The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

[piosenniel]

Birds sang in the trees about the camp, their raucous piping heralding what would soon be the start of a new day. It was the hour before dawn, and Pio stood looking northward into the waning darkness, willing herself to see the route that Cami and her band must take.

Mithadan was up, poking shavings and twigs into last night’s remaining embers. He leaned over the small promise of fire and blew on it gently. It sprang to life, the flames licking hungrily at the dried wood, and he laid some larger pieces on it. ‘Tea soon.’ he said, smiling at Pio, wrapped tightly in her cloak. She handed him the kettle, filled from the river, and he placed it on the grate balanced on the fire pit’s rocks.

The sun had barely risen in the east, its first pale light softening the eastern rim of the horizon, when the tea was done. She took a cup of the sweet, hot liquid from him gratefully, letting the warmth of it steal into her chilled fingers. A presence coming from the west, intruded upon her thoughts, and she looked up from the steaming tea, smiling.

Legolas! Welcome to our fire. Will you take some tea?’

Mithadan, standing close beside her, smiled, and extended his greeting. Yes. Welcome, indeed, is Thranduil’s son. Please, come sit with us.

Legolas looked in wonder at the Man. ‘Not often do we discover one of the Apanónar, the Secondborn, who has the skill of osanwë. It is a delight to find it not only present but so strong! Well, met, indeed, Mithadan.’

They sat on kegs round the welcome heat from the fire, and talked pleasantly of many things until the sun was well up, and its light had driven away the night completely. Cami had come up, smelling the promise of sweetspice tea. She leaned against Pio, listening half attentively to the conversation, her mind wandering over all the details that must get done today that they might start the trip to Greenwood. So it was no surprise to Pio, watching the thoughts play across her friend’s face, that Cami missed the question asked of her.

Pio nudged her gently, her eyes flicking to Legolas, who looked at the Hobbit with an air of expectancy. ‘Pardon?!’ came the polite request from Cami. ‘I was sorting through things to get done and missed your question.’

Legolas smiled at Cami, his eyes gleaming merrily from a fair face framed by raven hair. ‘I had asked if you wished to go northward from here by the North Stair, or did you wish to travel along the west wall of the Emyn Muil?’

Pio spoke quickly to cover the Hobbit’s surprise at the question. ‘Here are the maps I promised you, Cami.’ She ran to her bedroll, retrieving the leather map case she had stowed them in, and handed it to Cami. ‘Here,’ she said, taking the largest of the maps from the roll and spreading it out on the ground before them, ‘let us show him what route we had discussed.’

Using her finger as a pointer, Pio traced the route around the western Emyn Muil, saying to Legolas that they thought the passage across the high cliffs, accessed by the long, steep North Stair, and bordering the river, would not be hospitable to travel by their group. ‘They can take the somewhat longer route and return to travel along the Anduin when they have passed the walls of the Emyn Muil.’

‘From there,’ continued Cami, placing her finger now on the river’s path, ‘we will proceed northward, to where the Limlight meets the Anduin, and then up to Lórien.’

‘Where we were hoping,’ interjected Pio, ‘that you might be able to assure them easy crossing along its eastern edge.’ Legolas’ brow furrowed for a moment at the thought of explaining the group he traveled with to the Elves of the Golden Wood, but thought that if they traveled quickly by the Naith there would be no hindrance to their passing. ‘We must not disturb the Wood as we pass.’ he cautioned the Hobbit. Pio sighed softly and sent a silent request into the air, hoping that none of the Hobbits would go haring off on some ill thought out adventure at that point.

Cami looked at both Mithadan and Pio, then squared her shoulders, saying her band would do what was necessary to get through with the least difficulty. A half smile played about Pio’s lips, and she wondered if her friend had also sent out some urgent plea that this might be so.

Mithadan looked closely at the map, and found the point where the river narrowed in the north. ‘The journey from Lórien to this ford looks straightforward enough. Long, yes, but through pleasant, open country. And the ford is close to the western border of Greenwood.’ He looked up. ‘I cannot recall,’ he said to Legolas, ‘Is there a bridge here or does one ford the river through the water.’

‘An apt question from you Mithadan,’ came the soft voice from the trees. Radagast stepped forth from the shadows to join them. ‘In this time there is a stone bridge which runs from one bank to the other, in later days it will have gone, and the river must be waded.’ He drew closer to where the map lay out on the ground, and kneeling along the edge of it, looked it over thoroughly.

Drawing the sleeve of his brown robe upward to uncover his hand, he pointed to a small eyot in the river just north of the ford. ‘Between this small islet and the ford, here in the vales of the Anduin, lies my dwelling – Rhosgobel, here at the western edge of Greenwood. We will pass by it as we enter into the forest.’

