[piosenniel]

Once she reached the storeroom, she opened the door carefully, announcing herself softly.

'Come quickly and quietly.' she said. 'We are going to see Idril.'

The passage to Idril's rooms was a safe one, and Pio ushered them through the door, closing it firmly behind them.

'My Lady,' she began, but Idril was not there. Piosenniel frowned and looked about. Her friends stood and waited with growing unease. But moments later, Idril returned. She looked at the company with interest.

'This is Child and Rose, the hobbits of whom we spoke,' siad Pio. 'This is our companion Bird,' indicating the jackdaw perched still on Child's shoulder. 'And this is Lord Mithadan.'

Idril regarded each of them closely, a small frown creased her brow as she looked on Mithadan.

'Another Man in Gondolin. That will be a sore puzzle for my father should news of you come to his ears. But come, let us discuss matters in a reasonable fashion. Where is Piosenniel?' Idril asked.

'Here my Lady,' replied Pio with a frown.

'Come now,' answered Idril. 'This jest, if jest it be has gone far enough. Where are the child and her mother?'

'Lady Idril,' Pio began, but Mithadan laid a hand on her shoulder. He bowed to the Princess and said 'My Lady, our tale is strange, that is true. Yet we do not lie, surely you can perceive this.' He met Idril's gaze steadily, but she turned away quickly and walked to the door. She whistled sharply and Tuor burst in holding a great axe aloft. Several Elves followed bearing drawn swords. Two seized Mithadan roughly and pulled his arms behind him. Others set the points of their swords to the chests of Pio, Child and Rose.

'Idril!' cried Piosenniel in anguish.

Tuor stepped forward to face Piosenniel. With a grim look on his face, he cried 'What have you done with Holly and the child? Answer now! If you have harmed them, your lives are forfeit!'

Birdland cried out and raised her wings as if to launch herself at Tuor. 'Bird! No!' cried Child sharply. With a dark look at Idril, Bird settled herself reluctantly.

At that moment, another Elf rushed in and shouted 'Holly and Piosenniel are safe in their chambers! She wears the pendant and chain about her neck!'

Idril looked at Pio in confusion, relief obvious on her face. But Tuor's face remained set in a look of anger. 'I know not what game you play, but it is a dangerous one. If you indeed entered upon the Secret Way, your lives are no less in jeopardy than if you harmed Piosenniel and her mother. I will have the truth now and quickly!'

'May I speak, Lord?' asked Mithadan. Tuor nodded curtly. Mithadan looked down at the sword hanging from his belt. The green stone on the pommel glowed and swirled with the colors of the sea. He looked up again and met Tuor's eyes. 'About my neck is a chain,' he said quietly. 'On it hangs a small conch shell. Take it from my neck and hold it up.'

Tuor and Idril exchanged glances, but the man stepped forward and took the chain from Mithadan. The Elves held Mithadan tightly as if suspicious of some trick but he merely looked on with a slight smile on his face.

Tuor looked at the shell, then at Piosenniel. With a shrug, he held up the shell. A faint mist came from its opening which gathered in the air before Tuor. The Elves murmured nervously and raised their blades. The gathering cloud glowed and in it appeared an image of the sea, small but clear. The sound of the restless ocean could be heard and then came the clear tone of a great horn being blown. Then a voice was heard. 'Tuor,' it said. 'Ye have served me well and faithfully. Do so again now. Those before ye are on a mission and follow a fate as great as thine own. Give them all assistance and doubt them not.' Then the voice faded and the cloud disappeared.

Tuor and Idril stared at the shell in amazement. Then Tuor motioned the Elves to release Pio and her friends. He turned to the Elves and said 'Go now and speak to no one of this or our guests. This is the will of Ulmo, Lord of the Seas.'

The Elves departed and Idril again turned to Piosenniel. 'I am sorry,' she said. 'But these are dark times and your tale was beyond belief. What is your mission and what help can we provide?'

Piosenniel sighed with relief. 'It is as I said, my Lady. The Dark power seeks the Hobbits of Gondolin and we have come to give them such assistance as we may. But time is short and we must be allowed to act quickly.'

[ August 02, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

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

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