READ THIS if you are part of the Barrow-Down's Birthday Party

[piosenniel]

Pio called for Rose to bring her some rope. The valiant hobbit threw a large coil over her shoulder and pulled herself along as best she could, grasping on to masts and balustrades to steady herself.

Bird was nowhere to be seen, having slipped over the side of the ship. Pio was torn between a rescue attempt or saving the ship and her passengers. She offered up one more small plea to Ulmo that he might take care of Bird, then returned to the task of securing the ship on a course away from the catamaran and out of the storm.

Rose helped the elf wind the rope around the stout pillar that held the Wheel. Then checking the compass set next to it, Pio held the Wheel to a south-west direction, and had Rose lash it in place, tethered to the pillar. She could see that the storm was of limited area and was making for calmer waters.

The two sodden creatures crawled into the Wheelhouse, and sat their to wait out the storm. There was nothing more they could do while they storm played itself out.

Pio shook her short curls out, scattering drops of sea-water about the room, and pushed her bedraggled hair off her face. She pulled a flask of miruvor from her tunic pocket and offered Rose the first sip. Huddling together in the small room they talked of what they knew of wizards and how they might be overcome. The wind howled and the rain beat upon their retreat. To ease their minds and pass the time, they turned to an old favorite - The Riddle Game.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose tried to hide her feelings as she and Pio sat in the wheelhouse but then burst out.
"What about Birdie?"
"Rose we can only hope for her saftly. We can't go out there or we'll be in trouble too."
But Rose stood up and smiled. "I only recetly discovered what I can do when I believe in myself. This is when I put it to the test." She was gone.

Rose ran over to the side where Birdie had dissapered. She couldn't see anything in the water. Then she thought of what she had seen Mithadan do and looked down at the rope she had. She wasn't a good swimmer. Did she dare go after Birdie? Pio was coming up to her as she tied the two ends of the rope to the rail and her foot.

"Rose wait!" Pio called
"Stay here. When you feel a tug pull me up." then she dove into the icy water not hearing Pio suggesting that she go instead and imediatly regreting she had decided to do this. But if Mith could she would at least try.

She took a deep breath and followed Birdie and Mithadan under the dark surface.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child was beginning to feel extremely nervous. She had stepped under the deck for a short time to tend to Idril's needs. When the storm had hit with full flurry, both she and Idril had come racing up to the main deck to see if they could help.

As Child came upon the deck, she saw an amazing thing. First Rose and then Pio seemed to purposely slide into the dark waters. Child stood in stunned disbelief. She knew not what to do. So she turned and begged Idril for help.

Child had assume that Idril would be next to useless in the face of such catastrophe, but she was pleasantly surprised. It was quite obvious that Idril was an experienced mariner, more so than any other person on board. It was clear that she had gained much knowledge of sailing while living on her husband's ship.

Moreover, because of her family's close ties with Ulmo, she seemed to have a special connection with the ocean itself. Idril went forward to the brow of the ship and raised one arm to the heavens.

She spoke beseeching words in Quenya, of which Child could only guess the meaning, but it was clear that they were addressed to the Lord of the Waters and King of the Seas. Slowly, slowly, the fierceness of the storm subsided.

Yet its departure brought little joy to those on board. It soon became clear that many of their number had fallen or jumped from the ship itself into the ocean waves. Child shook her head in disbelief--Pio, Birdie, Rose, and, from the other vessel, Mith. All were missing.

This was not possible. Child was racked with guilt.....if only she had remained on deck. Perhaps she might have done something to help her friends.

Child turned a tear stained face to Idril and knelt at her feet. "If you have any special gifts of seeing, what has happened to my companions? Where have they gone?"

Idril looked on the distant horizon and spoke as if she was in a dream: "Your friends, perhaps, have perished, or may have managed to drag their bodies upon some floating piece of driftwood. Truly I cannot say."

"But," she hesitated as if not knowing whether she should even speak of such a thing, "there is one other possibility. It is said that Master Ulmo dwells in the waters under Middle-earth or in the Outer Ocean for he does not wish to assume a fana even to visit the Council of Valar."

"It is possible that your friends have been sucked into a channel which leads down to the kingdom of Ulmo. I simply do not know."

"Then, again, others have told me that sea balrogs dwell in the watery bowels of the earth. We will pray that your friends do not meet with such a creature, for they will wish that they had never lived and walked upon the dry lands."

Child hung her head. She almost began thinking that this whole mess was all her fault. But, no, this was ridiculous. She had done nothing to generate the storm.

"Idril," Child queried, "May I also jump into the waters and meet my friends and help them?"

"Oh, no, little one, Idril said. "The ways of the Sea are different. A channel that opens one moment may be closed the next. You can do naught but stay here and wait. Keep guard on the waters in case your friends have found some temporary raft."

"But look," Idril said pointing. "Here comes some small tiding of help. My husband and his ship pull up to our bow. If any man on the face of the Earth may gain us favor with Ulmo, it is my beloved Tuor, for the Lord of the Sea regards him almost as a son."

[ June 13, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Rose Cotton]

Underwater Rose couldn't tell when the storm started to subside. She searched a bit trying to find Birdie and found someone else. A shadow she reconized as Mithadan was swiming down into the depts of the water.

Rose went up to catch her breath and saw that the waters were now calm. But she was curious about what Mith was up to. She untied the rope from her leg as she knew it was too short for her to go very deep and went to follow. She stayed a distace from Mith in case he didn't want to be followed.

She was unawair of the elf that was following her.

[ June 13, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel, now completely sober and NOT drunk or silly, goes to the back of the ship and lets out a whistle. A great hawk flies down out of the skies and lands on her arm.

"Dulinelee," Menelduliniel addresses her hawk, "Go...go to Estelawinyawen, Anoroniel, Mellonaug, Palurinutinu, Coiamelar, Ornion, Earwen, Ten'oionessa, and all the others! Tell them to bring women, men, and ships! All they can! Ripa sii'! Ripa!"

She lets him go, and he flies to her children...

[VanimaEdhel]

Soon, some ships come sailing up, all of Meneli's kids on board.

"My children!" Meneli laughs, "You have come!"

"Of course we have, Mother!" Estelawinyawen exclaimed, "How is Father?"

"Oh...him...yes...he is...his normal self," Meneli sighed, "Well, the romance is over and we didn't kill each other, I'll give the relationship that much..."

"Ai, uma," answered Earwen, who was the youngest and had witnessed most of Legolas and Menelduliniel's disagreements, so she was familiar that the honeymoon was very over, "Well, you have been together for thousands of years...romance was bound to wear off eventually."

"Yes," sighed Meneli, "But we must prepare for battle! Get ready!"

[Samwise]

Sam sat at the back of the ship, brooding. He had barely been able to hear all the goings on in the storm, but he did catch something about folks going overboard. He buried his wet head in his hands.

Sam:"Oh, Mister Frodo, what'll I do? I could swear sure as anything I heard your voice before, but where are you now? Did you go overboard, too?

Just then Primrose came running around the cabin.

Prim: Papa! Oh, I'm so glad you're safe! *kneels down and hugs him, noting that he has tied a rope around his waist and secured it to the guardrail.* I thought you'd been lost!

Stacey came around the corner then.
Stacey: So did I. What was the meaning of running out of the cabin like that?

Sam sighed.
Sam: I'm sorry, Miss Stacey. I was just so concerned about Mister Frodo...

Stacey frowned.
Stacey:I know. Don't worry, we're not going home without him unless the Lord wills it, little guy.

She turned and headed to the foredeck, to ask someone what was happening.

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo had not thought to anchor himself to the rail, so now he was being tossed about, searching for Sam.


"SAM?? Sam? Prim? Stacey?" Water was in his eyes so he could not see

"Where are you? I cannot find you!!"

[Samwise]

Sam tried to get up, but forgot he had tied himself down.
Sam: "Mister Frodo!"

Stacey: Agh...hang on, Sam.

Stacey felt along the rail, making her way around the ship. Finally, she caught sight of the farmiliar little hobbit clinging to the rail himself.

Stacey: Mister Baggins, it's me, Stacey! Hang on to the rail and follow me!

She took one of his hands in hers, clamped his other on the rail, and began to make her way back to Sam and Primrose.

[Frodo Baggins]

"Oh you saved me! I can't swim you know, and I am terrified of deep water. Thank you Stacey!"

[Samwise]

Stacey grinned, fighting the urge to let go of the rail and wipe the water out of her face. She could barely see herself, as her glasses were completely spotted by the downpour.

"What are friends for!?" she shouted back, relieved to see the blurred forms of Sam and Primrose.

Sam: "Mister Frodo! Oh, thank the Lord you're safe! " It was difficult to tell if there were only raindrops streaking his face or he was crying.

"Come on!" shouted Primrose, untying the knots her father had used to secure himself. "Let's go below! I don't think we're of any use up here! "
Once she had her father undone, she put an arm around his waist and guided him to the door that led below.

Stacey, still grasping Frodo's hand, followed.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Once the storm had abated, Child spent the entire day perched on a tall ladder searching the Seas for signs of her friends. Her vigil was to no avail. Frodo, at least, had been rescued from the open deck but there was no indication of those who had fallen or jumped into the waves. Child wondered if they had been seized by a kind of madness which comes from one of the mysterious forces of the world.

The three ships now were within hailing range of each other. Other Elven vessels were also gatheing along the outside of the Ring, apparently hailed by Meneli. Mith's ship had attempted to send out a small boat to search for their captain, but they had found nothing. Command had been temporarily given to one of the senior dwarves.

Child feared what the Barrow-wight might say if they had to return to the Downs and explain the fate of the unfortunate Mith. She did not look forward to such a meeting. Moreover, she had no idea how to explain or understand this turn of events.

Child determined that nothing further could be accomplished by staying up far into the night. As was her custom, she was the last one on the ship still awake. She lay down on a pile of old sacks and curled up to go to sleep. In her head, she began composing the first page of a new article she was considering writing entitled "Idril and Tuor: True Lovers of the Sea."

[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

'D@mn and double d@mned be those evil creatures who sent this storm' thought Pio as she slid into the churning glassy sea and the waves closed over her head.

She recalled the lessons her Falathrim cousins had given her and resurfaced quickly to take in a large breath of air. Then, slowing her breathing to almost nothing, she dove beneath the surface of the water and looked for Rose. She could see her nowhere, despite the repeated dives to increasing depths.

Pio resurfaced, and shook the water from her hair and face. The ocean seemed to have calmed somewhat, but it was difficult for her to get her bearings. She could not see the elven ship, a mist seemed to hang in the air, obscuring objects from her sight.

She floated on her back, securing a strand of kelp over her body to keep her from drifting. She needed to think clearly about what to do next.

Something soft and ticklish nuzzled the side of her neck, and she pushed against it thinking it a stray bit of kelp. Sharp teeth gently nipped her fingers, and she turned to face it, knife drawn.

'Is that any way to greet an old friend?!' spoke the brown eyed, sleek skinned face now grinning at her. 'You look as if you could use my help. Much like that larger creature who entered the sea before you, although she declined my offer'

She sheathed her knife and smiled at the seal-shaped creature with a human face that had drawn along side her - a selkie as they are called in the language of the Orcney Isles, gentle, playful creatures who were human on land and seals in the water.

'I could use your help (Garek isn't it, from Sule Skerry) if there are no strings attached to it', said Pio. 'I need to get back to that great white elven ship that was just in this area.'

The selkie turned to look off into the heavy mist, and shook his head 'no'. 'It's gone too far away for us to catch up to it now. Some great elven lady now commands its course and it obeys.'

Pio chewed her lip in consternation and thought hard about some alternate plan, but none came to her.

'But, you know,'continued the selkie, 'we are close to that other ship, the one with the lovely banner - the one the man fell off of.'

Pio turned on her belly and placed her hand on the lush fur of the selkie's back, and he bore her to the side of the catamaran safely, then dove and disappeared beneath the waves.

An elven hand came down from the side of the vessel and drew her aboard. She stood dripping, looking about the company for any sign of Mithadan. 'Where is he?', she asked. 'Has he come back?'

The crew shook their heads 'no', saying that they had hoped it had been him they had seen coming back toward their ship when she had appeared.

'Who's captain in his place?' asked Pio, seeing that the cat was anchored in just about the same position as she had seen it last. None of the twelve claimed that title, and looked at her, expectantly.

She sighed, and motioned all to gather about her. 'Last I knew, the elven ship was heading in a south-west direction, away from this vessel. We need to catch her and join our force to hers. Set a course in that direction, and let's set sail. Hobbits, please look for charts of this area. Men and dwarves - the oars as needed; and you elves, climb the masts to make repairs to the sails.'

'What about Mithadan?' cried some of the crew.

'We can not wait for him. We shall have to trust that the Valar look with some measure of grace upon him.'

She caught a hurrying hobbit as he ran by her. 'Take me to the captain's cabin.' she asked him. 'There are some things I need to find.

A quick search of the cabin(he was an exceedingly tidy and organized creature!) turned up Mith's other cell phone. She turned it on, and on a whim pressed #1 on speed dial. An irritated and ghastly voice croaked 'WHAT!' into the receiver. 'Oh, sorry, wrong number!' she said and pressed #2.

'Hello, Mith?!' came the groggy voice from the other cell. 'Is that you?'.

'No, Child it's me, Pio. I've taken command of the other vessel. Where the heck are you all?!'

[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Birdland]

Birdie felt the shock of the water, and watched as the top of the waves receded as she sank like a rock to the bottom of the sea. "Oh, no, not again." she thought, as she resigned herself to a briny death.

Then she saw her tail.

"Eeeeeeee! Eeeeeeeee!" she screamed, thrashing frantically. The grey, horizontal tail-fins waved, sending her speeding through the water, 50 feet from the bellies of the ships above her. Birdie braked, rolled, then righted herself as she got the hang of things. She tried to look back over her shoulder, only to discover that she had none.

"I'm a dolphin! A dolphin!" chirped Birdie with delight. "Now how come I never knew I could do this?"

"Perhaps because you never tried, silly skin-changer", and the emerald green face of the Mer-Man appeared before her again, mithril-colored tail waving languidly as he floated in front of her.

"Please," said Birdie, "You helped us before - or at least taught us a very interesting variation on one of Child's most popular ballads. What can we do to defeat the Blue Wizards?"

"You will never defeat them through use of magic, that is certain," said the Mer-Man, eyeing Birdie doubtfully. "You made a good start, calling on my master, Ulmo. However, you hardly invoked him with the respect and honor due him. I suggest you remember your manners, and try again."

"But we were desperate. And I've never been good at extemporizing under pressure. Surely he can understand that."

"There is one among you who understands the proper forms and courtly manners required when addressing the Valar. He may have a better chance at communicating your needs. My master is a very busy Valar, you know. Do you think yours are the only ships foundering on the seas of Middle-Earth right now?"

Perhaps not," said Birdie, slightly miffed, "but I imagine we're the only ships facing down the Blue Wizards. Please, what can we do?"

The coal-colored eyes of the Mer-Man rolled in irritation. "Obviously, you cannot defeat them from afar. You must invite the Wizards back to the ship, where you can face them in their human forms."

"But how do we bring them back to the ships!" Birdie's voice grew higher, and she bobbed in the water with exasperation. Birdie hated Middle-Earthlings who spoke in riddles.

The Mer-Man waited patiently until she had calmed down, then spoke: "How does anyone arrange to face their foe on the field of battle?" He gave a dramatic pause, then said one word:

"Surrender."

"Surrender! That's it? Surrender!" squealed Birdie

"What? Did you expect me to say face them in single combat? You would hardly stand a chance," said the Mer-Man condescendingly.

Suddenly, Birdie heard splashes all around her in the water. She watched in amazement as she saw Mith, then Rose, then Pio dive in the water, and take off in various directions.

"My friends!" said Birdie, "Are the ships going down?"

"Nay" said the Mer-Man matter-of-factly, "They but go to play their own roles in your adventure. They will be fine...except for that one," he tilted his chin at the struggling Rose, valiantly striving to follow the strongly swimming Mith towards the bottom of the sea. "That one will drown like a rat, unless you do something."

Without a further word, Birdie sped towards the struggling Rose. "Rose!" she keened in her high, delphinic voice. "Grab hold of my fin! You'll drown! And we have to get back to Child on the ship." Rose ignored the shape-shifting cetacean, and continued to grimly paddle after Mith.

"Rose! Come on!"

[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Losthuniel]

Celeaewen watched from the mast as various small splashes came as people jumped into the water. she nudged Rosseil
"why are they diving into the water?"
"i have no idea, who's they and shut up, im tryin to work"
"Rose, Pio, Birdie, Mithidan."
Rosseil blanchd "that means that the only senior member left on this boat is Child. Ai ELbereth. things just got a whole lot worse"

[Mithadan]

"Stay close to our friends' ship," cried Mithadan before he dived beneath the waves. Several meters ahead he saw Birdland and watched as she morphed into a dolphin. One of the Mer-race spoke to her and pointed upward toward a small figure struggling beneath the waves. A second appeared to be escorting Piosenniel to the surface.

Birdland swam gracefully to Rose who attempted to avoid the finned creature. Mithadan approached and gently but firmly pushed Rose to the dolphin and watched as the two rose to the air above. Taking a breath himself, he dived again. In the murk before him a large shadow appeared and rapidly closed on the swimming man. He attempted to evade the ominous entity but it drew ever closer. With straining lungs, Mithadan attempted to reach the surface but the shadow opened wide jaws which closed around him. The rope around his ankle was cut instantly.

He found himself in a rapidly draining chamber. With wavering vision, he saw what appeared to be a man clad entirely in shades of blue. As he lost consciousness, Mithadan heard the figure say "Well, look what we have caught in our nets..."

[Birdland]

Rose finally latched onto the high dorsal fin of Birdland, ala Elijah Wood in "Flipper". Holding her breath through the hole in the top of her skull, Birdie swam lower into the sea. Then turning, and quickly beating her tail behind her, she sped towards the surface.

Birdie and Rose broke through the top of the waves into a suddenly clear, blue sky. Arcing high into the air, they landed with a unceremonious "thup" on the deck of the Elven ship. Bird had immediately transformed into her Middle Earth Extra form as she landed on the planking. Rose landed in a heap on top of her.

"Get...off...me" Birdie protested weakly. Rose rolled in a sodden heap to one side. Birdie lifted her self to a sitting position and looked around her.

"We're back." she said. Then she vomited up a quart of sea water.

[piosenniel]

The catamaran gained quickly on the elven ship. Pio scanned the area quickly, and in disbelief. There were now 3 elven ships in the area. 'What's going on?' she thought to her self.'Is the ship cloning itself? Is this some new wizardry?'

She pushed #2 on speed-dial, trying to get old of Child. They had been cut off last evening, and Pio had gotten no information from her. Still no answer, just the irritating message about forwarding to voice-mail.

She gave orders to trim the sails and pull in alongside the other ships. She saw Child waving furiously at her from the one nearest - and Thank Ulmo!, there was Bird and Rose on deck, both looking a little bedraggled as far as she could make out. But no sign of Mithadan anywhere.

The catamaran puled in close to Child's ship, and Pio shouted over: 'Permission to come aboard!'

Idril stepped to the railing and motioned her across: 'Permission granted, Pio.'

[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Rose Cotton]

As everyone else looked away Rose made to jump overboard again. Then Birdie grabbed her.

"Rosie! Are you mad?" cried Birdie.

"Mith. I'm going after him." Rose stuggled to get away.

"You'll drown. Mith will have to fend for himself."

But Rose wouldn't calm down. " I will not drown. Let me go."

[Veritas]

Veritas woke up in a cabin: How did she get there? O yeah, she was so sleepy, she just fell asleep...

Back on the upper deck, a hobbit brought her to the captains room, where Child was on the wheel.

"Hey, where have you been? A lot happened."

"Yes, never had a quiet time here," Veritas smiled, "but where's Pio?"

"The things are very serious here, Mithadan was suddenly goen, so Pio had take over control of the catamaran. There are strange things happening here. Ah, there is Pio."

She walked outside and walcomed Pio back.

"We must move quickly." said Pio.

"It weren't this way, there's always adventure at this party." thought Veritas.

[Samwise]

Stacey woke up, yawning. She remembered the night before, going through the rain to get Frodo before Sam had a conniption, then she, Frodo, Prim and Sam coming back to room #7.
Across the room, on the top of the other bunk, slept Primrose with her face to the wall. Below her was Sam, who had a peaceful look on his face as he snored softly.

Stacey hung her head over the side of the bunk to see Frodo also asleep.

Sighing, she turned over and looked at the celing.
Stacey: *Sigh* Wonder what's going on now? No one's spoken to any of us since I can't remember when. Senior members.... smilies/rolleyes.gif

A little feeling nudged her heart, and an old Bible verse came to her mind...
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he will strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.
She sighed again, closing her eyes.
Stacey: Lord, what's the matter? I haven't felt like I belonged with these people since I got to the party at the fields. I don't see what use I can be of here. Please show me.

[Birdland]

As Birdie looked around she discovered that another Elven ship had appeared next to the Catamaran, and yet a fourth was appearing over the horizon. "Wow," she thought, "We're turning into a flotilla!"

Then she saw the fair Idril raise her hand in greeting to the tall, handsome man at the wheel of the new arrival, and realized that it was none other than Tuor himself, come to join in battle against the Blue Wizards in honor of his Lady.

Birdie was glad to have such a noble and accomplished Numenorian on their side, but the two eternal lovers, as they exchanged long-lost greetings, made her feel a little sad and envious as well.

Birdie looked down at her sodden, ruined second-hand party clothes, and felt very much the "silly skin-changer". She knew that at the end of a long day of life-threatening dangers and death-defying adventures, Idril would never have to go home to an empty manor.

Birdie sighed. Being in the company of the Blessed always made her feel a little self-conscious.

She wondered what the Noble Tuor would think about the Mer-Man's advise that they fake a "surrender" to lure the Blue Wizards back onto the ship. ("He did mean a "fake" surrender, didn't he?" she thought.) Somehow, she figured Tuor would not consider that to be Kosher.

Suddenly all thoughts were put to rest as the valiant, but seemingly temporarily insane Rose made a dash for the rail, in a attempt to throw herself back into the sea!

"Child! Stop her!" screamed Birdie. They wrestled the wildly struggling halfling to the deck, as she cried, "Let me go! I know what I'm doing!"

"Rose! Stop it. You can't go back into the sea. You'll drown! Child, talk to her!"

Child firmly grabbed Rose by the shoulders and spun her around. Looking into her fellow hobbit's eyes, she sternly demanded, "If you don't want us to lock you in the brig for your own good, you need to explain right now why we should let you plunge back into the sea to follow Mithadan, whom we have not seen or heard from since he dived overboard."

Rose looked stubbornly back at the older halfling.

"Well?" said Child...

[piosenniel]

'It was always like this in the presence of older Elves' thought Pio, as she walked the boarding plank from the cat to the other ship. She knew the Idril she saw was not the one standing in front of the others. This was a being of such wondrous and unearthly light that the sun dimmed in Pio's sight, the breath caught in her throat. If any moment were to be it, this would be the one where regret set in and longing.

But the moment passed, the vision cleared, and Pio extended her hand in greeting to the Elven woman. Idril drew her close, and whispered in her mind. *Will you not relent, my dear son's niece?*

Pio bowed her head, and stepped back. *Not in this moment,Idril*

She turned to greet her other friends, giving smiles & hugs to Child, and Bird, and Veritas, just coming up from belowdeck and looking a little rumpled from sleep.

'Where are Frodo and Sam and his family', asked Pio. 'You must keep them safe. They are the ones most wanted by the Wizards.'

She waved to Celeae and Rosseil, who had climbed the masts once again for a long look out to sea.

Turning back and bending down to hug Rose, she was surprised to see that she was no longer standing between Bird and Child. She looked beyond them and saw the young hobbit climbing the ship's rail.

'Rose! Wait!' cried Pio, but with a perfect swan dive, Rose once again entered the water. Her daring act punctuated by a small splash in the passing waves.

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

[Veritas]

Rose dived into the sea and left behind her confuzzeld friends.

"What does she think she's doing? We're on full sea." Veritas said angry. "And what are we going to do now? We can't wait until we find her drowned."

"Birdie, you're coming with me, we'll see what we can do for her. Child en you whatch over Frodo." Pio said with an anxious voice.