Pio stirred up the fire, feeding it more wood, while the others talked specifics of the journey. She made more tea, and freshened the cups of those who already had one. Radagast accepted a cup from her, spilling a few drops on the brown expanse of his robe as he brought it to his mouth. She examined him closely, wondering if the mocking epithets she’d heard in later times, would prove true – Radagast the Simple, the Fool, Bird-tamer. She shook her head, remembering then who had called him these names, and put their mocking tone from her mind.

He had been called Aiwendil in Valinor, she recalled – Bird-lover. Radagast the Brown in Middle-earth. Radagast, the tender of beasts, it meant in the tongue of Númenor.

‘Now let him tend well to these Hobbits.’ she thought to herself. ‘Let him see my friends safely through this passage.’

She stared into the flickering flames, wishing there was a way for her to see this done. Mithadan had come, as if called by her unsure thoughts, and crouched down beside her. Taking her hand, he gave it a reassuring squeeze, motioning with a nod of his head to where Cami was in deep discussion with the Elf and the Wizard.

Pio smiled to see her friend step in as an equal, to claim her right to be recognized and heard, to be a decision maker. She gave Mithadan’s hand a light squeeze in return.

‘Yes,’ she murmured, ‘they will do well. She will do well . . .’

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

[mark12_30]

"There sure are a lot of them."

Phura chuckled. "No more than the crews of all those ships; we just don't usually see them all in one camp."

"Yeah."

"Cami says that she's never seen so many all together all at once, either, " Phura continued. He studied Gamba. "I thought you'd be happy to see them."

"I'm happy to see the trees."

"You used to think elves were the answer to everything. You used to love them. All your favorite songs were about Gondolin. What happened? " Phura asked.

Gamba rubbed his wrists, pointedly.

"Come on, " Phura said. "Cami has accepted her apology and forgiven her for that. Don't you think you should too?"

"Some apology, " Gamba said. "She basically implied that we would always need rescuing, and she was worried that she wouldn't be there to do it herself."

"Is that really what she said?" Phura asked.

Gamba scowled. Phura got up, and went and found Cami, and spoke softly with her. Cami rose, excusing herself from her conversation and saying that she hoped to return shortly, and she came back with Phura to where Gamba was sitting. Phura drifted away, and found Azraph, who had been watching the two brothers from a distance. THey sat together, quietly, looking around at the elves and the trees, trying to take it all in.

They watched as Cami and Gamba got up, and walked over to Piosenniel, and Phura took a deep breath and held Azraph's hand tighter. "Let's hope for the best."

Piosenniel looked up at Gamba and Cami, and studied the two of them for several seconds. Cami's expression was carefully neutral, but Pio read a worried hopefulness underneath the mask. Gamba stood uncomfortably, fists jammed deep into his pockets, face rather pink around the edges.

"Hello, " she said.

Gamba withdrew further, and Cami turned and met his gaze. Tightlipped, he glared back at her.

"Well?" Pio said, after several more seconds had crawled by.

His eyes blazed, and he burst out, "You worked so hard to set us free from the tombs, and then you tied us up again. And you never apologized for that."

"I didn't?" she replied. Cami nodded internally, glancing from her friend to her son.

"No, " he blazed.

"Gamba, " she replied, "as far as I'm concerned, I did."

"No, " he said. "You never said you were sorry. You just said other things."

The boy was like a stone wall, Pio thought. Cami will have her hands full. She sighed. "What I said, Gamba, was that oft times my actions are ill thought out, and harsh and that I am not the most politic of creatures. But I love my friend."

Gamba waited.

"Do you know why I came to the Tombs?" Pio asked.

"Not any more, " Gamba snapped.

She sighed. "There were many reasons. But the one that matters most to me at the moment is that my friends that undertook this quest needed my help; not the least of which was Cami. And I would not fail to do my best for them and for her. If that is not enough for you, then I cannot help you any more than that."

Gamba scowled, and was clearly dissatisfied. Cami studied him, and then turned and faced him, and very softly spoke in slow, measured tones. Pio's elven hearing picked up what she said nevertheless.

"Gamba, " Cami began. "Pio risked her life again and again in the tombs, for me, for Rose, for Kali, and for all of you. And unlike some elves, Pio knows what death means, and what she risked each time."

Gamba watched her guardedly, but she waited, letting that last statement sink in. Slowly he remebered his reaction when he had first learned that Piosenniel was alive, from Levanto. That brought a rush of conflicting emotions, and resentment for Levanto's sake, and Cami watched that wash across his face, guessing what he was thinking, waiting for him to speak. Finally he fidgeted, pressing his fists into his pockets til his arms were straight. He'll rip the breeches, Cami thought... let it go for now.

Finally Cami spoke again. "Do you know what else Pio risked for me, and for Rose, and for Kali, and for all of you?"

Gamba glared at her, wanting to stay mad, and bracing himself against what she would say.

Cami spoke very softly. "If Pio had died, the twins she is carrying would have died with her."

