[Child of the 7th Age]

Cami found Mithadan and Ancalimon sitting in the galley near mid-day. With all the hobbrim buzzing about, the galley seemed perpetually noisy. Rose had installed herself at the front doling out bowls of fish soup. Cami squeezed into a crowded table, wedging herself between the men. Their figures dwarfed her.

Once again, she laid out her idea of having Daisy go up the waterway on Bird's back to secure an assignment in the guards' headquarters. There, she'd hopefully hear or see something to benefit the Star. The shapechanger had already taken to the seas. She was swimming about in dolphin form, awaiting the command to proceed with Levanto. Cami assured Ancalimon she'd spoken with Daisy, and the girl was eager to go forward.

The two men asked questions, but offered little in response. They promised to meet with Pio soon to reach a final decision. From the hesitant look on Mithadan's face, Cami almost expected the answer to be no, but she wasn't certain.

As Mithadan left, he thanked her, "This situation isn't easy, and no plan we devise is without risk. But I need to make sure this one gives us our greatest chance of success." Cami nodded in acknowledgment.

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On the deck above, the sky beamed a bright blue with fluffy clouds, and the sun blazed down as if no shadows existed anywhere in Middle-earth. As far as Cami gazed, there were no other ships in sight. She lowered herself onto the wooden planks, her legs pulled tight to her chest, her arms encircling them. Ancalimon stood at the helm.

He glanced down at her and laughed, "I know that look, Andreth. What is it you need to know this time?"

And, within a moment, Cami had blurted out her suspicions of Angara and the strange maternal instincts she was showing.

Analimon looked at the hobbit and shook his head. "You don't trust her. I suppose you think you could do a better job with things. You find her tiresome and irritating."

Under her breath, Cami distinctly muttered, "I'm not the only one."

He turned and faced her with some irritation, "Perhaps, not. But, of all people, Cami, you should understand, since you do have something in common."

Cami looked up. She was frankly puzzled. How could she, a hobbit, have anything in common with the crotchety Angara who beamed down on the Star in such an imperious way? She said simply, "Please explain."

For a long time Ancalimon stood silent, as if he was uncertain what to say or even if he should speak. Then he continued, lowering his voice, "Have you met any other dragon who stubbornly refuses to follow in the path of her kin? Somehow, even with her pig-headed and frustrating manner, Angara has managed to stumble along in the path of goodness."

"She is unique, and alone, in all of Arda. Once there were others like her. These wyrms were not so different from your own people. For they had families and little ones and things they treasured. And just as your hobbits love well-stocked holes, with furniture and possessions neatly laid out, these dragons loved caves with a goodly amount of treasure. Not an unreasonable amount, just enough to keep them happy with glittering golden toys.

Then, a whiff of evil came into their lives. One-by-one, they traded in their toys for a greater share of gold and gems, until they became enchained by the hoard and could not resist its pull. And from this, it was a simple matter for Melkor to lead them astray."

"But what of Angara?" Cami pressed.

"Ah, Angara was a stubborn one, and she had her own idea of what a golden treasure meant. For she had two little ones, twins indeed, who were as golden and fair as the sun in the sky. And this was the only treasure that hard-headed Angara sought."

"But long ago, when the world was young, a great one approached the dragon and asked her to help guard the light of the trees. And Angara, though grumbling at the task, consented to do this for just one day. She left her little ones neatly hidden in the cave, or so she thought, and like you, Cami Goodchild, went off to take up her chore.

But, when she returned that night to her cave, her precious chidren lay lifeless on the ground, with the signs of Melkor all about. First, she raged and roared against the Valar for summoning her away. Then she awoke to her wits and swore an oath over her children's bodies, never to give fealty to the Dark One, even though she be the last true dragon left in Arda. And, now many ages later, she still holds that promise dear."

"I can understand why the hobbrim childen touch her heart, but how," puzzled Cami, "am I like her?"

"Ah, you don't see?" He looked steadily at her. "Cami, like yourself, Angara lost that which she held most dear trying to do what was right. Only, you are fortunte to have a loving people beside you, while Angara stands alone. So perhaps you may judge her less harshly next time."

Cami was silent when the story ended. She looked into Ancalimon's eyes, "Is there any way you could help her, so she wouldn't be so sad or angry ?"

He shook his head sadly. "The marring of Arda can not yet be undone. But, perhaps, there is some other way," he mused to himself. "Perhaps. We shall see."

[ October 01, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]