They split up and Child and Veritas went to the cabins where Frodo and Sam's famlily were.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose knew that the others would probably think she was just trying to be heroic. But it wasn't about that. She knew that Mithadan whether good or bad was into somthing important. And besides wanting to make sure he was alright she wanted to be appart of it. There was a new light in the hobbits heart that she loved.

Rose felt once again as the water rushed around her. Child could throw her in the brig for all she cared. It was Mithadan who she had all her attention on. She thought for a moment before they could try and rescue her. Well she better swim back the way they came aways first and then dive.


As she swam she enjoyed herself. Dispite the fact that it was cold and she was doggy paddling she really liked moving through the water.

Then she saw somthing below her. A shadow. She stayed as still as she could. Hoping what ever it was would pass by her. But what if it got Mith? Now she was torn between rescue and retreat. But what would she say if she went back to her friends empty handed?


Rose took a deep breath and dived, praying for her life.

[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel remains with her children, then as all are safely on the boat again, eagerly looks to Mithadan.

"What shall we do now, my Lord?" Meneli asks, "My children and their armies are at your disposal

She awaits an answer...

[Samwise]

Stacey lay on the bunk for a while, listening to the Hobbits' breathing. Finally she sat up, swung her legs over the side of the bunk and jumped to the floor.

Stacey: "Might as well go for a walk. "

Quietly she opened the door and went out, closing it just as quietly behind her.

[ArwenBaggins]

OoC-im gonna be in this thread now... iz that ok?::


Fëaelenawen walked in. "Uma! A Warg Battle is refreshing." Everyone looked at her.

"Sorry! Hey Meneli!"

She walks up to the bar next to Gimli and has her first{hahaha smilies/rolleyes.gif} drink.

[Samwise]

Arwen, welcome! Just might help if you read from the first page. We're no longer at the feild...

[VanimaEdhel]

OOC: ARWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, Meneli is still awaiting her orders from Lord Mithadan!

[Samwise]

*just checking*: OOC:
Menil, have you read Mith's last post? (above)? You may have a long wait.

[Samwise]

Sam woke up and stretched. He felt very rested--it was nice to have had a dreamless sleep.
He stared at the bunk above him for a moment, letting his eyes clear. He could hear his daughter's breathing above him.
Turning his head, he saw Frodo sound asleep.

Sam:Ah, Mister Frodo, if only you could stay that way 'til all this is over.....
Glancing up, he saw that Stacey was gone.

Sam: Hm. I hope she just went for a walk... smilies/frown.gif

He got up himself, going as quietly as he could out the door.

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo woke, He looked at Prim and Sam. He smiled. Sam had a tendency to make a whistley sound when he slept. Frodo knew, however that if he told Sam he would be embarassed more than would be thought possible.
Frodo wondered what happened to Stacey, and what had happened to the copy of the Silmarillion he had given C7A.....

[Samwise]

Stacey walked along the deck. The Elf lady was stll at the wheel. She would have said something, but she was one of the reasons Stacey felt so awkward on this trip.
She looked ahead. Where exactly were they going....?

[Samwise]

As he was going out the door (read the last page, Mister Frodo), Sam thought he heard someone stir. Looking back, he saw Frodo sitting up.
Sam: *whispering* Mister Frodo, sir? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. smilies/frown.gif

[Samwise]

OOC: Oop. What Sam was doing was just above. Agh...don't mind me..... smilies/tongue.gif

[Frodo Baggins]

"It is all right, Sam. I was awake already. Where are you going?"

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child was sitting at her desk reading the copy of the Silmarillion which her cousin Frodo had so kindly given to her. She was half asleep and half awake, studying famous voyages and battles which had taken place on the Sea. Angara lay curled at her feet.

Like Birdie, Child also felt sad when she looked at Tuor and Idril. But her sadness was not in seeing the two eternal lovers so obviously enraptured with each other. She did not begrudge them that happiness. For, in that realm, Child had her own sweet memories.

Instead, she thought what would happen at the end of battle. For these two would be allowed to sail back to Elvenhome, those distant green shores with beaches of white sand and pure light. And, although she would never say it to Idril's face, she knew that Tuor, like Child, had been a mere mortal. Sometimes, things just didn't seem fair.

She, instead, would be getting back to reality--lots of mailbags to deliver, hungry mouths to feed, a hobbit house that was a bit small for too many little hands and feet. It was a great honor to be the widow of one who had stood up to fight and die in the Scouring so many years before; his name was even inscribed on the Shire rolls.

But Child had found herself after death residing with her children in the Barrow-downs, and she still had no idea where her dear husband had gone to after his demise. Perhaps, if she could go back to Aman, she could beg an answer from one of the Valar. But this seemed highly unlikely. Chubby, three foot hobbit matrons did not get to make voyages to the Undying lands. Only Bilbo, and Frodo, and Sam had done that, and they did not realize how lucky they were!

They might lose, it is true, but Child refused to think of that. Indeed, if they lost, the ones she most worried about were Samwise and Frodo. She was very glad Bilbo had chosen not to come on this trip!

These blue wizards weren't stupid. Surely they knew the tales of the Ringbearers, and what they had done. They would just love to get their evil talons back into those who had done so very much to defeat the Shadow.
The names Rose and Bird and Pio were probably nothing to them, but Sam and Frodo were another story.

Child knew there was nothing she could do to help Rose or Mith, but perhaps she could do something for Sam and Frodo. Child now remembered what Idril had said, that she wanted to speak with them. At first Child thought that had only been a matter of courtesy. Now, she was not sure. For she had noticed a very strange look in the eyes of the Elven lady.

She truly wished Sam and Frodo would go to her, or at least write her a letter, since that proud Elf was unlikely to go banging on their cabin doors. So Child decided she might have to be the one banging on doors. She wrote out the following note, and on the outside of the envelope wrote: Miss Stacey, Personal and Confidential----

Dear Miss Stacey,

Please do not let Samwise and Frodo see this. I am relying on your disgression.

We are going to battle the blue wizards, which may be a thing of much peril. I am quite certain, both from my study of ancient lore and some things which the Lady Idril intimated to me, that Samwise and Frodo are in particular danger in this undertaking. The Blue Wizards would love to have two heads of the Ringbearers to display on their palace gates. Excuse me, Miss Stacey, but I have to speak the truth.....

I believe that the Lady Idril may have something which would be of aid to Sam and Frodo. Is there any way that you could get one of them to pay a visit to her cabin? If not that, if they are too shy, at least have them write to her for aid and advice. Miss Idril has powers just as great as the Elf Galadriel, and I feel in my heart that she could help protect them.

Again, I rely on your secrecy in this endeavor. Your dear hobbit friend, Sharon Goodchilde, aka Child

Child went down and tacked up this note on the outside of Samwise's door.

[piosenniel]

The sea was unnaturally still. The gentle waves rolled up against the side of the ship and broke against it like puffs of thin smoke. Bird and Pio stared over the rail at the place where Rose had entered the water. The surface was innocent of any disruption. The water had swallowed her up and it was as if she had never been.

Pio could see that Bird was considering going in after her again. She laid a hand on her arm to catch her attention. 'Let her go, Bird.,' she said gently. 'She has her own doom to master or be mastered by.'

Bird gripped the handrail tightly and then let go. Her hands fell to her sides, and she rubbed her hands lightly on her thighs breathing deeply. 'What shall we do?'

'I''ve found maps of the region in Mith's quarters,' said Pio, 'though they are vague at best as we head farther south and east. I want to speak with Tuor about how we should proceed; and I want you to tell him of your conversation with Ulmo. Perhaps if we put our heads together we can figure out how to do this "surrender" ploy and make it turn to our advantage. I was considering that if we tempted them with a "hostage" as bait, it might be easier to get them here. My problem is that I really know nothing of their capabilities, or how we might counter them.'

'Should we bring the others into this planning process?' questioned Bird. '& what about Idril, you seem to have left her off your consult list?'

As if stormclouds had suddenly obscured the sun, Pio's grey eyes darkened. 'Yes, the others need be there, too. One of them must be the "hostage", the willing sacrifice, if it should come to that.' '& as for Lady Idril,' she measured out her words in even tones, 'it would be best if another companion consult with her.'

'What's up with that elf?', wondered Bird, watching Pio as she returned to the cat to retrieve her maps. Her glance strayed to the upper balustrade, where Idril stood next to Tuor their fingers entwined. He was smiling gently at his Lady, but her attention was fixed on the small figure retreating across the gangway and seemed sorrowful.

[Veritas]

It seemed that the Hobbits didn't need any protection, so Veritas was a bit bored.
She walked to the upper deck and looked out over the sea and sniffed the sea air. Wonderful.

Her mind was ful of thoughts, she was worried about the end of this adventure. She had been scared with Morgoth, but in a way, it was fun. This was different, it looked like more was in the game. She sighed and wanted to walk away, but when she turned around, she saw in the cormer of her eye someting. With a jump she was by the ceiling again. She saw a bird in the sky, praying above the ship. Then suddenly the bird dived to the ship and landed on the deck. It was a hawk, a small one. Veritas walked towards him and the bird hopped on her arm.

"What are you doing here? On full sea? Aren't you far from home?" She caressed the bird over his head. He looked at her, and their eyes crossed. Then the hawk flew away. Veritas gazed at him for a long while, why couldn't she just fly away, back home...

She felt strange after this adventure, could it be that the bird was from the Blue Wizards, or from the Valar. Maybe Manwë had send him. Veritas felt confused and went to the Hobbit cabins to think for a while.

[Birdland]

The waiting is the hardest part, thought Birdie. Then she sequed into "An American Girl", and shook her head in irritation. She wished she'd brought a radio.

The Storm Attack had played itsself out, and since then everything seemed to have come to a standstill. Was the storm just the Wizard's way of showing us what they were capable of? Had it driven the ships in some direction known only to their enemies? Birdie knew nothing charts and sextants. But since Tuor had found them, he must have some idea just where in Middle Earth they were.

If the storm had only been an opening gambit for the Wizards, it had done real damage to the adventuring party-goers. Mith and Rose were lost. Birdie had the feeling they were not dead, but nothing had been seen or heard from them in hours. How long could a person swim around down there without help...or fins?

Child had been holed up below most of the night, pouring over the Silm and other volumes found on the ship, trying desperately to find something in the histories that would help them. But there was nothing in the Books about the Blue Wizards. Nothing! They had arrived on Middle Earth, and the East had swallowed them for centuries. What could the scholarly Hobbit possibly find about them?

But now they were back, seemingly writing their own history, and it was definitely not Canon.

And what of Pio and Idril? Pio acted like she didn't - well - like Idril. What could possibly drive a wedge between the plucky Elf woman and The Lady of Gondolin, who was so beloved of the Valar that they had allowed her husband the blessings of the Undying Lands and made her son a constellation? Pio should practically be worshipping this Legend of the First Age, but instead she was barely tolerant of her.

"Go not to the Elves for advise..." ran through Birdie's head. It seemed to be a true, but not very helpful old saying. Not at the moment, anyway.

Birdie looked down at the waves, and almost felt her spine tingle where a few hours before a proud grey dorsal fin had sprouted. Up until now the little crebain had been Birdie's favorite form to assume, but now she had developed a sea-longing of her own. She thought about slipping over the side and swimming off into regions unknown. But now was not the time. The only help that form would give them now is if it would allow her to hunt for Mith and Rose, but the sea had swallowed them, and wandering through that vastness below to search would be folly. Perhaps the Mer-Man would grace them with some answers.

Birdie propped her hands in her chin and looked out across the sea at a full moon rising. Birdie started to sing in a soft, absent-minded voice. But oddly, it was not a sea shanty that came to her, but the words of an old Hobbit walking song:

"One morning very early,
In the pleasant month of May
As I walked out to take the air,
All nature being gay;
The moon had not yet veiled her face,
But through the trees did shine
As I wandered forth to take the air
On the banks of Brandywine.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose followed the shadow but was going to need breath soon. She was trying to not be seen by whatever it was.

"Are you just trying to drown?" Rose turned to see a green face looking at her. It was a mer-man. Rose tried to talk but all that came out of her mouth were bubbles. "Here. You don't have to hold your breath anymore."

Rose took a small breath and found that he was right. She was able to breath freely. "Thank you. Who are you?" The mer-man smilled then said.

"You oviously won't be persuaided to go back to the ships. So do you want to help Mithadan?

"Of course" Rose replyed.

"He is captured by one of the Blue Wizards. I can help you a little. Now follow me."

[Samwise]

Not sure what else to do, Stacey went back to the cabin to see if any of the Hobbits were awake.

Coming closer to room 7, she thought
she heard Frodo and Sam's voices.
Stacey:Good, they're awake. What's that?

She saw something attatched to the door. Tugging the paper off, she saw it was addressed to her: Miss Stacey, Personal and Confidential----


Stacey:Strange.....

Upon opening it, she read:

Dear Miss Stacey,

Please do not let Samwise and Frodo see this. I am relying on your disgression.

We are going to battle the blue wizards, which may be a thing of much peril. I am quite certain, both from my study of ancient lore and some things which the Lady Idril intimated to me, that Samwise and Frodo are in particular danger in this undertaking. The Blue Wizards would love to have two heads of the Ringbearers to display on their palace gates. Excuse me, Miss Stacey, but I have to speak the truth.....

I believe that the Lady Idril may have something which would be of aid to Sam and Frodo. Is there any way that you could get one of them to pay a visit to her cabin? If not that, if they are too shy, at least have them write to her for aid and advice. Miss Idril has powers just as great as the Elf Galadriel, and I feel in my heart that she could help protect them.

Again, I rely on your secrecy in this endeavor. Your dear hobbit friend, Sharon Goodchilde, aka Child

Stacey: Hm...well, both the little guys sound like they're awake, so here goes...

Slipping the note into her pocket, she opened the door.

[piosenniel]

On the main deck of the elven ship a large table had been hastily set up. The crews and captains of the ships were all gathered on deck, looking at the maps that Pio had laid out. Tuor scrutinized one tattered map closely and drew the crowd's attention to a certain location on it. He circled the area surrounding it with the tip of his knife.

'This is where we are presently.' He pointed to an area fairly south of Umbar. 'And this is where we need to be.' He indicated a route around the cape that lead into the Inner Seas.

'Where would be a good place to launch our operation?', asked Child, who was eyeing the maps with a somewhat proprietary air.

Tuor indicated a place where the elven ship could anchor and the other ships would be hidden behind an outcropping of cliff that edged into the sea.

Bird came closer and looked at the route that Tuor had marked. 'Looks do-able.' she said. 'But what I'm wondering about is this whole "hostage" thing. Who's going to do this?'

Pio looked at Tuor, and then back at Bird.

'It has to be Frodo, Bird.', she said. 'And Sam.'

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

[Samwise]

Sam and Frodo were still talking when Stacey came in. Sam looked up.

Sam: Miss Stacey, good morning! You gave me a bit of a scare, there.

Stacey smiled apologetically.
Stacey:Sorry.

Primrose woke up then.
Prim: What's going on? Papa?

Sam: I'm right here, Tiny Rose.
He looked at Stacey again.
Sam: You looked as if you were thinkin' about somethin', Miss Stacey.

Stacey thought some more.
Stacey: Eh...Sam, you and Frodo know the Elf Lady, don't you?

Sam nodded, feeling embarrassed again at having forgotten.

Primrose piped up then.
Prim: Oh, Papa, could you take me to meet her? It would be like meeting Galadriel almost. Please?

Stacey blinked.

Sam: Why sure, Tiny Rose, I don't see why not. Mister Frodo, would you come with us?

Stacey blinked again. How simple had that been?
Stacey: Eh...good idea. I'll go with you another time--no offense to the Lady, but she makes me a tad uncomfortable.

Sam: smilies/frown.gif Why so?

Stacey: Well, unless I've counted wrong, I'm the only human on this ship--at least without some kinda magical powers-- and she's not only an Elf, she's...er, royalty. I mean, I feel out of place, but she really makes me feel out of place.

Sam: Well, all right. What do you say, Mister Frodo? After we freshen up shall we go?

[Rose Cotton]

Rose and the merman were following the shadow underwater. It seemed to be tracking the the ships.

Rose was lagging. "Hurry up" the merman called back to her.

"It's my dress. It's not exactly easy to swim with it." She finnaly got fed up with this and decided to pull off her under skirts leaving only the top one. She was now able to swim better.

And perhaps her friends would not mistaken the white as sea foam. It might be a sign to them that she was still alive.

[Frodo Baggins]

"Of course I will come. First I should dress up a little I suppose"

[Samwise]

Sam: Wonderful.

Prim: YAY!

The two scurried off to get ready, and Stacey breathed a sigh of relief.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Tuor and Idril sat on the bunk in the cabin, their arms entwined about each other's waist. They bent close and whispered in each other's ear

"Idril, Idril, it must be the two of them. There is no choice. They will come to speak with you. They are the Ringbearers, humblest and yet highest of all. You must tell them the Shadow will return to all of Middle-earth unless they will take up this burden."

"But, Tuor," and she was weeping, "So much has been asked of them. Why can it not be someone else. If it must be a hobbit, there are others on board with the blood of the kudak"

"No, Idril, for none have their heart and their soul. So it was decreed in the Halls of Manwe so many years ago, and even higher than those halls, but we may not speak of that. The other kuduk must help them. The strange one named Rose swimming in the Sea, and the silver-haired scholar who thinks deeper than she seems on the outside. But Frodo and Sam alone can be the bait, they who once dwealt in the Uttermost West."

Idril bowed her head and wept, "Yes, I will do it."

[Rosseiliantiel]

Rosseil watched as Pio waved, then dissappeared into the water.
"Oh dear, I think Pio's gone after Mithadan. Really, the way everybody's going into the water, you'd think it was the place to be!" excalimed Celeae exasperatedly.
"Really, you were given ears, but you never use them! LISTEN and you would know what was going on!" said Rosseil, even more exasperatedly.
"Oh. Sorry."
"Oh, really!"

[Rose Cotton]

ooc : Don't you know? The water IS the place to be. smilies/wink.gif Of couse if you've been in it as long as I have you're forced to like it.::

The merman was bringing them closer to the shadow. But what would they do? Rose didn't even know what it was. Her last words to Child as she lept off the boat had been "I'm gonna help Mith." If she went back as a failure then she would never be trusted for large tasks again. Or worse, if she didn't return at all...........but she wouldn't think of that.


Somwhere just into her feild of view she saw somone swiming toward her. "Pio!" Rose cried out. Her shout signaled the ominous shadow and it started towards her.

Oh no. She tried to swim away. But unfortunatly doggy paddles don't get you very far very fast.

[ June 16, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Birdland]

(O.C.C. - OK, everybody back the boat up! Pio is not - repeat - not in the water. She was last seen on the deck consulting with Tuor and Idril about the fake surrender and hostage-taking of Frodo and Samwise. Rose is in the water. And Mith is in the belly of a whale, or submarine, or something, with the Blue Wizards.)

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

After the council had broken up, and Tuor and Idril had gone below to speak to the Hobbits, Birdie wander off to the rails and went over the plan in her head again and again.

It was desperate and fool-hardy, and she was still amazed that the Numenorian had ever agreed to it. And yet what other possible solution could there be? It had taken stealth to defeat the Dark Lord. It would take the same to defeat this latest enemy.

Birdie looked around at the sailors preparing the small flotilla for departure to the Inner Seas. It suddenly occurred to her that most of the new crews were strangers to her, and a sickening thought poppped into her head. The Blue Wizards had tricked them all before by assuming the forms of Cirdan and Legolas. They could be on this boat again this very minute! From the oldest mariner to the rosy-cheeked cabin boy, everyone here was under suspicion. Birdie supposed it was even possible that her dearest companions could be someone other than they seemed. When Pio had climbed out of the sea onto the Catamaran, had it been Pio? Was Rose, (whereever she was) still Rose? Was Child, Child?

Bird stamped her foot in irritation, trying to drive such thoughts from her head. Such thinking could lead to madness! She could only comfort herself with the thought that Idril and Tuor had the wisdom and far-sightedness to see through such trickery.

Birdie looked down in the water, and caught a flash of white floating on the surface. It was not sea-foam, and she looked closer, following the white, waving patch on the waves.

Suddenly she gasped, and grabbing a gaff-hook, lowered it over the side and snagged the object before it passed away to the stern. She pulled a sodden mass up to the rail, and flipped it onto the deck.

The wail floated over the waves, and down to the cabins, shocking the other passengers out onto the deck. They stood agast as they saw the skin-changer hunched over a white, soggy bundle, gripping it in her hands and sobbing.

Birdie held up a piece of white, ruffled fabric, dripping with sea-water. "Rose's petticoats! Rose's petticoats! A shark must have gotten her! She's dead!"

[ June 16, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Samwise]

Sam came out of the washroom in his waistcoat and vest.
Sam: Do I look all right, Miss Stacey?

Stacey: Absolutely, Sam.

Primrose came out then, in her knee britches and blouse, (as she had shed her skirt long ago) but her long curls were brushed.
Prim: Can we go now, Papa?

Sam grinned.
Sam: Not yet, Tiny Rose. We need to wait for Mister Frodo.

Suddenly, though she wasn't sure why, Stacey got a sick feeling in her stomach.
Stacey: Lord, whatever happens, please protect these little guys....

[Frodo Baggins]

"Hmmmm......" came the sound from the other room "Sam, have you seen my mithril circlet? Oh! Wait, here it is." Frodo came out dressed in what he had worn for rhe first day of the party. He adjuster the dwarf-necklace and looked in the mirror. Frodo tossed his head to get the hair out of his eyes and set the circlet on his head.

"All right, I'm ready"...

[piosenniel]

The discussions had lasted long into the night. There was little time for sleep. Just before dawn, the ships would be moving into position.

Idril would be at the helm of the elven ship with the companions on it. It would be her who would contact the Ithryn Luin and arrange for the 'surrender of the hostages'.

Pio had gone back to get the catamaran in order, taking Veritas with her. They had both said their good-byes to the companions remaining on the elven ship. Each hoped it would not be their last.

Once aboard, Pio gave orders for the helmsman to steer a course for the quadrant Tuor had marked. She knew Tuor had said he would be the lead ship in, but Pio wanted to be in that position in the event that her friends needed her aid quickly. She and the helmsman plotted their route by the stars, and set sail. 'Hold her steady,' she said as she turned to go to Mith's cabin, 'but call me at the first sign of any problem.

Veritas followed her into the cabin, and closed the door securely. 'Why did you want me to come over here?' she asked. 'I wanted to stay with everyone else.'

Pio sat her down on the bed and handed her a slim, silver case, and an innocent looking silver box.

'What's this?' said Veritas, turning them over in her hands and inspecting them.

'"This"', said Pio 'is Mith's PC and the REG. That is, the latest version of the REG... with some modifications, courtesy of the Dwarves of Erebor. It operates in two modes: true random events with double-encrypted password protection; and instruction guided under which it accepts instructions from only designated persons, in this case Wight and Mithadan.'

'And you want me to what . . .?', said Veritas, 'perform a freaking miracle?!'

'Yes, if that's what it takes! Do your wizard thing and work some of your computer magic. I need those two up and running by the time we get in position.'

No further words were needed. Veritas had opened the screen to the PC, and her fingers flew in a DOS incantation. Images and binary sequences flew across the screen. Her eyes were on fire with the excitement of the chase.

Pio left the cabin to go check on some last minute preparations she had set in motion with her crew. She closed the door on Veritas, smiling as she recognized the final phrase of her opening spell - Te gek!

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

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: Thanks for clearing that up Birdie. So Pio stays on the ship and I make some loud noise and get the attention of the.....whatever it is.::

Rose didn't have a chance. She called for the aid of the merman but he was nowhere in sight. She wondered if he had gone for help. Then she followed Mithadan into the jaws of the shadow.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Idril sat on her cabin bunk. She could hear Samwise and Frodo coming down the hall, approaching the door. The Lady said a short invocation to the Vala Ulmo to whom her family felt a special tie and who guarded over those who went upon or under the waters.

Idril was shaking. She was no Gandalf, only a mere Elf. Was she right to ask these two to put themselves in jeopardy once again?

Suddenly, from nowhere, an answer came creeping into her head. "You do the bidding of the high ones. The great Shadow can not be defeated without the consent and the sacrifice of these, the smallest and simplest of Eru's children. You are right to ask, and they have the freedom to say yea or nay."