Gamba's eyes widened, against his will, and he turned to Piosenniel, and looked at her.

"The twins?"

Pio shot Cami a blank glance, which Cami knew barely fell short of an immediate death threat. Cami smiled internally, watching her son soften, soften, melting before her eyes. "Twins, " he repeated softly.

By the One, Cami, you've annoyed me now, Pio thought.

"Twins," Gamba whispered, his eyebrows rising, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Another glance flew from Pio to Cami, and Cami smiled for real this time. "Yes, Gamba. The twins."

"Oh, " he said. And looking up at Pio, he said, "So that's why you've been so cranky?"

"Gamba!" Cami laughed.

"By the One, " Pio said, shooting Cami the third Elvish Glance Of Impending Death.

"Huh. Twins, " Gamba said, and nodding, turned and shrugged at Pio. "Well, I hope everything goes well. Loremaster says that carrying a child in the heat of summer makes women miserable; I wonder if carrying two is that much worse."

"Who said I'd be carrying in the summer?" Pio snapped.

"Oh, Elves carry for a year, don't they? I don't see how you can avoid it, " Gamba said cheerfully, and putting his fists into his pockets again, began to whistle The Snowhobbits Of Ladros. "Well, tell Mithadan I said good luck. Every father I know says that when she's carrying a child, their wife is awfully hard to deal with."

He turned to Cami, and said with another shrug, "I guess we're lucky she didn't just kill all three of us outright." And he wandered off, whistling.

Pio shook her head, and Cami, laughing, returned to her interrupted conversation. Gamba returned to Phura and Azraph.

"Well?" Phura said, waiting.

Gamba replied very solemnly. "Lady elves get just as cranky as lady hobbits do when they are with child, " he said.

Phura and Azraph exchanged glances, shrugged at each other, and then began to laugh. Before long, Gamba joined them.

[ January 09, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[Child of the 7th Age]

Both Legalos and Radagast agreed to Cami's request to meet with the Elders to review the route chosen for the northward trek. Once again, Piosenniel's large map was taken from the case, laid out on the ground, and carefully studied. Legalos outlined the pathway with his finger, starting at the base of the Falls, skirting west about Emyn Muil, and cutting north to the eastern boundary of the Hidden Lands where the Lady of Lorien dwelled. At this point he halted, reminding the Elders of the need to respect the sanctity of that golden realm and the Elf Queen of ancient lore who ruled over those woods.

When Andril heard this reference to ancient lore, her eyes gleemed curiously bright. She glanced directly at Cami who nodded for her to continue.

"Pardon, Legolas," Andril interrupted, "But does this Lady of Lorien go by any other name?"

"Some call her the White Lady," Legalos replied. "Others, the Mistress of Magic; but the name she is best known by is that of Galadriel."

A smile of recognition splashed across Andril's face. She responded with quiet assurance. "Legalos, you need not worry about the hobbits' passage through these lands. This Lady of whom you speak is known to us of old. Our own lore tells of her grace; her ability to run through the hills like a hart, swift and straight; and her friendship with the hobbits who first came to her notice through her brother Finrod."

With a bittersweet pang, Cami recalled the words of Andreth's journal, which had been discovered in the walls of the encampment at Ladros, and the ancient stories that she'd heard from Maura. Both spoke of the coming of the little folk into Beleriand, and their friendship with the House of Beor and with Finrod and his kin, as well as how the three peoples fought together in the battle against the darkness.

Andril continued addressing Legalos, but was careful to catch the eye of Gamba who sat by his brother's knee. "The hobbits will indeed respect the realm of this Lady, for she has meant much to us. I do not know, but it may even be that she will remember us with affection."

Legalos was surprised to hear this and glanced towards Cami who nodded her head to confirm what Andril was saying. Legalos went on to trace the remainder of the route. Then, at Radagast's suggestion, the Elves and hobbits agreed to begin their journey northward early the next morning.

As the Elders dispersed to their clans, Cami pulled Andril aside to speak with her. "Thank you for that," she confided to the hobbrim. "I am never sure how much to say. But I think your words will make it easier for us, both with the Elves on the trail, and in encouraging the younger hobbits to behave."

"I am placing Gamba in charge of the littlest ones on the trail. It should give him something worthwhile to do to take his mind off of mischief, as well as keeping him from falling into despair. I'm actually more worried about Gamba missing his brother than running off on any adventure, but this should help with both."

Andril looked over at Cami. "And I promise to keep an eye on Phura, especially in the days and months to come. It won't be easy for either of them. But, Cami, there's something else. Something else that's bothering you."

"You know me too well. When I first met Pio and Mithadan back in Minas Anor, my only wish was to uncover a little piece of hobbit history. At least I know that exists, but so much of it has been swept away. Part of me understands this must be. The clans will have plenty to do, simply learning to survive, without worrying about poems and lore. And it's the only way the hobbits can possibly stay hidden."

