[Child of the 7th Age]

Idril sat on her cabin bunk. She could hear Samwise and Frodo coming down the hall, approaching the door. The Lady said a short invocation to the Vala Ulmo to whom her family felt a special tie and who guarded over those who went upon or under the waters.

Idril was shaking. She was no Gandalf, only a mere Elf. Was she right to ask these two to put themselves in jeopardy once again?

Suddenly, from nowhere, an answer came creeping into her head. "You do the bidding of the high ones. The great Shadow can not be defeated without the consent and the sacrifice of these, the smallest and simplest of Eru's children. You are right to ask, and they have the freedom to say yea or nay."

"But know this Idril, without their taking up this burden, there will be no victory, and the Light will be swallowed up."

Child was in the corner of the room tending to the personal needs of Lady Idril as she did every morning. She truly could not tell what was happening, but she knew that some high thing was passing over their heads and perhaps into their hearts. She had read and studied so many stories, but she knew this was different. For this was real. It involved her and her dear friends. She breathed a silent request to the great lady Varda, and begged her to keep Samwise and Frodo safe.

Then, suddenly, a knock, and the room door slowly opened.

[ June 17, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]