[Child of the 7th Age]

Child and Birdland had searched the entire ship tono avail. No sign of Cirdan or Legolas could be found. Whether they were real or not, whether they were phantom spirits, Child could not say.

Suddenly Birdland and Veritas burst upon them, full of amazing words that could scarecely be believed. Maeglin??? Searching for Idril? A chill pierced Child's heart.


Think Child, think. What special aid did Maeglin have? What special object to help him?

It hit her suddenly. "Bird, I do not know how we can defeat this mighty Maeglin, but there is one thing we can do now to begin to weaken and harass him. Now, when you looked upon this evil mariner he wore no sword. But I tell you there is one sword abve all which Maeglin held dear."

Child continued, "It is the sword Anguirel which the wicked son Maeglin stole from his father Eol. It is forged of a metal galvorn which Eol alone, in kinship with the dwarves, knew how to bring from the earth.'

"I am sure this great and mighty sword, accursed as it is with the blood of his father, lies somewhere on this vessel. For Maeglin would not dare to go forth without it."

I, as a hobbit, do not even have the strength to lift such a weapon. But you, Birdland, are strong. And you do not bear Elf blood so you would be more resistent to the evil charms Maeglin has woven into it."

"This sword must be found and hidden from his eyes. It is our only hope to stand against him until we can figure out some way, I know not how, to overcome his evil."