"Yet another part of me grieves. Finrod, and Galadriel and Idril, and especially Piosenniel....who among our people will recall what the Elves did, their bright gifts and their sacrifices? Which hobbit will remember Men like Beor or Mithadan, or a small shapechanger who offered us friendship? And none will speak the name of Maura, or sing the songs of Lindo. All that will be gone."

"Cami, stop worrying about the past. The hobbrim won't forget. But the rest, those things that bind our families and help them make their own small goodness in a world filled with shadow, that task we leave to you."

Andril looked at her and smiled, "Who knows? Perhaps at the end of time, our two kin will come together somehow. Then we will offer you the lore we've carefully tended, and you will show us that hobbit hearts still hold those ideas and ways that matter."

"You make it sound so simple," Cami whispered, her voice heavy with longing.

"Not simple, but there's enough to keep us both busy for a lifetime. What more could a person want?"

"Only one thing," replied Cami, smiling sadly, "that we should not have to leave so many good friends behind."

"For that I have no answer." The two women softly embraced.

[ January 06, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[Mithadan]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami blinked back tears as Mithadan rose with quiet dignity to walk slowly towards the waiting skiff that would carry him back to the Star. She wondered if he would come ashore once more in the evening to sit near the campfire with them, but something inside her whispered no. He had made his peace, and gently cut the lines. There was no more to be said.

Cami had lived in Minas Anor so many years, yet never had she known or appreciated any of the big folk in the same way that she had grown to know this Man. What a pity there couldn't be more like him, or perhaps she just hadn't tried hard enough to find out where the others were. She reminded herself to keep looking for other Mithadans who might cross her path, and not to give up believing that there could be peace between their peoples, so closely related yet so often far distant.

Later that evening, at the hour of dusk, she walked by herself to the top of a hill that overlooked the campsite. Down below, like a hundred sparkling jewels, the campfires of Elves and hobbits gleamed in their brightness, one nestled right next to the other. Songs floated softly over the encampment, first an Elvish air or two, then the hobbits playing simple tunes on wooden flutes.

Cami felt her heart swell as she took in this rare manifestation of trust and friendship. Look sharp, she told herself. Not since Beleriand has such a thing happened. Nor will we see it again, unless perhaps at the end of time, and who can say for certain. For tomorrow we head north to begin our years of wandering, and our camps will not be so leisurely or so relaxed as this one we enjoy tonight.

Something inside her heart reassured Cami that the hobbits would indeed find a safe place to settle one day, but that she would never live so long to see that happen. She would have to be content with the waiting and the wandering, believing that it would eventally lead them to where they were intended to be.

Making her way back towards camp, she came to the fire where Bird and Pio were gathered and sat with them for the remainder of the evening, saying little, but content to be together for the last few moments of their journey. As the blaze burned lower, leaving only golden cinders, hobbits and even Elves laid down to sleep upon the ground. For their departure the next morning was to be very early.

One by one, the crew of the Star came by to where she and Rose were seated in order to whisper their good lucks and goodbyes. Cami watched Kali and Daisy walk off, with Andril just behind them. She could see Phura and Gamba leaning close together, sharing the feverish whisperings of brothers who would never again speak to one another, at least within the circles of Arda. The younger hobbit boys clung to each other and to Kesha, until the hobbrim lad pulled away, coming over to kiss Cami on the forehead and say thank you for all she had done.

***(Helen's Post)

When Kesha returned to the boys, he leaned against Gamba. The boys were piled all around them, with Maura in Phura's lap. Azraph sat with Phura, trying to hear-- and remember-- everything that passed between Phura and Gamba.

"So... sing for me, " Phura said, nudging Gamba. "One last time."

Gamba nodded. "I can't keep ignoring it, can I?"

"No."

"Phura, I can't bear to see you go."

Phura sighed. "You can. You will." He paused. "Remember what you said to me when I was waiting for the changing? Standing by the water, listening to the names being read off?"

"Yeah."

"You told me to go and find my dream. And you reminded me about the storms," Phura smiled, remembering. "Really big storms. And you said you'd remember me when it rains."

"I will," Gamba replied.

"Well, " Phura said, "I'll remember you whenever I hear the wind blowing in the trees. And every so often, I'll find that pine tree you first showed me, and I'll climb it, and think of you."

Gamba looked at the ground.

"Tell me your dreams again," Phura prompted.

Gamba shifted uneasily. "The Langwell," he said. "But Mom doesn't like that idea."

"She doesn't. Well, it's hard to let go sometimes; we know that, dont we? What else?"

"Living among the trees, out in the wind and under the blue sky, and getting as far away from ... those tombs as I can, " he said, with a backward glance over his shoulder towards Minas Tirith. He clearly thought of the entire city as a stony tomb. Phura smiled.

"So... trees, traveling a long way north, the Langwell. What else?"

