Chapter IV: Departure for Middle-earth

The morning after, they awoke and found the sun already high in the sky. They had their breakfast together, in Nerwen's bedchamber, and then Calion took his leave with a last, long kiss.

When the Vanya left Yavanna's palace, his face was sad; he had always known that their association would end eventually, even if he didn't expect it this way. He thought that, one day, the one or the other would find his or her soul mate and would end their relationship. Nerwen going only the Valar knew where embittered him. He would have much more preferred she found her spouse: even if he didn't love her that way, he felt true affection for her and wished her sincerely to be happy.

Then a thought struck him: perhaps Nerwen would find her life partner during this same journey.

That thought, somehow, comforted him and his sadness was soothed, even if it wouldn't disappear completely for a long time.

OOO

Unseen, Nerwen watched Calion leaving the palace; she, too, felt his same sadness for the long separation awaiting them, which would perhaps last forever. Her Second Sight – the ability of her race to peep at flashes in the future – wasn't of any use, in this moment, because it didn't show up by command, and therefore she had no possibility to glimpse at something whenever she wished. Usually it arrived in the most unexpected, sometimes even inopportune, moments, without warning; and often what she peeped at was so enigmatic that it was of no use until it happened. This was anyway for the best, otherwise a too precise knowledge of the future would influence her and those who surrounded her in a way that could be dangerous or harmful; but in this moment, Nerwen wished like never before to be able to see through the veil.

OOO

Later, the Istar went to Yavanna to take her leave. She was about to make a curtsey in front of the Valië, but the latter hugged her.

"Each and every olvar and kelvar in Endorë, unless fallen under the Shadow, will be your ally and supporter", whispered Yavanna, "And you'll have the friendship and respect of the Dwarves opposing Sauron, because you're a follower of Kementári, spouse of Aulë, whom they call Mahal. In this regard, I bring you a gift from my husband: the knowledge of Khuzdul, their language."

Yavanna took Nerwen's head in her hands; the Istar closed her eyes and felt a great, agreeable warmth somewhere inside her skull, where her Mistress was transferring the knowledge of that language directly in her mind, sending it to join the many others she already knew.

"And now I'll create the telepathic bond between our minds", Yavanna went on, continuing to keep her fingers on her temples, "so we'll be able to communicate across the incommensurable space separating us."

Again, the sensation of pleasurable warmth in her brain, this time in a different area. Behind the black screen of her eyelids, Nerwen saw the image of a small door. She was wondering about it, when she heard a knock, so she imagined opening it, and in front of her there was Yavanna, smiling.

You will perceive this way a possible contact request of mine, the Valië explained, and in the same way, I will perceive one of yours.

I see, Nerwen thought in answer.

Yavanna drew away from her disciple, both mentally and physically, and looked in her eyes. Her attitude changed subtly, going from friendly to solemn.

"Now you are ready to leave, Laiheri", she said, "An arduous task awaits you, but you have all the capabilities to carry it out."

"I thank you, my Lady Kementári", Nerwen answered with the same solemnity, "In this mission I will put all my heart, mind and soul", she concluded, using the traditional formula.

"One last thing", said Yavanna gravely, "I have been authorized to reveal to you who the Keepers of the Three Elven Rings are, so that you'll be able to collaborate with them. You have the advantage that you already know them all, so they will have no reason to distrust you. Thanks to the power of their Rings, they will recognise your true nature: only they will be aware of it, besides the other Istari."

Nerwen took a deep breath, struck: the identity of these three persons was a secret known only by the Valar, the Istari – which she was now part of – and the Keepers themselves. Again, the awareness of the enormous importance of the mission she had been entrusted with struck her. However, it didn't overwhelm her: as Yavanna had just stated, she was capable to bear its weight.

"Narya, the Ring of Fire, was entrusted to Círdan, Lord of the Grey Havens", the Valië told her, "but he gave it to your friend Olórin, who in Endorë is known with the name of Mithrandir, and also Gandalf the Grey. Nenya, the Ring of Water, is in Galadriel's keeping in Lothlórien; and finally Vilya, the Ring of Air, is kept at Imladris by Elrond, the descendant of your sister Melian."

"I'm in very good terms with all of them", Nerwen mused, glad of it, "As you said, this is to the advantage of collaboration."

Yavanna nodded, then kissed her brow.

"Leave accompanied by my personal blessing", she said, "May the road rise to meet you."

Nerwen bowed her head, accepting the blessing, then she turned and exited. She headed for the stables, where she found Silmelotë already saddled and ready to leave.

"We go to Alqualondë", she announced her, caressing the silken muzzle of the Chargeress, "And then we'll cross Belegaer and go to Endorë. I'm afraid we'll be away from Aman for a long, long time."

Silmelotë snorted and shook her head.

I'll miss my land, she told to her, but the important thing is, we're together, my friend.

