READ THIS if you are part of the Barrow-Down's Birthday Party

[Child of the 7th Age]

Child had spent half the night consulting the library of books. She was still uncertain what to do.

As she read, Idril had been at the helm of the ship. The Lady often did this at night, since she slept little and enjoyed being out under the stars. During the day, she would ferry back to Tuor's ship, which still rode in tandem with them. All the other vessels had long ago departed.

Child noticed that Idril would sometimes look up and whisper something akin to a prayer or invocation. She would look with longing at the morning star. Child turned her face as this seemed like a private moment which should not be interrupted.

After that, Child came over to Idril and sat down at her feet, "Fair Lady, I have spent the whole night consulting ancient charts as well as books of lore. Yet, in my heart, I still do not know how we shall find these hobrim."

Idril lowered her head: "I can not say what you should do, but I will tell that what I would hold in my heart. I would consult with Mithadan as well as my friends regarding my course. For I would not start a quest unless those who came did so willingly."

Idril coninued: "Now think, Child, think. Where must you go? Where do your people come from?"

Child looked shyly at the Lady, "Why, our people, as far as we know, are from the upper vales of the Anduin between the Gladden and the Carrock. The Stoors were the group set furthest south. Our history says that the three groups who lived along the Anduin quietly until the year 1050 of the Third Age. Then, they began the "Wanderng Days", pushing westward. The Harfoot went first, then the Fallohides and the Stoors."

Child thought again, "Wait, most of the hobbits moved west, but I know that many Stoors did not follow the others. They went on their own to Dunland, much further south than the rest; still others returned to Wilderland where they dwelt along the river banks. The latter were the ancestors of Smeagol."

At this point Angara came over demanding her attention about some riddle. Child answered curtly and shoed her away.

Idil smiled, "It seems then Child, that Stoors were more independent than your other kin, does it not? Even the known history shows this. Imagine, perhaps, that there was another migration, but this one on water instead of land. Now, where does that take you, little....."

Child opened her mouth in excitement and rudely cut in, "South, down the River. They would have gone down towards Minas Tirith and then possibly out into the Bay of Belfalas. From there, they could have ventured anywhere, even across the Sea.

Child wondered, "What if there are no more hobrim alive today. Perhaps all Durshag's kin perished in ages past." Child's face fell, but Idril laughed. "Do not worry little one for ways can be found even through the mists of time."

Child glanced expectently at Idril, but she refused to say more on this subject.

Then, suddenly, she noticed a commotion on deck, something about Angara being served up as barbecue balrog wings..... by Mithadan, she believed. Child whirled around and strode over to him.

[ June 29, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]