[Novnarwen]

Tanroth

The company ate their breakfast, and with the Hafling's words in the back of Tanroth's mind, he urged them all to hurry. "We better get going, if we want to reach that ship," he said. He noticed that Firiel looked at him, just like she had looked at him this morning. She knew him too well. Maybe she knew there was something wrong? Still, he would have to pretend as nothing had happened; even though the news from the Hafling would mean that his chance for getting on the ship was about zero. Siralil was older than Tanroth, which meant that Siriali had more 'right' to go west than him.

Siralil had really made himself unpopular now, Tanroth thought when climbing his horse, now being ready to leave. Whoever was in lead with him would probably get away with it as well. Tanroth sighed, and rode unwillingly ahead.

It was still early when they got out of Michel Delving. A few hobbits here and there had given them sceptic looks, but it didn't seem to bother any of the company's members today. Now they focused on going about 70 miles west and all the way to the Tower Hill, which Tanroth called Emyn Beraid in his own tongue.

Tanroth clapped his horse gently as they came upon the Great East Road again.

"Tanroth, you look worried."

Tanroth turned his head, expecting to see Firiel there, who always was so caring. But to his big surprise it was Arilewen. For a moment Tanroth didn't exactly know what to say. He was worried, but could he tell her that. Tanroth had already decided that he would tell no one of the meeting with the Hafling. But this decision was also bothering him. After all, there were two riders, and if they arrived first at the Havens, would they be going to Valinor then? Would tow of Tanroth's company have to stay behind? Was that fair? Tanroth had no idea, and he had basically not given thought to this either; the new question: who won't be leaving.

"I know what might be bothering you, Tanroth," Arilewen said after a while. She made her horse go a little faster, so that the distance from the two of them to the rest of the company increased with about 5 paces.

"I heard..." she started, now looking serious and relieved.

"Heard what, may I ask?"

"The Hafling. The story about the riders. The story about Siralil," she said, now breathing heavily. With tears in her eyes, Tanroth's heart jumped. She knew?

Arilewen had 'eavesdropped' after being she had been awakened by Tanroth's cry, when he had first seen the Hafling. Therefater, Arilewen had pretended that she was asleep, even though she was wide awake and her ears were wide open as well. "I know that this new situation means... it means," she said after a while. The elf maiden paused before she continued;” that I cannot possibly be going to Valinor, since I am the youngest and I took Siralil's place."

Tanroth opened his mouth to speak, but was hissed at by Arilewen. Erkaliel and Dunaire had been riding up on Arilewen's side, and had now eagerly started a conversation with her. "We cannot tell this to any of the others," Arilewen whispered before turning her attention to her two female friends. Tanroth said nothing.