Chapter 1: The Great Journey

Cuiviénen-during the Years of the Trees

Canyo raced across the forest floor as fast as his young legs would carry him. He leaped over moss-covered logs, ducked under low hanging ferns and vines, and darted around the great trunks of trees that towered over him. His shoulder length white hair streamed out behind him like a pale banner as he leapt off a slope and slid and rolled in the soft moss and leafy undergrowth to continue his rabbit-like pace through the dark woods.

Above through the gaps in the branches the Great Stars glimmered brightly casting just enough light for him to maneuver through the sylvan terrain. His bare feet hardly made a noise—only a slight rustle as of a swift soft breeze stirring the forest floor.

All about him the sounds of the wide woods surrounded him and then faded into new noises as his young elf legs carried him swiftly onwards around stumps and over dark rivulets. He was searching through the starry half-light. Suddenly he skidded to a stop. A patch of wild flowers caught his eye. He bent low in the perpetual twilight of the stars to examine the flowers.

They were an exquisite batch of white lilies with yellow and red flushed through them studded with a miniature starscape of purple speckles. Yet one stem was missing its crowning flower. Canyo straightened up and looked about him, listening intently and peering into the semi-darkness of the trees about him.

Then floating down into his vision the missing lily wafted, fluttering lightly into his outstretched cupped hands. He caught it gently and looked up into the branches of a great fir tree just in time to see a little face disappear around the side of its trunk. A little giggle came down from where the face had just been. And it seemed to the young elf that all of the surrounding trees leaned towards the one with the giggle. And that tree seemed to shiver in delight, its branches waving merrily in the starlight.

So it is a chase you want. The boy elf thought. Then a chase you shall have, little Nellë. Letting the lily fall back into its fellows, Canyo leapt to the nearest branch and swung with ease up into the world of the trees. Again there was a sweet little laugh but this time from a few trees over. He followed the voice, leaping agilely from branch to branch, swinging and clambering as swiftly in the air as he had done upon the ground.

And so the sweet voice of laughter led him on deeper and deeper into the forest. Ever he grew closer so that he could see a foot disappearing behind a trunk, or a stream of white hair like his own dipping out of sight into the shadows. But as the merry chase drew on Canyo grew increasingly anxious. We are too far from the others. He thought. The game was all well in jest and merriment but it was perilous to stray far from the Wood Hall and the houses of the Elves near the shores of Cuiviénen. There were wild beasts that roved nearby. Several Elves had simply disappeared leaving no trace. And his mother had warned him of a dark and terrible creature that had attacked his people. Some had been killed, others taken, and everyone else had fled into the shadows of the forest until it had passed away east. And even though all had been well since the great earthquake and wild storm that had appeared together, Canyo was wary as he continued his pursuit.

He called out to the voice ahead, "Stop! We are too far! We must turn back!" But the little voice made no reply. In fact all the laughter and giggling had ceased. The only sounds were those of the forest under the sky and Canyo lightly racing among the branches. Suddenly fear gripped him, and his heart quickened.

"Nellë? Where are you?" He grew frantic. "Nellë! Nellë! Answer me! Nellë! Little sister!" He burst through a dense set of pine branches in a huff only to find Nellë standing quietly next to the trunk of the tree he had just landed in. She was a tiny little elf with the same unusual white hair as her brother. But she was only half his age and still very young. Her face was always filled with wonder and awe for the world all around her. But now she stood quietly looking very intently at something across the narrow stream that ran at the base of the tree in which they stood.

"I was calling for you! You should not run so far into the forest. Mother would not like it," he rebuked her as he stepped lightly across the branch towards her. But she made no response and simply squinted all the more keenly across the stream.

Coming up to her he noticed her distraction. "Nellë?" He followed her gaze into the starlit trees across the babbling brook. "What do you see?"

She pointed to a particular tree. "I saw that tree move."

"It moved?"

"Mhmm," she nodded, "It turned around, looked at me, and waved—like this." She demonstrated using her free hand. "And then it made a noise. It was all low and rumbly. It went, 'Creeaaaakyoombooom.' It was saying hello."

