[Orofaniel]

Tanroth - Novnarwen's post

"He gave his seat away. And he cannot come here and claim it back, if not Arilewen is willing to give it back." Firiel said.

Tanroth followed the conversation carefully. Arilewen stood behind him, breathing heavily. Tanroth couldn’t understand how Sitinion had more right to go to Valinor than Arilewen. For Tanroth however, all hope was lost. He had a mission, to lead the elves safely to the Havens. Now, if someone was going home, and there was obviously someone who was, he would have to lead that person home, right? He shuddered by this thought, but tried to look at the positive side of it; there would be a ship after the War as well.

Arilewen looked as if she was in serious thought. It was after all her decision. Is she was to separate father and son, which Siralil was not hoping for, or go herself. It was obvious that most thought it was out of question that Sitinion would go with this ship. He was far younger than any of the members in the company. Tanroth looked at Arilewen, and said in a low voice:”You better decide quickly. The ship will leave soon.” By this, Siralil seemed to be very surprised. He hadn’t really imagined that any would separate his son and him. Now there was actually a chance for that, which would mean that Sitinion could die in the war while fighting.

**~**

The company made ready to leave the Inn. From the window of the Inn, they could glimpse the white swan ship and the white sails. Soon the Inn was over crowded by the elves that were apparently leaving as well. In the corner or Tanorth’s eye, he coulfd glance Siralil and Sitionion. They too, made their way to the Grey Havense, but not very sure in their case.

“Do you think she will let him follow his father?” Firiel asked, as they walked to the Havens. Tanroth hadn’t told Firiel about the Hafling yet, and he wondered if he ever would. It didn’t seem right yet, would it ever? Is anyone knew, maybe they would feel bad for him that he was the one who got this mission, since he was ‘doomed’ to go back, if anyone else did. Now even, the one who would be going back, wouldn’t do it out of own intention, but out of the fact that this person had no choice

“I met a Hafling,” Tanroth said suddenly, stopping.

Firil looked questioningly at him. Rostion came over, while the others walked straight ahead, following the crowd.

“A Hafling?” she said, wondering where all this was going. Tanroth took a deep breath, looked at Rostion then at Firiel and started telling, about the Hafling and the meeting at the outskirts of Michel Delving. “He told me two elves had passed through Michel Delving just a day earlier. One of them had introduced themselves as Siralil,” he said, finishing with another sentence that made no sense at all.

“I won’t be going with this ship. I must follow the last person home, to Lothlórien,” he said, with great difficulty. Firiel and Rostion had known this for a while. It had been obvious for quite some time now; from the moment they met Siralil and Sitinion at the Inn. No one had said anything about this matter, and Tanroth gussed it was out of pity.

Neither Firiel nor Rostion looked surprised, they only looked at him, saddened that this was the end; the end of their journey and something that was supposed to end so differently. However, Tanroth clapped Rostion and the back and whispered that they would meet again, “Some day,” he said. They started walking down to the Havens, where many elves already had made it to the ship and waited comfortably for it to sail west.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 12:04 PM December 21, 2003: Message edited by: Orofaniel ]