivering these yourself?

Morgoth, dear Angara, and his bloody battle!

For the rest of the night she sat in silence,lightly fingering the pendant on the chain round her neck, and watched the stars slowly move in their courses, 'til red-tinged dawn obliterated them.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child was pacing back and forth in her room unable to sleep. Her clothing from the feast lay dumped on the floor. Her belt and pouch lay carefully packed by the door, and she wore the simple outfit which Idril had left for her.

Thankfully, Rose still lay sleeping in the bed, oblivious to the ferment boiling up about her. Child had gone to Mithadan's room and foraged among his belongings to find every map of the First Age that he had brought along. Then she had burgled her way into Idril's household library and pulled out several navigational charts. A simple refrain kept running through her head. "The ship is too far away." You couldn't ask Angara to make repeated trips back and forth to the Lonely Star, when she had to fly so far. It was physically impossible.

They needed a temporary staging point, a place to drop the hobbit women and children. The ship could then sail north along the coast to pick them up in a day or two. Yet, when Child scrutinized the maps, so much of the land looked threatening and inhospitable, with Morgoth's Orcs and allies controlling mile after mile of territory.

There was one island in the middle of the Firth of Drengist, which might have worked, if only they had longer to prepare and journey back and forth. But, with only a single day to plan and carry out their ideas, that island looked extremely far away. For, although Angara was a great dragon, there were limits to her endurance and strength.

Child desperately wanted there to be some way for Mithadan's audacious plan to succeed. And she had to admire the stubborness in the Man's heart which refused to concede defeat. But she knew that Pio had serious doubts about what Mithadan was trying to do, and how many hobbits might be killed by their desperate measures. And Pio was probably right.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Bird sat in a tree by the fountain of Idril's garden. The dinner long over, the house dark in slumber.

The discussion with Child, and the confrontation between Mithadan and Maeglin had put the skin-changer in a "fey" mood. She could accept that this city would fall, resign herself to the fact that by a second sunrise the work of centuries would be a smoking ruin.

What she could not accept was the blindness of its King. Bird had always carried a chip on her shoulder when it came to the Elf Folk, jibing and ridiculing their ways while always knowing that they were far more, and far better than herself.

But now she had seen what Elven pride and love of beauty could lead to. The King had ignored every warning, even from his kin. Even from the Valar! Turgon's love of his creation was every bit as greedy and grasping as the love of gold in the Dwarf Folk. And Bird knew that it was wrong, very wrong.

She had an overwhelming urge to stand before Turgon and smash the most delicate, skillfully crafted piece she could find in the city, and shout ""See! It's stone and metal! And to preserve it you would sacrifice flesh and blood! Take your people and flee! You can build again. After all, you have forever."

Bird looked frantically around the silent garden, finally seeing a piece of delicate statuary, balanced on a plith of marble, rising from the flowers. Suddenly she darted towards the artwork, flailing it with her wings until it teetered, toppled, and fell with a crash to the paving stones below. "Stone and metal. That's all it is! Stone and metal!" she hissed.

The spell passed, and Bird sat on the plith, gazing down at a scattering of shards, totally meaningless. She drew a deep, ragged breath. "Whereever you think you are going Child. I'm going, too. But before I do, I'll be there to watch Maeglin die. I will. I'll see him die."

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child threw down her charts in frustration. She didn't need Mithadan to tell her that their plan would never work. She already knew it in her own heart. And how could they ever rescue anyone, when the Elf and Man could not even reach agreement among themselves?

Child decided that she wanted to talk to someone, but everyone was asleep or buried in their own thoughts. Then she knew what she had to do, what she wanted to do. She wanted to talk to another of her own kind about something that had been troubling her since that first night in Gondolin.

Child gathered up her belongings, slipped out of the house past the dozing guard, and ran to the servant's chamber behind the stable to knock on Lindo's door. Lindo did not question the late hour or her reason for coming. Within a few moments, the two had mounted ponies and were cantering down the lanes.

In a short time, Child found herself standing outside Maura's house, her pony tied to a nearby branch. She asked Lindo to retrieve her in a little while, after they'd had a chance to talk.

Maura motioned Child to walk outside, and then asked, "What has happened? We were expecting you tomorrow. Did your friends suggest you speak with me again?"

"No, no," murmurred Child. "It wasn't my friends. I was the one who felt I needed to see you tonight. It is late, but I have thought and thought a hundred times about what you said this morning. I can't help but feel you are right to insist that your people stay and hold on, as you were taught by Ancalimon. Yet I also fear what will happen, especially to those who are weak and vulnerable. The Man and Elf believe that Gondolin will face a fierce attack that can only bring death and destruction. And I am afraid they are right."

"Maura, it is the women with young children whom I most fear for. Even in times of battle, a commander will protect those who can't defend themselves. I do not believe that Ancalimon would want you to expose these precious ones to such danger, at least if another way were possible. My friends have been searching their souls and have struggled to come up with a plan of rescue for those most weak and vulnerable."

"But no matter where they looked or how long they talked, they came up with only confusion. In fact, now I think they are quarreling because they cannot agree whether to do this thing or that."

"Maura, we have failed, my friends and I .....we have come so far, yet we have failed. We can not change anything."

And then she looked him in the eye, "How can life be so hard sometimes?"

There was absolute silence between them as they walked along.

Then Maura fixed on her with grey eyes, solemn and shining, and gently said, "Nitir, just because you can not do the thing that you so desperately wanted to do, does not mean you have failed. How many times do we set out on one road in life so sure of our journey, and then stumble onto another path which is really the one we ought to have taken in the first place?"

And then the words came tumbling out of Child, the words which had so pressed on her mind since their first night in Gondolin. "But why would Ninnia have said as she did unless she meant for us to help rescue at least some of our people."

Maura turned to her and gently asked. "And what has Nienna to say about this?"

"On my first night in Gondolin, before I visited you, I saw a strange thing in my dream." And she told him of the distant land and the tall Lady with the silver edged skirts. And she described how the Lady had bent down to bless her and shared with her two secrets. First, that she must use her wits and heart to protect hobbits who were weak and vulnerable, and second, that someone dwelling in the house of Nienna would be sent to show patience and pity."

Maura quietly asked, "And have you ever seen or heard this Lady before?"

Child glanced up at him and laughed, 'Oh, no, I am no seer or prophet to see or understand such things."

He put both his hands in his pockets and shook his head, "Perhaps you are more than you know. And perhaps Nienna has another way for you to protect the hobbits than the one you and your friends have designed."

"Nitir, I am not sure of many things in life, but I do know this. If the great Lady spoke to you, and this is a rare thing, she would not want you to despair even before you have begun your task. We need you. This community needs and wants teachers who can work with young hobbits. And that is true whether we live here in the peace of Gondolin or find ourselves forced out onto some path of exile or imprisonment."

"Go back to Idril's house. Rest and think on the words we've shared tonight. If you think that this path is for you, return here in the morning."

As Child left, he turned to her one last time, an uncertain look on his face. "And you are certain that you have never spoken with Ancalimon before?" he queried.

She shook her head, "Not unless he holds some other name in the places where I have lived." Then she and Lindo mounted their ponies again and raced back across the city. All her belongings, however, including her belt and sack, lay inside the small burrow awaiting her return the next day.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

The sun rose bright and promising on the day. Throughout the house, people had risen early in preparation for the feast of Tarnin Austa, the Gates of Summer, celebrating the start of that season in Gondolin.

For years without number had the coming of summer been greeted with just such a great and solemn ceremony. At midnight of that day, all voices would be hushed, until the break of day when ancient songs would rise up to fill the air. That night would silver lamps be lit in the city, while in the groves would hang lights of jeweled colors, and the low music of various instruments would fill the ways. Then, at the sun's first rising, would the coming of summer be greeted by the music of choirs standing upon the gleaming eastern wall.

All in Gondolin looked forward each year with joy to this celebration, and this year was to be no different in their minds.

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

Pio went downstairs to break her fast with some fruit and a cup of chilled wine. She took them into the atrium, and sat on a bench in the sun, letting the wine and the sun's warmth drive the chill from her body. She listened to the music of the water on the rocks in the fountain, hoping to find some small comfort in it. But the sound seemed discordant today, and no comfort came.

Her food and drink done, she thought to stretch her legs a little. Exiting the house, with a nod to the guards, she strode down into the city.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child was still asleep as the morning sun made its way upward into the sky. The first thing she felt was Rose's hand upon her shoulder as she shook her softly and whispered, "Child, wake up. Why did you take your things last night over to Maura's home?."

Child yawned and struggled to reach up beyond the edge of sleep which still tugged at her. At first her mind refused to focus. Then, she rolled over and smiled at the young hobbit, wondering how she could possibly know that. "I had to go over to the hobbit village late last night after the feast ended, and I decided to leave them there since I still have more business later today."

Rose laughed, "Yes, I already know. Lindo saw me this morning when I first woke up, and went down to the stables to see the ponies."

You know, Child," she continued , "If you already had the pony to ride, you should have taken my things too so I didn't have to drag them over on foot by myself this morning. I've been up for hours while you were asleep."

Child glanced around the room only to discover that it had now been stripped bare of both their belongings.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

After dressing and eating a light breakfast, Child padded softly down the hallway to Mithadan's door. She hesitated for a moment and then knocked.

"Mithadan, it's Child." The door slowly opened to reveal the figure of Mithadan, still dressed in his black gown. His face looked tired and worn. Child sighed and said, "I wanted to let you know. I couldn't sleep last night, and I made my way with Lindo over to the hobbit village. I saw Maura again."

"Even without my words, he understands that an attack will come sometime soon. I told him of how we struggled and struggled with the hope of finding some way to protect at least a small group of those hobbits most weak and vulnerable. But, wherever we looked, and however we searched, there did not seem to be any way."

"He was not surprised or disappointed, but said it was what he expected, that some things like this can not be changed or shifted, but must be lived through. In fact, the only concern he voiced was that, now that this matter was settled, my friends pack their belongings and leave this city. He said the doom may come tomorrow, or perhaps not for many months, but he was certain it would be here, and there was no need for any more to suffer than was needed."

"Mithadan, I agree with him. I see no more reason for either of us to linger here at Idrl's house. I will ride over to the hobbit village now, and I hope you will take Pio and Rose and Bird and also leave. Perhaps, if the powers will, we will see each other again some day."

Child turned to depart down the hallway, but then stopped. She ran back to Mithadan who still stood in the doorway, and then she did something she might not even have thought possible. She wrapped her arms around his lean, tall form and nestled her head in the crook of his arm, whispering, "Thank you. Thank you for the care you have shown my people. I will never forget what you have tried to do."

Then she ran down the hall and out of the house to her pony which stood saddled and waiting near the front lane.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan looked at the Hobbits retreating back as she rushed down the hall headlong to wherever her fate would bring her. He shook his head sadly. A remarkable race, these Hobbits. Quiet, peaceful and rustic, yet capable of great bravery and greater deeds. The breaking of their small fellowship grieved him greatly, all the more so because there was no guarantee that Child would survive to be rescued; indeed no guarantee that she would live beyond tomorrow. Yet this did not stop her.

He had not even had the opportunity to tell Child that he and Pio had spent an evening agonizing over their choices only to reach the conclusion that to attempt the rescue of any of the Hobbits at this time presented too much risk, both to the Halflings as well as to he and his friends. He thought back to Idril's words to Child when they resolved to undertake this task: "Not all things in this world can be mended, little hobbit. Remember that."

But these words gave him little consolation. He felt an overwhelming need to act, but knew he could not. And the unfulfilled need tasted almost like cowardice.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[piosenniel]

Pio walked toward the Way of Running Waters and then down it toward the King's Square.

She stopped briefly at the Fountains of the South and filled her senses with the sounds and sight of the clear, sweet water of Gondolin as it played in the air and then fell to caress the rock. She drank it in and sought to burn it in her memory.