"But know this Idril, without their taking up this burden, there will be no victory, and the Light will be swallowed up."

Child was in the corner of the room tending to the personal needs of Lady Idril as she did every morning. She truly could not tell what was happening, but she knew that some high thing was passing over their heads and perhaps into their hearts. She had read and studied so many stories, but she knew this was different. For this was real. It involved her and her dear friends. She breathed a silent request to the great lady Varda, and begged her to keep Samwise and Frodo safe.

Then, suddenly, a knock, and the room door slowly opened.

[ June 17, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

Mithadan swam in dark dreams of terror. Voices spoke in the midst of images of evil, cajoling him, making promises, and seeking to compel him to accept a role in great deeds. His dreams roamed through visions of fire and smoke into which were woven images of him assuming a mantle of great power allowing him to order the world as he saw fit. "You will be our greatest servant, and to you will be bestowed the greatest gifts and power; none may withstand your hand or your sword..."

The sword... Among the images of evil and chaos came another vision, clearer than the others. A man stood on bright shores under a blue sky. His foot rested on a gangway to a fine ship and he wept openly. Many fair people stood before him. He somehow recognized many of these persons... there were Elrond, and Galadriel with Celeborn, and Pengoldh and an old man dressed in white robes. From the waters next to the ship rose another figure dressed in silver mail like the scales of fish and a cloak of mixed colors of white, grey, green and blue. A mist was wrapped about him through which the sun shone creating rainbows on all assembled. And though Mithadan could not hear the words, he knew the watery figure was giving his blessings to the man and his house. Resting a hand on the man's head, the figure held out the other in which was grasped the hilts of a sword on which many runes were written. In its pommel was set a single great pearl. The man placed a hand on the pearl and raised the other to the West. His mouth moved and he bowed his head as if he made some pledge to the Lord of the Waters and the West. With a smile, the figure set the hilts in the hands of the man and the pearl glowed bright as the Lord of the Waters sank again into the sea...

The vision disappeared and was replaced with the dark dreams and voices. Within Mithadan's head the pressure grew greater. He shifted restlessly and his hand slipped to his side and touched something cold and round. He made his decision...

He woke in a strange vessel. Above him stood a man clad all in blue. Mithadan's hand rested on the pommel of the ancient sword. He rose with a face both grim and fierce. The figure beside him said "Arise Lord Mithadan. Great deeds lie ahead and it is now time to earn your rewards. See! We have a guest for you to welcome."

Mithadan turned and saw a small, bedraggled figure huddled on the floor. He nudged it with the toe of his boot and, with a toothy smile said, "Hello Rose. Welcome to the beginning of a new age."

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He heard what sounded like Child's voice bid them enter. Frodo entered with Sam, the others were behind.
Frodo took a deep breath and bowed low to the lady
"Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo" he said and spoke a few more things in Elvish. Then in the common language he said
"Forgive me, Lady, for my Elvish is not good."

[Veritas]

ooc: Pio, Te Gek, are you dutch speaking? ::
**********

Veritas' fingers were flying over the keyboard, and her eyes couldly hardly catch up with the tempo of her fingers. After she set up a program which could translate the REG language to the common language, she made a link to the REG. With a flash a lot of signs were surfing over the screen. She waited a few minutes until the transmittor had translated everything.

"What is this?" A lot of signs were standing on the screen, but it didn't make any sence...

"Damn you!" Veritas hissed. She walked to the other edge of the cabin and looked again to the laptop "Stupid thi.. Hey, what's that?" From a little bit away she could see a pattern in the signs: It was a map. And she had seen it before. It was the sea they were sailing on.

She walked to the laptop and reprogrammed something... there, she changed the signs into a real map, and she could see some things moving, the two ships, and something else, another ship was sailing towards them!

"By the power of the Valar, what is happening here?" And Veritas walked out of the cabin, looking for Pio.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose found herself wet and salty lying on the floor of a dim chamber. There were two others in the room. A man in blue. One of the Blue Wizards? and.."Mith" He was lying on the floor near her.

"Silence" The wizard commanded. He looked at Rose and his gaze froze her heart.

Mithadan stired and got up."Arise Lord Mithadan. Great deeds lie ahead and it is now time to earn your rewards. See! We have a guest for you to welcome." the man said to him. Mith looked at Rose with a grin that was worse then the Blue Wizard's stare.

"Hello Rose. Welcome to the beginning of a new age." She was terrified and couldn't get up from the floor.

"Mithadan" she whispered.

[Child of the 7th Age]

The Lady Idril nodded and accepted with grace the greetings of Frodo and Samwise. Then she turned with equal charm to the little Primrose, and spoke with her at length and in grave courtesy. She presented Primrose with fine Elven toys and showed her into a small room nearby, so that serious matters might be addressed.

Now, Idril looked directly into Frodo's eyes, and even past them, gently touching his fea with her mind. She smiled again, and then extended her arm, placing her hand within his.

"Whatever sadness has brought us together on these shoals, I do not regret our chance to meet after so many long, silent years. For time passes but slowly within the mountains of Aman, and your presence, Ringbearers, is sadly missed. And I speak for many who cherish you and the memory of our time shared on those silver shores."

"We pray that you have found peace and hope in the strange path you have taken which wound you back once again to the lands of Middle-earth, and even to the Barrow-downs. But perhaps, not so strange. For only one who dwells within Arda may face the lengthening Shadow that grows within the heart and dare to challenge it."

"Tuor and I have received the blessing of the great ones to lead this flotilla against the combined strength of the wizards in blue, maia with evil hearts who would rise again in the path of Sauron and corrupt this age and those that follow. For there will and must be a great battle to throw down the ships and armies of the enemy.

But ships and swords and hearts brave are but one path to defeat the powers of evil. Other secrets there are that must be looked upon face-to-face, secrets that go beyond the realm of fighting and extend into the fea itself. And these can only be met by those who dwell within Arda, for they are secrets whose first hint lay in the great Music."

Idril sighed deeply, "Just this day, I have seen a deeply troubling vision. I know that, in recent years, the people of the Downs dwelt in peace under the leadership of the Barrow-wight, a great and wondrous change from the conduct of those lands in ages past. For surely, you remember how evil once lay there."

"The vision I have seen is of one mariner from the Barrow-downs, a descendent of Earendil who goes by the name of Mithadan, not evil in himself, but drawn to the Shadow by a strange power that the two wizards have learned to control. Also in the Dark Lands of the Shadows, I have seen the little hobbit Rose, but she still holds out against the Dark. Now if this Mith remains set on his path of darkness, the Barrow-downs will fall and all around it, till the foundation of the world itself crack."

She continued, "For a thing, both hideous and strange, now seems to be happening. In the past, however hard the forces of evil have tried, they could not compel minds who had shut against them. But now, it seems, this may be changing. They are learning to pry open the minds of Man and Elf, even the unwilling, to place their control upon the fea."

Samwise looked up with fear in his voice: "But, how may this be so? For even as Ringbearers we were able to fight long and hard against the hand of evil which tried to reach within our mind."

Idril looked down again and silently shook her head, "We are not cetain, but this may be a part of the nature of the Seventh Age itself. For people in that modern time no longer sense the reality of evil, and laugh at such things as child's play. And many of their number say with certainty that goodness is one thing in one age, and something quite different in another. And a man may never know right from wrong, but can only judge from his situation. Indeed, some say the soul is made up of a bit of the Light and a piece of the Dark, and that these should dwell together."

"But, in so doing and thinking in just the small things of their daily lives, they may begin to forget how to recognize and fight the Shadow. And all their computers and their REGS, in which they take great pride, give them no protection from the subtle human heart."

She turned now and held out the Phial of Galdriel to Frodo, that precious splinter of the Silmarils which had remained in Aman these many years after the final voyage West. "You will need this," she said.

"For you two, bearers of truth from a different time, a world that understood fear of the Shadow, must look into the face of the two wizards who have so taken on the allure of the Seventh Age. You must speak true words to them and show them the light of the Phial. For their power is not yet as great as that of Sauron, and they may still be halted. And it is possible that we may use a ploy which Tuor and Birdie and Pio have devised. You will be given as hostage bait, perhaps to retrieve the unfortunate Rose."

"For we do think that the little ones --such as yourself and Child and Rose-- are not so quick to fall under this lie. For, as simple children, you see good as good, and evil as evil. Indeed we have hopes that Rose may be able to resist the wizards as the mighty Mith was not."

"What say you now, Ringbearers? Will you help us, though the path be hard and uncertain? For, in truth, athough you have died once, there is a death which goes beyond all death, that which leads to the void. And, in truth, I can not promise that you will return."

"I wish there had been another way, but there is no other. Only a kuduk may approach this pair and hope to keep their fea. And, because you are the Ringbearers, they will see you as great prize and perhaps become too greedy and careless."

[ June 17, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ June 17, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo stared at the light of the phial, The light of Earendil, bearer of the last Silmaril. Frodo realized that he held the light of a Silmaril, the light of the trees of Valinor, in his hand. A small tear slid quietly down his face. He nodded slowly and silenty as he stared. Then he turned to Sam and said

"Sam? Are you ready for another adventure?"

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child sat silently at Idril's feet with a page and a quill upon her lap. For she was doing as Idril had instructed her: to take down the words of the Lady, and the response of the Ringbearers in turn. And her hand flew across the page, for she scarcely dared to think of the actual meaning behind the words.

Idril turned away from Frodo and Samwise to give them time to speak with each other.

Now, Idril turned to Child. "I also have need of your services, little scholar and friend of Rose. For someone must be sent with the Ringbearers. The blue wizards will think you come to escort Rose home. For they see no value in either you or she, as you are small and have no great name or power in the world. And this is especially true, since you are women, and they have little understanding of such things."

"But you do have a certain power which goes far beyond them. For both you and Rose are to witness what happens inside those armored walls. And you are to remember it and never forget. And when you get home, and my vision shows you may well get home, you will write down the meaning in a tale. In this way, all who read it may ponder its meaning, and understand that the tale did not stop with the Third Age, but still goes on, even today."

Your presence should also please your friend Rose who, I fear, will go through grievous times. Try to help the Ringbearers, but only if they ask it. And remember that you are quite small in a very big story, but there are many others who are small like you, but who have good hearts. You are there to learn and grow and write down the magic for them to share. For all the bravery in the world does little good if others do not see and share it."

Child sat stunned and then responded, "Yes, I will do as you say."

[VanimaEdhel]

Meneli, not being a leader, is looking around to see what to do with her children and their armies.

"What wouldst thou have me do with these?" she asks everyone in general.

[Birdland]

Birdie wiped her nose on her sleeve (she was glad The Lady Idril was not around to see that!) and tried to concentrate on what she was doing.

She had been relieved when Idril had assured her that Rose had not died in the sea. But then even more upset to hear that the little halfling ("silly twit" as Birdie thought of her now) was also in the hands of the Blue Wizards.

And Mith! What were they to do about Mith? Birdie had fought against the specter of Maeglin with little compunction. But Mith was family! OK, a sometimes overbearing, snobbish member of the family, but family none the less. Could she really draw a weapon against him?

Everyone on board was waiting to hear the results of the Lady and Child's meeting with the Ringbearers. Birdie had no doubt that they would accept the roles of pawns in order to lure the Blue Wizards into the "trap". She just doubted more and more that the trap could possibly work. "Cockamamie!" her ol' Beorning foster-mum would have called the whole thing.

"Cockamamie," Birdie whispered to herself. She was beginning to wish she had never repeated to the others what the Mer-Man had told her.

Birdie tightened a endless series of rigging for the twentieth time, and vowed she would never go to sea again on a vessel that was not fully manned. The work was tedious and exacting, and her hands were blistered. Bird was learning more and more about how to keep a vessel under full sail - and hating every minute of it.

"What wouldst thou have me do with these?"
Meneli halloed from her ship.

"Play them a hornpipe!" Birdie muttered under her breath. Then with a sigh, she turned to Meneli and her kin and halloed back. "Prepare to set sail! We go to the Inner Seas!"

[Samwise]

Sam's jaw dropped. He shook his head until every curl on his head bounced.

Sam: NO! Why does it have to be both of us! I can't see Mister Frodo hurt again, my Lady, I just can't abide it!

[Rose Cotton]

"You look frightened." laughed Mithadan."You need not be afraid. Can't you see what could be before us. If we were to join with the powers of these wizards we would surly fufill our wildest dreams."

(Mith: If this is not what you would actually have said I am terribly sorry)

Rose sat horrified by these words. Did he mean what he was saying? Or was he controled as she had been by the REG. She couldn't tell. "Mithadan, you don't mean that." She spoke as if she wanted her words to be heard by only Mith but she knew that the man in blue could hear every word. "How can you trust in this evil? I almost helped the destuction of the world once. I will not do it again."

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo looked at Sam, and smiled. Frodo than turned away, for he was what he called "suspended between laughing and weeping" and he was. Crying and laughing at the same time. He then turned and embraced Sam with a huge squeeze and said.

"Oh Sam! You are too much! But we must not abandon out friends now must we?? I mean poor Rosie! And Mith!".....

[Samwise]

Sam stamped his foot like an angry child.
Sam: It's not that, Mister Frodo! Why does it always have to be you! *Turning to the Elven Lady* Please, Ma'am, why does Mister Frodo have to go! Wouldn't one of us be enough!?
He was ready to burst into tears.

[piosenniel]

It was first light, and Tuor stormed to the railing to see what had happened for himself. One of his keen-sighted elven sailors had alerted him that the catamaran was no longer anchored with the other ships.
'Damn that elf!', he exclaimed, hitting the wood of the railing with his fist. 'She had agreed to move out together with us. What in the Void was she thinking?' The crew near him backed away enough to be at a safe range as he blew off steam. But a strange sound assailed their ears, a sort of muffled, congested sort of snorting. One of the elves drew forward to see if Tuor needed assistance. He motioned the rest of the crew to step forward and see this amazing sight, Tuor was not in the midst of some apoplectic fit, he was laughing.

'Sir?' asked one of the sailors,'What's so funny?'

'It just struck me - here I am condemning her for the very thing I would have done when I was younger!' He wiped the tears of mirth from his eyes and then composed himself. Once again the Captain, he gave orders for the rest of the ships to hoist anchor and be ready to set sail immediately. 'She's brave. I'll give her credit for that, but she's still going to need our backup!!'

The Lady Idril heard the command to sail and made her way quickly to the helm. She rechecked the coordinates with the helmsman and then went on deck to brief the crew of her ship. They were to be the lead ship, the one going to meet the ship which the Blue Wizards would send. Theirs would be the task of delivering the hostages for bargaining. It was a grim task at best, but she would make it as safe as possible for all concerned.

Bird wiped her sweaty palms on her breeches, and strapped on her sling holder with it's full complement of ammo close at hand. She was glad that they were on their way at last, that they were doing something, anything. She tied a piece of sea-washed white cloth around her left arm; it still had a bit of lace on it. She patted it once when it was secured -- 'For Rose!'.

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo sighed,

Sam, I dont know why it is always me. I do not like it anymore than you. *sniff* Wait, why is it always me?? I do not have to be the one always running to the rescue now do I?
Frodo's eyes blazed. He look almost like he had at the Cracks of Doom when he tried to claim the Ring. He shook himself?
"Sam! Tell me I did not say that!! Oh no!"

[Samwise]

Sam stepped back. He looked frightened.

Sam: "Oh, what have I done..."
He fell on his knees and grabbed the hem of Frodo's waistcoat.

Sam: Oh, sir, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring that out in you! Please sir, forgive me! I just meant that you've been through enough! That's all I meant, sir! Please, why can't it be just me alone!

[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: Samwise ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

The Lady Idril returned from the deck to the lower cabin. She knew how anxious her captains looked, each desiring to strike ahead. For anything was better to them than the unknowable and the waiting. But, even so they must hold. She and Tuor cautioned the flotilla to tarry until a final answer would come.

The Elven Lady looked long at the two forlorn hobbits who stood still in her cabin with arms interlaced. Then she gently placed her hands on either side of Frodo's head. She tilted Frodo's face upwards and looked deeply into his eyes. She looked away and gently shook her head.

"Frodo, this choosing must be of your own will. For not even your good friend Samwise has the standing or the right to say yea or nay for you. But I will say truth to you, because there are two wizards, there must be two halflings. The balance must be maintained."

"And none of your people are here unless you would send Primrose or Child in your place. And though their hearts are willing, this is not their doom."

"Nor can I say why some are given heavy burdens in life, while others seem to slip through with so little care or strife. For even Manwe has not the answer for such mysteries. But do not forget that, in the end of time, all will be made right."

"And this I do know. When the powers above choose, they do not load upon a single soul more than he or she can bear. So take heart and do not forget that there is meaning and purpose to this."

"So you, Frodo, are the giver of hope, though in your own heart, you may ofen feel hope bereft. Why this mystery should be I can not say. But choose now. For your friend Mithadan falls deeper and deeper into the Shadow. And if you tarry longer, I fear for his soul."

Child scribbled furiously, her nose to the parchment, as Idril sat back to await their word, and the flotilla hung silent in the water.

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

[Samwise]

Sam sighed deeply. He looked up at Frodo's face from his place on his knees, hoping that he was seeing his friend come back to himself.
Sam: *mumbling* I'm sorry, Mister Frodo. I didn't mean to confuse you or make anything harder. If you go...then you will not go without me.

[piosenniel]

The elf was cleaning her sword when Veritas found her. 'You must come now! I've finished going therough the programs on the PC and the REG and they're up and running,' said Veritas, 'though not exactly in the way you had hoped.'

Pio paused in the rubbing of oil on her blade and furrowed her forehead in question. 'What do you mean by "not in the way you had hoped"? I'm a little in the dark here. Can you draw me a clearer picture?!", she demanded.

'Better than that! Come look at the PC monitor!' Veritas pulled Pio toward the cabin.

From the door, both could see the shape of the Inland Sea and the landforms defining its perimeter. There was a small image of a ship just near the inlet to the larger area of the sea.'That must be us.',said Pio, pointing to it.

To the south and west were a number of ship images which were just turning to move north and east toward the single ship. They were still quite a distance off, and were moving slowly. 'Yes, and those are our companions' ship and the others who are coming to fight with us.', said Veritas. 'But look at this ship image, here.' she said tracing a slow moving vessel just coming down from the north and east. 'This is a ship we know nothing about.'

'Well, we know one thing,'said Pio, 'all our ships' images are in white, and that single one is a definite blue!'

'This is a new wrinkle in the problem.' thought Pio. 'We were supposed to get in position, and then the offer was to be made to the Blue Wizards, who would then come to meet us. But now it looks as if they mean to make the first strike.'

'Pio, we need to contact the other ships and let them know what's happening. They could be sailing blindly into a trap!'

Veritas handed Pio the silver cell phone, having pressed speed-dial #2. But all that Pio could get was the voice mail service saying the number was 'unavailable', and 'please leave a message'. She left a brief one, but with little hope. As she recalled, the batteries on the phone Child had were nearly, if not actually, dead.

Pocketing the cell, she took Veritas out onto the deck and showed her where the helmsman stood. 'Tell her that I wish her to belay that last order to hold a steady course. We need to drop anchor. And I will try another way to relay our news.'

'Another way?', thought Veritas, watching Pio walk toward the stern, and settle herself at the edge, her legs hanging over the side.

The elf leaned back on her outstretched arms and relaxed her body. Focusing her attention, open-eyed on the clear sky, she relaxed her mind. Tendrils of directed thought reached out across the long sea distance, toward a familar mind:

Idril, I have urgent news. Are you there?

[Child of the 7th Age]

Idril heard within her head a distant summons from Piosenniel, the Elf who had seemed so strangely fearful of her. But now, the message came with a clear and urgent voice. "Remain in your present position and carefully watch the approaching blue ship so as not to be caught in a trap for we know not its purpose and intent."

She nodded her head in agreement, and excused herself a few minutes from Samwise and Frodo to check on matters above deck. Idril also instructed the two hobbits to convey her a firm yea or nay once they had reached a decision.

[Birdland]

Birdie heard the command to "drop anchor!" and "lower sails!" She stamped her foot in frustration. "Raise the sails. Lower the sails. Weigh anchor. Drop anchor. What is going on now? I wish the Blue Wizards would come now and be done with it. Anything but this waiting!"

Birdie saw Child stiding purposely across the deck and hailed her. "Child! What happens? Why do we stop?"

"Veritas says the Blue Wizards may be headed our way!" Child called back.

"Oh."

[Mithadan]

Mithadan growled at Mistress Rose and drew a knife from a sheath on his hip. "Consider carefully young lady," he said. "For if you will not aid us, then Miss. Baggins you are baggage to be discarded at the first opportunity!"

The Blue Wizard Alatar laughed evilly and prodded Rose with his staff. "Then, Miss. Bag, stay still and trouble us not. Perhaps we will carry you a bit farther. But if you stir, you will not live to see the grand reunions which will soon occur. We go to meet my brother Pallandro and your foolish friends and then you may find us less gentle!"

[piosenniel]

Pio had drifted off into a light daze after trying to contact Idril and was lying on the deck, her arm over her eyes. She felt someone shaking her shoulder.

'Wake up! Wake up, Pio!!', urged Veritas.
'The monitor is now tracking another blue ship heading from another direction.'

Pio sat up groggily and shook her head. She looked at the PC wch Veritas had brought to her. 'D@mn', she thought.

She stood up and faced toward the elven ship once more.

Idril, there is now another blue ship - coming from behind your position. Send Angara to me.

[VanimaEdhel]

Meneli turned to her children, their armies, and their ships...

"Well, it seems that we are not needed. Do what you will, and I'll decide what I shall do."

Estelawinyawen looked at her mother and said, "Well, we are going to go home. You'll be okay?"

Menelduliniel sighed and said, "Yes, I suppose I will be.

She watched as her children sailed away.

"Now what to do?" Meneli thought to herself, "I'll go see...if I can find Legolas. I wonder where he has gotten off too. Maybe he'll apologize...no, he never does. Why would he now?"

She sails back towards Valinor to find Legolas...

[Rose Cotton]

Rose couldn't beleive Mithadan's words. She was frightened more then ever. But the wizard's laugh had stirred her heart and brought out the little courage she had left. She put her hand to the hilt of her sword, slowly rose to her feet, and turned to face the man in blue. "You hidious snake. You have poisoned his heart. I'll make you pay. I do not fear you."

What a liar she was. She was very frightend of him but she would not let anyone know that.
I am such a fool.she thought.I have gone recklessly into danger and now I may perish for it.

[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child stared in disbelief at the approach of the two blue ships. She felt like a small creature caught in the pincers of a sea lobster.

But none of this was her concern. She had to be ready to transfer over to the Blue Wizards at a moment's notice, whether they were still on land or sailing towards her in these seemingly mysterious ships. She knew she could not openly carry weapons, but she took two small daggers and girded them on a belt underneath her petticoats.

She sensed that Frodo and Samwise were still together, seeing and speaking to no one else. Child felt empathy tugging at her heart, for she had the feeling they were going over once again that whole series of events that had led to Frodo's wounding of heart in the matter of the Ring.

No one understood as they did what Evil could do to the human soul, even one that stood in league with goodness to fight against the Shadow.

Child knew Frodo was frightened, and it was not the Blue Wizards that he feared. Rather, it was that which lay in his own heart, and over which he felt he had no control.

But Child was a hobbit herself, and she believed he was made of deeper stuff. "If only Gandalf or Galadriel were here," Child thought. "For Frodo barely knows Idril, and he is not one to open up his heart quickly to those he does not know."

Still, Child refused to give in to despair. She glared across the horizon at the vessels coming ever closer as if they were all caught in a noose.

If I have to, she reflected, I will go onto that platform by myself, and at least wrench Rose out by stealth if need be. For Child had the hobbit gift of quiet entrance and slipping into small corners. And although she was no great one such as Frodo and Sam who could stand against the might of the Blue Wizards, she would not let her friend perish on that ship. Better that she and Rose should die together, she grimly thought, than Rose should stand alone.

Child knew that Anagara was helping Pio and Bird and Tuor in their tactics and plans. Yet she knew, too, that if they were in trouble aboard that Blue vessel, and Angara sensed the fear of her mistress, the dragon would turn to aid her, even it it meant her own death. Child wished in her heart that they had a dozen such winged creatures to support their cause.

