[Child of the 7th Age]

The wise woman sat at a table in the galley, intently studying the book Cami had placed in front of her. Rose joined them, peering down over Andril's shoulder.

The small volume had sturdy vellum pages, and was clearly intended for a lady. Its design and craftsmanship appeared distinctly Elvish. The cover was made of pure white leather, with tiny blue flowers inlaid all about. Slivers of mithril, almost like flecks of light, decorated its back and spine.

Rose's eyes widened in appreciation at the rich detail. "But wherever did you find a jewel like this?" she asked. For her friend's simple possessions would not have included such a treasure. Andril looked up from the book to listen to Cami's answer.

"When we first arrived in Gondolin, Idril noticed as I sat with pen and paper in her courtyard. I explained that, every evening since boarding the Star, it was my custom to sit and record the events of the day. She turned towards her house and said nothing. But the next morning, she brought this over to me. Its pages were pure and clean, except for the very first.

Cami pointed to a sheet where, in fine Elvish runes, appeared the words, Idril's Day Book, written in the Lady's own hand. The next page was blank, and then came script and pictures which Cami had carefully copied.

"But what is this blank page?" Rose asked.

"Our own title must go there." Cami said. "But until the rescue is ended, I can not guess what it might be."

Rose shook her head, "I am amazed you kept this secret. But how did you get it out of the camps and back to the ship?"

Cami laughed, "I was very lucky. For it was so small I could tuck it under my belt. Once or twice, one of the Orcs glimpsed it as they pillaged through my things, but they didn't think it was worth stealing. For a book is only nonsense to them, and has no real value like a jewel or a weapon."

Cami explained how she'd written the entries. "In the camps, I left the first pages blank. These earlier pages were only filled in after I returned to the Star. Then, I copied down all my pages that I'd done before on separate sheets. I've tried to write every night since then. Lately, I've been less faithful. But I promise that will change."

"Has no one seen this before?" Andril questioned.

"On the Star, no," she replied. "But in Beleriand, I shared it with Maura and Ancalimon. Maura said he'd never seen a book of lore that so clearly showed a woman's hand. For it looks and reads differently than those that speak of battles and other great matters. I discussed those things, but also children and their songs, and how the hobbits struggled to find hope, and even some of the feelings I had for Maura.

"Ancalimon told me to keep writing, and someday I would know where it could be safely kept. And now, I do know." She looked intently at Andril. "I am sorry. I can not come with you to live by the Mount. My place is not there. Maybe I even wish it so, but it's not."

She stopped and struggled for words to say what must be said. "This, however, belongs to the hobbrim children This little book with its tales and songs. Perhaps it will help your children to remember the Star, who we were, and what we tried to do. I hope I will be able to pen the last chapters on the rescue and the choosing. I think so, but I don't know for sure. If something were to happen to me, Andril, please write down those things so they won't be lost and keep the book with you wherever you go."

She held out the chest that her companions on the Star had found months earlier under the very foundations of Minas Anor. Inside, was the stone inscribed with a picture of Ancalimon just as they'd discovered it within the strange hobbit dwelling.

Cami explained "Use this chest to keep the book safe from the water of the sea, for we know it rested many years in a sea cave and the papers inside remained dry."

Andril stood up to hug Cami. She said, "You keep this till our journey has ended. I believe you will come safely through, but if not.....Then, yes, I will complete the tale. And I will hold the book in trust for the hobbrim children to remember what has been endured by so many to try to keep us safe."

_____________________________________________

Child made her way to the sleeping cabins where she found Daisy and Bird together . She hugged them both and wished them all speed and safety.

"Daisy, I was in the camps of Beleriand, but I fear that, where you're going, conditions may be even worse. Certainly, these hobbits have been imprisoned much longer than Maura's people were. Don't forget the Star. Don't forget that we are here waiting for you. Sit and dream sometime about what lies behind you."

Before the two women left, she spoke with them briefly of the great dream quilt which she and the hobbrim would make from scraps of cloth. For this quilt would be given to Piosenniel's twins and, even when the words had gone away, the children would still see the dream pictures and understand a tiny bit of what had taken place, though thinking of it only as a fantastic dream.

And each character on the Star would be asked to say what image stood strongest in his or her mind. And that image would be woven into the great quilt, without any order or chronology, but with the truth still lying underneath. And Daisy knew immediately that she wanted a scene which showed her coming up the waterway clinging to the dolphin. Bird leaned over to Pio and whispered the words in her ears to tell Cami what her picture would be. Then the three women parted, each going the way that they had chosen, and hoped to come together quickly again.

And Cami went to every other person on the Star: hobbit, hobbrim, Man, and Elf. And even the grey peddler with his staff. And they all told her what scene to place into the dream quilt to represent their deepest memories and hopes.

[ October 03, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]