[Child of the 7th Age]

Mithadan and Piosenniel had puzzled over the stone with its engraving of a young man holding a staff. Neither of them could recall any tales about a hero who bore such a name. They remembered there had once been a "Tar-Ancalimon", an evil king of Numenor, but no plain "Ancalimon." In any case the engraving on the stone looked nothing like a king.

Pio took the shreds of parchment to a table set up on deck and sifted through them, wondering if she could read meaning into these meager scraps. Later, Bird and Veritas came by to peer at the scattered pictures. So far, none had been able to make sense of these strange images.

Discouraged with their efforts, Pio put the parchments scraps back into the bag. Then she and Veritas took out the time travel device, carefully examining it to see what modifications would need to be made to chart a course to Beleriand.

As the evening shadows lengthened, Child, Kali, and Rose sat listening as the hobbrim played a small, wooden recorder. It was surprising how many tunes Kali played which were equally familiar to Child and Rose.

Child was tired from her swimming expedition earlier that morning and excused herself to return below.

Just before leaving the deck, she glanced up at the mast. Angara was perched at the very top. She wondered why the dragon had been so quiet and distant in recent days. Angara had a faraway look in her eyes and was oblivious to everyone else on board. Child felt there was some deep sorrow here, but did not understand its source.

Child again looked up and called to the dragon, "We leave for Beleriand quite soon, Angara. Please come down and take a look at a stone inscription we found today."

The dragon did not answer. But, in the next instant, Child felt a single scalding tear fall upon her arm from far atop the mast.

[ July 15, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]