[Mithadan]

Mithadan stepped towards Rose and swang an open hand at her face, missing by inches and instead smacking her upheld arm. "How dare you!" he cried. "You know not what you speak of. The depths of the Wizards' knowledge is far beyond your simple understanding. They will usher in a new world beyond your ken!" He aimed a kick at her ribs, again missing by inches as she scuttled away to cower in a corner.

"Enough Mithadan!" cried Alatar. "Do not waste time on this fool. She may yet serve a purpose in our plans whether she wills it or not."

"Stay where you are and be silent," cried the Man as he menaced the young Hobbit with his dagger. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a piece of Lembas which he dropped before Rose. "Stuff your face. That's all your kind are good for," he snarled.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose sat down into a corner as Mithadan and the Blue Wizard turned to leave. As soon as the door was closed Rose flung the lembas at it in rage. "Mithadan" she shouted "I thought you to be one of the greatest in the Barrow-Downs. And I beleive that if you try you can still resist." There was no answer.

Queitly Rose crawled over to the door and tried it but she was locked inside. She sat on the floor and picked up the crumbled lembas. For she hadn't eaten in so long.

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo stared at Sam, he was still wondering why he ahd said that. He shook himself again and gnawed his left thmbnail, and old nervoud ahbit of his. He noded slowly,

"Yes, I will go. But only if Sam comes with me."

[Mithadan]

Behind the closed door, Alatar turns to Mithadan and says "You say she is a Baggins?"

"Indeed, answers Mith. "Rosa BAGGINS. That's her name. She is the Ringbearer's cousin and beloved by her foolish friends. They will treat with us to secure her release."

Alatar laughed. His plans were falling into place...

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: *gulp* This does not sound good. Child, I hope you know what you're doing.
I'm a Baggins?? smilies/eek.gif

[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Rose Cotton]

After eating what she could Rose got up to look around. If she was stuck in this place she could at least become familiar with it. She picked up her sword which had been knocked out of her hands before. She was astonished upon inspection that the blade showed no sign of rust. "Bless you Pio for you magnificent sword." Rose walked about the room taking note of anything that could help her later.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Rose OOC - LOL I have no idea how this is going to work out!! Pio and Bird first had the hostage idea. Pio is away during the day and will be back this evening. Hope she knows! I'll be gone several hours to my son's orientation at a new high school this evening. You guys can move my character along tagging behind Frodo and Sam if you want to. Will post later tonight.

So you are a Baggins!!! Congratulations on your rise in status.
_____________________________________________


Like Galadriel, Idril had the gift of far seeing. In her mind she could picture quite vividly the drenched and bruised figure of Rose huddled on the deck, as reflected in the minds of the Blue Wizards. Through these same images, she could also see the actions of Lord Mithadan.

Strangely enough, she could not get into the mind of Mithadan himself. Idril pondered on this, and thought of several reasons, some with small hope attached and others bleak and hopeless. Truly, she did not know why.

When Idril came to apprise Child of the situation, she wondered whether she had done well to report Rose's condition. For Child furiously paced the deck, and even started to untie the rigging of a small rescue vessel kept for emergency purposes on the leeward side.

Idril cautioned Child against rashness, and managed to appease her by reporting that Frodo had bravely agreed to the foolhardy plan, which now seemed the only hope left.

Idril shook her head. "Do not be rash! The ships of Meneli chose to depart so we are even weaker than before. I have sent a message to that fair lady asking her to return, but I fear her heart is bent only on Aman."

So now," Idril noted, "We wait for Samwise's final consent and for the two Ringbearers to gird themselves to go forward. And you, Child, are you ready to go behind them to try and wrest Rose from their control?"

Child turned around and glared, "When this affair first became known, I did not believe I had it in my heart to go against Lord Mithadan who has been both a guide and a friend to me. But now that I have seen his purpose and design, I would gladly oppose him and all that he stands for even if it cost me my life."

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: Let's see...........part elf, part Baggins. What's next? Part dwarf? smilies/eek.gif Oh the possibitites.

[Mithadan]

"Soon we will intercept your friends' vessels," gloated Alatar. "We had intended on using force to capture those that we need. But the appearance of the Baggins girl makes that unneccessary. We shall offer a trade - a Baggins for a Baggins. The girl for the Ringbearer and his companion. Once we have the Ringbearer, none will resist or assail us for fear of doing him harm."

Mithadan frowned. "We will let the others go? We will not destroy them?" he asked.

"Once we have the Ringbearer, we can take the others at our leisure," replied Alatar. "We need them for our breeding program, after all. Luring them to the open ocean away from all help was our initial plan. But when they became wary, we pulled back and intended on merely destroying the ships and plucking out the survivors. The flaw in the plan was the possibility that the Ringbearer might be slain. Your little friend has solved that problem. Once we have Frodo, we can address how to capture the remainder with as little trouble as possible. They will likely follow us making things even easier."

Mithadan smiled and patted his sword. "There will be no trouble. We do not need all of them, do we?"

[Child of the 7th Age]

The afternoon dragged on with unaccustomed slowness. Child kept an eye on Idril who appeared both silent and thoughtful. Angara had spent most of the day performing various tasks between the ships at the bidding of Pio and Bird.

The dragon, however, had disappeared for several hours, and Child was beginning to wonder where she had gone. When suddenly, above her head, there came a strange noise, as a great whirring and the sound of gliding things.

All in the ship looked to the sky, for Angara was high above, spinning from one end of the vessel to the other and taking obvious pride in her strength. Child had seen her wayward pride on other occasions, but this time what she saw filled her with awe.

For spinning with Child were five other dragons, each a different color of the rainbow, some smaller and some larger than the other. Angara trumpeted her warning: "These are my kin, all that were left from the First Age, after the attack of the Dark. For surly you know, that in the Music no creature was formed evil or without will of their own. We are all that are left of these orignal creations for the rest were spoiled in the marring of Arda. Now, I will not say we are good. For good is one thing to a dragon and another to a man. But we are loyal to those whom we care for, and we hate the Shadow for what it did to our kin."

"Our services, fare Idril and Tuor, are at your command." Angara bowed and tilted her head with a silent acknowledgment to Child.

Child's heart filled with something close akin to what mere mortals call a mother's pride.

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo had fallen asleep while reading. For some reason he saw the plans of the Istari as if it were already happenning. Nothing new, things like that had happened before. But this time it was so vivid.......

Frodo woke with a scream of no that would nearly have shattered glass. Then he curled up in a corner whimpering...

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: anyone know what these wizard's ships are made of? It might help me.

[Losthuniel]

<<wood maybe?>>

[VanimaEdhel]

Meneli lands on the shores of Valinor. She looks around for Legolas. Soon, she finds him in a grove.

"Legolas," she calls, "It is me!"

He silently comes over and stands in front of her, "Well?" Legolas says.

"Ummm...well, we are married and all and...well...I guess you loved me sometime, because you married me. And well...what happened? Why don't you love me now? Why? That's why I have been wondering. And, if you never loved me as you claimed, why did you marry me? I bore you many children...was that the reason? I do not understand it. I've been trying to...for years and years and years. Ever since I last saw you. Why? Why, why, why? Is there a reason? Why did I come is another question. I don't know what I expected. I don't know anything anymore. I don't know-I don't know..."

She trails off and starts crying. She falls to the ground crying. The hard look in Legolas's eyes disappears and he drops to her side, comforting her.

She cries on his shoulder for some time, then he helps her up, and they just walk, silently, through the woods.

"You know, I still love you..." Legolas whispers, "It's just...different. You have your world and I have mine."

"But it doesn't have to be that way," Meneli exclaims, not in a whisper at all, "It used to be that we had the same world."

"Yes, but things change," Legolas said, still whispering, "That's what's the problem. We change. You can't seem to accept that."

"That's because I don't have to accept it," Meneli said, loudly, "We can change things again! You can change! I can change!"

"It's not that simple! Can't you see that? Or are you really as stupid as you seem?" Legolas exclaimed, raising his voice too.

"I am not stupid! I just believe in love! Love isn't stupid!"

"It is when you are expecting it to last for eternity, as we will!"

"Oh! What's the use? I just came to make up and here we are fighting again! I should have never come!"

Meneli starts to walk off, but Legolas runs after her.

"Where are you going?" Legolas demands.

"Home...wherever that will be. Maybe with Estelawinyawen...she has her own palace now. She wouldn't mind if her mother moved in with her and her husband. By the way: they're happy!"

"And we are not?"

"Do you call this happy?"

"No..."

"Exactly!" Meneli exclaimed.

Legolas stopped to think. He began slowly, "Maybe it's not all your fault, like I keep telling myself it was...maybe...maybe I am to blame as well."

"Now was that so hard?" Menelduliniel asked, patting him on the shoulder.

"Yes...it was actually," Legolas said, glaring at her a bit, but with laughter in his eyes.

"So...we are making up after, what? About 50-100 years?"

"I guess..."

"So we're fine again? You love me again?" Meneli asked hopefully.

"I always loved you," Legolas said, in an even tone.

They continued to walk through the woods, speaking of days gone by...

[Samwise]

Sam: If you are going, Mister Frodo, you can't separate me from you.
He reached out and grabbed Frodo's hand, then looked into the Lady Idril's eyes. "Please, my Lady, Primrose is twenty years old, but she still needs taking care of wether she knows it or not. Please make sure she's...
Sam didn't finish, he just sighed.

[Mithadan]

Alatar's vessel had now passed the three ships sailed by the Downers and Tuor and drew near Pallando's craft. It breached the surface and drew alongside the larger ship. Pallando's vessel was large, with two great masts and bore many men. The sailors hurriedly attached lines to Alatar's vessel and, with winches, drew it up onto the deck. Alatar emerged first to be greeted by another figure clad in blue robes.

Mithadan stood by the hatch and summoned Rose. "Come along, girl," he said. "Step lively." Rose slowly stepped through the hatch to stand on the deck. As she passed Mithadan, her cloak parted slightly revealing the small sword. Mithadan seized her by the shoulders and turned her sideways. He tapped her scabbard with his knife, then, with a grim look on his face, ignored the sheathed blade and pushed her slowly towards the two wizards who were talking animatedly.

A number of armed men stood nearby. Their hair unkempt and shaggy and their eyes dull. They did not look...right, as if they were not truly men but something else. Rose reached for her sword but Mithadan again took her by the shoulders and shook her. "Show some respect for your betters, Hobbit," he said loudly. "For they may yet let you live."

Pallando looked at Rose with interest. She shuddered as he regarded her with squinted eyes. He pointed his staff at her and said "So this is a Hobbit? Doesn't look like much to me. But I'm told by my brother that you may be useful. Tie her to the mast!"

Mithadan took a coil of rope from one of the sailors and, cutting off a length, tied her hands first together and then to the mast, leaving a little slack so that she might sit. Several of the sailors leered at her, but Mithadan stepped away to stand by the two Wizards.

Over the horizon, three sails appeared and Pallando's ship closed rapidly on the vessels.

[Rose Cotton]

Now she was in a fix. Rose hadn't been able to come up with a good plan before being lead onto the deck and tied to the mast. Her hands were bound tight and she couldn't use them. She couldn't naw at the ropes either as her teath could not reach them. She tried wiggling her way out of her bonds but a man who had been set to watch her thretended her with the edge of his blade and she fell silent. What could she do? A little ways from her the two wizards and Mithadan were dicussing the plan.

And on the horizon Rose saw her friend's ship slowly aproching.

[Samwise]

OOC: I have to get off line, now. Can't say if I'll be back again tonight.
~Samwise

[Birdland]

Birdie watched in awe as six dragons weaved and darted around the mast of their ships, like swifts 'round a chimney. It was a beautiful site, and filled her heart with a hope that had been missing since the ships had set out for their rendezvous with the Blue Wizards.

But this wouldn't do! The dragons were the only ace in the hole they had so far. Perhaps the only creatures that the Blue Wizards were not aware of on this journey.

Birdie ran over and grabbed Child by the arm. She seemed as entranced by the dragons' display as Birdie had been. "Child!", shouted Birdie "The wizards can't see the dragons! Not yet. We are supposed to be conducting a hostage exchange. If they see the wyrms, the battle will start before we are ready. Can you command them?"

"I can never command them," sighed Child. "but I can ask." And she waved her hand to Golden Angara. "Please, Angara. I beg you to ask your kin to conceal themselves until the time is right. I fear the Blue Wizards will immediately attack if they see you escorting the ships, and stealth may be the only weapon we have against them."

Angara winked at the halfling scholar, and said "Of course, my Child! For as much as we enjoy displaying our beauty and power, we are even better at concealing it!" Angara let out a screeching cry to his kin, and they immediately settled on the decks of the Elven ships.

Then Birdie and Child watched as a marvelous thing happened. The colors of the dragons' hides shifted and blurred, and within a minute, each dragon had managed to mimic exactly whatever shade of wood, or rope, or sail that lay behind them.

Birdie looked around and saw nothing but six pairs of eyes, gold and and emerald and ruby, shining back at her. Then the dragons slowly closed their eyes, and no matter how closely you looked, nothing could be seen but the sides and decks of the ships. All six dragons had disappeared in plain sight.

"Now that's some skin-changing!" Birdie thought in admiration. But things were happening fast and furious now. Above the horizon rose the mast and hull of the Blue Wizard's ships. The time was fast approaching.

"Child", said Birdie quietly, "Are the Ringbearers ready?"

"Yes, they are. Frightened to death, apparently, but I believe they will carry out their part again. After all", said Child, looking at Birdie, "If they refuse, the outcome would still be slavery and death. There is no escape at sea. None at all." murmured Child thoughtfully.

Birdie stood quietly. She had forgotten the fate that would befall the Elves, half-elves, and Elf-Hobbit Combos if the Blue Wizards should win. Slavery and transformation into Orcs, the most loathsome form of life on Middle Earth. Birdie's quick, sudden death in a battle would be a blessing compared to the "Life" granted Pio, Edril, Child and the others.

Birdie looked back at the vessel that now loomed on the horizon. It was made of black ebony wood from the Southern Forests never seen by those of the north. The sails were blue, with the symbol of Two Black Wizard Staffs Crossed. Twined around the staffs were two red hooded serpents, with glowing blue eyes. Birdie had never seen Blue as an evil color, until now.

She watched as a mysterious, sub-marine vessel, shaped like a black conch shell, was raised dripping from the sea and lowered onto the deck on the black and blue ship. The small, shadowy forms of men could be seen going about their duties, but no faces were identifiable.

Birdie realized with a start that the Blue Wizard ship was a gigantic vessel, dwarving all the Elven ships coming towards it. It was still farther away then she had originally supposed. When they reached this ship, it would tower over them like a mountain.

"Child", said Birdie, "I think it is time. And Child", she turned towards the halfing and bent down to be eye level with her. You may not see me for awhile. But I will be there. Do you understand? I WILL be there!"

"Yes", said Child, "I know. Do what you must do, Birdland."

"Shoot, shrugged Birdie, "It's the only thing I CAN do!" She smiled at Child, then walked back towards the stern, trying not to trip over disguised dragons as she went.

[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Rose Cotton]

Rose thought harder then she ever had before. She was consintrating. Focousing all her mind on her task. For awhile she had wondered what she could do. Then she remembered her elven heritage. She knew that elves could somtimes speak through the mind. And now she was trying to reach someone, anyone from her friends vessils.

She kept the same message in her mind. Thinking it over and over: "I'm trapped on the ship, what's the plan? I'm trapped on the ship, what's the plan?"

[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Samwise]

OOC:Mister Frodo, I hope it's okay if I play you for awhile. If not, just tell me and I'll delete the part played by me and let you do your own thing.
----------------------------------------------
Sam came out with Frodo, still clutching his hand.
I won't leave you, Mister Frodo, I swear I won't.......
Frodo looked at Child with a calm determination in his eyes. "Are they here? We're ready. "

[Rose Cotton]

"I'm trapped on the ship, what's the plan...oh please somone hear me, I'm trapped on the ship, what's the plan?" thought Rose.

[piosenniel]

Rose, don't send from that ship!

Pio sent that brief message to the frightened hobbit. She wanted to give her some reassurance, but she didn't know if unfriendly minds might be able to listen in. She suspected it was so, especially with the the twin evils in such close proximity.

The large ship was now closing the distance between the elven ship, Tuor's ship, and the cat. She could see the main mast clearly and the small figure tied to it. Her heart was rent by the sight of her friend in such pain and fear.

She called Veritas to her side and had a hurried conference with the wizard. 'We will stay in this position and let the blue wizards' ship come to us. Tuor will run the main naval defense with his ship. Idril will stay near us but in the fore as it is her ship which carries the Ringbearers. Our part will be to assist Tuor in the defense of the ships should the blue wizards' ship attack. I need you to maintain the link on the monitor of the PC; that should alert us to any other friendly or enemy vessels coming into the fray. Also, you will now assume command of this vessel until I return.'

Veritas blinked at her. 'Return?!'

Pio nodded, but would say no more. She linked her arm in Veritas' and strolled with her to the stern. 'You must tell no one that I have gone.' She pulled Veritas behind some large boxes piled near the end of the ship, obscuring them from any on deck.

'Keep these safe for me', she said, giving Veritas her sword to belt on, along with a small leather pouch. 'Put these under your robes where no one might see them.' She bent down and quickly unlaced her leather boots, and took them off along with her leggings. From her belt she took a silver knife with a double edge. Down the center of the blade was a curious script which seemed to float like kelp and foam on a glassy sea. Mother-of-pearl winked and shifted in the intricate traceries of the grip, and on the pommel sat the small, worn head of a very old man with a long beard and sea grey eyes.

Bowing briefly toward the West, as if in supplication, she shrugged off the rest of her raiment and grasped the knife in her teeth. One quick step and she jumped from the ship, sinking quickly in the waves which reached up to pull her under.

Veritas looked for her, but could see nothing. 'May you find friendly currents, Pio.' she whispered. Gathering up the small pile of clothes she tucked them into her voluminous sleeve and hurried back to the cabin to store them and to retrieve the PC.

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

[Child of the 7th Age]

Idril sat on the deck and stared across at the ship on which the Lord Mithadan sailed. Again and again, she tried to penetrate his mind, to read his thoughts, and again she had no results. She could not broadcast over to him, nor could she read even the haziest of his images or ideas. It was as if he were a blank box.

With the wizards, however, it was a different matter. It is true that they had their minds boxed in and it was impossible to see or communcate freely. Yet at least Idril could sense the workings of evil underneath, even if she was powerless to influence them.

How very strange, she pondered. Mithadan has a unique power to shut out the entire world. What a strong fea he must have.

And then it hit here. If I can not read him, neither can those on the other ship. Not even the Blue Wizards. She pondered this a while, but feared to venture further with her thoughts.

Rose, on the other hand, though a mere hobbit, was broadcasting her thoughts and images with strength and precision. Idril had to smile. The hobbit may have had no training at all, but fear sometimes makes the best teacher, especially in matters of the heart.

Again, she reviewed in her mind the series of events which had led Rose to be bound and tied upon the mast. Not a pretty sight, and yet...... One or two images snapped in her mind that did not make sense. For Rose's small sword still dangled from her waist, hidden under layers of skirts and a heavy cloak.

The Lady turned and focused her thoughts on the tiny Rose. Using a strong outside barrier to fend off any probing minds, she relayed a brief answer to her: "Do not ask questions. Your blade must be hidden. I truly do not know, but help may be closer than you think."

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

All the dragons and Elven kin were gathered on the deck, listening to the instructions of Tuor as to what they should do in the upcoming battle.

Suddenly, Tuor turned to see his Elven Lady standing in the bow of the ship. He went over to her, bent down, and placed a kiss on her golden locks. She reached up to him and whispered words in his ear. He looked puzzled and shook his head, first no and then a tentative yes.

"Are you sure?"......."Not in the least," she replied. "But until I am proven wrong, we must err on the side of caution."

Tuor went back to the group, cleared his throat, and said: "Our plans are thus. In pitched battle, we may have no choice. But should choice come our way, aim first at the two Blue Wizards and the hideous warped creatures they command. This creature Mithadan....leave him till the end. He is special, and I alone claim the right to deal with the traitor."

Child raised her eyes and glared. "I am no soldier or lord, but I like not these orders. For this one has betrayed those who followed him with great trust. Of all on the ship, I like him the least and I would prefer to place my dagger in his back!"

Tuor looked straight into her eyes using the voice of command. "What you say may be true, but these are my orders. Attack the others first, and make sure to ask the winged worms to do the same. I hold you to this as a matter of honor."

Child mumbled and hung her head, but grudgingly consented.

Tuor again turned to Child: "Go join Frodo and Samwise over by the small emergency craft as we may need to use this to ferry you all to the other vessel. And, little Lady, either you have gained several pounds, or you carry something under your skirts!"

Child shrugged, "Nothing important, two daggers, a polished bronze mirror, a few flints, a small household torch, and a whistle which I use to call Angara. For you have promised that, of all the dragons, she will be used to keep an eye on Frodo, Sam, and myself."

Tuor turned away and laughed, "It is a good thing that hobbits tend towards the bulky side for you have enough merchandise to begin work as a peddler!"

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Veritas]

Veritas pulled the clothes and other stuff from Pio in a chest in the cabin. She was a bit worried about her, what was she going to do?

She looked at the screen and saw that the hostile vessels were closing faster then she first had thought. She tried to calculate when the ships would arrive with this tempo. Hmm... About an hour or two, tree.

She locked the cabin behind here and walked to the front of the ship. At the horizon she saw the vessels.

"Captain, how long will it take to make this catamaran in battle situation?"

"It can be done in an hour."

"Would you order the crew to do it, as quick as possible please."

Veritas looked into the air, the sky was blue, but heavy clouds were moving towards them, it wouldn't take long before it began to rain. The sun was already falling. About four hours it would be dark.

She helped the people preparing the ship, at least she had to do something. She wondered how all the other people were doing, would they be scared, or were they facing the danger head on? She didn't know. When the catamaran was ready, the first drops were falling out of the sky.

She walked to the cabin, the door was onlocked... She walked to the laptop, but it didn't seemed to be touched, nor Pio's stuff...

"Strange, I thought I had locked the cabin." Veritas said. She waited for Pio's return.

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Veritas ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child was helping to prepare the small emergency boat for its departure, should that need occur anytime in the next hour or two. She remembered that Sam did not know how to swim, and wondered whether or not Frodo had ever picked up the skill. Seeing how his parents had been lost, Child thought he might have made a point to acquire the art of swimming, or perhaps when he had spent time in Aman where the Sea and the shore seemed to be so much a part of daily life.

In truth, the one thing this voyage had taught here is that she did not want to wander on or live near the waters, at least for any extended time. She had even forgotten about her one-eighth share in this vessel. Or, at least it was not uppermost in her mind. She longed for the feeling of a good green field or even the gentle trees of the forest.

She smiled gently and then laughed. For here, on the edge of Doom, the Sea itself had seemingly cured her of her previous longing for the Undying West. Her Elven ancestor must indeed be higher and occupy a more distant vantage on the family tree than she had previously thought. For right now she would gladly take the cycle of the seasons with its snow and rain and summer heat and winter frost over the unvarying moderation of those distant lands.

Child truly hoped that Frodo wouldn't find things so tortured and difficult. She did not like to see him hurting so, and to her, at least, their choice seemed clear and obvious.

For if they did not fight, they would all be turned into monsters or slaves of the Blue Wizards. It was really not a question of Frodo or Samwise being different. Hope seemed so very little right now for any of them.

Either that, of if the wizards judged them useless, they might be thrust into the void. She sensed she might fall into the latter category since many big people and wizards, at least the evil ones, did not seem to care for hobbits. Not a pleasant musing, but even the void had its advantages when compared with being transformed into an orc.

Fighting and deception, at least, gave them some small hope of altering this unpleasant doom. So fighting and deception it would have to be.

And, speaking of deception, something tugged at her mind. She thought again of Tuor's words and the strange picture of Rose which Idril had shown her. For Rose had been drenched and bruised and but narrowly escaped a more severe beating. Narrowly escaped.....!? Hm, Child found that strange, quite marvelously strange. She smiled a bit in the midst of gloom and went on with her work.