"I want my boys with me." He mussed Asta's hair, and smiled at Ban and Roka, and then gave Kesha a tight, sad hug.

"The boys. What will you all do there?"

"They'll settle down, raise families."

"What about you?"

Gamba shifted. "I'll raise the boys."

"And?"

"I don't know."

Asraph and Phura exchanged glances. They both thought that Gamba would want children of his own, but the memory of Esta forbade them to discuss that. "You'll be far enough north that you'll see snow," Phura smiled.

Gamba smiled too. "My name is in the list, after all."

"Yes, it is. Gamba the Snowhobbit."

Gamba had not forgotten Phura's request for a song, and in the distance, he could see that people were preparing to return to the Star. He sighed, his chest tightening, and cast back in his mind, reviewing his studies. "Tell Loremaster that I miss him. And..."

Phura waited.

"Tell him he was right about Mistress Nitir. Tell him I call her Mom now."

"All right."

Gamba looked around, and saw Tuka, and Mika and Kima, and Corba, and thought that he would not be all alone, or not as all alone as he felt at the moment. And then he took a deep breath, and began.


Where the depths the sun is drinking
Wild the waves with wind are dancing
Deeply there the tide is pulling
Let it pull your heart to me.

Where the sun caresses flowers
Where the clouds pour silver showers
There the wind shows all her power
Let her blow your heart to me.

Far above a star is shining
And the lovely moon is roaming
There the path of stars is glowing
Tread that path and come to me.

Through the tide, the storm, the sky,
Oh, fly, my love, and come to me.


When he was finished, Phura began:

Stars above are softly shining,
Wind and waves my ship are rocking,
I my love for you am singing,
Sleep, my lovely, sleep.

Though our days we live in thralldom,
Deep inside your soul lives freedom.
Dream of shining elvish kingdoms!
Sleep, my lovely, sleep.

Watch and wait, always remember,
Never to despair surrender,
Hope will find you, hope remembers,
Sleep, my lovely, sleep.

Far away wild gulls are wailing,
Far away fond hearts are waiting,
Far away proud ships are sailing,
Sleep, my lovely, sleep.


Azraph held both their hands, and then she began, and Phura and Gamba both joined in:

I stand on the hillside and gaze at you
As you quickly recede from my sight
Slipping away (don't leave me, don't go)
Farewell, wait for me, I cry

For a short time we will be apart
in the light of eternity
I'll come to you, hold me in your heart
Remember me, wait for me

I ride on the wind, my eyes drift back
To the receding hill and to you
Hope lies before me, love lies behind
In time, hope will call you too

But love lies before me all the same
Love travels with me, strengthens me
Love waits behind for you, at home
And before me, far beyond the sea

For a short time we will be apart
in the light of eternity
I'll wait for you, hold you in my heart
Remember me, come to me

Beyond our sight, we see by hope
Beyond our vision, we wait in faith
Beyond the circles of the world
We'll find all our loves again

For a short time we will be apart
in the light of eternity
Iluvatar waits, and says in his heart
Remember me, come to me.


They shared embraces all around, and then Azraph and Kesha drew to Phura's side. Phura embraced Gamba one more time, and then said, "Promise me you won't rest until you find your dreams. Promise me."

"I promise," Gamba replied.

"I'm counting on that. I mean it," Phura said. "I'll hold you to that promise. I really will."

"I promise, " Gamba repeated.

"All right then, you rascal, " Phura said. "I love you."

"I love you too. Enjoy the Abyss, " Gamba said. "And the storms. I'll think of you when it rains. Every time."

"Good bye, " Phura said, and they turned and walked away, and joined those that were leaving for The Star.

*****(end Helen's Post)


Finally, as the golden cinders began to fade to grey ash, the only ones remaining from the Star were Bird and Pio. The Elf bent down and put her arm about Cami's shoulder, "Do you wish us to return to shore in the morning to bid you luck?"

Cami turned aside, making a feeble effort to hide the tears that were streaming down her cheeks, then shook her head no. "We part tonight. Tomorrow is for new beginnings."

They each embraced her and promised never to forget. Then amid her tears Cami laughed, threatening to follow Pio into the Fourth Age if she did not take care of herself properly and make sure the twins had a healthy mother. And to Bird, she said simply, "Don't neglect to look for the sign that I will send through to you."

She watched in silence as the women went aboard the skiff, and their small boat inched its way towards the mother ship. Then she lay on the ground by herself, and tried with little luck to stem the tears that cascaded downward to mingle with the soft brown earth. She finally rolled over onto her back and looked up at the stars in the heavens. There were a great many of them, almost like a blanket aglow. To Cami they seemed to be a wondrous reminder and a promise of hope in a world that still longed for the light of the Silmarils.

She whispered aloud to the greatest star she could see in the sky, Maura, I kept my promise to you. I have seen this thing through to the end. But, oh, it has been hard. Then she pulled her legs up to her chest and quickly fell asleep.

