Introduction – A Journey through the Ages
If mortal man had the time we have had to gaze upon our world and admire its beauty as we have done, perhaps then they would not yearn to please their myriad of ambitious desires. However that is not as man is, and their every impulse seems to tug the youth of their kin into ever more treacherous paths. That is as it has always been, and that is why I, of whom elven blood courses through thy veins, find myself caged within an oaken vessel bound to traverse the ever-shifting realm that we call the seas. Forced to stare upon the magnificence of stars come the tide of night for any source of comfort. –Eiriel
Looking out across the vast plane of waves that the sea hath wrought often made even the most-seasoned of sailors gradually fall into a state in which their minds fell prey to musing with the idea of mutiny. However, there was one among the crew of this aging vessel whose age and constant desire for the symphony of the sea had made him only ever contemplate the idea of setting off on his own to sail among the sea for the short remainder of his life, so he might be at assured peace in his passing. This man, the ship's captain, had seen plenty in his days and had only the simplest of everyday desires remaining which he desired to fulfill. The rest of the vessel's crew was young, inexperienced and impatient. So alas, every day's events were often accompanied by the wailing of the other thirty-seven personnel who worked the small boat.
"Blasted weather, how are we supposed to get anywhere if the damned wind refuses to offer any assistance beyond the bellows of a few hours?" One of them groaned as the day's first light crept across the surface of the sea.
"Forget the weather, how long you reckon we'll last with so little food left?" One of the few Hobbits asked.
"What little is left should prove able to sustain us so long as our course is true. You forget the bread is of elven craft my friend." A female elf said, her voice as calm as the sea they sailed.
"Easy for you to say Eiriel, you're the only elf aboard, the rest of us are used to eating real food! Meats, fruits, even vegetables! Don't even get me started about the lack of ale!" The man who'd started the discussion said.
"Simply because the food does not fit your taste, does not mean it serves not its purpose." Eiriel said, growing irritated of the mortal crew.
Though, to be fair, she thought I too am growing weary of these waters.
"I'll admit," the captain said biting into his share of bread, "The food is terrible, the lack of ale worse and the sea is a bitch. Though complaining about any of that gets us nowhere."
"Ai, you're right I suppose." One of the ship's six dwarves said, setting his mug down empty. "We just all wish we had something to give us hope. Ye must admit yourself Captain, we've been afloat in the sea a lot longer a time than we expected."
"I'll agree with you Lóni, I've travelled this route a hundred times. Never before has the journey taken so many days." The captain nodded.
And so began a discussion the crew had already had about a dozen times since they'd lost sight of their fleet during that one foggy night. After everyone had finished their small breakfast they began to do their daily duties, they even got lucky and hit a gale of wind which they used to get, hopefully, a little closer to their destination. Everything was business as usual. Then came a sound, a sound which made the entire crew pause a moment, before their faces gave way to broad smiles. The unmistakable sound of a seagull.