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Birdland]

Birdie walked to the stern of the Elven ship, took a deep breath, and dove into the water. She immediately felt the curved dorsal fin of a dolphin grow from her back, relieved to know that her earlier transformation had not been a fluke.

(O.C.C. - Get it? "fin"? "fluke"??? Oh, I just kill myself, sometimes.)

She looked around in the water, and as she had hoped, found the green Mer-Man. He was swooping back and forth in front of the Elven ship, riding the bow waves and apparently enjoying himself immensely. Birdie swam over and joined him. "Bow riding" was fun! She was carried along by the force of the ships foward progress, with no effort on her part at all. But she was here for business, not pleasure.

"Greetings, Mer-Man!" keened Birdie. "I hoped I might find you here again. What news do you have for us?"

The Mer-Man pulled away from the bow, and swimming a few yards away, struck a dramatic pose.

"I fear I have bad news...the young halfling has been captured by the Blue Wizards!"

"We knew that already."

"You did? Ahh, the elves mind-reading abilities, I see. Well then...the warrior Mithadan has seemed to cast his lot with your enemies!"

We knew that already, too."

Ahhhh, but did you know that secretly he may actually..."

"Yes. Or we suspected as much."

"Well, apparently you have little need of my help after all", the Mer-Man pouted, and prepared to swim away.

"No! Wait! Please!" shouted Birdie, she swam in front of the green and silver creature. "Please, tell me: has Ulmo agreed to help us?"

"My master Ulmo thinks you are all doing splendidly, and has every faith that you will succeed against your foe, though you may sustain some losses. However...", he assured, as he saw Birdie's tail slump with disappointment. "He is willing to send you a most effective ally. Behold!"

Suddenly, the water around Birdie was churning with long, thin, white creatures - some up to six feet long - writhing and whipping frantically whereever she turned. "Eeeeuuuwwwww! Worms!" squealed Birdie. She felt as if she had been dropped in a pot of boiling spaghetti.

"Not worms, really," corrected the Mer-Man. Teredo navalis, genus: mollusk, species: clam. commonly called, though "Teredo worms" or "ship worms".

"Ship worms!" cried Birdie, "Why they'll..."

"Precisely!" said the Mer-Man. "A few hundred of our squiming friends here will riddle the hull of the Blue Ship with holes like Bree cheese. And they are particularly fond of ebony wood."

"Thank you, Ulmo! Thank you, Mer-Man!" Birdie stroked her dolphin body appreciatively along the side of the Mer-Man.

"Enough of that!" blustered the Mer-Man. Suddenly, they heard a splash. "Ahhhh, I see another of your friends has joined us." The Mer-Man eyed the form of Pio, swimming towards the Blue Ship, with an appreciative gleam. "It is the charming Elf Maiden again, I see. What a pity she has no tail."

"Thank you again! I must catch up with Pio. Come on, you worm-clam things!" Birdie swam off, followed by the writhing school of ship-eaters.

"Good luck to you" called out the Mer-Man. Then to himself he said, "And I sincerely mean that. For if the Blue Wizards succeed in dominating the Elf-Folk, how long will it be before they turn their attention towards my own people, as well?"

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Rose Cotton]

Dispite what she was told Rose was still curious as to what was going on. She streched her mind to pick up any conversation. Somthing about Child, Frodo, and Sam coming over to this ship. Why? And Pio and Birdie were in the water. Hm..Mithadan might not be evil after all. And that elf was speaking of battle. Fight Mithadan? Child? What was she thinking? Slay Mithadan. Rose would never do such a thing even if he had betrayed them. Rose couldn't pick up anything else.

She looked at Mithadan's face trying to find anything betraying his thoughts. But all she could get was the feeling he was waiting for somting.

Rose started to ache from her postition but she wouldn't sit. She tried once more to free herself.

She leaned forward in the ropes to alow her bounded hands to move. She reached for her sword hilt and slowly tugged it out of it's sheath. All the while making sure no one could see. Then she started to sever the ropes around her wrists.

She would then cut the end the rope and hold it in place so that others would think she was still tied. Mithadan had not taken her sword. AND he tied her ropes loose. Had he ment for her to escape?

Again she looked at him and this time his gase met her's.

[Mithadan]

Mithadan watched the Elf-friend ships draw near. He instructed ten of the sailors to man the rail with hooks and ropes. Squinting, he struggled to measure the distance to the Blue Wizards' "prey". Less than a mile, he judged.

Pallando and Alatar stood, watching the approaching vessels. The time had come to make their "offer". Alatar closed his eyes and gripped his staff...

Mithadan looked over to where Rose was bound to the mast. She wriggled about, apparently testing her bonds, then froze when her eyes met his. He scowled, then looked pointedly away. He then noted that her guard was looking out at the approaching ships. This would not do. He walked over and swatted the guard with an open hand. "Watch your charge," he growled. Then he stepped over to Rose and, with a kick, swept her feet out from under her. He reached down and checked the ropes which bound her. Tears running down her cheeks, she extended her hand to him. He grabbed her wrist and said, "Do not try to wriggle away now little rabbit. Your time will come soon enough."

Meanwhile, Alatar had sent an image of himself to Idril. "I take it you have authority to treat with me. We have one who maybe you would not see harmed? The Hobbit Rose Baggins?"

"Baggins?" Idril asked in confusion.

"Do not play at words with me," responded the Wizard. "Mithadan has joined us and revealed her identity."

Idril smiled. "Oh. I see," she replied. "And what must we do to ensure Miss. Baggins is not harmed?"

"This matter has been a misunderstanding," said the Wizard. "We mean no harm, but now fear attack from your armed vessels. We, in a show of good faith, will exchange the Baggins girl for her cousin, Frodo, and his companion who we shall hold to ensure your good conduct. We will, of course, release them later, once calm heads prevail."

The air seemed electrified. Many minds were looking one to the other creating a "magical" murmur and the Wizards were intent on the unfurling events. Mithadan stepped towards the rail and muttered under his breath...

[piosenniel]

: smilies/redface.gifoc - Bird! You are your own best audience!!! You crack me up!!::
********************************************

Pio dove far beneath the waves, the knife clenched in her teeth. When she had reached a certain depth, she put out a small mental call, one she had not used since childhood days playing with her cousins in the surf.

Oarni, Oarni!!!
Spirits of wave and water,
Come out! Come out!
and play!!

Light filtered green and moving in the water as Pio waited. She was at a depth that the action of the waves did not affect her. She swam a distance toward the ebon-wood ship and called again. The sea seemed empty around her,an effect, she thought of so much evil having entered this area.

Then in an instant, like a watery whirlwind, she was caught in the swirl of a tight moving vortex of water.

'Who calls us? & to these waters, they feel sick and deathly!', demanded a silvery voice in her mind.

The whirling stopped, and Pio focused on the ring of creatures which encircled her, their eyes curious, and reserved. Long, green hair drifted in the water like sea weed. Their faces and torsos those of trim young women, bodies narrowing down into long muscular scaled appendages ending in large fish-like tails.

'Do you not remember me?' she asked. 'We played when I was younger along the northern shores.'

They drew closer to her. 'Ah, little slow swimming Pio. We remember you. But what are you doing here where the waters grow dark and begin to feel foul? & why have you called us. Not to play!'

'I need your help. I must reach that black hulled ship and soon. My friend has been imprisoned there. And I must see to an heir of Aelfwine, if he is still true to the Light I will assist him, but if he is evil, I will kill him.'

They put their hands on her and smiled and she could see the pointed little teeth that she remembered. 'So fair and so deadly', she thought to herself.

'We will help you as we can. And if it prove that such as he has turned to darkness, then throw him down to us. Ever have we held the remembrance of Aelfwine dear, and none shall mar it.'

They secured her with their arms and moved her with great speed toward the ship, coming right up to the hull at its stern.

Surfacing in the shadow of the great ship, they began to lift her up for the climb to the deck. She motioned them to let her down. 'Let us wait for the cover of darkness', she whispered.

'What better to defeat Darkeness than itself!' they laughed, and dove with her beneath the hull to wait.

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

[Rose Cotton]

As Mithadan stepped away Rose stuggled to get onto her feet. Then more slowly and carefully she continued to free herself. Mithadan could do what he wanted to her but she wouldn't be a little rabbit caught in a trapp. Maybe they were wrong about Mith. Either that or he should have been in the LotR movie because he's a wonderfull actor. But she wouldn't trust him anymore. She would have to pretend that he really was an enemy and rely on herself to get out of this.

[Mithadan]

In Veritas' empty cabin, a green light blinked on the REG. A metallic voice said "Authorized User Recognized." The wires attaching the REG to the laptop disconnected themselves. Then the air around the REG blurred and wavered. The REG disappeared.

On the deck of the black ship, Mithadan patted a pocket. Pallando sniffed the air as if he sensed something odd, then returned his attention to his brother. The Elf had agreed to the exchange. Mithadan continued muttering to himself for a moment, then walked over to the two Wizards.

"Free the Baggins girl and have her placed in a boat with a sailor. Have her conveyed to the Elven vessel but not released until the Ringbearer is aboard," instructed Alatar.

"Immediately," said Mithadan. While the sailors prepared the boat, he walked over to Rose and undid her bonds. Her tears had dried and her jaw was set. She drew her blade and set the point to Mithadan's chest. The blade was turned by his mail. Mithadan showed no reaction, but pushed her hand back under her cloak, took the blade and tossed it overboard. "Can't have you hurting yourself now," he said quietly. He stood and turned to the sailor and said "She's ready for you."

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

[Rose Cotton]

"What am I ready for?" Rose snapped. Then she saw the boat with Sam, Frodo and Child making it's way over the water and she understood. "Ah, what do they think they're doing?" And there were the Blue Wizards right next to her. Not more then a sword's swipe away. Why didn't she just stike them now and free her friends of them. She could get at least one before she was stopped. But Mithadan was right behind her. Did she dare with him watching?

In a desprite attempt Rose swung up her blade to stike the closest wizard.

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Rose's thrust missed. Mithadan seized her sword and hurled it into the water. She was then pushed down into the bottom of a small boat which was set upon the water. One sailor glared at her from the front, the tip of a sharp blade of steel thrust dangerously near her ribs. Then, to make certain no mishap would occur, another sailor was placed behind her. He toyed with a silver dagger upon his lap. Rose was commanded to begin rowing.

A tiny craft bearing Frodo in the bow approached the rendezvous point. Under Frodo's cloak and shirt, the phial of Galadriel had been bound. Sam pulled steadily on the oars. He held the Wizard's ship in his gaze and the distant figure of Mithadan, but every so often turned to look upon Frodo's face.

Child crouched in the back. Her ostensible task was to remain in the small boat and return with Rose to the Elven ship. Child could not tell whether Frodo and Sam had dared strap on swords under their clothing. She herself carried two daggers.

Her mind, however, was focused not on the ships, but on Angara who awaited her command. Angara would relay her instructions to the waiting five dragons. Idril had commanded her not to release the worms until Tuor himself had blown upon the great horn of Ulmo, fashioned in the guise of a large sea shell.

Idril and Tuor had insisted that the worms not be released until Frodo and Sam actually boarded the Wizard's vessel. Militarily, this did not make sense to her. Why not begin the attack here and now? Something else must be at stake here. But she would follow orders and do as she was bid.

The two small boats came together, circling each other. Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, the sailor with the silver dagger leapt upon the hobbit's craft, seized Child around the waist, and slid the blade of the dagger along her throat. He grunted commands to Frodo and Samwise to enter the other vessel. Rose was literally thrown over the side and barely made it into the small waiting craft.

Frodo's and Sam's skiff began its slow journey back towards the waiting wizards.

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

The mariner with the silver dagger roared with laughter at the women, "Well, young hobbits, and just how long do you expect to live?"

The sailor turned to face Rose. "You, woman, shall go first." He lunged and leaned over, but at the same time, Child went for her dagger under her cloak. Without thinking, she struck at whatever piece of anatomy was closest to her vicinity.

Child hit him in the side. Her stroke was not enough to give serious injury, but he was infuritated. He turned about and, in that instant, Child flipped the other dagger to Rose who had no hesitation about its use. Together, the two of them heaved the body of the orc mariner over the side.

A mer beast came swimming to the side of the vessel with Rose's precious sword in his grip. Rose seized upon it with joy. Now, the two hobbits were free to return to the Wizard's ship and do what damage they could.

Rose remembered the hatch where the garbage was thrown out, a possible entry for small bodies. And Child remembered the flints, the torch, and bronze mirror about her waist. They began rowing furiously towards the stern of the vessel. The Wizard gave them not a second thought, as they were but small hobbits, and women at that.

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Rose Cotton]

As they rowed Rose had time to talk to Child.
"Child! What do you think you and those two going? What is going on? The only news I've gotten is snaggs from my elf hottline. And Mithadan. Oh Child, I don't know about him. I think he's on our side then he goes and does somthing terrible."

[Mithadan]

Mithadan watched the hostage transfer take place and smiled at the brief struggle in Child's boat. All other eyes were fixed on the Ringbearer as the sailors made ready to bring the second boat on deck. Mithadan watched briefly as Child and Rose began to paddle towards the black ship. Then he moved away from the side and began shouting orders loudly, calling the sailors away from the rail. He seized a rope as the Ringbearer's boat was drawn up and awaited Frodo and Sam's arrival. As if he were chilled by the wind, he drew his cloak tightly around him and again muttered under his breath. None noted that his chest seemed to grow more bulky under his shirt.

As the Ringbearer and his companion stepped from the boat, he drew his sword. Cutting a length of rope, he ordered the two bound together with a line attached to the waist of each. He took the end of the rope and tugged the Hobbits closer to him. "Hello Frodo, hello Sam," he said. "Traitor," Sam replied. Mithadan backhanded Sam across his face.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child and Rose slowly made their way to the garbage hatch. It was just above the water line. Child used her heavy dagger as a crowbar to wrench the shoot open. An overwhelming stench drifted down the passage.

She tied her skirts above her waist in a vain attempt to avoid becoming entangled in the morass of stinking flesh and rotting vegetable marrows. The two hobbits crawled about 15 feet up the chute. Then they sat on their heels and looked each other up and down.

Despite the gravity of their situation, they couldn't help giggling. Child taunted, "Ho, there, Rose. You look and smell worse than Strider did when he first met Frodo and Samwise at the Prancing Pony."

Rose obliged: "You don't exactly smell too good yourself! And this place isn't any Prancing Pony."

"Now, what are we going to do? Rose asked. "You surely don't think you'll burn down the ship with a few flints and a torch?"

"Oh, no", Child replied. "I'm not that naive. But a little diversion here and there on the ship might make it easier for someone to create some mayhem and mischief. And a little mayhem and mischief never hurt, while we're waiting for Idril to blow that horn and start the final attack. Who knows? Maybe we could even pry Sam and Frodo loose."

Child continued, "I thought I'd start setting the fires, and you can take your sword and this one dagger, and do a bit of investigative snooping and creating various diversions. If something major gets going, you can always call Angara in to help as she is supposed to be keeping a special guard over the hostages."

"What think you?"

[Rose Cotton]

"Sounds like fun." said Rose. "Hm...were could I start? I know." and she was off.

[Samwise]

Sam drew a sharp breath.

Frodo glared at Mith.
Frodo: Traitorus beast! Leave him be!

[VanimaEdhel]

OOC: Hmmm...I'm basically out of the RPG here...maybe I'll sail somewhere or something with Legolas...

Meneli and Legolas decided to sail to see how the others were doing.

As they approached, they saw there was still some turmoil.

"Aaye!" Legolas shouted, "How are you mariners doing in your quests?"

[Samwise]

Primrose stood by the railing of the Elven Lady's ship, her bow over her shoulder and quiver on her back. She remembered quite clearly the night before.

"What!?" she had cried, clutching one of the Elven toys she'd been given in her hand so tightly as if to break it. "No!"

Frodo had placed a hand on her head. "It will be alright, little one. I promise. "

She looked up at him. Somehow, when he spoke, she knew he meant every word.

"Tiny Rose," her father said, "Mister Frodo's right. Everything will be okay. "
he winked at her and glanced heavenward. "You just pray for us. "
..............................................
Primrose sighed. She had watched the little boat carrying her father and Uncle across to the dark ship. They were taken aboard, then
bound together. A raven-haired man in a cloak stood over them...

Prim: What in the name of---!?!?

Then the man struck her father across the face.

Prim: No! It can't be! Why that no-good traitor!

The next thing she knew she had set an arrow in the string of her bow and aimed....but....
something was wrong.

In the back of her mind, she saw the same man with an amiable smile on his face, holding her bow aloft and saying,
"Never annoy a live dragon, dear,"

She lowered her bow. "Hold on...Mister Mithadan wouldn't--not unless he was under some kinda spell...or...hm...." smilies/wink.gif

Just then, she heard a voice call from off the ship.

[Samwise]

Primrose shouldered her bow and ran to the back of the ship. Another boat had come up behind them.

Prim: Missus Meneli? Mister Legolas?

She eyed the male Elf suspiciously. Mister Legolas? Is that really YOU?

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo caught Sam in his arms as Sam fell back from being hit. Now he drew Sing in a flash and stood with his eyes glittering. He stood with Sting in one ahnd and the other hand on Sam's shoulder.

"If you hit Sam again" he said to Mith in an incredibly fierce voice, "you will die by my hand."

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child had waited for the advent of evening to proceed with her plans. She had managed to make her way upward towards a storage area which housed the ship's foodstuffs and supplies. Carefully using her flints and torch, she had stated a tiny fire in one of the small compartments of foodstuffs. She tore up old sacks and a dillapidated wooden barrel to feed the small flame.

Wisps of smoke began rising upward and coming through the ship's grates, until she was certain that it would be visible to those on the main deck.

[Birdland]

Birdie swam towards the great hulk of the Wizards' ship, the herd of ship worms behind her. As she she approached the side of the vessel, the creatures seemed to sense that their next meal was at hand. They passed her at incredible speed, whipping their way through the water without a splash.

The first of the great ship-worms came to the vessel. Opening a surprisingly large mouth cavity, rimmed with a solid plate of rasping teeth, the bizarre beast attached it's mouth to the wooden hull.

And then seemed to do nothing! There was no sound, no tremor to the ship at all. But by fast inches, the head, then the body of the great worm slowing started to disappear into the ebony wood sides of the massive ship. More and more of the creatures attached themselves and began to feed, until at last the bottom of the Blue Wizards' ship looked like it was wearing a lacy, tattered skirt. At the rate that the ship worms were feeding, the great vessel would be a worm-hole ridden shell within an hour. A child's fist could bunch a hole in it that would send it to the bottom.

"And everyone who is on it, too!" thought Birdie. But where was Pio? She had seen her in the distance, when she had first jumped into the water, but now she could see her no where. Had she already secretly boarded the vessel?

Birdie heard the splash of oars, and her eyes widened as she saw a small skiff leave the side of the Blue Wizard's ship. The exchange was taking place! Birdie cautiously raised her pointed snout above the water level until her round dark eye was above the waves. Suddenly the sleek, wet head of the Mer-Man appeared beside her. "And so it begins", he said. "Let us hope everyone plays their roles well."

They watched together as the the skiff appoached the small boat that had been lowered from the Elven vessel. The two craft met, and agreement seemed to have been reached, for Child left the Ringbearer's skiff, and sat down with Rose in the other dory. Then the small boat carrying Sam and Frodo continued it's journey towards the huge black and blue ship.

Sam was struggling mightily with the oars against the waves, and Birdie sank beneath the surface and secretly helped to push the craft forward, in order to spare the hobbit's strength for the far more serious ordeal a-waiting them. She was 99% certain that Mith was still with them, but a small 1% of her hoped that she was not pushing the halflings towards certain death.

Suddenly Birdie heard the thudding of feet on wood echoing through the water. Turning and lifting her head, she saw treachery! The sailor who was rowing Child and Rose back to the Elven ship had tried to stab the halfling women, but Child - good ol' Child! - had pulled a dagger from her skirt and gutted the seahand like a halibut. This was a side of Child that continued to amaze Birdie, no matter how many times she had seen Child defend herself in similar "tight spots". Who would have thought!

Suddenly, Birdie remembered: where was Pio! If she had been in danger of drowning, the Mer-Man would have said something. But where had she gone?

A cluster of giggles suddenly burst from under the Blue Wizards hull. Darting among the waving worm-tails dangling from the wooden sides were...Mer-Maids?

"Oh, my word!" The Mer-Man floated behind Birdie, arms crossed across green chest, with a disdainful look on his face. "Is this the kind of company the fair elf maid keeps?"

But...they're Mer-Folk, like you...aren't they?" said Birdie

"Nonsense! Silly Mer-Sprites. 'Melusine Sauvage'," He leaned close and whispered in Birdie's ear-hole, "Aborigines, you know. Not our kind at all."

The Mer-Sprites spotted the Mer-Man at that moment, and flocked around him, rubbing their bodies against him and playing with the kelp-brown hair. Birdie noticed that their teeth were filed to sharp points, which did indeed make them look very much the Melusine Sauvage. She wondered nervously if dolphin was on their diets.

"Hoydens! Bawds! Unhand me!" blustered the Mer-Man, as the bevy of wild beauties continued to flirt and coo over their more "civilized" cousin.

Birdie's dolphin smile actually seemed to grow a little wider as she watched the antics, but then she remembered the missing member of the party. She poked her nose tentatively among the tangle of worm tails, appreciatively shorter since they had begun their feasting.

"Pio? Pio?! Are you in there? The exchange has been made. The halflings are onboard the Blue Ship. Pio, where are you?"

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Rose Cotton]

Rose made her way down to the bottom of the ship. She had been wanting to make disturbance up above but thought she should wait till it was dark enough. For now she was exploring the lower compartments.

Then somthing started to come through the floor. A worm of somekind was eating it's way into the ship. Water rushed in. Uh-oh. Rose went off to warn Child.

[piosenniel]

It was late evening, darkening toward night. As if in answer to her supplication on the cat, the night sky was clouded over, no stars shone through and even the light of the moon was hazy and obscured.

Pio climbed silently up the stern end of the great ship, finding hand and footholds that no human could see. When she reached the deck, she looked over its edge carefully, checking for any patrolling guards. To her left, the way was clear but on her right were two sailors just walking away from her. Her arms and legs burned from the long climb, but she waited until the two were well out of sight. Body flat on the deck, she crawled under a tarp draped over some stacked crates near her boarding point. She inched quietly around the crates and peered out at the expanse of the deck which was dimly lit with lanterns.

Near the helm, she could see that the Captains cabin was well lit, and there were voices coming from it, though she could not pick up the words. Across the oilskin covering the windows, she could see two figures cross and recross each other's path. The voices rose and fell as if there were some sort of argument going on.

There were not many sailors out on deck by her reckoning. And her end of the vessel seemed especially deserted. There was one crew member who was walking toward her position, a coil of rope over his shoulder. He drew near and proceeded to place the coil on the crates and then sat down on one of the lower boxes. Pio stopped her breathing and listened intently. She heard him tamping tobacco into his pipe, the scritch of the match, and then the smell of tobacco drifting on the air.

Stepping quietly behind him, she held his head in a vise-like grip with her arm and slit his throat from ear to ear with her knife. He made no sound, and quietly slumped back against her. She dragged him under the tarp along with his fallen pipe and stripped him of his clothes. Putting them on quickly, she took some of the dark ash and residue from his pipe and wiped it on her face and the backs of her hands. She stuck his knife in her trouser's top and wiped off her knife on the leg of her pants.

'Time to reconnoiter,' she thought to herself, and slipped into the shadows.

[piosenniel]

She had made her way to port side, still without seeing a sign of the hostages. 'This is such a large ship, and they are such small hobbits.' she thought. 'How will I ever find them?'

A seabreeze ruffled her hair, and the clouds scudding across the face of the moon parted for a brief moment. She saw, standing at the rail, a man in black who turned his face briefly to catch the silver light of the moon.

'Mithadan!' she hissed quietly.'Now where have you put the hobbits?!' The wondering was cut short as the man turned his gaze back to the sea, toward her friends' ships.

The breeze stilled and the air thickened with anticipation in the returning darkness. Stealing close behind him, she wrapped her left arm tight around his neck and drew back his head, the sea-silver knife in her right grip pressed hard against the left side of his neck, pulsing slightly with the beating of his heart.

'Tell me where Frodo and Sam are!, she whispered menacingly in his ear. 'Or I will slit you like a fish throw your foul carcass overboard, and let the sea claim you.'

