[Child of the 7th Age]

Maura was waiting for Ancalimon and Nitir as they went out to listen to the music. All of the children sat on the floor in the front of the room. Their teachers and parents and neighbors stood waiting for the program to begin. Lindo stood up and started singing. The older children immediately joined him, but by the second melody, even the littlest ones had piped in to help. He took them through a repertoire of tunes from silly nonsense rhymes to songs of teaching and finally the hymn to Elbereth.

Everyone clapped, and Nitir beamed approval. Then Maura stood up, and the room became more solemn. He talked in gentle tones about how hard the day had been and how much everyone was going to miss Lily and Pongo. Then he thanked them all for coming, and said their songs were so beautiful that he felt sure they would fly on wings to wherever the two children were sleeping tonight. There were sniffles and tears in the room, but it was a feeling of being together and feeling sad and having something to live for.

And, finally, after that, Ancalimon said he would tell the children a tale, a true tale about brave hobbits who had come west to try and find the light. It was a tale that they had heard many times, but never seemed to tire of. The young figure in a grey cloak turned to the children and lowered his voice, so that all around craned their necks intently to make certain they could hear every word.

"Very long ago, when the world was much younger, a group of hobbits lived on the banks of the Anduin. And it was a fine place for hobbits to live. The hills were lovely, filled with soft grass and the tunes of songbirds. There was water for the Stoor children to play in, and rich brown earth for the Harfoot families to plant seeds in, and even tall forests for the Fallohides to run off in and get lost."

"One of the nicest things about the hobbits' home was that it had beautiful bright lights which were always there to cheer you up whenever things got tough. But, one day, something bad happened, and all the lights went out. The parents of the hobbit children were very upset. Without the lights, it was cold and nasty, and some of the people who lived near them began to act in mean ways."

"The hobbit parents weren't sure what to do. Then they began hearing rumors that the lights weren't really all gone. They had only moved away to a different place. And, if you walked a very long way to the West, you would be able to find the lights again. They decided that finding those lights was the most important thing in the whole world. So they bundled up their children, and they bundled up their belongings, and they all began walking to the West."

At this point, Abar chipped in from the front row, "Say about Ancalimon!"

Ancalimon laughed and then continued, "Now, as the hobbits walked, they came upon a man in a grey cloak and floppy hat who said his name was Ancalimon. And Ancalimon promised to help the hobbits find a new home. And he told them about a good man named Beor the Wise who was also walking towards the West. And the hobbits and the men became very friendly, and decided to walk together."

Abar piped up again, "Tell about the Elf." And his mother tugged on his shoulder and told him to "shush".

"And after the men and hobbits had walked a very long time, they came to a place called Ossiriand. And they lit a great fire and sang many songs, just as you did tonight. And in this deep forest, an Elf heard them singing. This Elf was Finrod, Friend of Men and Hobbits. In the weeks to come, Finrod taught them many wonderful things. And this place did have more light than the dark lands they had come from so the hobbits and their cildren were happy."

"And it wasn't only Finrod who was friendly with them, but many of the other Elves as well. Finrod had a beautiful sister named Galadriel who was very good at games, and it is written that, of all the Elves in the world, she loves hobbits best! And some people say Galadriel will love and protect the hobbits until the end of time."

"Now the hobbits and men had many adventures and moved different places, but they finally decided to settle down. So the Elves gave them a beautiful kingdom in a land called Dorthonion. And they built a city called Ladros."

Ancalimon continued, "Do any of you children know where this beautiful city lay?"

At this point Abar piped up, "This part is new!"

Ancalimon put his finger to his lips and said "shush". Then he continued. "The beautful city was right here. You are sitting in it. And the building where you sang your songs tonight was the place where the lords held their court and the wise-women and wise-men learned about the lore. And the wise-women for Mankind was Andreth, friend of the Elf Finrod, and sometimes her cousin Adanel of the House of Hador."

Ancalimon questioned, "Does anyone know the wise man for the hobbits?"

And Abar practically flew out of his seat. "It was my great grandfather Tuk. And he taught my grandfather who is here who us today. And someday my grandfather is going to teach me.!"

Ancalimon laughed, "That's right, Abar."

"And then bad people came and took some of the light away, and hurt the beautiful city."

Then he turned and looked at the children, "You are the descendents of those who defended the light at Laedros and later at Tarn Aeluin. It is your job to keep looking for the light, and to follow it wherever it will lead you."

Then the parents kissed their children good night and went back to their burrows, silent and thinking. And before Ancalimon left, he turned to Maura and Nitir. "Keep your minds alert and treasure the gift of estel. Soon, one will come to you from the outside. She will have a body that changes but a heart that holds true. Listen to what she says."

Then Ancalimon told Maura to give away the things he had left near the Workhouse to those who needed them most, and promised he would see him again someday. The two men embraced and parted.

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

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