[Child of the 7th Age]

As the hobbits sat on deck chatting and laughing, Child noticed Tule standing alone in the prow of the ship. This was not the first time she had observed him doing this. He often took a solitary stroll as the first stars came into the sky.

She excused herself from her friends and walked over to the Elf. He stood with his eyes rivetted on the western horizon. Child had not forgotten his promise to speak further, and wondered if this might be a good time. The hobbit gently commented, "It's beautiful, Tule. Isn't it? No matter how many times I stand here, I never tire of it. I love the sound of the waves as they slide against the vessel, and the way the stars are reflected in the water like a hundred glittering lights."

"Is your home near the Sea, then?" he asked.

"No, I'm no hobbrim." She shook her head. "The soil, the land, tugs at the heart of my people. They love the earth too much to stray so close to the shore."

"When I was younger, I used to think this love would pass if they only learned the ways of Elves and Men. Sometimes, I even wanted to change them, hoping they would become like the Elves with their learning or like Men who carry out so many great deeds. But, more and more, I understand that I was the one whose vision was clouded. What memories and words are to your people, the earth and growing things are to mine."

"You said earlier I might speak with you. But it's not only questions I bring. I wanted to tell you something of my people and my own fears about this rescue."

"In Beleriand, I was part of a community of hobbits that had friendly dealings with Elves and Men. In that time and place, my people seemed to understand both their path and their lore in a way I can never hope to achieve."

"But I have so many concerns about what's happened in Numenor, and whether the Star will arrive in time to do any good." Child hesitated and then went on. "Tule, I'm not faulting you. I believe you and Mith will be able to find some way to break through the guard and rescue the hobbits from the tombs."

"But I don't think it will be enough just to carry out a physical rescue. I'm worried about what has happened to their spirits and minds. My kin have spent over three thousand years of isolation in Tol Fuin and another sixty years of imprisonment in the tombs."

"When I lived in the camps of Morgoth, every one of us felt his presence, and had to fight to keep it out of our hearts. Yet, at least we lived under the stars, and could look up to dream."

"But my people have been hidden in a dark place. The young ones have never looked up to see the sky or the sun. And they lie under a hill which has become so polluted that even the sacred Hallow of Eru holds a temple to Sauron. I can not imagine what that feels like, and I fear for them."

"When you come to rescue them, they may be very afraid. For it's been a long time since they've seen any Elves, and, as for Men, their model is Ar-pharazon who ripped their freedom from them."

She lowered her voice, "In the camps, I met a hobbit, Maura Took, who was loremaster for his people, and another named Lindo, a singer who seemed touched by Varda's hand. They meant much to me. But I fear that the Mauras and Lindos of the hobbits have been crushed by the hands of Ar-Pharazon and Sauron."

"Tule, I have to know. Why do you want to do this thing for my people, and what do you know of my kin? Did you ever visit the kuduk of Beleriand or Tol Fuin, or some of the men I mentioned? I know that Ancalimon must have chosen you for a reason. Are you permitted to say what that reason is?"

"I don't mean to push myself forward so crudely. But sometimes, in a world where Elves and Men have such talent with words, my people have had no one to speak for them."

[ August 30, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]