At the Road of Pomps, she turned left and came at last to Gar Ainion, the Place of the Holy Ones. It was a place of exquisitely simple form and harmony, meant, she knew, to give both comfort and a sense of connectedness with the greater plan of Eru. But where were they now, these Great and Holy Ones who loved the Firstborn? They had abandoned them to evil,she thought bitterly, and would come too late for any comfort.

She passed on then and entered the Square, making her way at last to the great fountain which stood before the Tower of the King. It was the heart of the Square, and the most beautiful and beloved of all the fountains in the city. Natural rock rose high in the air and from it fell many streams of pure water, singing their way down the craggy sides to fill the clear, deep basin at its foot. Pio knelt before it, trailing her fingers in the pool and wept, her tears mingling with the waters in the basin. Passerbys thought her overcome by the beauty of their creation, but it was for them that her tears flowed.

Dry-eyed at last, her mind emptied, she sat and listened to the fountain's song in all it's infinite variations.

And when it had grown dark, and no sound save that of water and the low music of softly played instruments filled the air, she stood up and made her way quickly back to Idril's house.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child knew the route so well that she saw little need to bother Lindo for an escort. She went to tell him that, but he held up his hand and laughed.

"No, Nitir, today I will ride with you not because you do not know the way but because it is the eve of a great holiday and I go home to be with my family. Idril has given me permission, saying that all has been prepared in advance for the festival and there is no need for my help."

Child drew in a sharp breath, "Perhaps she will need you later. Perhaps you should stay till the morning and then come over."

Lindo laughed, "You are certainly concerned with Idril's household needs. If you decide not to teach, perhaps you can serve as part of the Lady's house. But let's not worry about that. My parents expect me home today, and I want to arrive there as soon as I can."

Child said nothing. She noticed that he had shed his more ornate Elven garments, and was dressed in the simpler clothing of his people. The two mounted their ponies, and, in a short while, Child again found herself home among her people.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan elected to don his cloak and hood and take to the streets of the city during daytime hours. Now that the King had greeted him, there was no longer the risk that he would be seized as an intruder. Even so, he examined carefully the insignia of all who passed watching for the emblem of the House of the Mole. Rose accompanied him on the meander through the ways of Gondolin.

All the colors about him seemed fresh and new as if just conceived on an artists palate. The air was crisp and clear and filled with the sound of splashing water and the scent of flowers and fruit. The greens of the lawns and trees in particular seemed to glow in the light of the sun. This was the Beleriand he had always dreamed of. The white towers pierced the blue sky and everywhere there were Elves, working, singing, playing and beginning the celebration which would climax with the coming dawn -- in tragedy. In 24 hours, the city would be in flames. Indeed, this was Beleriand, both the sweet and the bitter.

Rose said little as they walked, though she would, at times smile at the beauty of a fountain or giggle at the antics of a minstrel. Yet she too was consumed by her thoughts. As the day waned, she claimed weariness and retired to her room when they returned to Idril's house. Mithadan stayed outside as the sun dipped behind the mountains to the west, and as the towers turned first red, then grey, he commited the place to memory and went inside to rest and then arm himself. He did not notice the stars as they emerged; to him it was a black night.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child had spent the day helping Zira with Abar and wth the family's small household tasks. Now they sat down together to share dinner.

"Auntie Nitir," laughed Abar, "Why didn't you bring your crow with you.? I saved lots of food for him."

Child smiled and said, "Perhaps, he will visit later." Her heart felt sad with longing for Bird and Pio.

Child dutifully pushed her food from one side of her plate to the other. Yet all the time her ears strained to hear the noises of the night, waiting for the first hint of what was to happen. As the hobbit burrows stood just east of the North Gate, Child suspected that they would be the first to hear the sound of battle and bear the brunt of the attack.

But the first indication did not come quite as she had expected. Just as they were finishing the meal, Abar ran from the table over to the window and pointed out toward the north. "Grandfather, look, someone has turned the sky from black to red, and the stars have all disappeared. Let me go out and see."

The child ran towards the door, but Nitir ran after to grab him by the arm and pull him back inside. "No," she commanded, "You must not leave this house."

Maura got up and looked out the window and went to his mantle place and pulled down a sword. Then he picked up his bow with its quiver of arrows. He turned and looked over at Nitir, and whispered softly, "You told true, woman. For I heard in your words more than you said. The beast has come to Gondolin."

Outside the gate, in the distant hills, they could hear the screams of the guards in the distant night as the enemy had their way with them.

[ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Birdland woke Mithadan from his nap by pecking on his forehead. He sat up waving his arms about as the sleep fell from his eyes. "What is it Bird?"

"Rose," she replied. "She is gone!"

Mithadan jumped up and pulled on his clothing. "She picked a poor night to wander off," he growled.

"No!" responded Bird. "She did not wander off. She is gone! She has packed her things and is gone!"

Mithadan blanched at this news. He ran to the window and looked to the north, but saw nothing, although he noted the stars were obscured by thick clouds. The attack had not begun yet, but there was little time left. "Summon Pio immediately!" he cried to Bird, even as he pulled on his leather vest and mail. By the time Bird returned with the Elf, he was fully armed.

"Where has she gone?" cried Pio. "We have little time to waste. I had planned to wait for the assault to encircle the city before making our escape through the Secret Way. The attack will begin soon!"

Mithadan glanced out the window at the northern horizon. "The attack has begun now," he answered grimly. The tops of the northern peaks were dyed red with the glow of many fires. "To find Rose we will have to find Child, I would think. The girl must have decided to join her friend and throw in with the Hobbits of Gondolin. We must hurry."

Pio and Mithadan raced for the doors. The streets were a confusion of shouting and rushing figures. Tuor ran from the house bearing his axe and clad in mail. "Morgoth is upon us!" he cried. "We must prepare for siege! You may join my company if you wish." Then he ran on into the night. Mithadan did not follow. He instead turned to the north and moved into the throngs in the streets. Pio hesitated a moment, looking back at Idril's house and the running figure of Tuor. Then she followed Mithadan. Bird flew swiftly above them towards the Hobbit burrows.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Maura went to another corner of the small home and pulled up a wooden door which had been cleverly concealed inside the boards of the floor. Nitir peered down into the darkness. Under the boards was a small and dank tunnel which had been hollowed out by hand. It did not appear to lead anywhere but could be used for concealment and disguise.

Maura explained curtly, "We are not such dreamers as you think. Every family has one of these. I know that they are nothing against an invasion, but the holes may buy us a few minutes of peace until we decide what actions, if any, will help."

He looked at his daughter and motioned to her to get down into the tunnel with the boy. Then he looked at Nitir, "Ban and I must go and meet with the men at the designated place. Can you handle a sword?"

Child answered grimly, "Not as well as I can a dagger and bow." She held up the two blades to show him and nodded towards the bow leaning against the corner of the room.

"Here." He handed her a sword. It was of exquisite Elven quality, pefectly sized for a hobbit, and with gems inlaid upon the hilt. In her own world, such a blade would command considerable respect.

He said to her, "Go down in the tunnel or stand alert beside the door with your blade poised."

Nitir nodded and took her position by the doorway. She gave her second dagger to Zira so that she too would have some defence. Before they left, Ban and Maura hammered up boards to cover over the window, and then turned to give final instructions. "Open the door to no one unless they speak Elvish. Our whole community understands that no Orc will know or use the golden tongue. If, for any reason, you must flee this burrow and go to another, you must do the same to be admitted into another home."

He paused one moment to catch his breath. And, Nitir, if you have a choice, flight is preferable to hopeless fighting and death."

She turned to the two men just before they raced out the door, "Please be careful, and come back as soon as you can."

Down below in the tunnel, Nitir could hear the child who had begun with loud and beseeching wails, while his mother tried hopelessly to comfort him.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Nitir stood poised by the front of the house, her sword in one hand and dagger in another. She had pulled the table in front of the doorpost, hoping to block any unwanted intruders. Her mind ran back to Bilbo's tales. She thought she remembered that there were no invaders in the city itself until the great North Gate fell, and this would not happen for several hours. But she was not about to put her trust in an old tale alone. So she stood in front of the door with two weapons in hand, her heart beating fiercely.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

At that instant Nitir heard a sound like nails or a weapon scraping against the wooden boards that had been hammered over the window. Then she heard pounding of a fist on the door. She strained her ears to hear the sound of Elvish words that would tell her it was safe to throw open the door, but she heard no words of Elvish.

Outside, in the streets, the noise and tumult were growing as people ran this way and that to try and reunite with loved ones. Nitir could hear nothing above the despairing cries of the throng as babies howled and men shouted orders to their wives and children in a vain attempt to guide them through the mob to their homes. She strained her ears again, and detected a small voice crying out, not in Adunaic or Elvish or even the vile Orcish tongue. Instead, she heard faint words of Westron, a sound so out of place in this tableaux of destruction and fear.

Nitir inched over to the door latch, fumbled with the inner lock, and then pried open the door only far enough to peer through the opening and thrust her sword out. As she gazed about, she at first saw nothing, but then stared down to the crumpled figure of a hobbit girl, a figure that looked all too familiar. Nitir threw her weapons down inside and dragged the unconscious form through the threshold into the safety of the house.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

As they rushed through the streets, what had begun as chaos attained a degree of order. While there could still be heard the wailing of children and the cries of maidens, from all sides the warriors of Gondolin rushed to their musters. Mithadan saw the insignias of many houses as he ran towards the north; the emblem of Turgon's knights, the moon, sun and scarlet heart; the white wing; the swallow; the bright arch; the pillar; the white tower; the rayed sun; and others besides. The warriors bore swords, axes, bows and other weapons of dread. All were grim but calm and many seemed confident of the strength of their arms and the walls of the city.

Mithadan and Piosenniel were forced to dodge and detour around the gathering soldiery of the city, at times going far out of their way so that the journey took far longer than they expected. At last they approached the north gate and again their progress was slowed for the knights of the Houses of the Swallow and the Heavenly Arch were rushing to the walls carrying bows and quivers with many arrows. The tops of the walls now glowed red and they could hear the bellows and roars of the dragons which had rushed across Tumladen to the foot of Amon Gwareth.

Struggling through the crowd, Pio and Mithadan reached the streets leading to the dwellings of the Hobbits, and here Bird, who had flown ahead, joined them. "The doors of the holes are closed and re-enforced with such barriers as the Hobbits could find," she said. "There is no sign of Rose or Child, but many Hobbit bowman are on the walls."

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Rose's body felt heavy and unresponsive under Nitir's touch. The older hobbit felt so terribly useless. She had no skills in nursing other than the simple remedies she had learned in rearing her own children.

Nitir pushed the table back to barricade the door, and knelt down beside her friend. At that moment, the door covering the tunnel slowly pushed up, and Zira lifted herself onto the floor of the house. "Like my mother, I am trained in healing. I will look at her wounds." She gently nudged Nitir to the side.

"What about Abar?" the older woman asked.

"He is fine for the moment. He has fallen asleep," she replied.

Zira's hands were skilled and gentle as she carefully examined the girl. "Your daughter is lucky. Only a hard bump on the head. She must have been thrown against the doorpost by all the commotion in the street. I think she will wake in a little bit."

As if in response, Rose stirred and slowly opened her eyes, "Child," she whispered, "where am I? Why did you leave without me?"

The older hobbit replied, "For the moment you are safe in Maura's house, and we are togther. We have barricaded the doors so no one can enter."

"Enough of that," Zira said. If you can manage your way down the tunnel, you must lay and rest for a while. I have a small bed there."

