[Child of the 7th Age]

After the uproar and excitement had abated, Angara whispered a command into the minds of Child and Rose, "Now, come, we must go! The ship awaits us." And she grew larger one more time. But the hobbits were no longer frightened of her and crowded about with curiosity. Some of the braver children even reached out to touch her scales with their fingertips.

Bird tipped her head to acknowledge the hobbits crowding around them. Then she slid upon Angara's back. Rose ran to the dragon next with sword and pack in hand. But Child stood still, her feet planted in the snow. Then the hobbit did something she had never done before. For, mind to mind, and eye to eye, she projected back to Angara her own thoughts and feelings. "I go nowhere until I am certain that my kin stand in a dry, fertile land."

Angara arched her neck and observed the small, determined figure. She replied to Child with a tone of respect she had never accorded her before, "As you wish, Mistress Goodchilde. But please hurry, as your friends may be placed in danger."

Then all around the ground shook. Many hobbits fell, and others clutched the land in fear. Child felt as if she had slipped by mistake into Kali's dream. For it was just as he had described to Faramir so many months before. The water plummetted forward and gouged holes within the ground so that the sea rushed over the land.

The hobbits looked below, and saw rivers that grew in size, and others that plunged down, disappearing under the earth. Streams that had flowed east before, now turned around and faced west. Valleys rose up, and hills fell, and all about them, the water came rushing in. After a while, they stood alone on an island in the Sea.

The snow itself had disappeared as the warm currents cradled the land. And Child and the other hobbits could see that this island was green and would support life and growing things. And Child knew the time had come.

First, Rose said warm goodbyes to all, and went to slip onto Angara's back. Lindo came and spoke something softly to her. Rose smiled in response and kissed him on his brown curls. Then she looked towards the sky and waited for her friend.

Now it was time for Child. She waved goodbye to the children, and told them to find happiness in the small things of life. She hugged Zira and Ban and Lindo. Then she said how much she'd miss them, and how nice it had been just to know they were near. After that, Ancalimon came to her and promised they'd talk again someday.

Finally, she turned to Maura. He wrapped his arms about her, and whispered in her ear, "Do not forget, little one. Never forget our promise."

She nodded and buried her head into his shoulder. Then he said loud enough for all to hear, "Nitir, daughter of Andreth, you hold the heart of our people within your hands. I love you for who you are, and for what you go to do. And I will rememember you to the end of my days, and even beyond."

She replied, "Maura, you will never leave my heart. I love you, though we must wait till the end of time to meet again."

Then, their small bodies slid apart, and Child turned to mount the dragon. As Angara rose, the hobbit looked straight ahead. But the wind was so cold that it singed her face, and the tears would not stop streaking down as she sped back towards the Star.

[ August 21, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]