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

[Samwise]

Sam stood breathing heavily a moment, holding his cheek in his hand.

Sam: I--I'm all right, Mister Frodo. Or I will be.

[Samwise]

Sam opened his eyes. What had happened?

He remembered being swatted by Mithadan, Frodo's threatening him, then...?

As his eyes became used to the dark, he saw that his eyes had been blindfolded. He felt the dryness of a rag in his mouth.

Behind him, Sam heard a groan. His fingers
touched someone elses'.

Mister Frodo!

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: smilies/eek.gif Pio, your starting to scare me! But so is Mith.::

Child was just coming out of a storage room when Rose rushed up to her making more noise then was wise.

"Shhhh! Rose, do you want to get us caught?"

"It's either that or drown. Child. Worms are eating the bottom of the ship. It will only be a few hours before this thing gets a permanent residence on the ocean floor."

[ June 19, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Samwise]

Just then, Sam's ears pricked up. He thought he heard muffled voices.

Sam: Hlllllllllppphhhhhhhhh!

He started to cry for help himself, but then thought a moment.

Just a minute, Sam Gamgee! What if it's them Blue Wizards--or Mithadan? I can't believe what that fellow's done..... smilies/frown.gif

[Birdland]

Birdie swam around the hull of the vessel, and had poked amongst the hanging worm tails, but could not find Pio anywhere. "She must have climbed up a rope onto the ship," thought Birdie. She contemplated climbing up herself, but let this idea go for the moment. She had no sword on her, knew nothing about the ship, and did not know where her friends were at the moment.

Birdie backed up and popped her head out of the water, but could see nothing. Looking up at the hull of the massive vessel was like looking up the side of a cliff. She could see nothing on deck. It was still eerily quiet. What was going on? Birdie wished she could hear the thoughts of the Elf-Folk, like some of the halflings could under duress, but her mind had always been shut to such things.

Then, looking down again into the water, Birdie noticed something peculiar. The mass of ship worms seemed to be thinning. She realized that some of the worms had now completely eaten their way into the hull. Already? Just how fast could these creatures work. She had a feeling that these giant worms were doing the work of months in minutes.

Then Birdie's worst fears were confirmed. The ship was listing slightly to the left, and had settled slightly lower in the water.

It was already beginning to sink.

Birdie turned and fled back to the Mer-Man. he was now quite happily entertaining the bevy of Mer-Sprites with some sprightly repartee. Any thoughts of "class distinctions" seemed to have vanished as the aquatic roué seemed to have found a willing, worshipful audience. "Why of course I have met Ulmo personally! He has often stated that he wouldn't be able to accomplish half the things he does, were it not for me..."

"Excuse me, ladies. Please. If I may steal your new companion away for just a moment." Bird nudged the Mer-Man away from the flock of Mer-Sprites. Some pouted and sulked, a few bared their teeth at the morphed dolphin and hissed "Find your own, Grey-Back!"

Birdie nervously nudged the Mer-Man to the edge of the crowd and whistled urgently. "I think the ship is sinking! Just how fast were the worms supposed to break through the hull?"

"Oh, they couldn't have possibly broken through yet. Another hour or so at least"

"Look!" Birdie spun the Mer-Man around with her nose until he was facing the ship. There was no mistaking from this angle. The ship was definitely starting to list.

"Oh, dear," tsked the Mer-Man. "They must have been more ravenous than I thought."

"How long? How long will the ship stay afloat" keened Birdie

"Oh, not long at all, I'm afraid. Say - perhaps - one more hour 'til she slides to the bottom. Perhaps I overestimated the number of worms needed...?"

Birdie looked aghast at the great vessel. In one hour, their "army" would be fighting the Blue Wizards at the bottom of the sea.

[ June 20, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Losthuniel]

Celeaewen was staring at the ship, but not seeing it, when she snapped back to (middle)earth. she nudged Rosseil
"is it just me, or is that ship on a funny angle?"
Rosseil snorted at her "you idiot, you've been...WHAT THE !@#$%. who's in charge here? that ship is sinking! oh dear, ohj dear..."
Rosseuil dashed off to find an authority figure, and Celeaewen, seeing nothing for it, ran after.

[Samwise]

Sam struggled to free himself, but the ropes were rather tight. When he pulled, he touched Frodo's hands, and figured they must be tied together.

Oh, this is just fine, Sam. Just fine. Now what?

[Samwise]

It was then that Sam's ears pricked up again.
What......? Running water?

He listened harder to see if he could tell where the sound was coming from. Just then, he felt something cold and wet lap against his feet.

Oh, my.....

[Samwise]

Sam could feel the water under his legs, now.

Well, at least I know where I'm goin'..........

He yanked at Frodo, whom he could now tell was bound to him by the hands.

Oh, Mister Frodo, please wake UP!

Just then, above, he thought he heard running footsteps and voices---this time they sounded farmiliar.

Miss Child? Rosie?

Gag or no gag, he started being loud!

Sam: HLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPP!! PLLLLLSSSSSSSSS HLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPP!!!!!!!!

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child looked aghast at Rose. Instead of tending fires, she was up to her ankles in wet and mud. She didn't know whether Birdland had bothered to tell Idril and Tuor about this strange turn of events. She somehow doubted it.

Child complained, "You say we have several hours? That may be optomistic. This water is rising very quickly."

Child continued, "Where are Frodo and Sam? Sam can't even swim."

"Wait, I have an idea. We need to go to the upper deck." With hobbit deftness and under cover of night, the two women crept up to the main deck which was still dry. The crew here were not yet aware of what was happening under their feet.

Child scanned the horizon with troubled heart searching for Angara. She had just given up when she spied an old green wooden barrel. The barrel blinked at her with eyes of gold.

"Angara, bless you, It's Child. Stand by to lift us off as well as Samwise and Frodo."

The vessel began to tilt at a dangerous angle.

"Have all the dragons stand by to pick up survivors out of the water."

Rose glared at Child, "What do we do about Mithadan?"

Child said, "I have no idea, but let's try and find the hobbits first and get them onto Angara's back." Rose and Child ran down below, hoping to find Sam and Frodo.

[Rose Cotton]

Child and Rose immedetly heard the yells.
"I think it's this way" whispered Rose.

They went down a few floors and found the room where the noise was coming from. The door wasn't locked and they were able to slip right in. "Funny, not locking the door." said Rose."Shhh. Sam, it's alright now. Here, we'll undo the rope."

"It's because they underestimate us." replyed Child.And she cut Frodo's and Sam's bonds.

[Samwise]

Sam continued to let out muffled yells until his throat hurt. Suddenly, the floor beneath him seemed to tilt, and he fell back against Frodo. The sound of water rushing was greater, now.
Oh, dear.....

[Samwise]

Sam looked up as someone removed his gag and blindfold.

Sam: Oh, Rosie...I didn't think anyone was going to find us.

[ June 20, 2002: Message edited by: Samwise ]

[Samwise]

OOC: Gotta go. Thank you, ladies, for rescuing us! smilies/wink.gif

[Rose Cotton]

"Well now we have to get going and fast. I'm not possitive it was only us who heard your yells." Said Rose. "Is Frodo alright?"
(see you Sam!)
(Oh I will be gone all day tomorow. I might get a chance to post in the morning but besides that I won't be here. I incurage anyone who want to to controll my charicter. I think I will go to bed now)

[ June 20, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Considering what they had been through, both hobbits seemed remarkably calm. Frodo, however, looked weak and extremely tired.

"Can you help him, Sam?, said Rose. "We've got to get out of here. There's a dragon waiting on the upper deck who can fly us out to safety."

Child asked, "Did any of our other friends make it over to this ship?"

But neither of the hobbits had any idea.

The four went on silent feet into the hallway. They could barely stand with the rush of water coming through the doorway. They struggled to a ladder and clambered with difficulty to the upper deck.

All above was chaos.

[Rose Cotton]

ooc:Ah! Pio! I had just got in bed when I remembered: Mithadan has the REG. That blasted new REG! You don't have him exactlly where you think you do. Be carefull! Ok. NOW I'm going to bed.::

[Veritas]

Veritas didn't want to wait much longer, she couldn't bear doing nothing while the other vessel almost was boarded.

She was watching the small boats, and the entering on the ship from the wizards.

"Everything is going in order of the plan." she thought.

Suddenly she saw the ship sinking, this couldn't be true.

Veritas was fighting with herself, did she had to follow the orders, or trow them away and take over the command. The decision was quickly made:

"Captain, lets make this catamaran move, we're gonna board the vessel of the Blue Wizards."

[Losthuniel]

Rosseil was explianing and flapping her arms wildly at a rather bewildered looking elf, when Tuor came up on deck
"things are goiing to plan, WHAT THE !@#$%?" he haad caught sight of Veritas's boat trying to boardthe Blue Wizards ship.

[Mithadan]

Mithadan murmured under his breath and an electric shock threw Piosenniel away from him. He turned and set his hand on the hilts of his sword but did not draw his blade. A distant look came over his face as he murmured again. Then he spoke to Pio and said, "Frodo and Sam have been rescued by Child and Rose but they remain below decks. Angara and one of her kin are hovering above waiting to take them to your ships. But that will not defeat the Wizards which is a matter of paramount importance."

Piosenniel clenched her blade in her hand, preparing to leap at Mithadan. "How do I know you are not lying?"

"If I were, I could have used the REG to destroy you," said Mithadan with a slight grin. "This sword, the sword of Aelfwine, was wrought by Aule and blessed by Ulmo. Ulmo's blessings are locked within the pearl on its pommel. The sword allowed me to conceal my mind and fool Alatar into believing he had overwhelmed my mind and coerced me into his service."

He drew the sword and held the pommel out towards Piosenniel. The pearl swirled with the colours of the sea. She touched the hilts and immediately saw a vision of the oceans under clear blue skies and a great figure clad in mail like fishes' scales. She withdrew her hand.

"Go to Frodo, Sam and their rescuers. Help them escape. There is not much time. The ship is sinking and the alarm will rise soon," he said.

"And you?" she asked.

"I will attempt to confront the wizards. If their staffs can be broken, they will lose their connection with the world of spirits and can be slain by weapons made in Middle Earth, just as Saruman was, and not merely diminished to rebuild themselves later," he said.

"The REG! You can use the REG," she cried.

"No. The REG will not slay them. It is a device made by man. But this sword..." He sheathed his blade and looked grimly to the West.

"You will be killed," she said. "How can you stand alone?"

"No weapon which you possess can slay the Wizards," he said. "If I am slain... well, tell Rose and Sam that I am sorry for how I treated them. Go now."

He turned away,

[piosenniel]

There were two desires warring in her mind as she stood and watched the dark cloaked figure walk away. The first was to find Child and Rose and help them get Frodo and Sam to safety, and the second was the vow she had made beneath the waves to assist Mithadan should he prove still true to the Light.

'First one, then the other', she told herself.

The ship's deck was in chaos. Crew members tried desperately to keep equipment from hurtling over the side of the ship as it listed to one side. Many of them lost their footing and slipped over the edge. 'Lot of playthings for the Oarni,' thought Pio.

She was running to the stairway which led below decks when a small barrel rolled in front of her feet and tripped her. She sprawled on the deck, the picture of an ungraceful elf, and hurled a few epithets at the barrel. 'Careful, elf! Or I'll mistake you for a sailor on this ship and burn you to a crisp!'

Pio's head jerked up in surprise. She saw two small golden eyes glowing at her from the barrel -- 'Angara! Where are Sam and Frodo? Have you seen them?' 'I would imagine that Child has them well in hand by now, along with Ms. Rose.' the barrel said languidly. 'I am waiting for them, to transport them back to safety.'

Pio considered what the dragon had told her. Her companions must be close by. She went quickly down the long stairs leading belowdeck and entered the darkened hallway. It was quiet, most of the crew had gone on deck to escape the rising water. One hand on the wall, she inched her way through the rising water. She could hear the sounds of someone struggling in the briny river that flowed up through the ship. Going forward with a little more speed she ran into something. Her hand reached out and snatched it up out of the water. It was Rose! 'Where are the others little one', she asked. "Th-th-th-they're behind me.', Rose said, her teeth chattering from the cold.

Pio set Rose on the steps leading up to the deck and told her to wait hidden in the doorway. She plunged on down the hallway to see if she could find the others.

Two bundles bumped up against her, and she scooped them up, holding their heads above the water line. It was Frodo and Sam. She shook them gently to get them to draw breath. They fought weakly against her, thinking her one of the ship's crew. She reassured them and took them to wait with Rose. Three poor hobbits shivering in the dark, only one more to find. 'Now where is Child?'

Going further down the hallway, she reached out a little with her mind. 'Child, are you near?' She found her, bravely battling the currents, hanging on to the cross beams of the hallway and half swimming, half pulling herself along. Her long skirts were sodden and impeded her progress. Pio extended a hand to her and pulled her along to the stairs. The water had nearly reached the top stair when they found the other three. Pio led the four hobbits to where the green barrel waited. 'Child, you must use Angara now to get yourself and the others to safety.'

She turned to head back across the deck, Child caught her arm. 'Where are you going? There's room for you to come with us.'

'No, Child. I'm going to find Mithadan.'

[Mithadan]

The two Wizards burst from their cabin. Pallando cried, "What in the blazes is going on?"

Mithadan stepped forward and said, "The ship has sprung a leak my lord. The sailors are doing what they can to pump the water and bring the ship to an even keel."

"Have we been attacked?" demanded Alatar.

"I do not know," replied Mithadan. "But I checked our prisoners and they remain safe in their brig."

"Set two guards on them," cried Pallando. "Where are the Elven vessels?"

"Half a mile to the West," answered a sailor. "But they are under sail and are approaching."

[Child of the 7th Age]

Pio bent down before leaving and whispered in Child's ear. Child was still shivering from cold and wet, as were all the hobbits. What Pio said made her realize they must immediately get word to Tuor and Idril.

Sam, Frodo, and Rose stopped and looked at each other. Without a word, they had come to a quite different agreement.

"We're not going back," Rose declared. "We're staying here to help Piosenniel. We're not craven cowards."

"Don't be ridiculous," Child countered. "No one is a coward. But Pio believes Mithadan has proven true and has some trick to outwit these Wizards. Moreover, he bears the great sword blessed by Ulmo which passed through Earendil into his family lines..."

She turned and added in a lower voice as much addressed to herself as anyone else: "I know Piosenniel has been suffering since she first spoke with Idril. I know not what that sickness is, but I sense it is important for her to stand and protect Mith's back when he faces the Wizards."

Pio also states the Phial of Galadriel must be returned with us. Frodo must hang it from the topmost mast so the light of the fragmented Silmarillion will shine forth giving hope to the earth. For without this, Lord Mithadan's cause will fail."

"And we must remember even Tuor and Idril do not know this craft as you do. For each of you has seen a piece of its closets, dark corners, and hidden ways. What you know can help Tuor plan the attack. For even if Mithadan meets with success, a fierce battle must be fought to destroy their might.

"And I promise this. Once you have reported to Tuor and dsplayed the Phial of light, if you still wish to return, one of the dragons will ferry you across. I give you my word of honor. That is, if there is anything left of this ship above water which frankly seems quite doubtful."

Inwardly she thought, "Mith and Pio may be fighting on the bottom of the Sea. If so, I hope Birdland will be there to help. I don't know where Bird is, but she promised to be here even if we could not see her."

The hobbits agreed, although Rose asserted she fully intended to use a dragon to return. The four clambered on to Angara and prepared to leave.

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

[Samwise]

Primrose stood with her arm on the rail of the Elven Ship, her chin on her arm. For a moment, she dozed. In the distance, she thought she heard yelling.

Opening her eyes, she saw the Blue wizards' ship going quickly under the water!

Prim: NO! Papa! Uncle Frodo!

Just then a glint of green caught her eye. Looking up, she saw the dragon Angara, on board whom rode three tired-looking hobbits.

[Mithadan]

A commotion arose on the aft deck of the black ship. As a dragon arose from the deck, Mithadan swept out his sword. The sailors stared in stunned disbelief as the beast rose into the air and turned towards the Elven vessels. Mithadan made his way to stand beside the two Wizards who had made their way to the rail.

"No attack?" cried Pallando. "Upon that animal ride our hostages!"

"Quickly!" yelled Alatar. He raised his staff to point at the dragon. The tip of the staff glowed with green flame.

Gripping his blade with two hands, Mithadan raised the sword and brought it down on the upheld staff. With a flash and a noise like the snapping of a tree in a great wind, the staff was cut asunder. Alatar staggered back as Mithadan raised his blade again and slashed at Alatar's throat. The blade cut deep into the Wizard who slumped to the floor into a growing pool of blood. Even as a mist arose from the body, Mithadan turned and advanced upon Pallando.

"Fool!" screamed the Wizard. "You caught my brother at unawares, but you shall not set a blade to me!"

Even as Mithadan raised his sword to strike at Pallando, the Wizard's staff glowed and the Man was frozen in place with his blade in mid-stroke. Pallando laughed.

"You would do battle with a Wizard, face to face? Better to have struck from behind like a craven coward! Now die for what you have done!" cried Pallando.

The Wizard touched his staff to Mithadan's chest. A gout of green flame erupted, blowing the man from the deck into the water. The ocean hissed and steam arose as he sank beneath the waves.

[Samwise]

From her place on the deck, Primrose stared in shock.

Prim: I knew he wasn't bad, I knew it!!

Suddenly, from the black ship, there was a green flash of light. Prim saw Mithadan go overboard.

Prim: NO! Mister Mithadan!

[VanimaEdhel]

A while ago: Legolas smiled at Prim and said, "Yes, it is me!"

Meneli and Legolas put themselves to good use helping the others with everything...

[Samwise]

Primrose was jumping up and down, partially from excitement, partially from having seen Mithadan go over the side of the wizard's ship.

Prim: Thank the Lord! Mister Legolas, sir--*points behind her* Mister Mithadan just got thrown overboard over there!

[VanimaEdhel]

Before even Legolas could react, Menelduliniel had dove into the water. She grabbed Mithadan, and held him in one of her arms. With the other arm, she grabbed onto a rope and pulled herself up with the on arm and her feet. Legolas grabbed her arm when she was near to the top and she and Mithadan fell onto the deck. Meneli rolled Mithadan onto his back, then lay on her back, panting a while.

"That *gasp* what *gasp* you *gasp* wanted *gasp* Primrose, *gasp* arwenamin (my lady) *big gasp*?" Meneli asked, panting.

She stood up, and shook off some water.

"Well, I have to change now," Menelduliniel said, stopping her heavy breathing, "But that can wait. You may be in need of my assistance yet!"

[Child of the 7th Age]

When Child first saw Mith lying stunned on the deck, she breathed a small prayer of thanks to Ulmo for his deliverence from the Sea.

Then her heart froze. Child went to the rail and screamed: "Pio, where is Pio? She was on the Wizard's vessel when we last saw her. And the second Wizard is still alive and strides in victory on the deck. He indeed is glad for the death of his so-called partner for now he stands alone as master of evil."

Child went over to Mith's half conscious body on the deck, and began tugging at the scabbard to try and loosen the sword. "We must have this," she screamed, "to defeat the secon wizard." Though some miracle, Mith had succeeded in jamming the sword back in its scabbard.

But for Child, this job was an impossibility, since the sword itself was half her size and weighed far more than she could carry.

In an instant, Tuor had stepped forward and ripped the blade from its sheathe. He turned to Child, "Little one, take Angara and go find your friend Pio and bring her back before the ship goes down. We will find a way to use this sword against the Wizard."

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child scrambled on to Angara, but before she could take off Rose came leaping on behind her.

"What are you doing, Rose? Child queried.

"The same thing you are doing," she replied. "I am going to save my friend."

"All right, hang on. This could be a rough ride."

Child gazed in horror as they approached the vessel. For the ship had indeed begun to sink into the brine. Only about a third of it still showed above the water. Where was Pio, and where was the Wizard, she wondered. For she saw no sign of either.

Rose pointed to another Orc vessel, not far distant. "Look" she cried. "The wizard has made his way in a small craft, and is going to board that other ship! He will flee from us, or, if he is bold enough, launch an offensive with the rest of his fleet."

Then Child gazed in amazement for she indeed could see Pio. Pio's hands were tied behind her back and the Orcs prodded her from behind as she was driven aboard the same ship as the evil Wizard.

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo could barely stand. He stumbled adains Sam wiith a mumbled apology.

"The ship is sinking??? OH NO! Maybe this is a bad time to admit this but, I can't swim!!!!"

[Child of the 7th Age]

Under cover of night, Rose and Child made their way to the Orc Ship. They could look across the water and see the Phial of Galdriel hanging proudly from the mast of the Elven vessel. It gave them hope.

Child whispered something into Angara's ear. Immediately, the dragon melted herself into a wooden shape, but this time she was not a barrel. She was a wizard's staff which perfectly mimicked that belonging to the evil one, not just in shape but even in its very inner self. Not even the Wizard might tell the difference.

The hobbits hid till most on deck were asleep and then did what hobbits do best. They crept into the anteroom where the wizard kept his clothes and magical staff. Not a noise did they make; locked doors opened before their skillful fingers. For this was an art Child had learned long ago.

The wizard's staff was surprisingly light for its length. Child lay the perfect imitation Angara staff down in its place. Angara winked at her, and then closed her eyes to blend in perfectly.

Rose and Child took the real staff with them as they made their way to the deck. Child stood and whispered an invocation to Ulmo.

"Here, Lord Ulmo, we return to you that which was made beautiful, but which was perverted to the use of evil. Give us some sign that you will accept the return of this staff and will drain from it all evil. In this way, the wizard may be made weaker and another, bigger than we, may come and slay him."

Rose hurled the staff with all her might over the side. Just then, a dolphin leapt up and grabbed the staff in its mouth. She silently saluted the pair and disappeared with it under the water.

Rose asked...."Do you think?........"Oh, yes, I'm sure," Child replied. "For Ulmo watches the affairs of his children, even now, and he will have that staff in his hands quite shortly. A Vala will have no trouble breaking the staff of a Maia which we have sent to him."

"Now, what about Pio? And I hope Tuor sends someone to get that wizard. He should be easier to deal with without that staff." Child actually giggled at the thought of the wizard awaking and attempting to use the Angara staff to accomplish his wicked ways.

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

[Samwise]

Prim's jaw dropped.
Prim: Y-yes, ma'am...it was.

The little hobbit looked down at Mith, who was breathing, but pale.

Prim: Please, Mister Mithadan, wake up!

[Samwise]

Down in room 7, Stacey had been in silent prayer for her friends. She was not a fighter, nor a wizard, so she knew not what else she could do.

Stacey: ...and please, Lord, may they be in Your care, and bring them back safely. In Jesus' Name, amen.

She opened her eyes. For a second, everything was silent. Then, there was the sound of movement above.

Stacey: Well, might as go see what's going on.

She got up off her knees, went out of the door and up the stairs.

[Birdland]

(O.C.C. - Boy, come home a little late and it's almost all over. You didn't leave me much to do!

- Birdie drums her fin on the desktop. - Oh well, the ship's sinking and there's still one wizard on board. Here's my chance...Hey, where'd that freaking "Orc Ship" come from!)

[Losthuniel]

Celeaewen watched Meneli rescue Mithidan, and snorted, and statered to mutter somethig about
"oh, of all the Mar-"
Rosseil clapped a hand over her mouth
"shut up. this is no time to be ranting on"

[Samwise]

Stacey came up on deck to find a scene pretty close to chaos. People, whatever race they may have been, were running everywhere. In the midst of it all, however, near the railing, she caught sight of two farmiliar little figures.

Stacey: Sam! Frodo! Thank God...

Sam looked up at her. Both hobbits were wet and bruised, but Stacey could see fresh salt water running down Sam's face from his eyes.

Sam: M-Miss Stacey! Miss Child an' Rosie rescued us--they've gone back to the wizard's ship with the dragon....where's Primrose?

Stacey shook her head, came over and looked the two over.
Stacey: I don't know. I've been below 'til now.
She touched Frodo's cheek. The older hobbit's eyes were closed, but he seemed to be breathing normally.

Stacey: Sam, can you walk?

Sam nodded.

Stacey: Good. Come on, let's get you two below.

She lifted Frodo in her arms, and, letting Sam lean on her, headed back below.