Zira said nothing about the strange name which the girl had used to call her mother, or the hobbit's reference to having been left behind. As Zira climbed back down the tunnel, Nitir leaned over to the girl and whispered, "You must remember to call me 'mother' here, and don't forget, your name is 'Azra.' You should not have followed me. It is far too dangerous, but I will tell you truthfully that I am so happy to know that I will not be alone in this strange land. " Rose fell into Child's arms, and the two women embraced.

[ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan and Pio raced up a spiral staircase leading the the top of the wall. There was a wide walkway there upon which three could stride comfortably abreast. The wall was lined with Elvish archers all of whom were looking down on the plain below. Mithadan looked over as well and saw a sight he would never forget. The plain around the foot of the hill writhed with dragons. Many were spouting fire and those near the streams which flowed down the hill were causing great steams to billow up. Others were clawing at the glassy slopes seeking a way up to the walls. None were able to find purchase. Behind the worms strode several tall figures, black but wreathed in flames, bearing whips which they used to spur on the great beasts. Still farther out on the plain was a mighty army of orcs who were rapidly approaching Amon Gwareth. In the red light, it seemed as if the entire plain were covered in ants moving in unison with horrible purpose.

One of the tall, fiery figures stepped forward and guided a dragon to the foot of the hill. Then a second was placed lying upon the first. The Elves, who had cheered when the worms had failed to climb the slope, now grew silent.

Piosenniel shook Mithadan, shouting "We haven't much time." The two ran along the parapet seeking any Hobbits. After a moment they found a group, standing with bows in hand and grim expressions. Pio stepped up to one and asked "Maura Tuk?" The Halfling shook his head and pointed to another farther along the wall.

Mithadan ran to the Hobbit and shouted above the din, "Maura Tuk, we are seeking Child and Rose. We must find them now!" Maura tore himself away from the sights below to look up at the man with a quizzical look on his round face. "Who?" he responded. Pio interrupted, "They may have used other names. Our travelling companions, a girl and an older Hobbit maid."

"Oh, Nitir and Azra," he said. "I haven't seen Azra but Nitir is in my hole with my family. I'm not sure if she wants to see you though."

"Please..." began Pio, but a great roar drowned out her words. The dragons had nearly reached the North Gate and the Elves had loosed a stream of arrows and rocks upon them, to little effect save to raise their ire. Maura and his companions ran to join the Elven archers. Mithadan followed him, only to be stopped by Piosenniel. "We have no more time and they want to stay. Even if we find them, we may be slain while we attempt to convince them to join us. We must go. Now!"

"No!" cried Mithadan. "I told Child that I would bring Rose with us!"

Piosenniel grabbed Mithadan by his hood and pulled him close. "We must go!" she shouted. "If we die there will be no hope for Child, Rose or any of these Hobbits. Come now!" She pulled Mithadan along the parapet and down the stairs. As the reached the ground and began to run south, there was a great creaking behind them. They stopped and turned in time to see the great gate topple with a crash. A dragon's head appeared under the arch and loosed a great blast of flame. A shout came from the plain below and orcs began to appear in the doorway, only to perish in a hail of arrows.

Then, from above them, they heard Bird's voice calling "There, there! That is the house!"

They hesitated but a moment, then ran down a narrow lane even as a company of Elves charged into the fray behind them. They began pounding on the barricaded door.

[ August 08, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Nitir lifted up the dagger from her lap and held it poised in mid-air fearing that the little burrow would soon be torn asunder by the waves of battle which were clearly approaching. All three women huddled in the center of the room facing the barricaded door, while the boy slept on in the tunnel below, oblivious to the tumult. In just the past few minutes, the room had grown oppressively hot, with smoke seeping inward along the seams of the doorway.

Azra was flushed both from the heat and her earlier wounding, but the horror and excitment pulsing through her body kept her upright and alert. She held aloft the Elven sword which the older hobbit had entrusted to her care. Nitir warned her, "Do not open the door unless you hear words in the Elvish tongue. These are the orders we have." The girl laid her head against the doorpost. With the massive confusion in the streets, it was hard to hear anything but the roar of battle.

But then came the Elvish words precise and clear from Piosenniel. "Rose, Child, open up the door, for it is us, your friends and comrades."

"Mother," she cried, "it's our friends. I can hear Piosenniel."

Nitir and Zira went to the heavy table and slid it back from the doorway, holding the door briefly ajar for the three figures to slip inside. An Elf, a Man, and a bedraggled crow pushed their way inside. Almost instantly behind them came another knock, followed by a command in Elvish, and the entry of three hobbits returned from the battle.

Ban collapsed onto the nearest bench, his wife running to his side. Maura leaned against the doorpost, holding onto his brother Raza who had been wounded. He gasped for air, as he bellowed out the news, "The North Gate has fallen. The city has been breached."

Mithadan stepped forward, and bent down to keep his head from knocking against the rafters. He nodded in acknowledgement to Maura Tuk. "We have little time. I gave my word of honor to the one you call Nitir that I would keep the young girl in my safety." He strode toward Rose, and held out his hand.

Maura looked at Nitir, and asked, "What would you have me do?"

Nitir stood up and shook her head, "My heart says to send the child back with my friends to the safety of the ship. But my head tells me something different. Azra is no longer a child. She has carried a woman's load of work and responsibility on our long voyage here. And just as I had the right to chose my path tonight, it is her free right to chose."

All eyes turned to the young hobbit to see what answer she would give. Nitir went over and took her hand, "You must chose quickly for there is little time. There is no right or wrong answer here, and no one will chastise you for the path you pick. I would see you safe at home, but go where your heart leads you."

[ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

"Come...Azir," said Mithadan as he stretch a hand out to her. "You know our errand here and you know what we will do once we return to our home. Ch...Nitir will be fine. And we will come back to get her and the others here. Come quickly, for we can wait no longer." He smiled at the young Hobbit, a smile which appeared in the midst of a face smudged with soot and grime.

[piosenniel]

Time and patience had run out for Pio. Mithadan was determined to coax Rose into coming with them, and Pio could see Rose's resolve would not be put aside by words or promises. She pulled Child aside and said tersely, 'Tell Mithadan I will meet him back at Idril's house with or without Rose.'

She sped back southward, knowing full well that when the serpents reached the summit of the walls, then would Morgoth's armies pour over the city. Idril's house would be burned and the possibility of escape would grow exceedingly thin.

By the time she reached the house, the sky had grown red and redder. Serpents of fire had entered the city. Legions of foul orc had begun to sweep through the ways and alleys, spurred on by the presence of the balrogs.

The riotous clamor of battle now increased - shouts of the dread slayers mixing with the grim cries of the beleaguered and the dying.

She stood upon the terrace of Idril's house and looked out at the relentless advance of destruction. The Tower of the King still stood. And she could see the spray of the fountain before it, as it shot into the air, though the reflection of the serpents' fires now made it seem like blood.

Even as she stood there, she thought to go to the great square and lend her sword to the defense. But Idril stayed her with a hand, and asked the service of her weapons stay close. The Lady held her own sword in readiness as she scanned the area for approaching foe.

Too soon the battle came to them. The guards that Tuor had left engaged a small band of orcs. The song of steel rang in the courtyard as Pio ran down to join the fray.

She pulled the small knives from her baldric and threw them at two orcs attacking a wounded guard. One dropped with a knife to his neck. The other staggered from a leg wound, and she dropped him with a cut from her now drawn blade.

The yard was full of shouts and screams and heavy with the scent of blood. A controlled sort of chaos reigned as she and the other three guards formed a fighting line and advanced with sword and knife, slaying and pushing back the foul foe.

Then more orcs poured in, and the small band of defenders gave way before the increased number. Fighting with grim resolve, they sought a position from which to make a stand. But some of the orcs had gained entrance by the back way, and now the unknowing defenders stood tightly ringed by enemy. And still they fought on, the fury of their blows hewing down a rising number of attackers.

Death surprised her, when it came - a sudden flowering, dark red, spread across the front of her rent shirt as a craven spear pierced her from behind; a sharp'O!', as her blood welled over her fingers, spilling to the ground. Then came darkness, and the welcome release from pain.

[Losthuniel]

<OOC: I've been away recently, what has happend?>

[Child of the 7th Age]

Azra looked at Mithadan and over towards Zira and Maura who had gathered near Raza in the adjoining room out of earshot to help tend his wounds. She lowered her tone, and spoke in a voice grown older and more solemn. "Nitir is right. I am no child anymore."

She gazed at Mithadan and said, "There is no safety anywhere tonight, not with you nor here with this family. But there is right, and there is wrong. Some things do not change, even in warfare or battle. I have sworn an oath to Kali, to help find his hidden kin. And there will be no kin to find unless the kuduk people live another day."

"Nitir and I have a job to do, and it is one no Man or Elf can share in. For a people must have hope, and that is the one thing we can bring in some small way. I will stay here."

Maura stepped through the door just as the girl's last words were spoken, and went over to put his hand on Azra's shoulder. He said quietly to Mithadan, "I will take your oath as my own, to take the maid with me and my family, and to guard her life as though she were my own daughter. I swear this to you."

"And although the danger tonight is great, we have had knowledge passed to us that the enemy wants not our heads on a platter, but, for some reason unknown, to drag us off into servitude. And hobbits are no fools, nor are we even Men who lay such high stock in dying for an honorable cause. We will fight on now while we may, but when the odds become too great, as I fear they will, we will lay down arms and feign submission to live and fight another day. For I too have been instructed that our duty as a people is to hold on and survive that we may someday play our role in a matter which will have great meaning, perhaps even greater than what has happened here tonight."

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

The sounds of battle drew near. Mithadan looked back at the door, then at the Hobbits who stood resolutely before him. "So be it," he said. "Maura, take care of these two so that perhaps one day we shall meet again." He looked at Child in grief, knowing that the passage of 70 years was likely before his return to Beleriand and that span of time would likely take her life. "Pio, let us go."

"Pio left a few minutes ago," said Child. "She said to meet her at Idril's house." Mithadan straightened at this, hitting his head on the low ceiling.

"She left alone?" he cried. "I must go. Farewell!" And with that, he turned and exited the burrow. Bird was perched nearby. She leaped into the air, crying "Follow me! Pio has gone already."

They turned west, away from the gate and ran through the streets to the southern part of the city. Bird guided him away from the roving bands of orcs and they made good time. Arriving at the courtyard of Idril's house, Mithadan observed a number of knights set at guard. Several of them bore the emblem of the House of the Mole. A number of orcs lay dead before the steps. Idril stood in the doorway, weeping bitterly.

"My Lady," cried Mithadan. "Are you well? Have you seen Piosenniel?"

"I am well," she responded tearfully. "But Pio..." She pointed to a body lying in the courtyard. Mithadan gasped and raced over to the body. "Pio! Pio! Tell me you yet live! Do not leave us here!" But there was no response. Mithadan cradled the body on his lap and rocked back and forth as tears flowed down his cheeks. Birdland alighted next to them and, to Idril's astonishment, returned to her human form. She knelt next to Mithadan in sadness. As the two mourned, several other knights of the Mole arrived to guard the house. Mithadan looked up at them and remembered where he was and what would soon happen. "Come Bird! We must go!" he cried.

"Without Pio?" asked Bird. "We cannot carry her body with us, " he answered. Idril, who had walked over, laid a hand on Mithadan's shoulder and said "Go. I will have the knights tend to her body. She died valiantly, protecting me from the foul orcs. I will not forget this."

Mithadan rose and staggered towards the house. Bird, taking the form of a crow again perched on his shoulder. "Go through the Secret Way, Mithadan. I will meet you at the far end. I have some business here," she said. He looked over at the Knights of the Mole and back at Bird. He nodded.

[piosenniel]

LOSTHUNIEL

Please read the PM I sent you about reading the story from where you last left off.

[piosenniel]

Their eyes straining eastward, Khelek and Veritas kept a hopeful vigil that night.

Daisy and Kali had come on deck, and stood near them.

