[Child of the 7th Age]

Child awoke startled, but peaceful, from her mysterious dream. Hearing the sweet melody of the songbirds, she ran to the sash and pushed it open. Outside, the day was bright and summery. The early rays of the sun gleemed white and silver off distant towers and turrets.

The southern portion of the city, where Idril lived with her husband and son, lay open and uncrowded. Plants and trees of surpassing loveliness surrounded the house, spilling flowers and fruits of many different colors out onto the grounds. It was difficult not to fall under this magic spell of Elven beauty. It was even more difficult to comprehend that this scene of grace and goodness would be totally destroyed in just a few short days.

Child hurriedly tugged her clothing on and combed her hair. Rose still lay in bed, curled up in a small ball and sleeping. Child knew that they had two days to plot out their course, until the dreaded evening before the Summer Festival. She carefully considered what this meant for her own plans. Rose could come with her today to visit the hobbits of Gondolin. Tomorrow morning would be a different story.

Child snatched a pan of water sitting on the bureau and sprinkled drops onto the sleeping form of her friend. Within a few moments, Rose was alive and awake, laughing and threatening to chase Child about the room to pay her back for her mischief.

[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]