He smiled at her innocence. "Trees do not speak like we do."

"Maybe they could if we taught them how!" she insisted indignantly.

"Who would wish to speak to a tree? What would a tree have to say?"

"It would tell me that it likes my voice and how I dance."

Canyo snorted, "And why would a tree tell you that?"

"That is what Momma says to me. And she says that everything likes me when I sing and dance—like the birds and animals. Maybe the trees like me too!"

"Mother is right. If trees could, they would like you. Everyone likes you—especially me." He smiled at her and they both looked back at the tree she had indicated. It simply looked like an average tree, young and strong with two strong branches near the top. But it made no signs of movement or of making any noises.

"Hey tree!" Nellë called. "Will you move, please?" The tree was stock still and silent save for a gentle pleasant creaking as it lightly swayed in the starry breeze. "Tree?" She looked back at her brother.

"It moved, Cannie, I promise! And it made that noise!"

"I'm sure you are right, sister," he said indulgingly. "But we cannot stay here and try to get it to speak again. We have to get back home. Mother is probably wondering where we are. And I have to help father with the preparations to leave. And you must help mother!"

"Okay," she sighed. "Bye tree!" she waved at it and he turned to go. Before she could move the tree straightened a little, opened bright fresh brown and green eyes, and raising one of its enormous top limbs, waved to her. She grinned from pointy ear to pointy ear. She put her finger to her lips and then giving a final wave she followed after her brother, returning to the forest floor.

They had wandered halfway back in comfortable silence when Nellë suddenly asked him, "Why are we going? I don't want to leave, Cannie."

He had wondered when she might ask him this. He was the only one that she could ask. Everyone else including their mother and father were incredibly excited to be leaving Cuiviénen and going west.

He could only barely remember when Oromë had found his people. Oromë was not an elf. He was something bigger and stronger. He called himself a Vala. And although he was very strong and fast and could easily have done the Elves harm like the Shadow Creature had done, he was very friendly to all of them. He called the Elves the Firstborn of Illuvatar, and taught them about the great Maker of the world. He had stayed with them and learned from them for a time as well. Then one day he told them that he was going to go back to his home and tell all of his people—other Valar and things bigger stronger and brighter than the Firstborn—about Canyo and all of his people. At least that is how his mother had explained it to him when he was Nellë's age.

Then the Great Earthquake and Storm happened. Little Canyo was not scared by the loud peels of thunder, the great flashing lightning, or the trembling of the earth as were all of the other elf children. He had sat on his father's shoulders in awe and watched until all was quiet again. Some said that the storm was the Valar showing their true natures—great and terrible like the Shadow Creature. But Canyo's father disagreed. He told his son that it was probably the Valar making it safe for all of them.

And so it seemed, for soon after, Oromë reappeared and told them that all of them—all of the Elves were invited to come and live with him and the rest of the Valar at their home far away across the sea. At this great invitation there was much confusion. Some did not trust Oromë or the Valar and suspected that there was some wicked trap afoot. Others were overjoyed and were eager to go with the great Vala.

But no one could reach a decision. So each of the three clans of the Elves chose one from among their own folk to travel with Oromë back to his home, Valinor, in order to see if what the Valar said and promised was indeed true. So together, Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë set off into the utter unknown with Oromë. And all of the Quendi, both the skeptical and the hopeful, waited with baited breath to hear the report of their kin and the verdict they passed on the veracity of Oromë's claims of Valinor.

And only a score of rests prior they had returned with joyous news. All three of the ambassadors told of a land of exceeding beauty and light. They told the most incredible tales of mountains that seemed to reach the heavens. They spoke of many different beings of power and music and craftsmanship, and all of them had graciously welcomed the three elves into their land. For all three had returned dressed not in the fine but simple tunics of the people but in raiment of many colors and hues—with rich fabrics and textures—precious stones and metals woven into their garments. They spoke of the Valar with respect, reverence, and rapture. Canyo had sat three times for many hours while each had stood before the people to report what he had seen and heard and to explain to his own clan how they ought to respond to the call of the Valar.

