Chapter 2 – Part 2 Unexpected Surprises
Chapter 2 – Part 1 Unexpected Surprises
Chapter 1 – A Staircase of Stars
Chapter 2, Part 3 – Unexpected Surprises
by Silent Draco
And on one morning, the rain turned to elven-glass and furled back, and a far, green country was revealed under a swift sunrise. Tol Eressea, the isle of the Elves, grew grey, then green-gold as the Sun ignited its colors. Thus the White Ship entered into the harbor of Alaquöndë, haven of the Teleri, to the sound of trumpets and silvery bells, chanteys and songs on harp and horn, and bejewelled colors and pearlescent hues reflected from and through the profusion of gemstones.
Gandalf smiled and sighed, and the hobbits looked at him with amazement; it seemed as if an Age or more slipped from his shoulders, and his mien shifted. Great burdens, cares, and sorrows appeared to slough off his shoulders, and he stood erect with head held high. Indeed, younger and brighter he appeared than Eomer King at the height of his power, but filled with a mirth to set awash entire kingdoms. And what subtle light or flame appeared to flicker about him, soft and part concealed? “And now,” turning and offering each a hand, “Bilbo and Frodo Baggins will make their best manners, for a day, a year, a time of great pardon and of enormous joy.”
“But Gandalf, old friend,” began Bilbo with some hesitation, “pardon and joy? You mentioned healing for poor Frodo, and I am but an old, old hobbit desiring a wet of good claret and some rest. It had been a long journey, and my bones feel the ache of cold and wind.” Bilbo shivered in the fresh sea-air, and pulled his cloak a bit tighter about his shoulders, stooped slightly.
Gandalf cast back his head, laughing like a silver torrent. “Bilbo! … Bilbo old friend, still you instruct me gently about care! Claret, perhaps with walnut-biscuits, then tea with scones and jam, all by a warming fire and with a comfortable chair, and elbow-table for tasty nibbles. Then, perhaps a light repast of cold chicken and pickles for strengthening, and supper … I ask your pardon for the pomp and festivities which are about to begin, but there are forms to be observed.”
He continued, “I recall Treebeard’s words, a hasty addition to their Lore of the Free Peoples, thanks to an astonishingly rapid friendship with Merry and Pippin:
And hungry as hunters, the hobbit-folk;
The laughing children, the little people;
And I daresay he has expanded that one idea to more fully describe your people:
Polite and quiet, but bursting with song,
For plenty and peace, to feast the day long,
Hiding like rabbits, sing like the lark;
Courage a-plenty, withstanding the dark.
Much softer than mist, but tougher than roots,
With hairy feet, so no need of Man-boots,
A quiet padding, then a quick stone,
Stops raider of crops, or breaker of bone.
He is the Eldest of beings walking in Middle-Earth; no doubt he learned far more of Hobbits from those whirlwinds than many could imagine. But I digress, when we should be intent on the present. Lo,” gesturing at a gangway of elven-glass and pearl which was being gently laid aboard by great swans, “we are the travelers entering unto a great land, or returning from our sojourns. And here,” reminding them gently, “I am known by a name from the youth of the world: Olorin.” Frodo and Bilbo, now puzzled, were hurriedly placed in line to debark.
A call came from the masthead, at the same time as a great golden and deep aqua flare came from the outer lighthouse. “A grey ship approaches!” Shortly came confirmation with a triple flash of peridot. “Another ship from the Havens, bearing one passenger … another Pherian!” Gandalf pursed his lips in thought, then smiled broadly. Bowing his head, he spoke quietly, My Lord Ulmo, thank you for your wisdom and care; they are quite fragile now, and all due and proper speed were needed.”
Looking again to the astonished hobbits, he said, “You heard of the straight and bent ways, and we were graced to travel the Straight Path. We journeyed on a Straight but curving Path, thanks to Ulmo, Lord of the Deeps, so old friends may be united. Water is the deepest and subtlest element of all, and contains great powers to change and to preserve. Yes, Sam should be joining us, as is proper and just. His burdens differed from yours, but were no less onerous. And unless my eyes deceive me, Bilbo, he has made a formidable attempt at the Old Took’s and your endurance. Good it is that one of Cirdan’s people guides his steps.” Gandalf frowned slightly, gazing longer. “I like it not. He has aged, but should not totter in such manner, not yet and not with his robust life. Something is amiss; I cannot quite see, but … now my heart has misgivings, that my sight is obscured here. We must hasten to discover of what he must be healed.”
Sam was handed down his gangway by Dalgarien, the second mate of his ship. For the final time he spoke firmly, “Young Master, the Captain is uneasy, and ordered me to assist you. Your gait and balance are peculiar. For the last two days, the crew had to keep a wary eye while you were on deck. We want to get you ashore, with dry feet.” Sam shook his head, answering “Aye, but boats always make me uneasy, like a frisky pony. I should be fine now, master; just a bit o’ me joints acting odd. And indeed,” straightening a bit, his voice took a shriller tone, “I feel just fine and can manage this ramp, by meself.” The Elf looked at Sam oddly; the shrill tone had a sibilant overtone, unpleasantly serpent-like, and Sam had tried to pull away roughly. “Sir,” he continued firmly, “my orders from the captain are to escort you down the gangway to the quay, and by Elbereth we shall continue now.” Sam gave a sudden start, then sagged slightly to one side. “Eh? Oh, your pardon, master; ‘twas me aches and them bandages giving me a nudge. I should be fine, sir, but yer arm is a great comfort, … fer me old bones?” Sam trailed off, wondering what had just happened. It was as if a mist clouded his sight and memory for a moment. He shivered suddenly, earnestly wanting to set foot upon shore. “Oh, bless me!” he called, stumbling slightly; it was a sudden shock of heat, not merely unyielding ground, that made him stumble. “By yer leave, sir, would ye be so kind as to help me to my friends?”