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

At the earliest hint of dawn, the hobbits and Elves awoke to the sound of birds trilling at each other high in the trees, a song that cut through the still morning air and beckoned them to come forward quickly on their appointed trail. Each traveller stopped to eat a little packet of journey bread that had been specially set aside for that purpose.

The small band of Elves who led the assembly never looked behind, walking with amazing grace and deftness along the slanting path that gradually rose up to meet the horizon. The hobbits gathered up their packets and satchels more slowly, turning their backs on the river with some reluctance, and trudging north on the path that would skirt along the western base of the cliffs. Cami had appointed scouts at various points on the march, sturdy lads to keep an eye on things, relay messages, and make sure no hobbit was left behind. The hobbits were a great procession, and it took some time for all of them to leave the river valley.

Her eyes wide and clear, Cami walked beside Rose and just to the rear of the Elves, with Gamba following sadly a bit to her left. Cami had set the boys on the backs of the ponies, Asta with Ban, and Roka with Maura, along with several of the heavier bundles that she'd slung across the animals' withers. Now and again, Gamba would reach over to touch one of the boys' legs, to reassure himself that they were really still there.

As they rounded the bend that would take them northward and away from the Anduin, Cami took Gamba's hand in her own and glanced back over her shoulder. The dim outline of the Star could still be glimpsed through the mist and haze. But the faces and figures of the people had faded and could no longer be clearly seen.

She turned back and glanced at the boy now walking quietly by her side. The towsled hair was still there, but the mischievous expression had disappeared, and in its place dawned a seriousness and intensity that belied his very young age. Still, although his eyes looked taut and concerned, she saw no shadows of despair. And that thought cheered her.

She fixed her own gaze firmly on the trail ahead. "Look there," she whispered to the four boys astride the ponies, then pointed towards a small red fox hidden behind a tree who now bolted away flicking its bushy tail in distress at the silent approach of the Elves. The childrens' delighted laughter pealed out, cutting through the mist, as the sun peeped out over the hillside. And overhead, although Cami could not see it, a single black bird winged, once, twice, and then a final circle, before making its path back towards the waiting ship.

[ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[ January 09, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

[piosenniel]

‘Well, they’re on their way, Pio.’ The small jackdaw dropped to the helm in a flurry of feathers, feet scrabbling for some hold on the smooth wood. Pio laughed at the unceremonious landing and offered her wrist for a better perch. ‘and, no,’ continued the small bird, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, which indeed it had not since these two had never stood on ceremony, ‘they are not lost yet. Or besieged by bandits, wolves, or any other of the catalog of evils I know are running through your mind as I tell you this.’

Bird glided down to the deck, changing to human form. ‘Why are you piloting the Star, by the way. Shouldn’t you be relaxing, feet propped up, avoiding the swollen ankles I hear come with your condition?’ She picked up the glass of wine Pio had left on the barrel top near her, taking a long swig.

‘Ack! You’ve watered this! Ruined perfectly good wine.’ She swallowed the mouthful with a grimace and poured herself a glass of her own from the bottle. ‘Mmmm. That’s much better!’ she said, topping off the glass with another pour from the dusty bottle. ‘I see Mithadan managed to replenish the wine supply for the trip home.’

She pulled a chair to the railing, and sat gazing over the river’s water to the north, feet propped comfortably on the lowest rail. ‘Where is the hubby, anyway? Off ordering about what remains of the crew, I suppose.’ She drummed her fingers on the side of her glass. ‘What’s he going to do when everyone’s gone but us and Levanto? None of us take orders very well, though I suppose the two males will side with each other.’

Bird chuckled, her eyes glinting with the possibility of mischief. ‘Hmmm, this may prove to be an interesting trip back to Gondor.”

[ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[piosenniel]

‘Take a breath, Bird! And let me get in an answer or two to your litany of questions and observations.’ Pio picked up her glass, swirling the light red liquid around in it, watching the sunlight glint off the surface.

‘I am really not all that worried about Cami and her Hobbit band. I have every confidence in her ability to lead them well and safely.’ she intoned. Bird, unconvinced, arched an eyebrow at the Elf. Pio laughed, ‘Alright, you know me too well. I had a long discussion with Legolas. Just a few suggestions to him. No threats, not exactly, that is. He’s a nice kid. He and his band will get them safely to the North.’ ‘Despite the bumbling, though well meant intentions of Radagast.’ she added to herself.

‘As to the wine, the piloting, and the swollen ankles – I want to keep myself busy so I do not find time to worry so much. So, I will focus on the ship’s course, keeping a clear head with the watered wine. And your concern about the ankles is duly noted, though I cannot recall any Elven woman with them.’
A small adjustment to the wheel to keep the ship in deeper waters, then she continued on. ‘As to Mithadan, I have no idea what he is doing. But Bird, please, let’s just have a smooth trip home. No aggravations.’