And each agreed with the others—the Elves should all accept this unprecedented opportunity—to go and live and learn at the side of the mightiest in all of Arda. Yet as great as their excitement and joy was, and as compelling as their speeches to the Elves were, still some were fearful.

Since that time there had been great tumult among the clans and the families of the Elves. Most were ready to trust the word of their ambassador if not the word of the Valar. And these families made quick preparations to travel. Canyo's parents were of this number. They had long been friends with Elwë, their ambassador, loving him much and now they respected him all the more since his return from Valinor with his two compatriots.

However many others were fearful of the alleged powers and might of the Valar and the many other spirit servants that dwelt with them, which the ambassadors called the Maiar. The memory of the Shadow Creature was too firmly etched in their crystal memories to be lightly tossed aside by the bright words and exuberant reports of the three ambassadors. Some were already withdrawing their families into the woods away from Cuiviénen. They had already firmly decided to not go with Oromë. In fact they were seldom seen now among the others and when they were seen, they spoke in vehement whispers—urging as many as would listen to heed their words and follow them into the woods and remain there in secret. And to the dismay of the ambassadors and to Canyo's parents—many did follow them.

Until now all of the Elves had lived relatively together as one community along the shores of Cuiviénen. But before Canyo's eyes his entire community was being torn apart by the Choice of the Valar. Old friends were at now at bitter odds over the issue of going west. Families were being divided as one chose to go this way and another chose to go that way. It was all overwhelming, scary, and a bit depressing to Canyo. He could only imagine the burden it put upon his little sister.

Although he was too young to make his own choice on the matter, it did not keep him from wondering, Which was the right course to take? For, he had not fully decided what he thought about the Valar and the whole affair. He trusted his parents to protect him and not lead him astray. But Oromë was unsettling. It was like standing next to a friendly thunderstorm or seeing someone speak to a passing avalanche of the mountains. He was not quite sure that he could ever feel comfortable living among such great beings. But it did not seem to matter. His parents were nearly prepared. And after the next rest and dreaming they would leave with a great number from their clan and follow Oromë.

So Canyo sought to encourage his little sister who was frightened and too young yet to grapple with the complexities and gravity of everything that was occurring. "Mother and Father are taking us somewhere much better than here."

"But I like it here," she came back.

"I know you do. I like it here also. But where we are going there will not be scary shadows in the woods of which you need be afraid and run. You will be able to explore as far as you want!"

"What about all of the animals that are my friends? What about the birds? I was teaching them to sing my songs!" she wailed.

"Nellë—"

"And, Cannie, what about that tree? I don't want to leave it. We were just getting to know one another!" She was very distraught and she had stopped walking. The forest had suddenly gone quiet as if listening to the pair of elf children. Canyo knelt and took her hands in his.

"You know Mother and Father love us, right?"

She gulped and nodded her head.

"They would never take us to anyone that would hurt us. They only want to help us learn and grow and be bigger and better. They want you to learn to sing and dance like the Stars. Would you like to sing and dance more and more all the time?"

Again she gave a little nod.

"And if we get there and we do not like it then we can always just come back. And all of your forest friends will be waiting for you. And you can tell that tree of yours all about what it was like across the sea. Okay?"

"Okay," she said reluctantly, "Let's go." She embraced Canyo in a fierce hug. "I'm still scared."

"That is alright. I am scared also. But I will never ever let anything bad happen to you, Nellë." He clutched her tight and when they parted she seemed comforted to his eyes and ready to adventure with her family and people.

"Come now, we have tarried here too long talking."

He stood to lead her onwards but as he did so an enormous black shape leapt from the shadows directly for his sister. Only by Canyo's lightning elf senses was he able to tackle her out of the way. But whatever the black shape was grabbed him in the air. However, it did not grab hard enough and he twisted free of it merely tearing his tunic. They landed hard on the needle strewn floor.