The wind was warm as it blew from Beleriand and moved over the silent watchers. It carried the sharp tang of burning, irritating their nostrils with it's unpleasant scent.

The night sky in the east waxed ever brighter with a fell red light.

Daisy and Kali huddled in closer to Veritas, shivering despite the warmth of the night. She pulled her cloak about the two, her eyes never leaving their eastward search.

'What is happening?' asked Daisy, fearing the answer. 'Something bad, something bad!'cried Kali.

Khelek's hands were hard-gripped upon the railing before him. He spoke softly, each word torn from his heart.

'Then it is so! The flower that grows on the plain has passed. The Fountain is no more, the music stilled, and even now the King dies within his flaming tower.' His trembling hand pointed to the small pillar of red flaring upward in the distance.

'Gondolin the Great is fallen.'

[piosenniel]

'Our friends,' asked Daisy, viewing the burning with alarm. 'Shouldn't they be back soon? Can you see Angara anywhere?'

The elves shook their heads 'no', as they scanned the skies for the dragon.

'We should see them return this night or early in the morning.' said Veritas. 'We will keep watch until they do.'

She could not keep the note of worry from her voice, and Daisy heard it. Taking hold of Kali's hand, she stated firmly, 'Then we will keep watch, too.'

[Child of the 7th Age]

Maura Tuk and Ban quickly returned to the hobbit archers who were still mounted on the wall above the city. This time, they were not defending the north gate, but the homes of the hobbits themselves. They stood on their high perch shooting down arrow after arrow onto the heads of a growing multitude of Orcs who wielded broad-bladed spears and sharp scimiters.

Maura looked on in horror as he spied large bands of writhing wyrms and balrogs making their slow way into the heart of the city. Yet the hobbits were surrounded not by these gigantic creatures, but by an inexorable chain of Orcs, beginning to hack away at the round doors of the burrows with large axes and setting fires on doorsteps to smoke out whoever or whatever lay inside. Their numbers mounted close to two thousand, as the ugly creatures swarmed over every inch of soil within the hobbit village.

Tomba Bullroarer held up his hand to relay orders to the other hobbits, "This way is folly." he roared. "Our wives and sisters and daughters are being roasted alive, while we wait upon these walls." The walls themselves began to shake and waiver as, far below, wyrms and balrogs dug at the city's foundations and pummelled against the stone.

Bulroar nodded to Maura, "What say that we go down below, and give them a welcoming party? For myself I care not whether I live or die, but I have no wish to be responsible for spilling the blood of my wife and children or other female kin, should there be another way. If, as all have said, these Orcs wish to show us the hospitality of Morgoth, perhaps we should take them up on their offer and live still to split their heads some other day."

Maura nodded in assent, "But keep close, and come through the breech at the north gate in one group. For, if they lie, we will use our lives to make them pay dearly."

The group of hobbits fled together from the wall and regrouped below the gate. They came through wielding swords and bows. As they formed their lines again, a massive crush of Orcs surrounded them on all sides penning them up against the remnents of the city wall. Bullroarer strode forward, "Would you have our deaths? For you may surely take our lives but at a great price to your own."

The Orc Captain pushed forward. "If it were my choice, I would make short play of you tonight. I would kill you properly so you would beg for your lives to end. But I have other orders: to kill all, but not the halflings. For they are to be brought back alive, with as little spoiling as can be managed."

He glared, "Now, if you wish to remain unspoiled, you will tell your women and babes to come out of their dirty holes and join you at these gates."

He pushed a blade to Bullroarer's throat, "Tell the women to come, and bring no weapons, or else you all die. For we travel a long way, and you will weep with pain before we reach the prisons of Dorthonion."

Bullroarer sent several warriors to knock upon the burrow doors, and told each of the families to rejoin their kin by the gates. This was done quickly and with no hesitation.

The women and children came swiftly, carrying what few possessions they could manage. Among their number was Nitir and Azra, holding each other's hand, and Zira and her child, along with the injured Raza.

Nitir looked about on a scene filled with death and destruction. The blood, the smoke, the senseless bodies left by the way---all this filled her with revulsion and hatred of Morgoth and his Orcs. But still a part of her thought. I am alive and in one piece, and my people still live.

The Orc Captain gave orders and the large file of hobbit men, women, and children began to make their way slowly northward through the gate.

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

With a heavy heart and weary beyond belief, Mithadan trudged through the Secret Way alone, where previously he had passed in the company of four others. The death of Piosenniel was a great weight on his soul. After a long march, he reached the end of the tunnel and passed though its hidden mouth. He stood on the plain and looked back at the burning city, then turned away in grief. Concealing himself near the exit of the Secret Way, he waited for Bird.

[Birdland]

As Idril prepared to leave with her followers she looked out once more one her burning city. But one image kept returning to her mind: the sight of a small black and white bird changing into a small woman, no longer young and clad in rags, weeping bitterly over the body of an Eldar.

She shook her head, wondering what path the Children of Man had followed down through the ages. By all appearances, the race had diminished, and yet somehow she knew that Piosenniel had given her friendship to this strange creature. It gave her hope that the promise of the race that she saw in her own, beloved Tuor had survived, and would be able to uphold the place that the Song of Eru had prepared for them.

The room where the body of Piosenniel lay was strangely quiet, as if the very sounds of the city's fall were forbidden to enter here. The body of the Elf that Idril had know and loved through the ages lay before her, while in the corridor the same maiden, barely beyond babyhood, waited for the adults to take her away from the chaos and pain that had suddenly taken over her world.

Holly appeared behind Idril, calling to her urgently, "My lady! Your husband and your household await you. Why do you tarry?"

Idril blocked the view of the room with her body. Holly would never know the fate of her only child. "I come. Join my husband and look to your daughter, I have one other task to do."

As Holly retreated down the corridor, Idril took a torch from the wall. Gazing one last time on the face of Piosenniel, she cast the torch upon the bed, and shut the door.

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

Bird flew toward the Secret Way, to her rendevous with Mithadan. The fall of Gondolin had no more effect on her. It had done the worst. No other sights or sounds could touch her. She saw the silver and black clad figure of Mithadan in the gloom before her, and hovered in front of him, like a hummingbird. She did not even wonder how she could do this.

"Bird! Come! We can only hope that the entrance to the tunnel has not been found and guarded by the enemy. Once through, we can join Angara and make it back to the ship."

"No Mith. You know I can't do that. I have to stay with Child and the others. Once I know where they are, and how they will fare, I'll come to the ship. Say hulloa to Kali and Levanto, please."

"Bird! No!" But she was gone. Mith was cursing through his tears. They had started out as six. Two would return.

[ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Birdland]

Bird flew as she had never before, back to the smials of the North Gate. But she was too late. Nothing was left but smoking ruins and small burnt figures laying on the scorched earth. She looked around frantically. All thoughts of seeing the demise of the Dark Elf who had caused this destruction had left her. She knew the fate of that one. What she didn't know was where her last friends were.

It was easy enough to find them with her sharp crow eyes. The string of small figures stood out amongst the crowd of Orcs and their other captives. Bird forgot all plans, all of Child's intentions and hopes. She did not want this to happen. She couldn't bear it.

"Nooooo!" she screeched, as she stooped on the Orc Captain at the head of the line. Small claws raked down skin like horn, doing little damage. Her wings batted against the iron helm. Bird rose, and struck again, screaming over and over "Noooo!"

"NOOOOOOOO!" The scream turned to a roar, as the Fifth transformation of the skin-changer began, brought on not by fear for her own life, but for love and fear for her friends. The black wings grew, stretched, and lost their feathers. The white body swelled and glowed. Scales spread from her legs, up and over, replacing the soft down.

In less than a minute, before the eyes of stunned halflings and cowering Orcs, a winged dragon, clad in glowing black and silver hovered in the air, and began its final stoop on the Orc captain.

"Bird, no!" came the faint, high scream of Child. And somehow, Birdie heard her. She paused, while Child screamed above the noise of battle. "Go to the ship. Tell them we are being taken to Dorthonian! Remember, Bird. Dorthonian. Now go back to the ship, before they kill you."

And in Bird's mind she heard "Well done, Changling. Though the color scheme is a bit unorthodox. Now come home."

Bird hovered, tears of adamant trickling from her eyes onto the stony slopes. (All dragons weep this way.) Then she turned and was gone, flying west, over the mountain.

By morning Gondolin, and the halflings, were gone.

[ August 10, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[piosenniel]

Angara paced in frustration upon the stony ground of the pass. The eagles were on high alert, sweeping the pass for any sign of Morgoth's minions. Thorondor had forbidden her to join them under pain of death.

In the growing bedlam below, she had lost all contact with Pio, and that alarmed her. Search as she might, no sign of the elf's whereabouts came to her.

And where was Mithadan? She thought he had planned to have them all come back before the full force of Morgoth's might hit the city.

Something was wrong, horribly wrong and she could do nothing about it. Her tail slapped the side of a rocky outcropping, sending shards of rock every where. Her claws marked deep runnels in the rock she paced on.

'Guard your energy, dragon!' came the deep voice of Thorondor. 'You are your companions' last hope for a return to safety. We will guard the pass and keep it safe for their return, though we cannot save the city from its doom. The wrath of Bauglir is full upon it, and soon naught but ashes will show where once that fair city lay.'

Curls of smoke poured from Angara's nostrils as her anger mounted in frustration.

Then something caught her mind, and she grasped at a small sliver of hope - it was Bird! And a furious Bird at that! Attacking an orc which threatened Child.

Wonder shook her from her anger - it was Bird, but now grown into dragon form!!! Hysterical, rumbling laughter tumbled from deep within the dragon, and tears of relief fell tinkling on the stone.

'Have you gone mad, dragon?' asked Thorondor, thinking to call in some reinforcements to subdue Angara.

'No, no, dear King! Nothing of the sort! A small ray of hope has opened up for my companions. I would though that you be on the lookout for a curiously colored black and silver, winged dragon who should soon be approaching, hopefully with the other companions on her back. Do not fear her approach, She comes not from Morgoth. She is like to me.'

Thorondor fixed the dragon with a wary eye. 'Ah! I see! We are now to have two mad dragons in the pass. The thought brings little comfort to me, Wyrm. But I will tell the others to let her pass safely.'

With a great rush of wings, he took to the sky, leaving the grounded dragon below to scour the sky for signs of her returning friends.

[ August 23, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

OOC: And which of you doughty companions is going to tell Angara the news of Pio's death? Don't stand too near, she has a long reach and a quick temper.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child had stared in disbelief at the winged dragon circling above. Staring up at the blackened sky, she had called out her message and then watched with relief as the creature turned and veered skyward away from the ruins of Gondolin, flying swiftly towards the north and west. Sometime soon, Child knew, Bird would meet up with Pio and Mithadan and then fly onwards towards the waiting ship. They at least would be safe.

To Nitir, a winged dragon was a known thing, both from the stories that Bilbo had taught her and the familiar presence of the gold and green Angara on the Lonely Star. But to those about her from the First Age, it was a different matter. Even in that night of horrors, the figure of Bird with her swirling, powerful wings had caused all to stand and stare. For, never before, in the face of Middle-earth, had the people of Gondolin or the forces of the Dark Lord seen such a creature.

And of all those who stood in amazement gazing at the sky, there was one who stared the longest. That one was Gothmog, lord of Balrogs, high-captain of Angband, one of the mightiest warriors of Morgoth. That was the last night of Gothmog on the face of Arda for, just as he slew the Elf Ectheliion of the Fountain, he too was slain by him. Yet, before he met his death, he spoke to his guard of trolls that they should relay a message to Morgoth concerning this winged flying beast with scales of black and white.

[Birdland]

Mithadan emerged from Secret Way and stopped, sinking to his knees at the head of the pass. Silently he sent out a call for Golden Angara, as he watched Tuor, Idril, and their followers recede down the mountain. The hysterical thought came to him that if the party had not survived, he probably would have popped out of existence. He wondered what that would be like.

