This is the old site.


This is the old website. The new site is
http://www.fellowshipofthefourthage.com/
Watch for updates there. Bookmark the new site.

February 28, 2010

Olwë Prepares for the Journey

< Prev  Alqualondë       

Rubbing his face, Olwe wearily placed the quill back in its holder and watches as the ink dries on the vellum.  Slowly he re-read his missive and then held the stick of sealing wax up to the candle on his desk until it was ready to melt.  Defly, he held the vellum underneath, capturing a glob of wax. Placing the vellum down on the desktop and picking up his seal, affixed it to the cooling wax.  "Here," he spoke softly to himself, "Here is all that Earwen needs in case..." he paused, "In case, she needs to assume the throne." 

He pushed back the chair, standing.  With one final look around the room, he crosses to the door and opens it. There was a firmness to his step as he crossed the thresthold and closed the door.  With single minded purpose he made his way through the too still haven of the Teleri, the only sounds the blowing of the wind and the gentle call of the nightingale.  Catching the salt smell of the ocean, his heart cannot but quicken at the thought of taking to the sea again, at least for a little part of the journey, and his step becomes lighter the closer he comes to the fabled docks.  There sat waiting his own personal boat, one of the ships which brought the Teleri forth to the Undying lands so many centuries ago, unchanged by the passing of time.

With the agility of an elf much younger, Olwe leapt aboard the ship and started to untie the moorings.  However to his sharp ears came the sound of wings flapping and he looks up, startled to see the lazy circling of a large swan.  Slowly the bird descends and lands on the water, gently settling its wings.  The long neck stretched forward,  the eyes on a level with Olwe's.  the glint of a collar fastened about its neck gets his attention, and as he inspects it, he sees a scroll case.  Quickly he crosses over to the swan and detaches the case.  Twisting it open, he carefully pulls out a small scroll, the written an ancient script that sparked to life with a light of its own.  "Take no ship, Teleri Lord, but mount yond swan, which will, in due course, take thee to the beginning of thy journey.  Your plea was carried upon the Winds to the ear of Manwe himself.  If your heart is true, and your intent ernest, the swan,  a child of those which brought you hither ages ago will bear you forth.  Bring only what you can carry, Olwe of Alqualonde, if this journey you still desire."

Then, in his trembling hands, the missive crumbled into dust and a wind blew it away.  For a few seconds, Olwe looked into the soft eyes of the swan, waiting so patiently.  Then he crossed the deck of his ship, grabbed up his backpack and cloak, and with one last longing look at his beloved Alqualonde, he turned to the swan and with a great leap, mounted the bird and held onto to a handful of her feathers as, with a great flaps of her wings, she began to the fabled Teleri haven.

> Next Olwë