[Child of the 7th Age]

Now Child began to fiercely giggle seeing Idril's reaction to the distant ship. But she hid her mirth so as not to embarass the great lady of the sparkle-brilliance.

And Child went to Idril, explaining that many ages had passed since Earendil had last sailed the seas of Middle-earth. This gentleman coming to join their cause was a distant descendent of the Mariner and not the Mariner himself. And she showed Idril how to gaze up into the sky just before dawn and see her most beloved son who was called the Morning Star among her own people. For he brought much hope to earth, and his light had great power.

And the name of this new captain was Mithadan of the Barrow-downs for he had inherited the great flag of his ancestors.

And Idril was right curious and asked whether this Mith was the heir of Elrond or Elros. And Child scratched her head in puzzlement and said she did not know.

"Should we win this battle," Child continued. "Perhaps you may ask him yourself. For I am of the lowly and humble estate of a hobbit, and therefore do not know such things."

And Child's head was getting right muddled with such high speech and rarified air. And she decided to go below deck and crack some jokes with her friend Birdland, and also to sharpen her dagger and gather her arrows in preparation for the battle which still appeared likely.

[ June 12, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]