And so the Wise descended into the haven of Alaquöndë, to the gay rejoicing and welcome of the Teleri who abode there. Great were the songs and calls honoring them. Thus proceeded Aelwinë Shipmaster, with a leather case of scrolls; Gandalf, revealed as Olorin in the Realm of the Valar, Galadriel of the House of Finwë, great in her regrets and beauty, Master Elrond Halfelven, son of Earendil, descendant of Beren and Luthien, cloaked in wisdom and sorrow. They stepped to one side and bowed gravely as the Halflings, Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, slowly descended from their ships, abashed at the honor and courtesy shown.
The trumpets and bells called again, louder and deeper if possible, for word of their deeds flashed from mind to mind like wildfire. For at quayside were no lesser persons to greet them than Olwë, Lord of the Teleri, and the herald Eönwë, bearing a banner of moonlit stars with an eagle surmounting all, welcoming them:
Hail the Pherian, the joyous and merry!
Welcome to lands where healing waters hurry.
Lay your burdens down, dread no bite or sting,
Welcome O Bearers, Bearers of the Ring!
Great are the meetings, sundered for too long,
Let here the tear-stain’d melt into the song!
Let joy and tidings chase away the fear,
Love sung to sundered children in this year!
For those awaited, now let trumpets sound!
Worthy mortals, to step on sacred ground,
The King of the West doth inviteth thee,
To the Ring of Judgement, thy Doom to see.
Eönwë continued, “As herald of Manwë, the Elder King, I bid you enter unto to Valinor, the Blessed Realm. Olorin, hail and welcome! It has been many years of the Outer World since you last graced our halls. Lady Galadriel, Master Elrond, set your hearts at peace. Much yet remains, for Mandos has a say in thy judgement.” The Teleri clamored in a great conflagration, then went silent as the Vala was mentioned. All recalled the Kinslaying, the seizure and burning of their great swan-ships, and the Great Doom placed on the Exiles.
Frodo stood, astonished. His thoughts flitted back to Bilbo chanting verses of Earendil; he slowly flushed scarlet from memory of the fortress outpost of Imladris; not even a lesser realm like Eregion, great with the works of Noldo loremasters, was this graceful. The songs of the fabled cities of the Elder Days, like Gondolin and Nargothrond, filled with wonders and subtle magics, paled beside this. The honors at the Field of Cormallen and the fortress-city of Minas Tirith came into proportion to the majesty and beauty revealed in the Sea-Elves’ main abode. He stood abashed, suddenly too aware of his rustic appearance and battered travel clothing, in the presence of the mighty among the Eldar. Bilbo nudged him, gently and then sharply. “Hsst! Frodo, my lad,” he whispered, “Sam, they are waiting on us. Come along!” As they set off along the quay, they felt a certain shudder and puckering of the stone beneath their feet. It felt as if a slumbering bull in the midst of a field was pestered by flies, or as if a dragon stirred in its sleep while someone crept unto its hoard. Bilbo’s eyes flashed in remembrance. “Hey now, we have been Invited, and let us not be tardy!”
Turning to the Halflings, Eönwë spoke with a stern face. “Indeed, Master Baggins, be not tardy, nor should ye wander astray, besotted by the wonders here seen. Another Doom there is for mortals, who set foot upon immortal shores. For I am bidden by my lord to speak these words unto thee: ‘Ye shalt hasten to the Ring of Judgement, there to be examined and to hear and abide by the verdict of the Valar, with regards to the Doom of Mortal Men; for of the races of Men be ye, though thy stature dwindled.’ For yea, unless and until the Elder King passes his judgement upon thee, thou are subject to the perils imposed upon the Unrepentant of fallen Numenor.”
The Halflings gazed in astonishment and incomprehension. Sam bent, shivering uncontrollably for a moment. He looked wretched and nauseated by something. Olorin spoke gently, while firmly pulling them along the stone quay, “You heard fragments of this at the Council of Elrond, ere ye set forth with the Fellowship. If all goes well and you are not struck down for impertinence, you may yet hear a fuller recounting of the tales. Those are best told by one most intimate with the Half-Elven, and particularly interested in the fortunes and fate of that lost realm.”
At the foot of the quay, Frodo and Sam were amazed to see large, sleek wains, obviously meant to carry passengers, but with no sign of horses to draw them. “Here by the sea and within the city-haven, and also within the walls of Tirion the Fair, few beasts are permitted. The Noldo crafted other methods to serve their needs.” Olorin urged them again, “However, the tale cannot be told unless and until you heed the commands of the Elder King: Manwë, Lord of the Valar, of whose Lady, Elbereth, you heard and used songs of praise. Come, we shall travel in deliberate haste. A barge awaits to carry us into the shore of Aman the Blessed.”
In like manner did the songs of welcome and praise continue on the Ultimate Shore, as the Wise and the hobbits were seated in marvelous conveyances of mithril, crystal, and pearl, and by subtle engines were drawn from quayside, past Tirion of fabled lore on the Hill of Tuna, and through the great vale in the Pelori. From thence unto the Ring of Judgement in the midst of the land of the Valar was a journey whose length they could not say; it seemed hours in length but their attention spoke on a matter of minutes. They ventured past mines, wondrous stone works containing mysterious engines, powered by water, wood, or more; and through great fields and pastures. It was a journey of great revelation but also great haste. For Eönwë the Maia bore a summons from the King of the West, whose command could neither be gainsaid nor disobeyed.
Chapter 3 coming up!