Bird snorted, muttering ‘killjoy’ under her breath, but nodded her head in agreement. She had heard that women in Pio’s condition often have violent mood swings. No need to have the Elf skewer her with a knife over some practical joke. ‘Where was Angara when she needed her!’ she thought. ‘That pesky Wyrm would have proved a useful ally with whom to needle the Captain unmercifully.’

The remainder of the trip downriver was uneventful for the Star, proving much faster now that they sailed with the current. Pio had gone over her plans with Kali, several times, concerning the use of the time crystal to get everyone to their required destinations.

Mithadan spent the river voyage conducting an assay of the Lonely Star's condition. The vessel had been at sea far too long and had weathered storms as well as having been over-burdened by the presence of their Hobbit guests. Once back in Gondor in the Fourth Age, the Star would not go back to sea for some time.

In time, he presented Piosenniel and Bird with a list of repairs and overhauls that the ship would require. Bird had nearly choked upon reading the report, squacking angrily about how she had not expected such expenses when she had agreed to become a partner in this venture.

But then, they reached Minas Anor with their little flotilla and Mithadan spent a day at the docks dealing with various merchants and shipowners. He returned with a sly smile and a bag which he had emptied on the table of the galley. Bird's eyes grew wide at the sight of such a pile of gold coins; the proceeds from the sale of the three ships Mithadan had obtained in exchange for the Numenorean daggers. Then they were on their way again, and Mithadan was content to relax and play first mate to Piosenniel's captain.

Once they reached the Bay, the Lonely Star and the Elven ships would make for the open ocean. Pio would board one of the Swan ships with all the crew from the Star who were going back to Meneltarma. Only Bird, Mithadan, and Levanto would remain with the Star. She would link the Swan ships and take them back to the time they had left the islet.

All the Elven ships would wait then, as she transferred back with Kali and Daisy in a skiff to the Star’s present time in the Third Age. The two Hobbrim and the remaining crew of the Star would transfer on the ship to the Fourth Age. Then Kali and Daisy would make the final leap in their skiff to when the Swan ships awaited them. The Elves would drop all the Hobbrim at Meneltarma, and then make for Tol Eressëa. The time crystal would pass into safekeeping with Kali and his future family.

The transfers were done without a hitch, though not without a few final tears and hugs as the crew of the Lonely Star said a final farewell to their companions. They waved to Kali and Daisy, as for a final time, the air shimmered, and the skiff winked out of existence.

Time’s door had shut. Only the glassy, rolling waves of the sea now rolled on before the Lonely Star . . .

[ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

[ January 08, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

[Mithadan]

THE END (for now)

[mark12_30]

Gamba's Epilogue

Gamba and his four boys lived with Cami and Rose in Greenwood peacefully for twenty years. Three years after he came of age, Gamba began exploring up north, especially the Langwell river, saying that he wanted to go settle there.

Ten years after Gamba came of age, Asta and Roka came of age. At that time Gamba left, taking Asta and Roka with him, and went up the Anduin til he found a fair-sized wood along the Langwell River. There he built three flets, fished, and gathered mushrooms, and learned to hunt in the north, where deer ran differently and the rabbits had a whole other way of life, and even the fishing was different. Roka became a fair gardener, and learned which roots and leaves grew well in the far north and which did not. Both Asta and Roka returned half a year later, to visit Cami and Rose and their sweethearts, and before three years had passed, they each brought a bride to the Langwell.

Gamba stayed at the Langwell for seven years, and mastered the local fishing and hunting, and homesteading, and learned to avoid dragons and trolls. But when the seven years had passed, leaving Roka and Asta to take care of their tree-homes and their families, he jouneyed home hoping to convince Ban and Maura to join them.

On the way, Gamba walked southward along the riverbank, and some thirty leagues into his journey he came to the first tributary below the Langwell, called the Rhimdoth, or the Rushdown. He crossed it on a clear summer night, and he saw a darkhaired young lass come out of the river after swimming fully dressed; without seeing him, she climbed up onto the bank, and lay gazing at the stars.

He wept when he saw her, and softly cried out to her, calling her Esta; she answered gently, and said that was not her name. He told her the story of his lost love whose grave lay buried beneath the sea, and trembling, asked if she was Esta's ghost; she told him plainly that she was not. He sang for her that night, old lullabyes and laments and histories, and she listened with delight, for his voice was husky and strong. He sang on until her parents missed her, and following the singing, found the two of them on the Rhimdoth riverbank.

Her name was Opal; the name suited her well, because her skin was always pale and translucent and shone stark white in the starlight. But Gamba called her Esta for the rest of his life, and said of Opal that she was just as wild at heart as Esta had been. Her new name became dear to her, and her heart turned quickly towards him. She was eighteen years old.

