Well, here is the first chapter of my new story, sequel to "There's still a life in Arda". Please don't read this without reading Arda, as it will make little sense. The first part of this story runs parallel to the end of Arda, this chapter is set about a month(four weeks) before the end.

Thanks to dreamingfifi in advance for any translations, and for validating that my idea was feasible.

The figure stood in the hall, completely dwarfed by the room that surrounded him. But he wasn't marveling over the architecture that created the room, barely more than a domed roof with tree like pillars, yet at the same time the gaps were filled with solid white stone save for one small door, to which his back was turned. No, instead he gazed at the floor, studying it with a frown on his face. The smooth stone was a uniform creamy silver, with the exception of a ring of slabs laid to look as if they were plaited ropes. It was on the edge of that ring that his boot toes almost brushed, and what his eyes stared at.

Slowly, forehead uncreasing, he drew in a deep breath and straightened, bringing his shoulders up to a soldiers stance. Then, with such firmness it was clearly a deliberate act, he stepped over the pattern and into the circle.

"Rušur, why do you come here?"

A deep voice spoke from directly in front of him and the figure gave a deep bow "Elder King, I come to ask a boon of you and your kin."

"Far indeed has he come Manwë , from the eastern shore of Tol Eressëa ." It was a woman's voice who spoke and the figure bowed again.

A third voice, this one he could identify exactly "Why should you, one of the Doomed Noldor, wish to travel east again?"

Then the first voice spoke again, tinted with something close to amusement "For that is what you wish to do isn't it?"

He swallowed and nodded mutely

"Why do you wish to push the limits of our bounty?"

"I have heard that Ennor is at peace now, and I wish to see it in beauty rather than war-torn, which is all I have ever known."

He felt the stares of all the Valar rest on him at once, then the gaze lifted and he half heard them discussing it amongst themselves. Shaking he sat down in the circle, not trusting his legs to hold him up while he waited. Námo was right, he was pushing the limits in asking this. They would have full right to not only refuse him to travel east to Ennor but keep him imprisoned on Valinor. He clenched his hands tight and locked his jaw, refusing to show his terror at that thought. Finally, after what seemed an eternally long time, Námo spoke;

"We have come to our decision Orodrethion…"

He scrambled to his feet and came to his full height, waiting for the verdict.

"Artanáro?"

He turned and looked at the elf who stood at the other end of the quay. Recognition took a moment but then he strode away from the boat towards the Ellon.

The elf bit his lip slightly, the words coming out stuttered and stilted, yet still nearly tumbling over themselves "I…I…came to…to ask a favour of you Artanáro"

He smiled slightly, kindly "What is it?"

"Well, there are two, or maybe three…"

"What are they?" He stressed the pronoun,but kept his voice kind to dispel any threat of annoyance

The elf looked him straight in the eyes now "Seek my brother on your travels and if you find him, give him these." He held out three folded packs of parchment, each with a name written in Tengwar.

He nodded slowly, taking the parchments"I will seek your kinsman Telvo, and if I cannot return him to you then I will bring word of his fate."

A brief flash of surprise "How did you know?"

"Why else would I have seen a brown haired elleth with eyes that sparkled through their sadness leaving the Mahaxar before me?"

The ellon nodded slightly then touched his forehead with a hand "Alámenë... Nai tielyar nauvar laicai az hwesta nauva canalyessë"

He nodded, watching as the figure slipped through the growing crowd. Once he was out of sight the elf strode back to his boat, and up the gangplank with only the briefest pause. He'd said his goodbyes to his parents and friends earlier, it was no consequence if they came to see him leave. Kneeling briefly he stowed the letters in one of the packs, tucking them amongst many similar ones from those who still had kith and kin in Ennor. Then he rose to his feet, glancing up as one of Olwë's elves readied the sail for him. Giving the Teler a brief acknowledgement he stepped to the stern and braced his hands on the wheel. Then, without turning his head, he gave a single sharp nod.

There were two thumps as mooring ropes landed on the deck and in the same instant the ship began to move, sail filling with wind and her bow slicing through the waves with a soft shh shh sound. He felt the breeze tug at his long hair, blowing it around. And from the shore came voices, calling farewells. Then from a different diction came on lone voice… an elleth's. It was quiet in his ears, as though she had only whispered and the wind carried it

"Bring him back to me."

Now he did turn his head, and saw a figure standing out on the promontory of rock. Looking up at her he pressed a hand against his heart and gave the tiniest of bows before returning his attention to the water in front of him. He knew who she was, knew who she asked for, and knew he had more hopes riding on him than ever before

He lay on the deck that night, staring up at the stars and following Vingilótë's course homeward with his eyes. At one point, straining them, he thought he could see the figure standing on the deck with a bright jewel on his brow. But then the sight was gone and it became just another of the stars. Sighing, he rolled himself in the long cloak his father had given him, leant against one of the packs, shifting so it pillowed his head and drifted into sleep.

Translations

Quenya

Alámenë... Nai tielyar nauvar laicai az hwesta nauva canalyessë= Go with our blessings, May your paths be green and the breeze behind you (Old Valinorian dialect)

Valarian

Rušur= Fire

I also apologise in advance for the exceedingly long delay until the next chapter will be out, my Muse has bolted and I'm about to start University Coursework. Probably see you all in December

Good, not good? Review please.