A winged presence appeared from the sky, so far away and dark that at first he thought it was Thorondor, come to guard the retreat. It could not be Angara, because even at such a distance her skin would have caught the rays of the rising sun. As the figure drew closer, Mith quailed, turning frantically to call a warning down the mountain to the retreating Elves. "But the books say there were no flying dragons," he thought wildly, "not yet."

And yet, there it was, black and silver, flying with a fixed focus straight towards the heir of Eärendil. But even as he watched the figure shrank and dwindled, until all that was left was a small black and white jackdaw, and even this disappeared as it landed at his feet, leaving just a small woman crumbled on the stones, crying at his feet.

And so this is how Angara found them. Two lonely figures huddled together on the mountain. Mithadan looked up into the glowing eyes of the golden dragon, who asked, quietly as Death, "I cannot hear Piosenniel. Where is she?"

[Child of the 7th Age]

The assembly of hobbits, prodded on by their captors, stumbled towards the north and east. For Nitir, that endless night of sorrow was never to be forgotten. The earth itself, for leagues around, lay marred and destroyed. There were no glasslike mountain slopes or smooth valleys of soft grass. Wherever she and Azra gazed, there were only craters dug deep into the earth and huge blocks of soil heaved upward to rest on their side, leaving awkward and barren mounds. The trampling feet of Morgoth's 10,000 troops, approaching from the north with their giant dragons and balrogs and spreading fires, had changed the landscape beyond recognition.

Because the path was difficult and strewn with debris, many of the old and young could not keep up. Babes were carried by mothers, and small children hoisted upon strong backs. Yet, even with family members struggling to help each other, only so much could be done.

Many of the elderly urged their kin to leave them and hurry to the front to make certain the children of the family would not be left behind. Some of these families would remain straggling near the rear until the old ones, who could go on no further, slipped silently down by the side of the path. Then the Orcs would come from behind to finish the job with spears, and toss the bodies over the edge of the cliffs. A few times, when family members tried to cradle or guard the fallen, they were also threatened with death. So, while few hobbits died in the actual siege of Gondolin, the story on this wretched trail was a very different one.

After hours of tortuous progress, the hobbits found themselves on a rocky but flat ledge, surrounded by a large stand of pine trees. The Orc guards halted. They drew their lines totally around the prisoners and pulled the circle ever tighter, herding them together into as small a group as possible. Then they went through the prisoners one-by-one with rough hands, searching for any weapons that had been overlooked. They made a great pile of whatever they found, taking some for their own use, and destroying or hurling away the rest. The fires burned high on the ledge.

Then they went to talk among themselves.

They spoke in the common Adunaic tongue, since there were apparently three or four tribes present, and they could not understand each other's orc-speech. The hobbits closest to the guards could hear and understand their words.

One voice was raised in complaint, "What am I? A nursemaid for children and old ones? Let us get rid of these. What could Morgoth want with such puny things?"

Other voices growled agreement as weapons were again raised. One Orc began to stride over and lay hands on the nearest young boy but was stopped by a rough jerk on his shoulder.

"You swine, do you not understand our orders? If the old ones fall, have your sport with them. But the children are not to be touched. These creatures are fool enough to give up their own lives for the stupid, small ones."

The one who said this was the commander Durshnakh. He was a crooked-legged creature, but tall and with long grasping arms. There was stench from his body and mouth.

"We will keep these useless little ones," sneered the evil Durshnakh, "to control the men and their women. For the great lord Morgoth has said they will give us no trouble if we threaten them with the death of their own ."

Another Orc shouted back, "What need do we have to control these pipsqueaks? One stroke of my sword will send them all to where they belong."

Durshnakh ran to this fellow and grabbed him by the collar, "Say no more! We have orders that they will be used to fell the great forests of Dorthonion and turn the lands into fields to feed our troops. They have some small skill in this way. The Dark Lord will use it."

There was cursing and confusion, but the noise quickly died down. Durshnakh stood in front of the prisoners. He hauled one boy up to the front, and put a cold blade to his throat. Then he turned to the hobbits, "You tender fools," he hissed. "We have your children in our command." He twisted the blade into the boy's throat so that a single drop of blood trickled down.

"If you want these to see the light of day, do as we say. Do not think to escape or fight back. We will flay the skin off the backs of these little ones if you go against us. You will live, but they will die, and you will see their death."

Then he continued, "Put all other thoughts out of your head except work. Work for the lord Morgoth, and he will let you live."

There was no sound among the group of hobbits. No one said yes or no, but all hung their heads in silence.

Yet, a few of their number, and Zira was among these, had somehow managed to retain a dagger in some hidden place. For beneath the clothes of Abar, and even in the clothing of some of the other young ones, was tucked away more than one small weapon. For the Orcs did not even want to touch with their hands the bodies of the children, and they left them for the most part alone, desiring only to run swords through their hearts. So they never dreamed what actually lay beheath some of these squalling bundles.

Then all the hobbits dropped down on the rocky ledge, crammed one against the other. And Nitir held Azra's body tight against her own, and fell into a troubled sleep.

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

That night, as Nitir tossed about on the rough ledge, she saw another vision of the small island with its tree-shadowed lake. This time, many Valar stood by the lake. They looked like shadowed figures lost in reflection wih eyes spilling unnumbered tears. Nitir knew she could not reach or touch these, nor speak with them in any way.

But as she gazed about, she spotted the fair Lady with skirts edged in sparkling snowflakes. And, unlike the powers who walked in cloud and silence, this figure could be clearly seen and heard.

The Lady's face appeared even sadder than before. She said. "I bring you two gifts,the gift of forgetting and the gift of remembering."

"Neither you or Azra will survive Morgoth's prison with the knowledge of the Third Age in your head. You must let go of that piece of yourself. For, even if your friends visit you in that time and place, they will not be able to share their knowledge of the future."

Nitir nodded in agreement, since no price seemed too great to help her people survive. The Lady leaned over to kiss her brown curls and those of the sleeping Azra.

Then a strange thing happened. Nitir could remember her friends from the Lonely Star, their forms and faces. She understood that her people would have a future, and that it was her task to share this hope. But beyond that, her knowledge of later times was gone: her studies of the end of Beleriand, of the kingdom of Numenor, and the destruction of the Ring, even the simple stories of the Shire. In Nitir's mind, as in Azra's, all these had departed.

Then Nitir turned to the Lady and asked, "And the gift of remembering?"

"This is a gift both sad and sweet," the Lady replied. "Your friend Piosenniel has found peace. Her body lies in the house of Idril, cut down by Orcs as she defended her home. Now, she walks the halls of Mandos and bids me speak with you."

"She asks you to remember her with sweetness, and do everything in your power to save the hobbit folk. For, in her final hours in Gondolin, Piosenniel the Elf understood that one piece of her would remain forever with her mother's people."

Nitir had no words to say. She felt alone and angry. No tears came to her eyes or sweetness to her mind. Full of bitterness, she thought, "This is no gift, but a curse and sadness without end."

And the Lady knew her mind and replied, "You are still young in the paths of lore. Learn patience, since this will not be the last time that sorrow touches your heart. For, without the gift of estel, neither you or your people will survive."

"One of my household will be sent to you. But I myself may not speak with you again. For, in time to come, even the great powers must leave Middle-earth completely."

Nitir gazed in sadness at the retreating figure. Yet when she tried to reach out and touch the Lady's strength and compassion, she met only clouded silence.

The hobbit woman awoke to a bleak dawn, huddled together with all her other kin. Then Orc guards came and roughly kicked them into conscousness. There were no tears in Nitir's eyes; her heart felt cold and distant. She briefly told Azra of the death of Piosenniel, and, that morning, the young hobbit wept as she trudged along the path.

[ August 14, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

O.O.C. - Oh, OK, I'll tell her. (Gulp!) Unless Pio wants to try her hand at it. But I have to get going, since I'm going out of town today. Will dwell on it while watching "Signs".

Hmmmmmmm..."Well, Angara, seems that this great, silvery ship came down in the middle of Gondolin, and Pio just hopped on board!"

[piosenniel]

'I cannot hear Piosenniel. Where is she?'

The dragon looked from one to the other. Mithadan sat huddled on the ground, clasping his knees tight up against him, as if willing himself to disappear. His grimed face was drawn, his countenance bleak. He looked at the dragon without seeing her, and the words fell into the silence between them like stones.

'She is dead.'

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

The dragon's anger flared into a white hot flame, and she thought to fly to Thangorodrim, itself, and snatch the foul monster in his lair and slay him or be slain.

It was only the small request at the end of Pio's last instructions to her that stayed her unfurled wings.

'You must stay safe, Old One. You are the companion's only hope for escape from what will be a hellish night. They must get back to the ship, and you must stay there with them. They will need your aid and most of all, your clear thinking. Will you give me your word on this?'

The dragon had glossed over the request without thinking and made her vow, and now it held her.

'Mithadan!' she rumbled, deep from within, rousing him from his grim trance. 'Pick up Bird and get the both of you onto my back. We are going to the ship, now!'

The man picked up the small, limp form of the woman and placed her on the dragon, close against him - his cloak covering both of them against the soon to be cold. He held her securely, her head lolling against the junction of his arm and shoulder.

Angara lifted off, and turned southwestward, making a direct line for the Lonely Star, no concern now for who might see them. She shut all thoughts from her mind, and flew with great speed.

Grief could come later. For now there was only the beating of her great wings, and the rush of air as she cleaved through it.

[Child of the 7th Age]

The pine trees split apart to reveal an ancient track. It was broad enough that the shade disappeared, and the summer sun beat hot upon their heads. Azra's face was grey and streaked with tears, but she wept in silence now, no sound escaping her lips. Nitir trudged beside her, a cold look upon her face. She said little to Azra, or any of the others, keeping her thoughts to herself.

Physically, the trek was easier than the night before. But the hobbits were tired and hungry. And many were openly grieving for their losses.

At mid-day, the guards, who still numbered over five hundred, called a halt to the procession to eat and rest. For their lunch, they tore apart some kind of half-eaten raw carcass which reaked in the heat of the sun. The hobbit families took out whatever food remained in their packs and shared it among the group. A few stared at it and refused to eat, but most were grateful for whatever little there was.

Since the Orcs seemed content to ignore their prisoners, as long as they showed no resistence, Maura went from family to family, checking on their members, and encouraging them to keep up their strength. He came at last to his own family. Maura knelt beside his daughter and grandson, talking briefly with them. Azra had finally stopped crying, and was sitting next to Raza, her head resting on the young man's shoulder.

Maura looked over to where Nitir sat alone on the ridge. Her face was blank and frozen. He sat down beside her and, for a long while, said nothing. Then he asked, "Why is Azra crying? Has something happened?"

Nitir tersely explained about the death of Piosenniel the Elf. She said nothing about her dream, or how she had learned about her friends's death.

"She was very close, this friend?" He remembered the tall Elf he had seen on the city walls when Mithadan had come searching to find out about Azra."

"Yes," Nitir said, refusing to say anything more.

The hobbit pressed on, "And sometimes you spoke with her on the ship when you were upset? She listened to you and tried to help?"

"Yes, sometimes." A flat response came back.

"I am so sorry that she is gone," responded Maura. "If you would like to speak about your friend to me or my daughter, we will listen and try to understand. I know you loved your companions on the Star, but they're very far away. Now, you are part of our family. We are prisoners in the middle of a strange land." Maura glanced about him to the forests which were deep on all sides. "All we have to get through this is ourselves. For our sake and yours, please don't turn away from what little we can share with each other."

Nitir looked at him and said nothing. But she noticed that, tucked into the belt at his waist, he still carried the copy of the book of lore which he had been reading to the children the first time she had seen him.