Gamba stayed for several days, and sang for her often. Then Gamba reluctantly continued his journey southward towards Cami's home, still desiring that Maura and Ban should join him at Langwell. Neither Cami nor Rose relished the idea, and they fought him long and hard; but Ban and Maura were both of age, and Gamba persuaded Maura to go. In the end, Ban stayed with Rose and Cami, and Maura married his sweetheart and went north with Gamba.

Parting with Maura was hard on Cami, and she made him promise to visit, a promise which he kept faithfully, even visiting her yearly when she retired to Rivendell. When they were old enough, his two elder sons accompanied him on his yearly trips to Rivendell; there she taught them herblore and healing, and found them her most apt students.

From then on, Gamba travelled south to the Rhimdoth to see Opal every season. Opal's father was skeptical of Gamba's Langwell settlement at first. But wherever Gamba went, he told his tales of the abundant fishing and hunting, and seeing that neither he nor his sons nor their wives or children were by any means famished, other hobbits went north to join his community. Learning this, Opal's father softened, and Gamba was more welcome after that.

Gamba's heart did not rest from the time he met Opal until she came of age, fifteen years later, when she married him and joined him at Langwell, in 1050. By the time Gamba wedded Opal, Langwell had become a large community, and to her surprise, Opal found herself the young matron of it; Gamba shared the decisions with her, asking her opinion; and when she would have rather not have given it, he would remind her that Nitir would want him to ask her. When he was away, she acted as his steward.

He made friends with the elves that came his way, rarely travelling into the Greenwood to search for them, at first. Only after he had made several good friends did he travel one summer with a guide all the way back to Thranduil's groves, and joined them for a woodland feast during the berry season; they were glad to see him again, but they did not invite him to their underground palace, nor show him the pathways through the woods that led to it. Of that he was glad, having no desire to see Thranduil's cave.

Together Gamba and Opal had three sons and three daughters, Phura, Mitha, Leva, Azraph, Nitir, and Waterbird. The sons when married all reverted to normal hobbit custom and lived in burrows in the riverbank. But to the end of his days, Gamba could never abide being underground for very long; and when he was too old to climb up into a flet, his Opal built him a sturdy hut on the ground, in the forest, between three young, close trees. Of course it had no glass, but two of the walls had wide doors, and the third wall had a shutter over a large opening; so even in his dotage, Gamba could ask for the shutter and doors to be thrown open wide, and see the wind in the branches and feel it in his hair.

One windy summer night, with torn clouds racing across the sky, he earnestly begged Opal to take him to the riverbank. She wept, knowing all too well the story of her namesake and knowing what was in his heart; but she called for his grandsons, and they carried him out. He lay with his head in her lap, and watched the stars winking in and out behind the clouds; and he pointed down the river, and told her again the story she knew so well, of the hobbits swimming out to the white ships that came and took them from the caves. Finally he told her that together they would see the stars again. By the time the moon rose, he had passed beyond the circles of the world. He was buried by his sons and grandsons in the forest below the flet that he and Opal had raised their family in; and she planted a beech tree beside his grave.

Phura's first son was an exceptionally tall hobbit-lad named Doldo. Doldo travelled south in his tweens to trade for southern orchard produce, and met a girl from the far south near Lorien. Her name was Mallorn, and he courted her for five years and wedded her when he came of age, and brought her north to the Langwell. Like his grandfather, he loved the woods best, and was a hunter. He built his burrow high up on the hillside under the eaves of the forest; from his front door-step, a great wide sweep of the Langwell valley could be seen. Doldo and Mallie had two fine sons, tall like their father, and named Noldo and Sindo; it's said that Mallie chose their names in tribute to her father's elvish friends, south away in Lorien, where the mallorns grow.

After Noldo and Sindo migrated over the Misty Mountains fleeing from the Shadow, and after their parents' mysterious death, Noldo and Sindo wandered far west; but they returned, and settled on the western bank of the Hoarwell, on a southfacing slope just below a wood, building many tunnels as their clan expanded. That wood was said to be teeming with game and mushrooms; if the clan expansion was any indication, that clan never lacked for provender. They were a hunting clan in the midst of a fishing community, and they went out to the woods most often, and it's said that they had dealings with elves, though few discuss what kind, and those that do, speak what they shouldn't as often as not. That south-facing slope had the odd name of Little Valinor, and many folk wonder why; to their dying day, Noldo's sons called it that. Noldo was as tall as his father; most of Noldo's children were tall and slender and golden-haired, and some even had eyes that were a deep and clear October-blue, and it's said by some that that's where the Fallohide fair blood comes from. But it's said that they took after their mother, Lorien, Noldo's wife, whom few ever saw, fewer knew, and fewer still, understood. Some rumored that she was a fairy wife; but if you ask Noldo's descendants, they will tell no tales concerning her. But folk observe that whenever her name is mentioned, her descendants fall silent, and more often than not, they look to the west.