[piosenniel]

'When have we come to now?' asked Tulë, going up to the helm deck to see the crystal for himself. 'Is this the same time as when you left and came to Andor?'

Veritas shook her head 'no'. 'We are about 200 miles miles west of the Havens of the Falas, and approximately a little over a century from the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. It is the year 583 of the First Age, and were we closer to the coast line, we might see the Teleri aboard their great white swan-ships. The Host of Valinor marches east and north to Angband, and the army of Morgoth falls before them. Even now, the challenge of the trumpets of Eönwë fills the sky, and Beleriand blazes with the glory of their arms. For it is said that, "the host of the Valar were arrayed in forms, young, fair, and terrible, and the mountains rang beneath their feet."'

'We must hurry, then.' said Angara unfolding her wings. 'Soon will Eärendil, shining with a white flame, sail Vingilot north toward Angband to battle the winged dragons. And all the great birds of heaven with Thorondor as their captain will fly beside him. Before the rising of the sun, Eärendil will slay Ancalagon the Black, mightiest of the dragon host of Morgoth. And when he is cast down by the son of Tuor and Idril, his mighty body will fall upon the towers of the Thangorodrim and they will break beneath him.

The northern lands will be sundered by the fury of these mighty foe; there will be confusion and great noise, and the seas will pour in through many chasms with a great roar. And all who look upon the once familiar land in the light of the new day will find they no longer know it.'

'Will you fly then to where Child and Rose are held captive?' asked Daisy, frightened for the fate of her friends in such a terrible battle.

'Yes, I do not know if Bird will be able to bring them out. With luck, I will meet her flying back to us with them. If not, then I will bear them back, and we must leave this area quickly, lest the waves from the sinking of the lands overwhelm our ship.'

Angara launched herself eastward from off the ship's prow, growing only slightly larger as she went. It would prove unwise to draw attention to herself. She wished to face neither the Valar and their allies or the winged forces of Morgoth.

Daisy stood on the deck and wept openly as the dragon's swift form grew small finally was lost to her sight. She was frightened for all her companions, and could not bear the thought of losing any more.

Tulë put his hand on her shoulder and drew her close to console her. Draping his cloak about her, he held her near until all her tears were shed.

[ August 19, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]