[Annunfuiniel]

The dinner was eaten in silence. What they didn't eat they did not take it with them but left it for the hungry wanderers of the wood. The company gathered quietly around the mound. Heads were lowered and once more tears rolled down. Someone spoke a soft "Goodbye".

Vráin stared at his feet but didn't see them, eyes blurred by a veil of tears. He tried to think of something to say but found no words. Even as he thought this a gentle but full voice began to sing:

Bid "Farewell!" rowan, elm, oak, proud pine
Whispering willow, beech, and humming lime;
Elanor! Niphredil! Shining Evermind!
Trees of old and flowers fair:
- seek no more, your friend's not there.


Bears, hares; creatures of the wood
Beasts and preys together stood
O wanderer! O friend so fair!
Birds calling in the morning sky
- lost is the singer: Good-bye! Good-bye!

Soft wind, who are you looking for?
Lapping sea, gone is the traveller of this shore
Whisper "So long"; Do not lose hope!
Wind and sea, turn your faces to the West
- your friend is there, let her now rest.

Rising Sun, Moon told you to cry
But you know better and across the sky
You now fly! And call "Bye!" before the night
When after another stars begin to twinkle
- "Welcome home!", they wish as they kindle.

Lostlondwen's fair elven voice died down but the hope that it brought settled in Vráin's heart.

"Earth stays in earth but heart forever flies!" he spoke and raised his head, with lightened mind and sparkle rekindled in his eyes.

[ June 07, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]