In an instant he was on his feet and had placed Nellë behind him and shielded her from the black shape which had landed and was turning around to come at them again. Now Canyo could see what had attacked them. A great black wolf prowled around a tree and slowly came towards them.

It was enormous, standing taller on all of its four legs than Canyo stood on his two. Its midnight fur was long, shaggy, and matted with filth and grime. The four enormous paws ended in wicked long claws. Its eyes were darker than the darkest night but out of them shown a red light as of a burning fire deep within the beast.

It growled menacingly and began to circle them. Fear gripped Canyo for he knew what it meant to do to his sister and him. She trembled like a little leaf behind him. She clutched his tunic to steady herself as she peeked around her brother to see the horrible wolf trying to flank them.

Suddenly, from some deep unknown source within him, a burning fire rose up inside of Canyo. It was as if a beast had unleashed itself from a dark cave within his spirit and was uncurling itself into a powerful creature. It fanned itself into a wrathful inferno. How dare this hound threaten those of the Firstborn! He and Nellë were the Children of Illuvatar and no creature great or small was nobler, fairer, or, as the young elf now realized, more fell in their wrath. This foul beast would not have the pleasure of killing and devouring his sister and him. And it would rue the day that it had attempted to do so.

Swiftly Canyo scooped up a thick strong hardwood branch from the forest floor and held it up in front of him. The wolf growled deeper and the coals of its eyes narrowed in anger. The foolish elf-pup meant to fight! It could not hope to withstand its ferocity. Snarling it darted forward expecting its powerful jaws to close on the elf child's warm flesh. But as it closed in on the boy, it received a powerful strike quick as lightning across its snout. The wolf darted back surprised. Its jaw throbbed in agony and it tasted and smelled blood in its mouth—its own blood. A great tooth fell out of its drooling maw onto the needle covered forest floor. As it snuffed the intake of air made its nose burn like hot oil. It glared at the children evilly and circled them once more, filled now all the more with hate and rage.

Canyo was not surprised at his actions. He glared right back into the wolf's eyes boldly. A cold determination gripped him—channeling the fire in him and guiding his stance and his hands. He gripped the branch harder—feeling the moss and bark flake beneath his fingers. It was a good solid piece and if the wolf ventured near again it would feel this branch down to its black bones.

The beast circled him slowly sizing up the boy and his sister. It searched for an opening in the boy's guard. Canyo shifted his weight slightly, feigning an opening. The wolf lunged forward but he was ready. He swung the branch again with all his might. But the wolf was also ready and darted to the side, hoping to come around at Nellë as Canyo was off balance. Canyo knew not what aided his hands, but he did not over step or over swing and spun the branch over his head with renewed vigor. The wolf saw its mistake and narrowly dodged back out of range—the tip of the hardwood slapping its retreating tail.

It paused and looked back preparing for a more cunning attack. But Canyo held the branch straight out before him in challenge to the fell creature.

"Come no nearer Hound of Darkness!" Canyo warned, "You shall not taste my sister's flesh nor drink my blood tonight!"

The wolf circled closer letting blood and its foul spittle drip as it lusted all the more for the elf children.

"By all means stray just a bit closer, forest whelp! My branch here desires to give you another kiss!" Canyo whipped his weapon back and forth with great speed and wrath.

The great wolf paused and long he stood there glaring into the eyes of Canyo. But the child defied him with great courage, matching the wolf eye to eye. Finally it gave a great snort and slowly turned away, as if to say the children were not worth its time and trouble. It had already accomplished its malicious purpose anyways. It moved away to the shadows and began to slink away under the dark of the trees.

Canyo called after it, "Be gone, wild filth. Learn from your folly and trouble the Elves no more!"

Finding her voice Nellë shouted after her brother, "And go wash yourself! You're dirty and you stink!"

The wolf was gone but they saw its hateful eyes in the shadows narrow at them. And Canyo thought he heard a deep growling voice in the dark murmur to him, "We shall meet again, foolish boy." And then all was quiet. In a few moments the forest noises returned and the shadow of the wolf passed from the region.

