[piosenniel]

'Ancalimon.' Mithadan turned the name over in his mind. 'It seems I know that name, though I cannot recall how or where I heard it.' He rubbed his temples, and sighed.

'Perhaps it will come back to you later.' said Ancalimon.

'Perhaps . . . but for now, Kali will you lend me your arm to steady myself. I would go on deck myself to see where we are bound.'

The hobbrim let the man's hand rest on his shoulder as they slowly went up the stairs. Mithadan stood straight once he had reached the deck and went toward the helm where Veritas sat reading Pio's journal. Khelek was looking over a navigational map and making estimates of how far they had come, and how far they must yet go.

It was Daisy, who stood at the helm, who first noticed that Mithadan had come up. Securing the wheel, she ran toward him smiling and nearly knocked him over. 'I'm sorry!', she cried, laughing. 'It's just so good to see you!' She took his hand and brought him to the prow. 'Look!' She showed him how the ship cut cleanly through the water, and how the dolphins swam with it, riding the waves and leaping through the spray, as if to urge the ship on its way.

A small smile played about his lips as he watched them.

Khelek and Veritas had come up beside him to welcome him back. 'Come sit with us.' they said. 'We are trying to acquaint ourselves with Númenor. We hope to have a fair understanding of it by the time we get there.'

Mithadan looked over the maps, setting to one side the ones he thought might be most helpful once they had disembarked. He picked up the open journal, and murmured appreciatively at the wealth of description he saw on the various areas of the Isle. 'Whose is this?' he asked as he handed it back to Veritas.

'Ah! It's Pio's.'

'How did you come by it?' asked Mithadan.

Veritas related the instructions and messages that Pio had given Angara to relay to the companions. Mithadan looked toward the dragon who had been watching him with her golden eyes. 'She left no message for you, Mithadan, only a passing comment can I recall - that whatever happened she knew you would find your way.'

The uncomfortable silence that ensued was broken when Daisy, who still stood at the prow, cried out again, 'Look! Look!'

A large flock of sea birds could be seen flying north toward the ship. The dolphins leapt and whistled at them in greeting, lending their voices to the raucous cries of the birds.

'We have sailed faster than we thought.' said Veritas. 'Land is near!'