[piosenniel]

Pallando told the Orc crew to set sail northeast, and to man the oars. He picked up his staff to call up a quick wind to take them there. But no wind came.

'Fools!', he cried. 'You think my power lies in this staff, but it lies in me! The staff is but an instrument for easy focus, a thing to shake at the weak and make them cower.' He called up a hot wind with his hands.

He called a unit of Fighting Orcs and set them to scouring the ship for any intruders. 'Do not harm them. Bring the little fools to me!!'

He went to the bound elf, and demanded from her the names of who might be on board. She stared at him levelly, and said 'If I knew, I would not tell you, were you the last face I see before my death.'

'You may well wish for death before I am done with you. And it will not be an easy one!' He slammed her across her face, drawing blood and knocked her in a heap to the railing.

She lay there for a while dazed, with lights forming constellations behind her eyelids. She heard him move away from her and begin to deal with the sailing of the ship and the finding of the intruders. No one approached her as if to be her guard.

Opening one eye, she saw that she had landed on her right side, back against the side of the ship. There was no one near her, that she could see or hear. She flexed her legs and feet a little to rid them of the cramping from lying in one position too long. Again no one looked her way, or noticed her movement. Her hands were another matter. They were still bound behind her back. She moved her arms and hands a little, and felt them touch against something cool and small. She cautiously explored it with her fingers. It was a ship's nail! It was sticking up a good two inches from the deck plank, but hadn't been noticed in the shadow of the railing. She worked her wrists against the square nail's edge and begain slowly to rub them up and down. Occasionally an orc would pass by on some ship's errand, and she would lie still until he passed. Soon the friction from the rubbing penetrated her bonds and the rope began to fray, and at last broke apart.

It was still night when she scooted under the deeper shadow of the railing and made her way behind some small barrels stacked on deck. She sat behind them and rubbed at her wrists, trying to bring the circulation back into them. While she did this she began to reconstruct what she remembered.The image of Mithadan killing Alatar came first to her mind, but then came chaos and the half remembered sight of Mithadan blown from the ship in a gush of green light. A wizard's staff, she thought. Pallando. That was who had ordered her bound and brought to this ship and who had hit her in his fury. Something about his staff. Stolen. One tear rolled down her grimed face. She could not save Mithadan. But she could finish his task.

She drew a deep breath to steady her mind. There were hobbits on board, she was sure of that, but she dared not speak to them in her mind. She feared that Pallando might have that ability, as she remembered Gandalf did at times. She hoped that the little ones would be alright.

Her hands had returned to normal, and she flexed her fingers to assure herself they would do her bidding. From the waistband of her sailor pants she drew the silvered knife that she had hidden. She wrapped the fingers of her right hand around the cool hilt and brought the pommel to her forehead, eyes closed. 'Old Man, if ever you loved me as your foam-born daughter, then guide my hand, make the aim true, and let this blade fly swiftly.' Behind her eyes she saw the grey-eyed old man of her childhood with his long blue-green beard, his shoes of stone, his robes in tatters whipped by a clean sea wind.

She stood in the darkness, her eyes adjusting to the shadows, and began her hunt.

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

[Rose Cotton]

ooc:Wow! Alot has happened.::

Rose and Child made their way through the deck. Clinging to the shadows and making as little noise as possible. They were searching for Pio. They knew she would be after the second wizard and they wanted to help in anyway they could.

Everytime an orc went by the two hobbits ducked behind somthing. About the sixth time this happened Child burst from the hinding place after whispering hurridly to Rose "Hang on. That's no orc. Pio!" The figure turned and it was indead Pio.

[Samwise]

Down in room 7 on the Elven ship, Stacey had put Frodo back on his bed. Sam insisted that he stay by Frodo, but he was soon asleep, too. Stacey moved him back to his own bed, and went to the door.

Stacey: Now to find out where Primrose went......

Quietly she closed the door behind her.

[Rose Cotton]

"Pio!" Rose said with joy. It had been awhile since she had last seen her. "We want to help you."

[Samwise]

Stacey came up to the deck of the Elven ship. She saw other ships out in the water around them.
Stacey:Okay, Prim, where'd you go? she thought to herself, looking around. She headed for the back of the ship.

[piosenniel]

The elf withdrew into the shadows when she heard her name called. There were strange beings which walked the wizard boat and some of them were not what they seemed. She flattened herself behind a large post. and stood there, still as death.

'I know I just saw her,' piped a voice, coming closer. 'Come on, Child, she's just up here a ways,I'm sure.'

Rose and Child crept down the deck quietly, or as quietly as two hobbits can who are discussing a subject. They stopped to get their bearings at the place where they thought they had seen Pio. 'Maybe it was just a ghost.', whispered Rose. 'Maybe it wasn't Pio at all.'

'Hush, Rose, we must keep quiet.' admonished Child. 'We wouldn't want to wake anybody or thing.'

'Well, well, what have we here?', came the oily voice of Pallando, just to the rear of the two. He stepped into a pool of wan light and motioned the two orcs accompanying him to take hold of the hobbits. 'And if reason serves me right it is the very thieves who thought to render me harmless by throwing my staff overboard. Who were you calling to,my lovely captives?'

'No one!' shouted Rose at the wizard. 'And we're no thieves!'

'Then what do you think you were doing when you broke into my cabin and stole something of mine', he asked in a dangerous voice, his eyes holding them like a snake readying for the strike.

'We were tipping the balance to our side, the side of Light and goodness.' said Child, wrenching her arm from the grasp of the orc holding her and stepping in front of Rose.

The orc made as if to strike her down, but Pallando restrained him with a word. 'Bind their hands tightly behind them and bind their feet. Throw them both into the cargo hold. They'll be useful later in some of my experiments. But we can waste no more time on them now. We must return home, and quickly.'

Pio watched as her friends were bound and thrown down into the rank interior of the orc ship. Her hands itched to slay the orcs that touched them with their vile and rough hands. But she was one and they were two. And the object of her pursuit was now making his way to the helm.

She drew close behind him, and watched as he went up to the wheel deck and spoke with the orc at the wheel. The helmsman barked out orders to the crew near him. Adjustments were made to the sails, and the lash was laid on in a faster rhythm to the backs of the rowing orcs.

Pallando descended the stairs, and at the bottom he raised his arms in a dark invocation, calling on the spirit of Melkor and all that was evil to give him power to see his plans accomplished.

Lightning played around the main mast, and a sheet of cold, blue flame flowed over the deck of the ship.

The elf stepped from behind her post and held her knife in both hands - pommel on the left palm and tip grasped between her thumb and first two fingers of her right hand. The electric wind whipped about her; blue flame flowed over her feet. She felt nothing. Her focus narrowed to the target in front of her.

He turned toward her, in surprise, his hands just starting to focus their power at her. She drew back her arm in one liquid, swift motion and let the knife fly of its own accord.

Pallando laughed,'You cannot kill me with an earthly weapon, fool!'Then a look of disbelief spread over his features. The knife buried itself to the hilt in his black heart, like a sea-eagle striking home. And as he drew his last breath in Middle-earth, his dying eyes had a fleeting glance of an Old Man with sea-grey eyes standing just behind the elf.

[ June 21, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Birdland]

A weaponless Birdie swam back and forth in front of the Orc ship, wild with frustration and writer's block. She heard the dying scream of the last wizard and turning to the Mer-Man, screamed in exasperation "Oh, Ulmo take them all to the Void!!!"

"Well, of course. All you had to do was ask." And Birdie looked up in amazement to see the great Valar Ulmo rise out of the waters. Plucking the Orc ship out of the sea like a periwinkle, he scooped up Child, Rose and Pio and gently set them in the little skiff.

Then flipping the ship like a salt shaker, he sprinkled Orcs and dead wizard into the waves, where the Mer-Folk made short work of them.

The two hobbits and the Elf gazed up in slack-jawed amazement as the mightly Valar bowed to them. "Well done, little ones." he said, and sank back into the sea.

Birdie popped her head over the side of the skiff, and said in a plaintive tone, "Can we go home now?"

[piosenniel]

Pio slipped over the side of the skiff to join Bird in the water. She punched her friend in the flipper in a friendly manner and said, 'You could have pulled that ace out of your blowhole a little sooner!!'

'I did it on porpoise, you know!' returned Bird with a flip of her tail at the elf.'Didn't want to FIN-ish before you got to show off!'

'Have mercy! I survived the blue wizard attack, but your jokes are gonna kill me!'

A tumultuous roumd of bump and swim ensued, the advantage clearly on the side of the dolphin.

'HEY!!!!! Any one remember us?! The ones all tied up still - in the boat!!'

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child glare, "If someone doesn't get these ropes off of us right now, you two are going to be very sorry!"

Rose had managed to wiggle one of her arms loose, reached over the side of the skiff, and aimed a large piece of seaweed at Pio's head.

[piosenniel]

Bird hooked her nose over the edge of the skiff, tilting it dangerously to one side. 'Sorry! but I don't have any fingers, and those orc knots look too tricky for a flipper.'

'Bird, get off the boat! You're going to drown them!' Pio climbed into the skiff and worked the knots loose. The two hobbits sat up spluttering indignantly. Child stood up to lecture Pio and Bird on the inappropriateness of their silly behavior, just as Rose shifted her weight to the same side of the little boat.

Over it went, and down sank the two hobbits. Pio hauled up Rose by her cloak, and Bird dove under Child and nudged her to the surface.

Rose and Child clung to the side of the upturned boat while Bird and Pio nudged and dragged it in the direction of Tuor's ship and the the rest of the fleet.

'Whatever happened to Angara?', asked Pio. 'I remember tripping over her on the elven ship.

[piosenniel]

Bird hooked her nose over the edge of the skiff, tilting it dangerously to one side. 'Sorry! but I don't have any fingers, and those orc knots look too tricky for a flipper.'

'Bird, get off the boat! You're going to drown them!' Pio climbed into the skiff and worked the knots loose. The two hobbits sat up spluttering indignantly. Child stood up to lecture Pio and Bird on the inappropriateness of their silly behavior, just as Rose shifted her weight to the same side of the little boat.

Over it went, and down sank the two hobbits. Pio hauled up Rose by her cloak, and Bird dove under Child and nudged her to the surface.

Rose and Child clung to the side of the upturned boat while Bird and Pio nudged and dragged it in the direction of Tuor's ship and the the rest of the fleet.

'Whatever happened to Angara?', asked Pio. 'I remember tripping over her on the elven ship.

[Mithadan]

On the Elven vessel, a very concerned Idril was tending to Mithadan. He remained unconscious and his breathing was laboured. Yet, that he breathed at all was a marvel.

"How is it that you survived?" mused Idril. "The Wizard's blast should have slain you. Let us see..."

She undid his cloak and began to unbutton his shirt. Then she laughed. Scored and scorched as it was, it remained mirrorlike and beautiful. Under the shirt was a breastplate of pure mithril!

"He was not wearing this before," said Sam. "He had a light shirt of chainmail."

Idril carefully lifted the breastplate from Mithadan. His chest was bruised badly from the Wizard's attack. Idril examined the Man then stood. "He has some broken ribs but no worse. He will live," she said. She gathered the cloak to make a pillow for his head, but noticed something hard in its pocket. She removed a silver box which had buttons and lights on its face -- the REG.

"I think our riddle is answered," said Idril with a smile. "Mithadan's 'treachery' was well thought out and meticulously planned. Good for him, else we would be mourning his passing rather than tending his wounds."

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: or maybe he doesn't plan things out. Perhaps he's just good at picking things up as he goes. And that finding of a mithril breastplate reminds me of somthing. Hm...i wonder what it could be. smilies/wink.gif


"I don't know." said Rose "Although it would be nice to ride her back. We seem to be in the water an awfle(sp)lot. Pio, after this is over can you teach me to swim properly?"

"Why would you need it?" asked Child, "If your like me your going to stay as far away from bodies of water as you can for awhile."

"Actually I really liked this adventure. I like the ocean alot and I think I will ........"

Just then somthing glided over them.

[ June 21, 2002: Message edited by: Rose Cotton ]

[Birdland]

The great shadow hovered over their heads, and as they looked up, Angara, folding his mighty golden wings, settled on the overturned skiff.

"All these adventures, and yet you still all swim like bloated goldfish." The dragon was feeling very good about himself and his role in the latest adventure. He dove into the sea with his companions, riding the waves like a great, scaly swan. The hobbits climbed upon his back and rode there like flegling ducks catching a ride from their mother.

At that moment the sleek, kelp-brown head of the Mer-Man popped out of the water, surround by the bevy of Mer-Sprites.

"Well, All's Well That Ends Well, as I wrote once. Ulmo thanks you all for your roles in defeating the Blue Wizards, and will see that you are all rewarded handsomely. But for now, perhaps your friend Mithadan would appreciate this."

He held up a small sea-glass flagon with an amber liquid in it. "It is made from the bladder of the blow fish, plus some other of my own secret incredients, mostly to cover the smell. Very toxic if swallowed, but applied to bruises it will have an immediate healing effect."

"Uh, Child, I have no pockets," said Birdie, "would you mind terribly..."

Child took the flagon from the Mer-Man and deposited it in her own skirt pocket.

"My," said Birdie, "You and the Mer Sprites seem to be getting along very well these days." and she gave a dolphin's smile.

"Well...ah...yes, the Mer-Man answered loftily. "I've decided that it was more than time for the two branches to get to know each other much better. Pool our resourses, as they say. Of course, I'm still very interested in learning much more of the ways of the Elf-Folk, too." And he turned his best smile towards the comely, dripping Pio...

[Frodo Baggins]

Frodo snapped awake

"Oh my! Where....? Oh I must have been put here." H saw that Sam was slepping so Frodo was quietly talikng to himself. he flopped back down o the pillow. "Well, at least it is over. If I ever se that Mith again, he and I are going to have a loooooong talk."

[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliel crosses over to Caleaewen, having heard the last part of her comments as she had come over the side.

"Whatever you were to say, you can say now," Menelduliniel said, taking a robe and putting it over her soaked clothing.

With that, Legolas comes over, "Meneli...next time: wait...you do not know what were in those waters!"

"Oh, shut up, Legolas. I can take care of myself! I've done so for the past few years since someone was too busy with Manwe knows what!"

"Oh! Don't pretend it's all my fault! I conceeded that it was partially my fault, but the blame still rests on you as well!"

Menelduliniel goes to attack Legolas at this comment, but he grabs her by the wrists, and easily wrestles her to the deck.

"Don't...touch...me," Menelduliniel said, her eyes cold with anger.

"Do not tell me, your husband, what to do," Legolas breathed back at her. He let go of her, and she struggled to stand gracefully, but nearly fell again. She then stood up, gathered what was left of her dignity, and turned to Caleaewen.

"And you?" Meneli said, her eyes flashing.

"Don't yell at her!" Legolas snapped at her.

"Oh! Don't tell me what to do!" Menelduliniel said. She backed up from him, in case his temper got out of control, for although she acted without thinking, she did not have much strength ever...that was always one of her many weaknesses.

"Oh! You are always so vain!" Legolas yelled, "It gets you in trouble, then you come crawling to me to fix things! Let me tell you something: I won't always be there to straighten out your messes! Admit that you can't survive in the actual wild for a week without me! I know that for the past years, you've remained in the court. You came here through a party! I do not call that a quest! Just because someone messes up your little gathering, it does not mean you are equipped to come traipsing over the sea to protect your dignity!"

"Don't give me that! I survived before you came!"

"When you were young, Meneli, when you were young!"

Menelduliniel stepped back, as if she had taken a blow with that.

"Well," she said, her voice breaking, "If that is what you believe..."

She ran to the lower cabins and threw herself on her bed, wallowing in self-pity.

Legolas remained on the deck, sighed, then turned to the others, "What would you have me do? I am sorry about my wife...she was strong once, she just doesn't accept that times have changed. Back in the palace she grew soft, but pretended she remained strong. Do not let her do much: she will mess it up, then blame it on others...just: watch her...I do love her, it's just: I don't want her hurt. I don't know what you did or didn't say, Caleaewen, but: I'm sorry for Meneli...do you accept my apology for her? Although she is as old as I, now, she still acts as if she were merely 3000...just forgive her, please? She has a tendency to over-dramatize as well..."

[Losthuniel]

Celeaewen bowed, and smiled
"i understand, My temper gets the better of me, especially with alll the tension with the blue wizards. Next time you see her, tell her i am sorry if i spoke harshly. Looming death does not sit well with my temper or my nerves. I bear her no ill will and hope she may say the same for me"

[VanimaEdhel]

Legolas touches Caleaewen on the shoulder, "No worries. I won't have to tell her. She'll know."

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

Meanwhile: Menelduliniel was laying below deck, just waiting to see if anyone was going to come see how she was. When no one came, she pouted about that for a while longer.

Then, she wandered up onto the deck.

"Did you miss me?" Meneli looked at everyone.

"No," Legolas said, smiling mischeivously at her.

"You be quiet!" Meneli said, playfully shoving him.

She went to the others, "Anyone need anything? Food? Water? Whatever..."

[Rose Cotton]

"Are you going to just decide to live in the water now, or are you going to come with us?" asked Rose.

"Come on. We have to take this to Mithadan." said Child. Pio climbed on top of the dragon then looked at Birdie.

"Coming?" she asked.
"Well, alright." alittle disapointed Birdie morphed into her nommal ME form and got on too.

The five compainons flew onto the elven ship.

[Samwise]

Having found Primrose with Mithadan, and making sure he was taken care of, Stacey and the little hobbit went back down to room 7.

Stacey: *opening the door* Ugh. Don't want to have an adventure like that for a long time, thank you very much. smilies/tongue.gif

Primrose: I just wish I could have helped more...Uncle Frodo! You're awake! smilies/smile.gif

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child dragged her soaked and aching body down to the lower deck towards the room where Idril was tending to Mithadan. The latter was just regaining conscousness but seemed totally confused about where he was or even much of what had happened.

Child presented Idril with the flask of amber ointment explaining that Lord Ulmo had sent to to tend to Mithadan. Idril laughed. "I've seen that before. It's extremely effective but it has a definite odor. Your Lord Mithadan may be difficult to tolerate for the next day or two!"

Child held her nose as the flask was uncorked. Then she laughed. "Actually, this smells a little like the Barrow-wight. It makes me a bit homesick for the Downs! I wonder when we get to go home?"

Child had found some shells for Primrose and decided to go search for her.

[Rose Cotton]

After Child had left the room Rose went in to see Mithadan. "Will he be alright?" she asked.

"Yes. He will be much better very soon." Idril replied. Mith turned and looked at Rose with dased eyes. Rose didn't know whether he was fully consious or not but she talked to him anyway.

"Hello Mith. You managed to amaze me again with your brillant planing. Pio has defeated the second one now. The evil is all gone. Ulmo sent them all to the Void. Thanks for doing what you did back with the wizards. You were able to fool them into thinking you had gone bad but you were really helping me out of danger. I hope we have more adventures like this. Although I'm sure you like everyone else will want a break. That's alright. You deserve it." and she went on talking about people and things until exaustion overtook her and she fell asleep by Mithadan's bed.

[Samwise]

Stacey went for a walk on the deck.

Stacey:Ergh...I should be at home. I've never been any use here and never will be. I just don't want to leave the Gamgees hanging...

She leaned on the railing and looked out on the unfarmiliar sea.

[Samwise]

Primrose woke up with a start. Where....?

Listening a moment, she heard her father snoring. Raising her head, she could see that she had fallen asleep on the floor. To her right, Frodo had gone back to sleep, too.

Prim--Mmm.
She pushed herself up onto her knees and looked around. Miss Stacey wasn't there. Getting up off of the floor, Primrose went to the door, quietly opening it and then shutting it behind her. After that she went to go look for Miss Stacey.

[Birdland]

A bedraggled, lank-haired Birdie climbed painfully down the stairs to the belowdecks. Poking her head in the cabin where Idril was tending to Mithadan, she saw that the mighty, but unfathomable warrior was asleep. Rose had laid her head on the bed and was also lost in dreams beside her. (Birdie could tell Rose was dreaming because her toes were twitching.)

Birdie felt exhausted too; also very clumsy, now that she was back on a solid deck again. She looked down at her scrawny, underfed body and thought, "I had better stay away from the sea for a good, long time. Else I might be tempted to trade this old form for a better." It happened to skin-changers, sometimes. They found a form that they liked so well that they forsook their human shape, and disappeared into the animal kingdom. What happened to them after that, no one knew.

Birdie wasn't ready for that. Not yet. But if that time did come, she knew where she would go.

Child had taken a peace offering to the put-out Primrose, too eager to grow up and have "adventures" on her own. She had never seen the times when an adventure could fail, and the warriors did not return. Birdie hoped that she would be spared that knowledge for a long, long time.

And what of Pio? Now that all danger was past, would her companions ever find out why she and the Great Idril had seemed so estranged.

"Probably not," thought Birdie. Then she went to find a quiet place where she might sleep, too.

[Rose Cotton]

.............Rose was once more on the beach. She was completly happy and the weather matched her feelings. Then the same voice spoke in her ear:
Well done it said.You could come to the blessed lands now if you want.

"Sorry. But I don't want to anymore. Maybe some other day." replied Rose.........

[Samwise]

Primrose walked on the deck. It seemed so peaceful now, not having to think about Papa or Uncle Frodo in trouble, or evil wizards or
friends they once thought were traitors.

Now, what? she thought as she looked over the railing and out over the water. Are we going home, now?

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure. Turning her head, she saw Miss Stacey standing by the rail and looking out over the water herself. Slowly the little hobbit went over to her.

[piosenniel]

Pio stood under the solar shower for a long, long time. The stink of orc clung to her despite the time in the sea, and she scrubbed her skin with sea salts and sponge until she felt clean. She let the hot water sluice over her body to ease the aches and bruises. Child had left some rosemary/mint shampoo in the shower and Pio used it, enjoying the rich scent of such ordinary herbs. It brought back pictures to her mind of her mother, gone long ago, and with them the feelings of simple home comforts and security. She smiled as she reached for her towel and remembered her mother bathing her & drying her off after days filled with muddy adventures.

Towelling herself quickly, she dressed in clean clothes, and relished the simple luxury of it.

She climbed the stairs to the main deck to see what direction the ships were taking, and was surprised to find Veritas waiting for her. She returned Pio's sword to her and explained that she had made one of the hobbits on the cat the acting captain, until Mith was well enought to take over.

'Good idea, Veritas.' said Pio. 'I don't know if Mith will be fully functioning anytime soon, though. What happened when I went to the Wizards' ship?'

Veritas explained about the strange disappearance of the REG soon after Pio had gone, and went on to say how the PC had crashed shortly afterward.

'Well, just leave it for Mith to deal with.' replied Pio. 'It's his equipment. I'm just glad something didn't backfire on us when we tried to use it.'

They parted company, promising to meet for supper that day, and Pio went down belowdeck again to see if any of her friends were awake. Their rooms were all quiet. She peeked in on Child who lay with her arms around her mailbag, sleeping soundly. A smaller sized Angara perched on her headboard with one golden eye surveying the room. Don't wake her, Elf! came the sleepy command. Pio put her finger to her lips and closed the door quietly.

She found Bird in a tangled nest of sheets and blankets. Her hair, still damp, clung to her face, and the scent of the sea still lingered on her. Pio pulled a soft blanket over her, and whispered, 'Ride the waves well, Bird!'

The last room she checked was that of the hobbits - Frodo, Sam and Stacey were still awake and she could hear them talking in their soft hobbit voices. The door was closed and she left them to their reunion.

Sleep was far from her mind. Though her body felt tired, her thoughts were restless. She went upstairs and saw the door to the captain's cabin open. Going to it, she looked in, and saw Rose's little curly head sticking out from under the covers. She smiled at the sight of such a doughty warrior fast asleep , face smoothed in innocent dreaming.

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

[piosenniel]

Pio entered the cabin and saw Mithadan lying on the other side of the great bed. So still, his breathing so quiet. His face was pale, and his eyes moved restlessly beneath the closed lids. Some remembrance caused him to cry out softly in his sleep. She went to his side and sat beside him, regarding him thoughtfully.

He sleeps and dreams, but it brings him no rest. came the soft thought of Idril, who had just entered the cabin.

Pio startled at her presence, and rose from the bed. 'I did not hear you enter.' she said. She returned her gaze to the pale warrior, 'He fought well and cunningly, will he live to do so again?' she asked.

