Chapter 9

A Fateful Voyage

Angela Wagner

In those days following the funeral of the King, Nereniel searches within her heart to find the path that lies ahead for her, a search made so difficult by the emptiness that she feels along with her loss. And in understanding that loss and those of the kingdom, she also begins to understand those of her companions on their journey through Middle Earth. Lord Legolas Greenleaf and Lord Gimli of the Glittering Caves were not only aiding her in her learning and instruction of the songs of Middle Earth, but she now understands that it was also for the last of the heroes of the War of the Ring to say their farewells and to visit for one final time, those lands of Middle Earth that had been their home for years unknown to any of the Race of Men.

And in these thoughts, she also remembers the words of Goldberry and the songs of Elvenhome of which she had sung so often. Thus it was that Nereniel now understands that Legolas and Gimli will also soon be leaving Middle Earth. And there are rumors that they may be preparing a boat. But she knows not where nor how they may be going. And yet there is now a wonder within Nereniel to learn more of the their destination and a small but growing desire to somehow accompany them for she sees no future for herself in staying in Minas Tirith, yea, even in the Kingdom of Gondor.

But, Nereniel is unsure of whom to ask these questions of. She cannot go to Legolas and Gimli, and her grandmother, who was so wise, has since passed away. Nor does she believe her mother would have any answers to her questions, much as Naleth and Nereniel each yearn to be closer. Even though it is still the time of mourning, she determines to ask of Queen Arwen herself, believing the Queen to be most wise and understanding.

And thus, she goes to the court of Gondor to see the newly widowed Queen, but upon arriving and requesting an audience, she is told that Arwen Evenstar has gone into seclusion and is admitting no one. One of her attendants who had befriended Nereniel during her time at court, tells Nereniel that there is a rumor that the Queen shall soon be leaving Minas Tirith and possibly going to Lothlorien. Nereniel begs to see Queen Arwen, and the attendant takes pity on her and makes the request. Yet, after waiting patiently for seemingly a long time, Nereniel finally receives a note from the Queen with these words: ’Our paths have been several times entwined and we may yet again walk together, but now we each have our own journey to make and as I know mine, so must you determine yours. But wherever it may take you, the hope and the love of a kingdom shall always accompany you.’

Thus, Nereniel sadly returns to her home, not knowing to where she can turn. And while she is sitting at her window yet trying to decide, the wind shifts, coming around from the south and east and there is a fragrance on the breeze that she has seldom paid attention to. Others, who have been down the Anduin, have said that it is a sea-breeze. Nereniel has never seen the great seas and only has heard about them in song and story, but now she feels something, akin to a longing of which she knows little, stir deep within her. Something that seems in some way related to her thoughts as when she would look to the east towards Ithilien from that same window.

After much thought, which helps her come to a resolve, Nereniel begs her mother to allow her to travel to see Legolas and Gimli one more time and it is agreed that she may travel with Larelian accompanying her. Thus, she travels to Ithilien to visit with her former traveling companions, and they welcome her and are most friendly when she arrives, but she perceives a distance in them and upon asking them, they finally admit to her that they will be leaving Middle Earth.

Nereniel soon speaks the words she has been feeling, "Lord Legolas and Lord Gimli, I beseech you, please find room not only with you upon your journey, but within your heart, to allow me to accompany you. I will be of no burden at all to you, as you must by now well know. I have learned the songs and sung the lamentations, and I now believe that there is no longer a place nor reason for me to remain in these lands. You both have been so kind and shown to me such wondrous things. Please allow me to accompany you and see of other places in Middle Earth."

Legolas and Gimli are quite distressed to have to refuse so charming a traveling companion, as they know Nereniel to be. And they understand all too well her sadness, knowing of the tidings of the Kingdom of Rohan. But they also understand that Nereniel’s time is still yet to come and they believe that her fate is yet many years off.

And so, Legolas says with sincere devotion, "Dearest Nereniel, where we are going, few now are allowed. Much as we know of your feelings and sorrow, your place is here with your people. You have shown the people of these lands some of what is the sorrow of Middle Earth. You still must share with them the happiness that is a part of it also."

"But how can I share any happiness when I can no longer understand nor feel what that is?"

"That is something that you must find on your own as it must come from the heart. Our journey of the past weeks, as Queen Arwen directed, was to show you much of Middle Earth and for you to understand both the happiness and sadness, so that when the time came for each, you would be able to share those with the people. The sorrow is slowing ending and when it is time for gladness, this Kingdom will sorely need you. And now, it is with our own sad feelings that we cannot allow you to join us. And, much as it is painful to say, it would be most befitting if we say our farewells now and you return to your home for we shall be leaving quite soon."

It is with tears that the companions part and their rejection saddens Nereniel even more. But she is even less content and when she returns to her home, not knowing where else to go, she comes to her mother and pleads with her to find out what they are doing. To Nereniel’s surprise, her mother admits to knowledge of the Elves of Ithilien and travels the following day to see them. When she returns, she tries without success to talk to her daughter to convince her that no more should be said. But Nereniel begs her mother to tell her and Naeleth finally relents and tells her about the boat and where it is located and the time that Legolas and Gimli are to leave.

Nereniel tells her mother that she desires to say a final goodbye to her friends and will be gone for only a short duration. And so she once again travels to Ithilien. As it is becoming late, she informs the friends of the home where she is supposed to stay, that she shall be returning shortly to Minas Tirith and they are to not worry about her. She then goes to where the boat is docked, late in the evening of the day before her friends are to leave and acting without deliberation, she boards the boat and finds a small area that she can squeeze into and hides there awaiting the morn. The sailing vessel that has been built for the two is of ocean traveling size, having a sizeable deck, a small storage room forward under the bow and a slightly larger room for sleeping under the stern. Nereniel finds a place behind several crates in the forward storage room.

Early the next day, before sunrise, Legolas and Gimli board the boat and with the stowaway aboard, depart from Ithilien, while Nereniel, who remained awake for quite a long time, worrying about her actions, is still asleep. She awakes to the gentle rocking of the boat and realizes they are underway and moving downriver. Not sure of what to do, she stays hidden. And there is a small opening on the side of the boat that Nereniel can see out of. Looking back, she sees the hills and mountains of the Ered Nimrais receding in the distance. Off to the side are the plains and fields of Lebinnin. By evening, they pass by a sizeable town and she supposes that it must be Pelargir.

Night falls and Nereniel sleeps again as the boat makes it way down the Anduin. By morning, the boat has found its way to the Ether Anduin, the Mouths of the Anduin, and soon, the boat has entered the great sea and is sailing westward on the ocean’s swells. And so, Nereniel continues to hide in her small corner, coming out on rare occasion and taking bits of food. She hears Gimli once accusing a ship’s rat of the being a possible thief which frightens Nereniel, although she never sees one.

And as the boat enters the ocean, evening again comes, and with it, a calming of the sea as the winds die, but Nereniel is slowly becoming more frightened as her time on the boat continues and they travel farther into an unknown sea. And her sleep that night is quite troubled.

© 2004 Angela Wagner