Canyo turned to his sister who was still trembling but doing much better now that the wolf was gone. "Are you alright?" he asked her.

She nodded her head but said nothing. He paced the area where they had encountered the wolf to make certain that it was indeed gone. He came back to Nellë who was holding something in her hand. She held it out to Canyo. It was the tooth that he had knocked from the jaws of the wolf.

He took the tooth from her and smiled, the wrathful spark transforming into a loving glow. He hugged her tightly in his arms and then picked her up and she clung to him fiercely. "Let us at last haste all the way home!"

He set off into the woods at a great pace, carrying his sister with ease. He felt strange now—stronger, wilder, more grown up. Some new piece of him had awoken during the confrontation with the wolf. The great fire in him had died down but the spark was still there—a fierceness that lay waiting to be ignited into an inferno. He clutched the wolf tooth tightly in one hand and held his sister firmly in his other arm as he raced towards his home.

Canyo quickly made his way back to the shores of Cuiviénen and to the homes of his people. All was as busy as a bee hive. Elves of every clan were going hither and thither. Groups of twos and threes were speaking in quiet clusters discussing no doubt the options of leaving or staying. Women gathered and prepared food for the journey. Men stored and made ready all supplies and provisions.

He quickly found his mother, who had been furiously making her own preparations and left Nellë in her care. To her anxious and angry questions of their whereabouts and doings Canyo only mentioned their race through the trees. He said nothing of the wolf attack. He briefly stepped inside their home to change out of his torn tunic and he stored the wolf tooth in a pouch he wore at his side. Then he went off through the chaos to find his father and aid him.

Canyo sought his father near the Great Hall supposing that he was speaking there with other senior members of their clan. He came up to the simple but elegant and flowing structure. But no one was within its wide open front. Yet he heard voices from around on the far side of it. One of which he picked out as belonging to his father.

He wended his way around the trees that surrounded and formed the walls of the Great Hall, working his way to where he heard the voices. As he bent around the corner he came face to face with Oromë the Vala.

Canyo started but recovered almost instantly. He looked upon Oromë bravely. He was very large—thrice an adult elf's height. And a light seemed to shine from him, through him, and around him all at once. Yet the light did not diminish or obscure him in any way. In fact Canyo could see clearly every detail of the great being. Indeed he was so clear and vivid that the world about him seemed less so.

He was dressed in rich robes of woodland greens and browns. A great grey and silver cloak was wrapped about him, the hood thrown back. Plates of overlapped armor made of some shimmering precious material covered his shoulders. His powerful arms were bare and covered in bits of earth and plant. He wore no foot gear for he enjoyed the feel of the ground beneath him as he ran swift as the wind over all of Middle Earth. At his side a great horn of some long forgotten creature hung. And on his back he wore a mighty bow made of a young tree.

Oromë was The Hunter—the greatest hunter. He was the most skilled in tracking, stealth, and flight. He knew nearly all of the land and traveled over it much, so it was that he became the first of the Valar to come across the Elves after their awakening by the shores of Cuiviénen.

The Hunter spoke to the awed elf boy at his feet. "Well met at last, Canyo, son of Nolmo. Long I have watched you among your family and your kin. And long you have watched me in my doings with the elders of your people. You show the makings of a great elf. And if I am not mistaken you take after me in your skill in wood and glen. You should make a fine huntsman one day."

"Pardon, Great Lord, but how do you know what is to come?"

"Dear young one, whilst I am not Mandos and know not great dooms nor the ends of things to be, I am adept at seeing the seeds of their inception. An acorn will grow into a great tree and I need not see the end to know that it will be so. And you, young one, have the seed of a hunter within you. I believe that you are coming with me to my home across the sea?"

"That is correct, Great Lord. We will finish making our preparations and once rested I will join my father and all of my kin that are accompanying you westwards."

"Yes you will travel under your father and it is by his will that you do so. But what of your will and your mind? If young Canyo were the master of the ways of his feet whither would he go?"

