READ THIS if you are part of the Barrow-Down's Birthday Party

[Rose Cotton]

While Child was on the phone Rose was given the chance to sit by herself and think things straight. She didn't understand half of what was going on.

Her feelings for one thing, were very strange. Unlike Child, Rose was relieved at not having to fight the Valar. But then why was everyone dreaming of beaches? She'd figure that riddle out later.

So they were heading east? Rose walked out of Child's cabin with an absentminded "I'll be back." Rose wasn't very familar with anything with the first two ages and lands beyond Middle Earth. But in her oun quarters there had been shelves filled with books that looked like they hadn't been read for ages. She reached the books and saw what she was looking for. 'The Atlas Of Middle-Earth.' Rose had that book back home and knew it showed lands other than Middle Earth and might be usefull for her to understand where they were going.

Oh, drat it. The book looked mockingly down from the top shelf. Like a little child Rose had to push over a chair and stand on it to reach the dusty volume. And still it was inches out of reach.

Rose jumped into the air and snached the book. But at that moment an especially large wave hit the boat and it sent Rose flying onto the floor with a loud bang and falling into unconsiousness
...............................................Ros e was back on the beach. But before her eyes the waves grew and smashed rentlessly opon a dark sanded shore strewn with weeds and stones. Black clouds rolled in and struck mangled trees down with powerfull spears of lightning. Then the coast was compleatly transformed. It was a place Rose had only heard named but never understood. Out in the water a familar vessil was being tossed about. Behind Rose from the inland came a dark shadow. It flew over her and swallowed up the boat dissapearing once more beyond the hills.

Then a voice in Rose's ear spoke.


It will happenit said.
"who...who are you" asked Rose.
Do not be afraid
"Is this what will happen to us when we reach.........Is it our fate?"
It does not have to happen
"But how......?"
You will find the way but in order to do so you must give no more thought to the blessed lands
"I feel it's call. It's like a constant ache."
You must look away or you will be swallowed in darkness
"I will try." And Rose knew she would never again long for that distant shore.
I can't help you further exept to tell it is Cirdan and Legolas who are not whom they seem
"Then we were right."
There are others too but you will know who they are in timeFor now you must go and warn the others
"May I know your name?"
But she only laughed in Rose's ear and was gone................................