[Child of the 7th Age]

The meal was hearty and plentiful Child and Rose felt as though they had returned to the Shire after a long, unwanted absence. There was one dish of sausange and mushrooms which Child silently swore was exactly the same as her mother used to make. Even Bird seemed to be having a good time. Abar insisted on feeding large plates of food to the crow, who then paraded her linguistic talents much to the delight of the boy and to everyone at the table.

After all had eaten more than they could hold and Zira played several tunes on the flute, Maura guided Child behind a curtain into the small side room. He sat down on a stool near the broad window ledge and drew up a seat for her. Idril's letter lay on the ledge between them. Maura pointed his finger at it, "Nitir, what can you tell me about this?"

Child scarcely knew what to say. How could she possibly make this good man understand that his entire world would soon be destroyed? And she was not even allowed to use words that were clear and precise.

She tried to explain as best she could. "These are my friends, the man Mithadan, and the Elf Pio." She thought also of Bird but said nothing about that. "They have big hearts and care about our people. The are afraid Gondolin will soon come under the hand of Morgoth and that the hobbits will be dragged off and imprisoned, or even worse. They have travelled here to speak with Tuor and Turgon to try and make a plan to lead you, to lead us," she corrected herself, "to safety."

Maura put his head down to rest on his palms. "Safety? What or where is safety? Nothing you say is new. Every hobbit knows of Morgoth's hatred of us, though few understand its cause. The greatest safety we have known has been here in Gondolin."

"This is my city. This is my home. I hope it will last for ages to come. But, if not, if some terrible thing was to happen, we will fight for our families as well as for the Elves who have been our friends and protected us. You may bring whatever proposals you wish, and I will show them to the other leaders in the community. But, unless Idril personally tells us to leave and to go someplace else, I will not advise our community to flee. We will hold on."

Child looked up with a start. "Hold on." Angara had used those same words, and she had heard them, too, in her dream.

Child turned to him sadly, "Maura, don't you believe what I say?"

"Nitir, I do believe you. I believe that the hobbits are in danger and that Gondolin hangs by a thread. But there is no place for us to flee. I believe that you and your friends have good hearts, but somehow the time is not right for such things as you suggest. If the time had been right, surely I would have ....." His voice abruptly halted.

"Child placed her hand over his, "Please, go on. Tell me what you are thinking."

He continued, ""If the time had been right, I would have been told."

"Told? Told by whom? she asked.

"Surely you know. I am no mayor or organizer of soldiers. Other hobbits have more skill in these jobs than I. I am keeper of the lore, of the tales, and sometimes, just sometimes, Ancalimon speaks with me, whether through dreams or face-to-face. He tells our people what to do. He has said nothing about a rescue, so I do not believe the time is right."

"Who or what is Ancalimon? Child questioned. She remembered the stone inscription and picture from beneath Minas Tirith. She also remembered Pio's words about a young man in grey robes who was a servant of the light. But she still did not understand who Ancalimon was, or why he chose to help her people.

"I am not certain of that, but he has counselled our great-grandparents, and even their great-grandparents. He comes when he is needed, and sometimes when we least expect him. It was because of him that our people turned west and left their lands to come here, to stand closer to the light."

"I am sorry, Nitir, but until Ancalimon tells me it is time to leave, our people will stay here and hold on. We belong here. And, even if I were certain that, one week from today, the entire city would fall, I would still say this answer is right."

"And you, Nitir, what will you do, will you go with your friends, or stay with us?"

Child looked at him and said softly, but firmly, "I too am a hobbit, and like you, I will hold on."

[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]