Canyo was surprised and at a loss. He had not expected to be asked this by an elder and least of all by Oromë himself. He thought about everything that had happened. He did enjoy living by Cuiviénen. But he did not believe, like many Elves did, that the Valar intended them harm. Then he looked up at the great form and vision of Oromë the Hunter. He saw in the Vala's eyes many hidden secrets and memories of far off places. And wanderlust was awoken within him that merged with the spark already lit there and made it burn brighter in his spirit. He longed to roam far and wide and see the world as Oromë had done. He was not yet sure of dwelling in Valinor but he knew that he could not stay in this valley for all time.

"I would follow you, Great Huntsman, whithersoever you may lead!"

"Your fiery words bring joy to my heart, young Canyo. And I see that you are aptly named indeed. For you are bold and fear not to go where others would tarry or turn aside. When we arrive at long last in Valinor I shall teach you the art and skill that I have—that of scents and sounds of the land and of finding your way though there is no track or trail to be followed."

"I would very gladly be your pupil, Great Lord!"

"That is well," Oromë said. Then looking intently at the child a shadow seemed to pass between them and an unknown sense of grief came over him as he looked upon the young elf. Yet the moment passed and all was as it had been. But the great Vala was moved to speak once more to the boy.

"Here is my first lesson to you then, son of Nolmo: Learn well the wisdom of your father and heed the counsel of those at his side and you will not go astray, whatever path you must tread."

Canyo nodded although he did not understand the full meaning of the Huntsman's lesson.

"Very good. Now haste you to your father's side. They are concluding their discussion and your aid will be required at present no doubt."

Canyo nodded and bowing low ran off further along the hall until he could see a group of tall elves standing and talking together. There he recognized his father standing next to Elwë and his brother Olwë and next to them was his father's friend Nowë. There were three women there and two other men that he did not recognize. But as he came up to them they began to wander off to their own business.

Nolmo turned to see his son approaching and embraced him, greeting him warmly, though he asked, "Where have you been, my son? I would have had it that you should listen to our proceedings that we may discuss the matters together later."

"I am sorry, father. I was away in the forest with Nellë. But I am here now."

"Indeed you are. And Nowë and I indeed have need of you if we are to be ready to leave with the others. Come. Let us return to what needs be done."

The three elves started off, returning along the path that Canyo had taken there, Nolmo in the lead and Nowë and Canyo following a few paces behind. As they walked Nowë turned and observed the boy beside him. He walked taller and more squarely than before. He seemed both grave and yet filled with new wonder. Already a respected leader among the people, Nowë was gifted at seeing the true nature of things that were. Something had changed within the boy and a bright spark was burning within him. It was wild and as yet unrefined, full of potential. But also perilous if left to burn at will.

He leaned in and speaking in a hushed voice said to Canyo, "Where is the boy that I saw but only a handful of hours before? He is gone, and in his place stands a young elf lord brave and bright. What has transpired with you that you walk beside me as one of far greater age than you carry?"

Canyo did not wish to speak of the wolf in detail or of the wishes that the Huntsman had ignited within him. At least he did not wish to speak of these things where his father might overhear. He was afraid of what is father would think of both of these circumstances.

But he replied to Nowë, "I met one in the woods and one here among our own that have done this to me. I will explain clearly more when the ears of my father are not nigh."

The older elf gave a bemused smile but said no more, respecting the boy's wishes and they continued on to Canyo's home which was next to Nowë's. Together they set about gathering what they would need for the journey-cloaks, water skins, and blankets. In a short while they were finished and Canyo helped Nowë prepare his own household for the Great Journey.

He ended those preparations by guiding Nowë's horse to drink and graze by the shoreline of Cuiviénen. He sat quietly with his knees to his chest on the soft sand, letting the waves gently lap across his bare toes. He looked up and stared deeply at the shining stars above. He became lost in thought about recent events—his sister's silly talking tree, the wolf, and meeting Oromë.

He hardly noticed when another elf approached also leading a horse to drink and feed. And only when the elf sat next to him did he realize that it was his father. They sat in silence for a long time simply listening to the sweet waters and gazing up into the perpetually sparkling midnight.

