[Child of the 7th Age]

Piosenniel had left to return and keep watch over their vessel. It was not good to leave a ship unguarded in a city such as Minas Tirith. Anyone might venture on and steal provisions or even personal belongings.

It was true that the King had returned much peace and securty to the kingdom. Still, it was a large city with people pouring in from all over Middle-earth, and one could not be too careful in Child's humble opinion.

Child, however, decided to remain in the chamber with Kali and Rose and the others until Mithadan had finished his counsel with the King. She wanted to hear from Mithadan how he had fared in his conversations and whether they could expect additional help to come from that direction. She also felt reponsible for Kali's well-being. He had refused to leave until he heard something more concrete from Mithadan or the King.

What Elessar had spoken concerning Mithrandir and the history of the hobbits did not surprise Child. She knew that the earliest known date in hobbit history was 1050 of the Third Age, only some 2,000 years before the saga of the Ring. Yet she also knew, in her heart, that there had to have been something more ancient than that. But she had never, in her most wild imaginings, thought that this something might involve Numenor and the Seas to the West.

The heralds provided some small refreshment for their group as they waited for the ending of the conference. Child sat and ate. It was truly good, but her mind was not on the surroundings or even her meals. As so often was her custom, she sat in one age and thought back on the affairs and dreams of another time and place.

Strangely enough, she kept hearing in her mind the strange lay of Beleriand which Angara had been singing on the ship. Pio seemed to be familiar with the tune and words. Child vowed to remember to ask her friend to teach her the verses to the Lay.

Such a dark and monstrous time, Child thought. Somehow, those tales seemed even more frightening than those of Numenor. Perhaps it was beause they were so very ancient.

Child laughed. Whenever she read the Silmarillion about Beleriand or heard such tunes, she had an instinctive desire to turn about to find her hobbit hole and go crawling into it very quickly! She remembered when Uncle Bilbo had taught her the Elvish histories from the translation he had done. Even he had confided to her that the tale of Morgoth's doings in Beleriand and the great earthquakes and water brought both wonder and discomfort.

Child laughed. She was very glad that she was not alive then.

Khelak had returned into conference with Lord Mithadan and the King. Child was thankful that Pio had raised her voice and demanded that the Elf come to the ship and explain all to them in person. For whatever, Mithadan or the King might say, she would not trust Khelak until she heard some words of explanation out of his own mouth. She tuned her ears and thoughts on the three men talking and thought she heard Khelak explaining to Mithadan that he would offer them all the details of his involvement, beyond that which they had just discussed, when he actually boarded their ship as guest.

Child also was glad that Pio had mentioned to the Elf about the need for a conferece with Faramir. For truly, that was her first concern. She had already raised the question with Lord Mithadan as well.

Now, she thought, if only they would hurry with their conference and let us know what has happened. Then she saw signs that the men had finished their talk and were starting to approach. Child waited with anticipation.

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]