Nerwen tapped her on the neck to show her gratitude, then she mounted; she nodded a goodbye to the young groom she met the day before, who had taken care of the Chargeress, then left Yavanna's palace and exited Valimar from the southern gate, this time toward the Calacirya, the Cleft of Light. She still remembered the time when the light of the Two Trees shone through it toward the dwellings of the Teleri on the sea; but in this occasion, she wouldn't pass through the deep gorge in the Pelóri, because a nearby Passage brought directly to the Swan-haven, otherwise a journey of over one day far.

Two hours later, the Maia was trotting over the paved streets of the main town of the Teleri on the shores of Belegaer. When she arrived at the haven, she headed for the harbourmaster, where Tasarion the Ship Marshal, a Teler with a long black mane braided in the way mariners used to, welcomed her.

"I was waiting for you, Laiheri", he told her, bowing and addressing her formally, "By order of Yavanna, we have prepared a ship for you, the Telpewinga. (*) She's in command of captain Soronwen, the best sailoress I know."

What a beautiful name for a ship, Nerwen thought.

"Thank you, Marshal Tasarion. I will go immediately on board; I would like to leave as soon as possible."

"Sure. I accompany you."

Shortly after, guiding Silmelotë by the bridles, Nerwen was getting on the white ship, a small twin-masted, slender vessel. Seeing Tasarion with her, the sailor on watch sent immediately for the captain, who arrived just a few minutes later.

"Welcome on board of the Telpewinga", the Teler greeted Nerwen with a bow, like earlier the harbourmaster, "We have a cabin prepared for you, and a shelter for you mount. We're ready to sail anytime, as soon as the tide will be favourable."

"Very well, captain", Nerwen said, entrusting the bridles of the mare to a mariner who had stepped forward, "Go with him, my good friend", she exhorted her, "He will take you to your shelter."

Silmelotë didn't protest, her ears down and a lost attitude: she had never been aboard a ship and didn't appreciate it much. She addressed a gaze to her friend, looking for reassurance, and having received a smile and a caress, she quietly let the sailor take her away.

"Superb animal", said Soronwen, admired, "A Chargeress, right?"

"Exactly", Nerwen confirmed, "When she'll be settled, I'll go down to visit her, she's not comfortable."

"No horse is, when it goes aboard a ship for the first time", the captain said, nodding sympathetically, "but once she'll get used to the movement of the waves, she shouldn't have any problems."

"Thank you for accompanying me, Marshal", the Maia said, turning to Tasarion, "May the stars shine upon your path", she bid him farewell, with her typical parting formula.

"May the Valar accompany you, Laiheri", the tall Teler took his leave, bowing again, "And you and your crew, too, captain Soronwen", he added with a nod.

Taking Nerwen to her cabin, Soronwen commented in a casual way:

"It's been a long time since any ship set sail for Endorë: I had a hard time to find the required navigational charts…"

Clearly, the reason of her journey intrigued her, but she had not the gall to ask directly explanations to someone who was evidently undertaking a mission on behalf of a Valië. Nor Nerwen intended to give her any of it; however, it was useless to deny that there was a very important reason.

" I see", she nodded therefore, "Luckily you found them: mine is not a pleasure trip like in the ancient times, when I went to visit my sister Melian in Doriath. Your ability in sailing will be a contribution, maybe small but important, to the task I am going to face, and for this I am grateful to you."

Soronwen bowed her head accepting her appreciation; she didn't investigate any longer, realising it was a classified matter.

OOO

They set sail at noon; they coasted Tol Eressëa, the great island in front of the Bay of Eldamar, and the day after they passed the chain of the Enchanted Isles, which no mortal could cross if not by special leave of the Valar.

The journey continued with no trouble for several days, until in a certain place, in the middle of Belegaer, they abandoned the Straight Road to venture into the Rounded World, location of Endorë and once also of Aman, before Arda was changed.

OOO

Many days passed, and finally they arrived to the point where they could see the shores of Endorë. Soronwen's ability in sailing was so great, they arrived directly in the Gulf of Lune, at the bottom of which the Grey Havens stood, dwelling of Cìrdan, called the Shipwright, who had welcomed all the Istari when, one or two at a time, they had arrived on the Hither Shore, so many years ago.

It was Mid-Year's Day (**) of the year 2940 of the Third Age, according to the reckoning of Middle-earth.

(*) Quenya for Silver Spray

(**) First Lithe, Mid-Year's Day and Second Lithe are three consecutive days that don't belong to any month, set between June and July.

OOO

Author's corner:

With this chapter, the introductive part of this fan fiction has ended: Nerwen's mission is about to begin. Many adventures await her, unexpected meetings, strong emotions, dangers, joys and losses; she will renew old friendships and acquaintances, meet new friends, and face old and new enemies…

Did I intrigue you? I hope so! XD

I hope that after reading you'll be so kind to leave me a comment, even just a few words of encouragement; also the highlight of oversights and mistakes is welcome, and the constructive criticism is good, too. Thank you in advance!

Lady Angel