Any further discussion was cut short by the shouting and commands of the Orcs who, once again, pushed the hobbits to their feet and shoved them forward on the trail.

[ August 12, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

Veritas! We are returning. Put the small boat in the water. We will be there soon.

The tired 'voice' of the dragon whispered in the elf's mind. 'Something is wrong!', she thought to herself. She turned to the others on deck and gave orders to lower the boat. She would row out and retrieve the companions from Angara.

'Are they alright? Did Angara say?' asked Daisy. Kali stood close by her, but asked no questions, and a great fear was in his eyes.

'She did not say, little one,' said Veritas, as she climbed into the boat, 'only that they will be here soon.'

The elf rowed the boat across the now dawn reddened water, and positioned it well away from the ship. Her eyes strained at the sky, willing all of them to return.

Khelek was the first to see them. His voice boomed out across the water.

'They come!'

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Birdland]

The golden dragon landed by skiff, almost swamping Veritas. The Elf stared in disbelief at the two lone figures huddled on the dragon's back.

The bleakness of the riders seemed to spread across the waves to the passengers waiting on board the Lonely Star. There was no need for questions. All knew that disaster had struck. There only remained the details of how each friend had met her fate, and what Mithadan intended to do now.

The Mer-Man Levanto rose from the waves and clutched at the side of the small boat. The distance prevented the observers from hearing his words. They could only see his gestures of anger and disbelief. Veritas leaned down and placed a palm on his face, but he back angrily away.

Daisy leaned far out over the rail, watching as Mith gently handed Bird into the arms of Veritas and climbed wearily into the skiff. Along with the grief, a great fear descended on the small stowaway. She was the only halfling left on the Lonely Star. And the one other companion on the ship who had defended her was gone as well. How would she be treated by the others now? Would they somehow even manage to blame this disaster on her in some way? Daisy had read in tales of people who were thought to bring bad luck to a ship, and how the crew had rid themselves of the cause of such ill fortune. She backed away from the rail as the skiff hoved to, and the ladder was lowered.

And then she saw Kali. Kneeling on the deck, head bowed, hands splayed over his face. She walked tentatively up to the misrable Hobbrim and laid a hand on his shoulder.

The strange face was twisted with grief. Only the eyes reflected the ancestry that he and Daisy both shared. "This is my fault. All have suffered and died for me! I wish that I had never found you all. I wish I had remained in my cave."

"No, Kali. Don't say that." Daisy slowly put her arms around the shaking shoulders of the Hobbrim and began to rock him back and forth. "There, there. It will be alright. Please don't cry. There, there..."

[piosenniel]

Veritas rowed the skiff quickly back to the boat, and had it hauled on board.

Khelek ran to steady it as it swung down onto the deck. His voice cut through the tears of the two hobbits. 'There is no time for crying now. You must help us.'

Veritas stood carefully and stepped from the boat with Bird in her arms. Khelek guided the still dazed Mithadan onto the deck, supporting him as if he were a child, newly learned to walk.

'Come with me, Daisy.' said Veritas as she passed the hobbit. 'We will take Bird down to her room and see if she is injured.' The girl followed Veritas, her heart heavy.

Khelek and Kali led Mithadan to his room, and laid him down on his bed. They washed the grime from him as best they could, looking for any visible wounds. Then they placed a clean robe on him and pulled a coverlet over him. He lay there limp, his eyes closed, and said nothing as they finished their ministrations.

'No wounds on the man.', said Kali as they exited his room, leaving the door ajar so they might hear him if he called.

'Yes, that is so.' replied Khelek as they went to check on Bird. 'His is a wound that will be longer in the healing, I fear.'

They knocked on Bird's door, and Veritas opened it. 'Mithadan is unharmed by any weapon.' said Khelek. 'We have left him to get what rest may come to him.' He looked at Bird, lying so still and white, on the bed. 'How goes it with her?'

'No wounds of any note.' replied Veritas, moving them out into the hall to continue the conversation. 'We will watch her today to see that her condition does not worsen.'

Daisy had finished buttoning a night gown on Bird, and covering her with a blanket. 'I will watch her first, Veritas.' she offered. 'You and Khelek must decide what we should do now.

'And I will watch over Mithadan.' said Kali.

'But tell us,first, Veritas,' asked Khelek, 'where are Pio, Rose, and Child?'

Veritas sighed deeply, and did not answer for a few moments. 'Rose and Child have been captured by Morgoth's troops and are held in Beleriand.' Her voice broke, betraying the depth of her emotion.

'And Pio?' urged Daisy, a mounting horror come upon her.

'She is dead.'

[ August 13, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

Daisy sat by Bird's bed in numbed silence, and tears spilled from her eyes. Not for herself this time but for Lady Pio who was dead, and for Bird who lay there still as death before her.

She felt her childhood slip away from her in the grim reality of what had happened. Child, Rose, and Lady Pio, - they had been so kind to her in their own way and now they were gone.

Dawning realization set in that she and Kali were now the only Halflings left on board, and that she especially must shoulder some of the decisions that must be made about continuing the search for Kali's family. Child and Lady Pio had placed so much value on getting Kali back to his family, it mustn't be abandoned by the remaining companions now.

She dried her eyes, and felt a steely resolve strengthen her. She reached out and held Bird's hand between her own two small ones.

'Bird, please, come back to us. We need your help. I . . . I need your help. Please, Bird if you can . . .'

[ August 12, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Once more, the track of the captives began to climb and spilled south into the foothills of the mountains The path itself soon dwindled and disapeared into a series of mountainous moors. Darkness was beginning to flood their way, yet the Orc guards still pushed their prisoners on. Finally, they reached the ruins of an old encampment and stopped there for the evening.

The Orcs occupied the few remaining wooden buildings, and then left a contingent of guards to encircle and keep watch over the halflings. There was little food left, but at least there was water. Just next to the captives, a tarn bubbled up from the earth below, its smell fragrant and light, a thing of beauty so unexpected in this place of gloom. The Orcs themselves avoided its waters, preferring to secure their own supplies from a brackish pond that lay on the far side of the camp.

Maura told the hobbits to drink and store as much of the clear water as they could, and to bathe in it as well. This the families did.

Despite the hollow in her heart, Nitir could not help but feel the goodness in that water, and how it brought a small warmth inside her where none had been before. Exhausted from the long trek, most of the group fell asleep as soon as they stretched out on the ground.

Maura, however, sat off by himself, perched on a small ledge overlooking the lake. In his eyes were sadness and remembrance. Nitir saw him put his head down into his hands as if he were struggling to fight back tears. She crept over to him, wondering why, after he had seen the horrors of Gondolin's fall, he should grieve so over a deserted place like this.

He leaned over to her and whispered, "This is the camp where Barahir, descendent of Beor the Old and Wise, took his stand against the Orcs. It was the last part of Dorthonion which stood against the shadow. From here, Beren left to travel to the Hidden Kingdom and then claim his bride."

"But that," he said sadly, "was long ago."

Then she asked him, "Why do you grieve so? For these are men, not hobbits. It is their history, not ours."

He turned to her with a look of hurt and frustration. "Nitir, do you not grieve for your friend Piosenniel the Elf? It is no different for me with the men who fell here. And it wasn't men alone who stood and defended these hills. My father was also slain here when Barahir was betrayed."

"I am sorry. I did not know. But then why," she asked, "are these waters so sweet when such a sad thing happened in this place."

Maura pointed his finger at the sky. Even in the blackness, they could see the grey clouds covering the heavens. But, as they watched, a wind came and pushed the clouds aside so that the sky was suddenly filled with glimmering stars.

"Look down into the waters of Tarn Aeulin," he said. And she saw a thousand lights mirrored in the lake below, each refecting the magic of the heavens.

"Melian herself," he explained, "was said to have blessed these waters. So even here, in the middle of our hardship and sorrow, there is a little piece of light."

He walked away, and Nitir sat silent for a long time. Then she crept back beside Azra, and soon fell asleep.

[piosenniel]

