[Child of the 7th Age]

Child looked aghast at Rose. Instead of tending fires, she was up to her ankles in wet and mud. She didn't know whether Birdland had bothered to tell Idril and Tuor about this strange turn of events. She somehow doubted it.

Child complained, "You say we have several hours? That may be optomistic. This water is rising very quickly."

Child continued, "Where are Frodo and Sam? Sam can't even swim."

"Wait, I have an idea. We need to go to the upper deck." With hobbit deftness and under cover of night, the two women crept up to the main deck which was still dry. The crew here were not yet aware of what was happening under their feet.

Child scanned the horizon with troubled heart searching for Angara. She had just given up when she spied an old green wooden barrel. The barrel blinked at her with eyes of gold.

"Angara, bless you, It's Child. Stand by to lift us off as well as Samwise and Frodo."

The vessel began to tilt at a dangerous angle.

"Have all the dragons stand by to pick up survivors out of the water."

Rose glared at Child, "What do we do about Mithadan?"

Child said, "I have no idea, but let's try and find the hobbits first and get them onto Angara's back." Rose and Child ran down below, hoping to find Sam and Frodo.