At length Nolmo said to his son, "Your sister spoke to me of what took place in the woods ere you arrived to help me at the Hall."

Canyo's heart skipped a beat. "She did? What did she say?"

"She told me everything—about your chase through the forest, about your concern that you both were too far from home, about the tree that she saw move, and also about the wolf that attacked you. Why did you say nothing of this to me?"

"I—I was afraid, father."

"Why were you afraid?"

"I was afraid that you would be angry with me for leading my sister into danger and for breaking the boundaries that you and mother set."

"You, who faced down a wolf, were afraid of my anger? You fear things in a strange order, my son. Yet I am pleased that you yet revere me enough to fear my discipline. And this I have to say about your conduct in the woods: You did not flout the boundaries that your mother and I have set out of mischief or rebellion. You sought to restrain your younger sister and to bring her home safely. I cannot be grieved at this in the slightest, my son."

Canyo looked up in surprise. His father wore a smile rather than an expression of sternness. "I am told you carry a trophy of your encounter with the beast. May I see it?"

Canyo nodded and pulled from the pouch the wolf tooth and handed it to his father. Nolmo held it up to the stars and examined it. Then shuddering he lowered his hand. His grey eyes were glassy with tears, which he blinked away. He pulled from his own pouch several chords of leather woven together forming a necklace. Humming deeply and thoughtfully to himself he drove a small metal eyelet into the base of the tooth and, placing a simple woodland adhesive with it, the two set into one piece. Then he threaded the tooth onto the leather chord. He placed the necklace over his son's head and clasped it behind his neck.

"You should wear this now—and proudly. You have earned this tooth. Yet my heart leaps sickeningly when I think of the wolf and what it might have done to you. It is for this reason precisely that you and Nellë should not stray far from the people. For though I believe the Great Shadow has passed away, there are as yet many other creatures in these lands who would do harm to the Elves given the chance. I would impress this upon you with gravity as the moral to be learned from this perilous encounter." He indicated the tooth necklace as a visual reminder.

"And I expect that you should likewise impress it most heavily upon your little sister. She is still young, only a whip of the beautiful willow she will grow to be, and she needs your guidance and protection."

"I am however very proud of your actions against the wolf. Many children would have fled and been slain or devoured. Yet you withstood its evil and ferocity. Your sister told me all. How you struck it and how you warned it proudly. Tell me though, son, what would you have done if the wolf had persisted in its attack?"

The spark within Canyo answered for him, "I would have killed it, father."

Nolmo's eyes flashed in surprise. "Would you have indeed, my son?"

Canyo nodded, "It was threatening Nellë. If I had to I would have clubbed in its skull. It was a wicked creature and deserved to die!"

Nolmo looked long and hard at his firstborn. Now he too saw the change that had been wrought within his child and he was both proud of the change and yet not entirely pleased with it. It seemed to him that the fire within his boy ran hot and wild and could easily burn all lest it was directed.

"Son, you are very brave and very proud. And I am grateful to Eru Illuvatar that you are, for it has brought both your sister and you home to me. Yet I am concerned of the wrath that still simmers within you. Violence is not a path for which the Firstborn were designed to tread, though I fear before the world's end we shall all be the doers of violent acts. And to kill another in wrath or to wish another's death in hate is a dark path indeed. Shun these thoughts in your heart, son. And flee the temptation and power they offer you. Certainly you should do what must be done when peril strikes and defend those who cannot defend themselves. But do not harbor dark enmity in your heart and let not your spirit indulge in hate and the love of violence. For if you do, it will draw you ever down a road that leads closer to the Great Shadow, and farther from your kin and me. Do you understand?"

Canyo nodded slowly and gravely. But in truth these were heavy words and he did not fully know what they meant. And he would often ponder them in the ages to come ever seeking the truth behind his father's words.

"Very well. We have let the horses have their fill. Let us return and rest. For soon we shall leave this place forever and follow Oromë on the Great Journey into the utter West."

They stood and together led the horses back towards the houses of the Elves.

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