OOC: (not to be confused with the actual storyline)
```````````POSTCARD FROM THE HoM`````````````
*********************************************
20 Wedmath

Dear All,

Well, here I am finally in the Halls. Haven't actually met Mandos as yet, but I think he may prove to be somewhat of a hobbity fellow as this whole area seems to be a series of underground caves and caverns. Or perhaps it's a dwarvish influence? I'll poke around some more and give you updates as I can. The mail service here is a little slow.

--- Pio

p.s. Thanks Bird, for the blazing send-off!

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

[Mithadan]

In a dark dream, Mithadan knelt before several figures. Idril and Tuor stood there together. Next to them were Turgon and Ulmo. Before them all was Angara who asked "Where is Piosenniel?"

"Golden one," he said. "Angara, Piosenniel has sought the Houses of Waiting in the West. She was slain by orcs even as she protected Idril and her household. She is dead..." His chin dropped to his chest and his shoulders heaved with sobs.

Angara stood is silence. A stream of smoke trickled from her nostrils. Then her eyes grew brighter than her flames and a deep growl emitted from her chest.

"Child and Rose are not with us," continued Mithadan in an uneven voice. "They have chosen to stay with their kin and do such good as they can for the Hobbits as they suffer in thralldom. Only Bird and I are here now to return to the Lonely Star and somehow continue our quest."

Angara hissed. "Show me your blade, Man! Show me the blood of Piosenniel's murderer on your blade."

Mithadan looked up in grief, his face a mask of torment. "I cannot. I was not with her. She went ahead while I attempted to convince the Hobbits to return with us. When I reached Idril's house, she was slain. I was not there..."

Angara's scream shook the ground on which they stood. Tuor and Idril turned away and Turgon could not meet Mithadan's eyes. Ulmo alone faced the Man. He said nothing but merely shook his head.

Mithadan moaned in his sleep.

[OOC, I'm away until next Monday. I doubt I will post until then]

[ August 12, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[ August 12, 2002: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Even before the first light streaked across the morning sky, the Orc guards were on their feet shouting at the hobbits to rise. Azra awoke with an aching head. Surely, it could not be day already. But the sliver of the moon and golden stars were already gone from the sky. She closed her eyes and wanted to pretend that there were no more Orcs and no more endless tracks through mountains and pine forests. She felt cold and sick and, even more, she felt hungry.

Azra remained with her eyes closed on the ground for an instant too long, wishing that she could fall back into her dreams. A long arm came over to paw her neck and shoulder. A clawlike hand seized upon her arm like iron. Nails bit into her skin and left a rakish impression scratched across her skin.
Reluctatly, but with great speed, she bounded off the ground.

More than once, Azra had thought to try and run away to escape. For she was small and agile, and might possibly have succeeded in eluding her Orc guards. There were many of them, but, to Azra's eyes, they were slow of body and mind. And yet she did not leave the group. Durshnakh's threat to kill off the children had been no idle thing. She knew he spoke the truth. Azra might find her own way out into the woods, but how could she live with herself knowing that an infant or young hobbit would lay dead because of her actions? For, stupid though they might be, the Orcs had already been careful to count off the number in each family group to make sure none was missing.

For the first time in her life, Azra was faced with the situation that any mistake she made, any headstrong desire to run off or begin some madcap adventure, could have real and negative consequences for her friends. And she had to admit, she was beginning to think of some of these hobbits as her friends.

Ever since she had heard of the death of Piosenniel, Nitir had held herself apart from the group, even from her friend Azra. And the young hobbit did not understasnd this. She understood tears and remembering and even periods of silence, but this long coldness by Nitir did not seem right. Azra sensed that something was very wrong, but she did not know what it was. If you had questioned her, Azra would not have had the words to explain her feelings or suspicions, but instinctively she knew that Azra was grieving not just for Piosenniel but for something or someone else as well.

Since Nitir had withdrawn so completely, Azra had turned to her other companions to try and make friends. This morning, she sat on the ground with Zira, sharing the last meager crumbs of bread that the family had brought from Gondolin. Many of the other hobbit families were in the same sitution, with their food almost gone.

Orc guards went through the group and distributed strips of some ill-looking bread and a chunk of raw meat to every prisoner. Azra was afraid to eat the flesh, not knowing what creature it might belong to, but she greedily tore into the bread. Last night, she had found a number of berries along the trail, and showed them to Raza to make sure they were alright to eat. The two had shared them with Abar, and ended their feast with a draught of water from the mysterious tarn. Azra would like to have gone back to that water, but the Orcs were again kicking them to their feet to plunge onward across the moors.

Azra dropped temporarily to the very rear of the column. There were only two guards behind her, and these were quarrelling loudly with each other. Azra undid the scarf which Daisy had embroidered for her on the Lonely Star, and tied it tightly onto one of the bushes that stood right next to the trail, as close to the lake as she could manage.

This day and the next continued on like the earlier one. The hardships were those of hunger and hurting and extreme frustration, but, unlike that first night, the prisoners did not seem to fear immediate death. Yet, that last afternoon on the trail, something happened which changed Azra's mind and made her realize that there was no safety anywhere.

A young man had been discovered hiding a dagger deep within the recesses of his garments. One of the Orc guards dragged him forward along with the others in his family. Then they seized the youngest from his kin, a child of no more than three years, and grabbed him by the neck. The Orc guard cried out, "This, this, is what you rats will get when you defy our orders." With a motion easy and practiced and without hesitation of any kind, the Orc ran the child through with a sword. The young hobbit mother dropped down upon the ground, cradling the body. She tried to hold the little one in her arms and carry along his lifeless form, but the Orcs ripped the bundle from her hands and kicked it over the edge of the path.

The next time they stopped for a rest, Zira told Azra to take the little Abar far off the trail and quickly remove the dagger from under his clothes and drop it into some hidden place. She did this, and then returned the little boy to his mother. And, although Azra did not know it, there were other families who did the same with the weapons they had managed to hide.

That last day, the group trudged on hour after hour, stopping once or twice to eat the moldy bread. The Orcs forced them to go forward even more swiftly than before, until even the strongest among them began to weaken from the pace. Finally, long after darkness had settled on the trail, the group arrived at another set of ruins, these much larger and more spread out than the ones before. Marks of an old fire were evident on the broken frames of the buildings. Even the pine forests must have burned down near here for the trees were younger and thinner than those they had seen earlier along the way.

The Orcs relayed the command to halt. Then Durshnakh grunted out his orders. "Welcome to your new home, halfling rats. Sleep now for tomorrow you have the honor of hard labor for the master of this realm, the Lord of the Dark and King of the World."

That night all the hobbits, even Maura and Nitir, fell asleep quickly, their bodies too tired and hurting to stay awake for even a little longer. Only the mother of the child who had been killed that day sat up with her husband at her side, bitterly weeping over the doom of her son.

[ August 14, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

The dragon floated upon the water, weary beyond all hope. Her eyes were dull as they looked toward the east, seeing shadow run over the land like dark blood.

'Why do you look to the East, dragon?', asked Levanto, in a voice ragged with grief. 'I have looked there all this day, but she does not return.'

Angara turned from her dark study at his question, and looked at him.

'Where would you have me look, child of Ulmo? To the West? That way is hidden from my eyes, clouded in mists. I can see no hope in that direction.'

'Then has this quest been for naught?', returned the mer-man. 'Our only reward the painful memories of lost companions?'

The words pierced her despair, driving weariness from her, and she looked hard at Levanto. A brief glint of gold flashed from her eyes. 'That irritating elf!' she cried. Her shoulders heaved, and the mer-man thought she might break into tears.

'Irritating?! A poor epitaph for a fallen friend!'

Angara chuckled, rumbling deep within, and slapped the water with her tail.

Levanto looked at the dragon as if she had gone mad and backed away from her.

She clasped him gently in her talons and held him up before her face.

'Say exasperating then, or vexing. It matters not. She knew this might happen and she gave me instructions. Addle-brained Wyrm is what I am for not realizing it!'

Levanto, still caught in her steely grip, stared back at her, frightened now and perplexed.

Angara set him gently in the water. 'These were her words for you: "Do not abandon hope. There will soon come a time when the companions will need aid only you can provide, and you must be there to give it."' The dragon coughed slightly as the mer-man looked at her in disbelief. 'And, oh yes, one other thing. She said to give you this.' A touch, light as sea foam, grazed his cheek, as the dragon bent her head toward him.

Then she lifted into the air, becoming smaller as she rose, and flew back to the ship.

[ August 12, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Despite her initial exhaustion, Nitir awoke with a start in the middle of the night. As she lay on her back and looked at the stars, her mind roamed from one topic to the next. At least, they had reached the place where they were doomed to stay and toil. No more trudging forward to an unknown destination.

Nitir still felt empty and distant. It was almost as if she had hidden herself so that others could not see or touch her. She had spoken to few people in the past two days, and had tried not to think about the memory of Piosenniel. But, however much she tried to hide, she still could not exorcise the haunting image of a small lad being speared by a guard's scimiter.

Other than this painful scene, Nitir's strongest recollection of the night before was when the group made its way into the camp. She felt as though they had cut through an actual curtain, perhaps one made of strange materials known only to the forces of the night. When she questioned Maura about this sensation, he shook his head to agree. "Yes, I also felt it. Just as in some Elvish communities, especially those lying within the depths of a forest or an island, there is a mysterious boundary. On one side runs the time and world of man, while, within the curtain itself, time and even distance may operate quite differently."

Nitir tried asking him if time within ran faster or slower, but he did not know.

Most of the Orcs seemed to be sleeping soundly. Last night, there had been much noise and confusion as they had brought out barrels of mead and ale stored in the camp as well as a carcass of something that looked and smelled suspiciously like carrion waste. They had proceeded to get roaring drunk. A few junior guards were excluded from the fun, and told to keep watch over the prisoners. But even these few had managed a hidden draught or two, and now sat looking at the sleeping hobbits with dazed eyes.

Yet, no prisoner was making any attempt to escape. By keeping the family groups together and constantly threatening violence to the children, Morogoth had stumbled upon a perfect way to keep the hobbits from resisting. If smaller numbers of adult hobbits had been dragged off into servitude, Nitir had no doubt they would have tried to escape. But, with a large community fearing retribution on the heads of those least able to understand or defend themselves, there seemed little hope of breaking through the trap.

Nitir sighed, and, since she couldn't sleep anyway, decided to go through her things, to see exactly which of her supplies she had managed to salvage from the rough hands of the guards. She was disappointed to note that many of her small tools had been seized as well as the two daggers and bow. But she still had the flint hidden in her belt and the point from one broken arrow. She reached down further into her belt and came up with the packet of seeds which the Elf had given to her. This, at least, should be entrusted to Zira who was a healer skilled in herbal remedies. Nitir had a vague memory of how this stuff could be boiled and used, either as steam for a patient to breath or as dressing for a wound. She also had a very vague sense that she really shouldn't be using kingsfoil in this time or place, and that this had something to do with her friend Mithadan. However, as Mithadan wasn't here to stop her, she decided to give the seeds to Zira for her to tend and raise.

Nitir poked her nose down into the packet, and was surprised to discover that there were actually two things contained inside. The bundle of Kingsfoil seeds she already knew about, but there was a second packet of seeds, quite large in size, and with it she could see a note. The note was carefully written out in handwriting that semed very familiar to her. It was the handwriting of her dead friend Piosenniel. Nitir stared at the letter, reluctant to read it or even to pick it up. She finally decided to tuck it away inside her belt until she got up the courage to look at it later. She lay down and made another attempt to sleep. She could still hear the distant keeling of the grieving mother.

[ August 12, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[mark12_30]

Lindo stirred in his sleep, dark dreams pressing down on him. His mother's and father's faces haunted him. During the long march, his father and mother lagged and fell behind; when he assisted one, the other straggled. While he had half carried his mother, an orc had speared his father; and as they turned to hold him as he died, the same orc had ruthlessly speared his mother. They had died in each others arms. Again and again, in his dreams the bloody scene played out, and again and again, Lindo woke, biting back tears, til finally he lay awake, afraid to sleep again.

He stealthily raised himself partway up, and looked. The hobbit-camp was quiet, but there were sounds of carousing coming from the main orc-camp. Still, orc-guards were visible around the hobbits, and one had noticed him; he froze, and then slowly lay back down, after that moving only his eyes. The orc that was now watching him seemed none too steady; all the more reason for caution, he thought. If the orc was drunk, Lindo didn't want to be his evening's entertainment.

The only motion from hobbits in the camp came from the mother and father of the little child who had been killed during the previous day's march. They sat quietly rocking as they wept. Their minds were open, partly because of their weariness, he thought. He wondered if he could reach them with Osanwe. He reached out to them with his thoughts, and felt their grief.

He hesitated then, not wanting to add his own grief to theirs, and so burden them further. But helping them was preferable to reliving his parent's grim death again, and so he gently thought, May I sing for you?

Sing? they wondered. Why would we want to sing in our grief?

Please, I would like to sing a lullabye for your lost child.

Their tears started afresh, and so did his; in the listening silence of their minds, Lindo sang several lullabyes that his mother had sung over him as a child. He sang gently in their minds until he sensed that their grief had softened somewhat. He knew their grief would be bitter again, but for now, they were comforted just a little.

Then the three of them waited together for the sunrise, and took comfort in sharing the silence and stillness in their minds, even as the coarse laughter from the orc-camp grated in their ears.

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

[piosenniel]

As she flew toward the Lonely Star, Angara called to Khelek and Veritas.

Elves! Come meet with me on the helm deck!

She dropped gently down on a stack of barrels, and waited for the the two. They found her pacing on the barrel head when they arrived.

She held conference with them and told them the instructions that Pio had given her.