'He will.' said Idril. 'But for now I feel it best we keep him comfortable and quiet until we can get him back to the Barrow Downs. Recovery always comes more quickly in familiar surroundings. Let us leave the two sleeping creatures to their dreams. I would talk with you.'

Idril led Pio out to the balustrade overlooking the bow of the ship. Tuor's ship led them in a south and west direction, out of the passage to the Inner Sea.

'We will soon be turning north and east toward the shores of Middle-earth, then to the river site where first you boarded. Once all are safely returned to the Barrow Downs, I will board Tuor's ship and we will sail into the West, upon the Straight Way and leave this world. Will you not come with us?'

[Rose Cotton]

Rose woke feeling refreshed. It took a minute to figure out where she was then she saw Mith and remembered. He was still resting so she went out onto the deck. As she went by she heard Idrill say, "Once all are safely returned to the Barrow Downs, I will board Tuor's ship and we will sail into the West, upon the Straight Way and leave this world. Will you not come with us?"

Rose turned to listen. She didn't want to eavsdrop but she felt that she shouldn't interupt this conversation. Not yet at least. She didn't want Pio to leave them. Rose hid behind a crate to listen.

[Veritas]

ooc: Been not here for one whole day, and see what happened, I missed the whole show. smilies/frown.gif ::

After the return of the Frodo, Sam, Pio, Child and Birdie Veritas went sleeping in her cabin.

She was back at the Fields, but it looked s trange, it was the field they left behind, the trees were dead, and no living creature was there. They ran around the fields, were was Gimli, or Kettle? Gone... She only saw that bird again, the hawk...

With a scream Veritas woke up, ah, it was a nightmare. But still she was restless and wanted to go to the fields as quick as possible.

She went to the captain to ask how long it would take to come back at the fields.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child was sleeping soundly and sweetly when a horrible nightmare crept from nowhere and entered her brain. She saw Pio on the deck of a large Elven ship, her arm about Idril's waist, waving goodbye to her friends in the Downs. It was a very beautiful image, and Child absolutely hated it. She groaned and rolled over in her sleep, muttering: "No, no, Pio, don't do it, not yet. We have too many adventures to try out."

[Birdland]

Birdie dreamed she was in the sea again, swimming through a blue-aqua world. Looking up, she saw footprints on the ceiling of the sea. Many, many footprints, all heading West.

Birdie surfaced, and tail-walking, looked out over the waves. There she saw all the Elves of Middle-Earth walking across the top of the waves and into a sky that blended perfectly with the horizon.

The last to come was Pio, walking side-by-side with Idril and Tuor. "Look, Birdie. I can walk on water, too." she said happily.

"But where are you going?" called Birdie.

"The Straight Road. It's the only way, you know," said Pio, looking straight ahead.

Birdie tried to follow, but a great wave rose up at that moment, and like a giant hand, pushed her, gently, but forcefully, to the bottom.

Birdie woke with a start, and swung her legs off the side of the bed. "No, she wouldn't, not yet!" She got up and stumbled towards the top deck.

[Rose Cotton]

As Birdie stumbled onto the deck Rose stayed her with a hand. "Shhh," she whispered. "I know what your thinking. But she has not said yes....yet. I want to see what she decides on her own." Birdie looked worried but she stayed in the shadows with Rose.

[Samwise]

Stacey and Primrose stood by the railing talking a while, when they heard scurrying feet to the side of them. Glancing over, Stacey caught sight of Birdie and Rose ducking behind some crates.

Prim: *quietly* What do you suppose that's about?

Stacey: *Also quiet* Dunno. I have an awful feeling it's not something good.
Oh, Lord, I'd pray for no more "adventures" right now, and thank you for bringing everyone back safe on this one, but If we have to go on another, please give us all strength.

[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel wanders around the boat, lost, bored, and lonely...

"Someone need me somewhere?" Meneli begs...

[piosenniel]

::Bird - I'm 'walking on water'? Quick, somebody knock my halo off!::

'Will you not come with us?' How many times and how many ways had she heard this question - a pronouncement, a demand, a summons. The expected answer always, 'Yes.' She rubbed her chin, and regarded Idril evenly.

'My answer is the same as when I first was asked by you: I will not go.'

A sadness crept into the Idril's eyes. 'This may be the last time that I can ask you.' she said. 'What is it that holds you here, and keeps you from your true home?'

'This is my home.', said Pio, opening her arms wide, and spun quickly, to embrace the horizon. 'I have not had my fill of Middle-earth - the sights, the sounds, friends old and not yet made, adventures new at every turning, the feel of my arm as the sword sings in mid arc. I wish to drink deep and long of all these offerings, and I cannot say that this thirst will ever be slaked. Can you not understand this?'

Pio's face softened at the sight of such sadness, and she took Idril's hands in hers. 'You will find the Light you desire and love in the West, and I will find it here - splintered, fragmented, and yet wholly pure.'

Idril turned from her and made her way back to Mithadan's room.

Pio stretched, and shook out her muscles as if to shake off the tension of the moment. She heard a soft scraping sound from the cartons stacked near the railing. Laughing, she called out: 'Rose, Bird come out of there. The loudness of your breathing gives you away. Not to mention the scent of barnacles out of water, Bird!' She reached her hand up to flick of a stray bit of seaweed from Bird's hair as she came forward.

'It's a glorious morning, isn't it? What say we have a swim and then find something to eat. Last one in's a drowned orc!', she laughed and ran for the side of the ship.

[Birdland]

Birdie and Rose laughed and cheered, (perhaps disrespectfully if the Lady Idril was not out of hearing), but they were so happy to hear that Pio was not yet choosing to flee Middle-Earth to the West.

"I'll pass on the swim, right now, thank you, but I would like to use that solar shower, and some of Child's mint shampoo. I'm tired of everyone accusing me of smelling like barnacles!"

[Samwise]

Stacey looked down at Prim, who looked back up at her.

Stacey: Well, I guess whatever that was about turned out okay.

Prim: Yep. And you know what? Swimming sounds like a good idea right now. smilies/wink.gif

[Frodo Baggins]

"Swim??? Not me!" Said a voice behind Stacey and Primrose.

"Frodo, why are you out here?"

"Well, I was restless, Sam is asleep, and I dont trust myself alone while Mith is around." he replied.

[Samwise]

Stacey shook her head.
Stacey: It's okay, Frodo. Mithadan was putting on for the Blue Wizards. He had to act like that so they would think he really was on their side.

Prim: Besides which, Uncle Frodo, Mister Mithadan is still in the sickbay.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose ran to the side of the deck. And laughed at the water now sparkling with the colors of the newly risen sun. "Pio! You have to teach me to swim properly!" she shouted down at the elf. "I've wanted to learn for awhile now. Um..could someone stay up here and come tell me when Mithadan wakes?"

[Samwise]

Stacey grinned.
Stacey: If we hear anything, we'll tell you.

[Rose Cotton]

"Thankyou " Rose laughed and jumped into the water.

[piosenniel]

They hit the water with a great splash!! & sank a short distance beneath the waves. Rose reached the surface again a little before Pio and paddled water at her as she surfaced. The elf gave back as good as she got, and soon all thoughts of any 'lesson' were forgotten.

Rose signalled for a break, treading water just a few feet from Pio.

Pio flipped on her back, floating, and trailed her arms lazily in the foam. 'So, Rose, what are you going to do once we get back to the Downs. Do you think the Party site will still be up, or have they taken down the tents and pavillions and packed it all away?'

Shading her eyes with her left hand, she turned to see what Rose would say. Instead, she saw Rose's face, her mouth in a small surprised 'O' quickly disappearing beneath the surface.

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

[VanimaEdhel]

Menelduliniel likes the look of the water and the swimming, so she finds a quiet spot ont he other side of the ship. She dives into the water and swims about for a while. She lays on her back in the water, floats, and closes her eyes.

[Samwise]

Stacey, who had been leaning on the rail, stood up as she saw Rose disappear.
Stacey: Rose!?

[Frodo Baggins]

"Well, all right. I understand, I think. But it was still not nice. Acting or no I could never do a thing like that. But then that's just me. Maybe i will speak to Mith later, but I still dont trust myself"

Frodo sighed

[Samwise]

Just then Sam came stumbling up the deck, rubbing his eyes.
Sam: Mister Frodo? Miss Stacey? What's going on? What was that about Rose?

[VanimaEdhel]

OOC: Hmmmm: should I start "Jaws Music" for your swimming scene, Pio and Rose? Or will this actually be a rare innocent moment in this RPG (to think: it started out as a mild party)

[Rose Cotton]

ooc:just when you thought the adventure was over. smilies/wink.gif ::

Rose felt a tug on her leg and was pulled underwater.

[Samwise]

OOC: Yeah, Vanima, I know what you mean... smilies/wink.gif
---------------------------------------------
Sam snapped awake as he heard the splash and saw Rose go under. He ran to the railing.
Sam: Rosie!

[Mithadan]

Dreams of fire and darkness plagued Mithadan's sleep. Over and over, he felt the pressure of the Blue Wizards on his mind as they sought to co-opt him to their cause. In his dreams he struck Sam and kicked Rose again and again. Green flame erupted from Pallando's staff but instead of being turned aside by his breastplate, the fire consumed him and all he loved. The catamaran burned. Tuor's ship shattered and plummeted into the depths. Orc blades hacked at his friends. He struck Sam...struck Rose...struck Sam.....

With a gasp, he awoke. He did not recognize his surroundings. Summoning his strength, he attempted to rise, but failed and collapsed with a groan. Darkness played at the edges of his vision and voices cried out from his dreams; Frodo threatening his life; Alatar gloating over his new servant; Rose accusing him of treachery. Another voice spoke with greater clarity. "Mith?"

[piosenniel]

A few bubbles rose to the surface to mark where the hobbit had gone down. Then nothing.

Diving beneath the waves, Pio scanned the area for any sign of Rose. The ocean had gotten rougher, and vision was limited. She swam down further, where the motion was calmer. Still nothing.

Worried, she widened the area of her search, swimming in a spiral back to the surface.

[Samwise]

Stacey: Great. Just great.

Sam: Rosie, NO!

Stacey: Mister Baggins, get him out of here.

Frodo nodded and took Sam by the hand.

Sam tried to pull away.
Sam:Wait! Miss Pio had to have seen something!

Frodo pulled harder. He knew what Stacey was afraid of--Sam, in his all-out hard-headedness, would jump into the water after Rose, whether he could swim or not.

Finally, he managed to yank Sam around the corner of the cabin, and turn him with his back to the wall.

Frodo: Sam, don't be crazy! If you jumped in there, you'd drown yourself, and then what help would that be to Rose?

Sam sighed, a tear falling down his cheek. Sam:I know, Mister Frodo. I'm sorry.

Frodo shook his head, giving Sam a hug and letting the younger hobbit cry on his shoulder.
Frodo: It's all right, Sam. It's all right.

Looking over Sam's shoulder, Frodo saw that they were right by the sickbay, the door of which was more than ajar. On the bed inside, a sweaty, raven-haired head tossed, and its owner mumbled incoherently.

Frodo's eyes narrowed.

In his ear, he heard Sam's voice.
Sam: Mister Mithadan?

Sam turned to hear the wounded warrior cry out, and just in time to see him try to rise, but fail.

Sam rushed in the door. Frodo stood a moment with his lips set in a straight line, then followed.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child returns from several days of rest and relaxation which she has taken on the back of Angara flying here and there. She is soon dismayed to hear of Rosie's disappearance in the briny deep.

"Mith, Mith, wake up, stop having nightmares! Rosie's gone and seems to have gotten herself drownded."

"Mr. Frodo, Samwise, so you can't swim? I would strongly advise you to consider Mistress Goodchild's swimming lessons........Our motto: every hobbit a swimmer.....

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

[Samwise]

Frodo:Ai....

Sam:What about me, Miss? I really want to see what's goin' on down there.

Primrose: *Who has appeared at the door* Me, too!

Stacey, standing behind her, just shakes her head....

[Child of the 7th Age]

"Oh, yes, Mr. Samwise. You're included too! Just remember that at one point your ancestors lived on the banks of the Anduin. I know you can do it!

[Mithadan]

Mithadan roused himself at the sound of familiar voices. "Sam?" he said softly.

Samwise paused at the door and returned to the man's side. "Yes Mr. Mithadan," he answered.

"Sam, where am I?"

"On the Elven vessel, sir" responded the Hobbit. "The Wizards are defeated."

Mithadan fought for consciousness for a moment longer. "Sam. I'm not a traitor. You know that don't you? Sam... I'm sorry...so sorry..." His eyes closed again.

"Well, he won't be much help now, will he?" said Frodo.

The dreams returned. Piosenniel grasped him by the throat while Frodo approached holding Sting at ready. Mithadan moaned in his sleep...

[Samwise]

Sam frowned. He wished Mister Frodo could believe what he already was sure of.

Sam leaned over and placed a hand on Mithadan's forehead. He frowned.
Sam: Mm. No, sir, he won't. Not 'til that fever breaks, leastways.
Leaning as close as he could to Mithadan's ear, he said, "It's okay, sir. I know you didn't mean it. "

Frodo shook his head.

Sam: Come on, Mister Frodo. We've got--*draws a deep breath*--swimmin' lessons to be had.

He went out the door. After a moment of gazing at the sleeping Mithadan, Frodo followed.

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child had flooded a 5-foot deep storage barrell on one of the lower decks, which was about 10 feet long. She felt it was too dangerous to start the two of them off in the ocean so Birdland had helped her devise this as an alternative. Eventually, if they sailed into a cove, they might try it out there as well.

With the help of Stacey, she was having Frodo and Sam practice what is generally known as the "dead man's float". It's a good thing they weren't Elves as this was the largest container she could find.

The hobbits were both surprised to discover that, if they kept their head about them and stayed calm, their bodies were naturally buoyant. By the end of the session, they were beginning to paddle much like dogs slowly back and forth.

Child whispered to Stacey. "I'm not trying to turn them into long-distance swimmers, but as long as we're out on this ship, it is downright dangerous not to know how to keep your head above water." She was careful to keep her voice low so that neither of the hobbits would overhear.

Child understood that both of them had some bad associations with water. Frodo, of course, remembered his parents. And even though Sam had good memories of swimming with Rosie in the Shire's swimming hole, he had apparently experienced an awkward moment or two chasing after Frodo just when he had decided to trek out to Mordor on his own. Child wasn't sure quite what had happened but she knew it involved Sam and water and Frodo and a boat. She wasn't about to ask for any more details, especially when she'd finally gotten them to try and learn.

It was quite strange for her to be in this teaching role with the two of them since Samwise and Frodo had always been the ones to teach her things. But, in this one activity, she could apparently be of some help.

There was another reason for Child's frantic activity which she was not about to acknowledge to anyone, least of all herself. She did not like the way Mithadan was taking so long to recover, and she still had no idea where Rose had gone to. Better to keep her mind on teaching swimming than to think about all that.

[Samwise]

Sam paddled himself all the way over to the other side of the storage barrell and grabbed hold of the edge, panting.
Sam: "H-how are we doing? "

Stacey: Just fine, both of you. Rest if you need to.

Frodo paddled over to where Sam was, and also held on.
Frodo: Oh my...I certainly never thought I'd be doing this!

Stacey grinned, remembering the night of the storm, when Frodo had been trapped by the rail and she'd had to go get him.
Stacey: "But you are, Mister Baggins. You are."

Stacey glanced at Child. "Can I talk to you a second?" she asked, glancing at the railing a few feet away.

[Rose Cotton]

Rose was pulled down, down, down by a hand that kept a stong hold on her ankle. She could not see who's hand it was but just tried with all her might to fight it off.

She was loosing breath fast. Her lungs were bursting and her mind was going dark. She needed air. Finally she fell uncontious.

[Birdland]

Birdie had finished her shower, feeling cleaner than she had since - well - since the party. Pio had lent her an Elven robe, of simple design, but it was by far the prettiest thing that Birdie had ever owned.

She was admiring herself in the glass on the wall of the cabin, turning this way and that, and standing on her toes in order to see as much of the robe as she could, when suddenly she heard the scream: "Rose!"

Gathering the skirt and running up on deck, she saw Pio Child, Sam and Frodo desperately leaning over the railing, searching the water and shouting "Rose!" Where are you?!" Then Pio dove over the side and swam down into the water.

"Oh, no. Not again". Birdie threw off the Elven robe and dived into the ocean after Rose and Pio.

[Rose Cotton]

'So I must be dead now.' thought Rose. But she didn't open her eyes. If she was dead then did that mean she was in heaven now? She tried to pick up any information about her surroundings still with her eyes closed. She felt like she was laying on somthing very hard. All around her smelt like the salt of the ocean and there was water dripping somewhere. But where was she? Finally she dared to look....

[Child of the 7th Age]

"Oh, Stacey, I'm so sorry. My mind is wandering. I keep worrying about where Miss Rose is."

"Did you want to talk about Sam and Frodo, or something else?"

"I'm very pleased with how the two of them are learning. Maybe if we found a quiet cove, we could get Miss Birdie to go into the water with them as a dolphin. That is, if she ever comes back from searching for Miss Rose!"

[Veritas]

Although Veritas could swim, she didn't feel for swimming today. First she took a hot bath, and after that she tried to make the laptop look better, and took it with her on the deck to return him to Mithadan.

In Mithadans cabin was a Hobbit, who said that Mithadan could not be disturbed because he slept. "Here, will you make sure he gets this when wakes up?" Veritas asked the Hobbit while she gave him the laptop. After the Hobbit had promised that he would take care of the thing, Veritas went on deck, she had found some clothes in her cabin, so she wore fresh ones now.

The Hobbits were learning swimming, and she saw Pio and Birdie in the water. She felt good. After a while looking over the water, she sat down on a chair to think about the journey home. The captain said it could take a couple of days, so she had time enough to think wether she would go home reaching the fields, or not, and stay for a while.

The adventures were done, and hopefully for a little while. She wanted to rest for a few weeks, and later maybe, there would happen other things...

She walked to the water and looked to the swimming people, hey, somone was missing, Rose! Where was she? Was she out of the water already, or...

[ June 25, 2002: Message edited by: Veritas ]

[piosenniel]

Mith, it's Idril. she whispered softly.

She came and sat on the bed beside him; a silver bowl was in her fair hands. Healing herbs floated on the clear, clean water within, and their scent seemd to permeate the cabin, driving away the smell of sickness and despair.

On a small stand to her left, she placed the bowl and from the pocket of her gown she drew some soft cloths, laying them on the bed next to the feverish man.

Brushing the limp, sweaty strands of hair from his face, she gently sponged the cool water on his brow, letting it run in little rivulets down his temples. She laved his face with soft strokes and let the air from the open window dry the moisture.

Drawing back the coverlet, she bathed his neck and arms, letting the cool water and the sea air draw the heat from his feverish pulse points.

Deftly and gently, her fingers worked loose the bandage covering the injury to his chest. He moaned as the wound was exposed to the air.

She drew a small flask of poppy elixir from her skirt pocket. Supporting his head with one hand, she trickled a thin stream of honey-colored fluid into his mouth, and stroked the side of his cheek and neck, encouraging him to swallow. Relief crept into the features of his face, and he lay down relaxed against the pillow.

Using the last of the clean cloths, she dipped it in the herbed water, and cleansed the crusted covering of the wound, gently removing the yellow, foul exudate from the deepest part, exposing healthy tissue.

Cleansing her hands well,she dipped the first two fingers of her right hand into a small silver jar she had brought with her and applied a generous amount of the poultice to the wound - comfrey and thyme oil, bound with an aromatic aloe gel. She covered the area with a clean bandage and secured it with strips of linen wrapped round his chest.

As she ministered to him, she sang a quiet, rhythmic song, a lulling song, a song of Orolindë; her words like the fountains there, washing away care, and dread.

Once done, she covered him with a fresh blanket, and placed her hand on his cheek briefly in reassurance.

Be well!

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

[Rose Cotton]

She was in a cave. She oviously had not drowned. Was it an underwater cave or had she been taken to a coast? Her body ached from laying on cold rocks but she tried to get up. She couldn't see anyone anywhere. She didn't understand.

[Mithadan]

Mithadan passed from dreams of horror to a light, restful sleep. Then, at last, his eyes flickered open. He was in a dim room with ceiling and walls made of dark, carved wood. Light streamed in from a single porthole, but the lantern at the bedside table was unlit. He attempted to rise and received a sharp pain in his chest in reward. Turning to his side, he pulled his arm under him and gingerly lifted himself to a sitting position. While waiting for his head to clear, he inspected his surroundings. Across from the bed stood a table with neatly folded clothing resting on it. He realized that his chest was bare except for neat rows of bandages encircling his torso. He blinked and attempted with difficulty to recall the events of the past several days. Then he noticed a bright breastplate hanging on the wall, scored and scorched in its center, and the memories came flooding back.

He rose carefully and slowly pulled a shirt on. Walking to the porthole, he observed Piosenniel swimming and diving. Then he walked to the door, half expecting that it would be locked against him...

[Samwise]

Stacey led Child over to the railing, looking over her shoulder to make sure Frodo and Sam weren't "eavesdropping" (erm--sorry, couldn't resist). smilies/wink.gif
Whispering nonetheless, she said,
"Child, what do you suppose did happen to Rose? Can't we do something?

[Samwise]

Primrose had climbed out of the barrel and went to rest for a while. Coming back, she passed the cabin where sickbay was, and stopped a moment. She sighed.

Prim: I sure hope Mister Mithadan's going to be okay. Papa said when they were in there last it seemed like he was havin' some bad dreams. I hope he dosen't feel guilty or anything. He did what he had to, and I know Papa forgives him...

Just then she was snapped from her thoughts by a noise. Looking up, she saw the doorknob turn.

[Rose Cotton]

"Child, what do you suppose did happen to Rose? Can't we do something?

ooc:That's what I'm trying to figure out. Suggestions would be nice smilies/biggrin.gif ::

[Samwise]

OOC: ACK! I thought you knew and we were gonna follow your lead! Hm...suggestions...hm....Thinking......

[Mithadan]

The door was not locked, which Mithadan took as a good sign. He turned the knob and stepped out into the hall, only to nearly collide with Primrose who stood just outside. He smiled down at the young Hobbit and said, "Hello Primrose. Is all well?"

Primrose looked up at the weary man and smiled back. "Its good to see you up and around Mister Mithadan," she said. "But, to tell the truth, there's more trouble about. Rose was swimming and she disappeared and no one can find her and can you help, sir?"

Mithadan frowned. "I doubt that I'll be doing any swimming today but let's see if I can't make it up on deck. Could you help a bit?"

Primrose took Mithadan's hand and walked with him down the hall and slowly up the stairs to the main deck.

[Samwise]

Primrose's hand was nearly lost in Mithadan's, but that was fine. She was glad to see him up. Looking up, she saw that he still looked a little pale and his dark hair still clung damply to his forehead a bit, but otherwise he was closer to what he had been.
Papa and Miss Stacey will be glad to see he's up and about, she thought, but I hope Uncle Frodo...
She shook her head. Oh, I hope he thought about what Papa and Miss Stacey said.

[ June 25, 2002: Message edited by: Samwise ]

[Rose Cotton]

ooc: I actually was just following Pio cause she's the one who first had me dissapear under the water. I really am not familar with Middle Earth's waters so I don't have much of an idea of what could have grabbed me. I'm trying to think of somthing. Or is anyone is willing we could make somthing up like an underwater gremlin. smilies/wink.gif ::

[Samwise]

OOC: Hm. Well, we've had mer-folk, so why not? Feel free to describe what you're seeing after this post:
----------------------------------------------
In the water next to Rose, there was a bubbling. The bubbles moved closer, and finally two large green eyes appeared above the surface.
(?): Hmm...what is it that I've got? Hello, there, pretty one.

[Rose Cotton]

ooc:Thanks Sam::

Rose jumped up nearly slipping on the damp rock and reached for her sword. But it wasn't there.
"Ahh sword is too dangerous. Can't have that." said the creature. It started to rise out of the water and Rose saw that it looked alot like she imagined Gollum. Eccept it was small even to a hobbit and it had horns on it's head and down it's back. It's limbs were long and it's fingers and toes were webbed. It crawled up onto the rock and Rose retreated to the wall.