[Child of the 7th Age]

Child sat at the stern of the ship, her books and papers strewn about like a tumbled mass. She went from map to tale to chronicle, searching for some light on the sinking of Numenor and its relation to the hobrim, but was unable to find even the smallest hint to explain what had happened to Kali's family or his distant cousins.

Child made a mental note to try and speak further with the little hobrim. Even if he could recall few stories about those who had been lost or hidden in ancient times, he might be able to remember his immediate family and what had happened to them.

Child already knew that he had once possessed a mother and grandmother, since he had referred to them several times and to the things they had taught him. Perhaps she could approach the hobrim and ask about this. She knew it would have to be done with gentleness. For, whenever Kali referred to his close kin, so obviously absent, he did so with longing in his voice. Still, it might prove important to their search.

Child went back to her work, singing gently to herself as her pen went back and forth across the page. She heard some noise from the area of the docks and got up to stand by the rail. She looked down and saw two vendors arguing over a pushcart full of fruit which had spilled onto the causeway. Each was accusing the other of causing the accident.

She laughed and was about to turn away when something stopped her retreat. She shook her head, as this sight appeared far more ominious. For looking down into the shadows, she could see the figure of a tall Elf staring transfixed at their ship.

There was no question in her mind. This was the very same Elf whom she had met just hours before at the Minas Tirith library. She wondered grimly what he happened to be doing in this particular vicinity.

Just then, Angara's clipped tones rang out clearly from the vessel, "Stop that Mithadan, you are treading on my toes with your great heeled boot. Can't you be more careful? I do not like being woken up out of a perfectly lovely dream. Son of Man, you are a blundering bear!"

The Elf had glanced up again to the vessel, his eyes shining with the light of his kind and a slight smile upon his face. It was quite clear that he had heard and understood every word that the dragon had spoken.

Child cowered and shrank away from the rail.

[ July 07, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]