'Should we not first focus on getting Child and Rose from Beleriand?' asked Khelek.

'We have some time for that.'answered the dragon. 'Time moves at a slower pace in Morgoth's dominion, and Child needs a certain amount of it to make her contacts and see to the other imprisoned hobbits. Besides, we have the infernal time crystal and it will be our choice when we do go for them.'

'I think Pio was right. None of us know much of Nùmenor, save possibly the Man, but he cannot help us now.' said Veritas, looking at the book of navigational maps she had brought out from the ledge beneath the wheel. 'Look at this old map of Nùmenor. We need to familiarize ourselves with the layout of the island, and determine how best we can get to the hobbits when they are imprisoned there, and how we can accomodate getting them all out before the island sinks.'

'Yes,' said Khelek, 'I can see both your points. We need to plan this venture out in more detail than our last one, to make it as safe as we can. We can ill afford to lose more of our companions.'

A brief silence fell on the group, broken by the dragon's question. 'What of Bird and Mithadan? How do they fare?'

'They suffered no wounds that we could find.' said Khelek, 'but they do not wake. And Mithadan has fearsome dreams, or so it seems, as he cries out in his sleep and is not comforted by our ministrations.'

'We have set Kali and Daisy to watch them for any changes and to call us if they wake.' added Veritas. 'Should we wait for them to come round before we begin our planning?'

'I think they will be long in healing,' replied Angara, 'and we cannot wait for that. When they do wake and have come back to themselves, then we will inform them of our plans.'

A small voice broke into their talk.

'It's Bird.' said Daisy, the dark smudges beneath her eyes revealing her fatigue. 'She's awake, and she's asked for you, Angara.'

[mark12_30]

As dawn came, Lindo was glad to notice that the orcs were rather quiet, even the guards. Still, aside from comforting the parents of the lost child, he was himself at a loss what to do. He had been a servant all of his adult life, albeit a well-educated and well-cared-for one. Part of him was actually hoping that the orcs would soon put them to work farming the land; the earth, he hoped, would soothe them all. Hobbits loved the earth, the soil; even working as long as he had in Idril's house, whenever he had the chance he had always been refreshed by working in the gardens or the fields. Then he wondered if he was being naive, and supposed that under the orcs, even farming would be quite different.

He sat up, wearily, and thought, and looked around.

What he mostly noticed was not what he saw, but what he felt; there was an opression in the place that he had never felt to this degree. But he was afraid he understood it. If they were within the realm of Morgoth now, then the opression was from him, and it touched the mind and the heart. He sighed. No wonder his dreams had been dark last night. True, he needed to grieve for his parents, but last night's dreams had been relentlessly horrible and bloody and grim. He wondered if the whole camp would be feeling the opression, and how deeply.

He looked across the camp. Many were stirring, carefully, and cautiously. Lindo wondered whether he could approach Maura Tuk.

Suddenly he missed Idril terribly, and wished she was here to give him his morning orders, perhaps housework or barnwork or escorting somebody somewhere or going to see a new horse or taking a message to somebody. But that whole part of his past was over and done; Idril, like his parents, was forever gone out of his life.

Perhaps Maura would be able to put him to a good use. He waited for a chance to go and see him, and when the camp seemed very quiet, trying to be casual, he carefully got up, gathered what belongings he had (which were few), and worked his way over to where Maura's family was camped.

As he approached, he saw Maura and Zira and Azra together, with Abar; and Nitir off to one side. She seemed listless, and sad, and he wondered what her griefs had been; there had been plenty of grief, and he shunned that thought for now.

He approached Maura, and Maura smiled at him, choosing to cheer him, choosing to brace and encourage him. Lindo smiled back, amazed at Maura's strength. They gripped each other's shoulders, and then turned and spoke quietly.

"Maura, it's good to see you. I'm glad you are well."

"Lindo. You carry grief, I see. I have not seen your father and mother; were they, like others their age, shown no mercy?"

"None."

"You are alone, then."

Lindo looked down. He had not expected Maura to ask him that.

Maura continued. "I am sorry, Lindo. Your losses are deep. But do not isolate yourself in your grief. Do not withdraw. Have you spoken to Niphredil's family?"

"I can't."

"You must, Lindo. Come."

"Maura, I'm not ready for that."

"They are. Come." And with that, Maura led Sindo to the Bullroarer's camp, only a short distance away. Tomba saw them coming, and spoke softly to his brother, who stood and met them as they approached. Slender Lindo was engulfed by his sudden embrace. Kemba, Niphredil's father, was almost as massive as his brother.

Lindo was at a loss, but Kemba spoke. "There is much to do; you are needed here. Stay with us, and work with us. As we work, we will remember Niphredil, and we will remember your parents. They would want us to build, and not despair. We will build in their memories even as we grieve their loss. We will build a community here. And you will sing."

Lindo thanked him as best he could, although he was afraid to stay there with Niphredil's family, afraid of the memories it would bring up. But Maura nodded, satisfied, and turned to leave.

"Wait, " Lindo said. "Maura, if you need anything. If there's anything that I can do."

Maura nodded. "Kemba is right. We will build a community; we will pass on our heritage. And yes, Lindo. I will need you for that."

Lindo nodded. But he knew that Maura meant for him to stay with Kemba. He would do it, then, despite his fears.

Maura turned to leave, but then turned back. "Perhaps there is something that you can do today. Nitir is sorrowful. Perhaps if you sang for her."

Lindo nodded. Maura turned to go, and Kemba drew him towards the rest of Niphredil's family. He dreaded seeing them all, but he went in obedience to Maura, and Kemba, and decided that it probably was better to face his grief than bury it.

Later he visited Maura's camp again, and asked Nitir if he could sing for her. Politely she agreed, and listened patiently, and thanked him kindly. But he felt as he left that he had wasted her time; she did not seem any more peaceful than when he had started. He knew that she must miss all her friends, and wondered how many of them had survived the fall of the city and flown away on the dragon. But he could not bring himself to ask her that day.

[ August 12, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

The day had been long and tiring. Yet, strangely enough, in this place of hard labor, Nitir found she had little to do. The men had begun digging crude burrows along the bank of the river. And many of the women were at work clearing weeds in order to plant gardens. This initial labor had been performed totally without the guards, since the Orcs had spent most of the day finishing barrels of mead and ale.

Nitir felt at a loss what to do. She did not have the strength for heavy labor, nor did she have experience with gardens or agriculture. Her own background and training had been completely different. And who could possibly need a teacher in a prison camp, especially one who no longer remembered even the basic stories she had been taught?

That evening, as the sun dipped down, the hobbit decided she could no longer delay looking at the packet of seeds and letter tucked into her belt. When everyone had gone to bed, she carefully removed them.

First, she scrutinized the seeds. They looked just like those she had seen back home, although she couldn't quite remember where her home was.

Then she began to read the letter.

Little hobbit,

If you read this, our rescue of the hobbits will have failed and you will be with your kin in prison. I may be back with our friends on the Lonely Star, or perhaps not. Sometimes I look in the flame of the candle and wonder if it is time for Pio, who has dwelt on earth many years, to face judgment in Mandos and hopefully make my way to my kin in Aman. We will see.

Either way, I love you very much. I suspect you will be staying in an agricultural work camp, since even Morgoth can't get along without those skills. So I want you to be prepared! You can't have a hobbit community, even one imprisoned and in exile, without a blossom here and there.

I remember.......I remember my mother Holly always raised the most beautiful garden flowers, even more beautiful than my Elven kin. So take these seeds and share them with your neighbors. Please share them, Child!!! Rose tells me you are the only hobbit she knows who does not have a green thumb, so don't be stingy in passing these out.

I wish you luck in what you are attempting to do. I am part hobbit, and I could not bear if this productive people perished from the face of the earth. Be careful with your folk, and do your job well.

And I wouldn't be at all surprised if Rose came along with you. If so, give her a kiss from me.

When you see these flowers bloom, remember me. I will always be your friend.

Piosenniel

Before Nitir had finished reading this note, her eyes flooded with tears. She thought her heart would break. Her sobbing woke up Maura and Azra who both came over to see what was wrong. She wept in their arms for what seemed like hours. Then she told them of the second dream of Nienna, and the two gifts.

Maura smiled at her and said that it looked like the great Lady was making the hobbit swallow her words. For she had come to the community with a strange tale about forgetting, and now the forgetting was indeed coming true. Nitir shared with him how frustrated she felt that all her learning, all she had struggled to acquire over the past 40 years, had been stripped away as if it were nothing. She said quietly, "It is mostly gone now. I have nothing left. And I am broken in pieces. I do not know how I will live."

But Maura had hugged her and said that was the way of life. And that wisdom lay not in facts, but in understanding, and she was rich in that. And he told her that sometimes brokenness is not such a bad thing since it makes us more able to see and comprehend what is in the hearts of others.

Nitir was still hurt and sad. But the worst of the bitterness and chill was gone. Pio had done the impossible. With the help of Maura and Azra, she had accomplished in death what she could not do in life. For, in the middle of a crowded prison camp, she had looked in the face of Morgoth and stared him down.

The next day, Nitir and Maura distributed the seeds among the hobbits and, six weeks later, every tiny burrow which had been dug into the muddy bank had a small patch of color blooming by its side.

_____________________________________________
Shortly after the hobbits arrived at the encampment, their council met to try and organize the community. On the second day after their arrival, the Orcs had ordered that the children be rounded up, and placed in a separate building. Their reason for doing this was apparent. This single building could be closely guarded, so there would be little need to station large numbers of Orcs near the burrows. For no hobbit would try to escape without his children.

The hobbits had been aghast at this decision and even sent Tomba Bullroarer as a spokeman to protest the move. The Orc leader had howled with laughter, and told him not to complain, or the children would end up in the river as fish fodder. He had said they could choose their own women to care for the brats, preferably ones that were older, and not much use in the fields.

The council had met and debated back and forth when Maura rose to speak. He said the community had little choice in the matter, but they could make a difference in how things were carried out. For, over weeks and months and years, there was the danger that they might lose their children's minds and hearts. For the Orcs constantly taunted the young ones, and yet tried to win them over with treats if they would turn against their parents. It was possible these children could forget they were hobbits, and just what that meant. And, whether the children lived in the burrows or in a separate building, the community must not let that happen.

So the council agreed that they needed to find a practical but stubborn hobbit, an experienced mother and teacher, to try and fight against that. And, given the large numbers of babies and young children, she would need other helpers. By the end of the meeting, Nitir found herself in charge of a contingent of some 150 children. To help carry out this plan, she had Zira the healer, Azra of the strong back and sharp tongue, and Lindo, who knew most about songs and Elvish ways. They found a ruined building that could be fixed up with only small repairs, and by the end of the week, the children had been moved over.

_____________________________________________

In the coming weeks, the hobbits were quick to learn a number of things. They found that the camp was a place of terrible scarcity, filth, and, above all, fear, fear that someone would come and with the stroke of a sword or axe take away the person or persons whom you most cared about. And it was also a place of hard labor. Their job was to cut down the tall pine trees and then burn them to enrich the soil. After that crops could be planted. The felling of the trees was dangerous, back-breaking work.

But, while Orc guards were free to use their whips whenever they liked, these same guards were also lazy. They simply did not have the brains or the vigilence to keep on top of the hobbits every moment. This would be increasingly evident as the days rolled by. Morgoth had decreed that there would be no time off for either Orcs or their captives. But the camp operated differently. Whenever the guards got drunk, which happened with some regularity, the hobbits could take advantage to tend to private matters. These included a whole gammet of practical activities like raising small vegetable gardens or going off to catch fish or trying to dig their burrows out so that there would be enough space for people to sleep without toppling down on one another. Sometimes it even included less practical things like sharing tales of lore, dancing, or singing simple songs. The Orcs truly hated the hobbits to sing or dance, which was one of the reasons the hobbits enjoyed doing these things so much.

The hobbits quickly understood that there were some things that they could not do for the safety of their family. Any overt sign of resistence, possession or a weapon, or attempt to run away would be met with the summary death of one of the younger hobbits.

But there was a range of other options which the Orcs found harder to police. The hobbits found, for example, when felling trees, or planting a new field, they could work hard enough to avoid being whipped, but not so hard that someting serious would actually get accomplished. As the Orcs understood nothing about agriculture, this wasn't difficult to do. Bullroarer once laughed and pointed out to the hobbit council that it actually took more will power and effort to carefully pace the work rather than going all out. But the hobbits all agreed that it was preferable to do things that way rather than blindly following the command of the guards. The Orcs could never understand why the small fruit and vegetable patches tended by the i families produced more food than the much larger fields which were collectively tilled under the harsh whip of the Orcs. And the hobbits were not about to tell them why this was so.

But even with these simple acts of defiance, conditions in the camps remained harsh. The crowded housing, paucity of healthy foods, and general filth meant that the spread of disease was rampant. And although the hobbits did try and improve things, their burrows remained wet and soggy. In winter, conditions were abominably cold with few blankets or warm clothing. The rain fell into their shelters and made large puddles in the middle of the floor. Few babies were born and of those who came into the world, many died soon after birth. Added to this was the capricious behavior of the Orcs who sometimes, for no apparent reason, picked out a particular hobbit to whip and abuse.

And then there were those things that were hard to describe, but you knew somehow weren't right. This was Morgoth's realm, and there was a pervading sense of gloom over all. Even a hobbit like Maura, who had a true feeling for lore, and who understood right from wrong, sometimes found himself despairing. For the young ones it was especially difficult. They worked long hours in the fields and were separated from their parents for much of the day. And however hard Nitir tried to teach them a few things, or give them a sense of who they were, she sometimes felt she had been asked to roll an
impossibly large stone up a very steep hill.

[ August 13, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]