712

The royal family of Numenor were together in the King House in the capital Armenelos to celebrate the birth of the second child of Irimon and Almarian, a daughter.

Anardil was twelve years old. He had been the one who had given his sister the name of Ailinel.

Veantur gave a toast. He was old and used a cane to walk.

"I welcome a girl to our family. I foresee that when she grow up, she will put Oiolaire on the ship of her brother!"

Anardil loved his old grandfather. He asked when Ailinel would be old enough for such a task.

Veantur said; "I have live a long life, longer than expected for a person not in the line of Elros. I believe my life was extended so I could present my grandson with the gift of sea travel. I have kept Numerramar for this purpose."

Anardil asked Veantur if he would take him on a sea journey. Veantur did not answers but smiled and looked at Irimon.

Irimon needed to think about his answer. He knew that Veantur were keen to take his son on a travel.

However, Almarian answered before her husband. She was holding her newborn.

"When Anardil becomes thirty. He can enter the service of the King. At that time he can decide if he want to serve the Kings Captain."

Tar-Elendil said, "Well spoken, Almarian!"

"You will have to be patient, my young adventurer!" he ended looking at his grandson.

Veantur was disappointed. "I might not be alive, when that day comes." He said so low that only he and Irimon could hear.

Veantur approached Irimon, "I have a request! To show my grandchild Numerramar. We will not leave Numenor, but circumnavigate our island. These waters are peaceful and no harm will come to us, and Anardil will see all the capes of Numenor. My men at Numerramar will take good care of him."

Irimon answered with a smile, "You helped me to become the kings Heir, and you have never requested anything of me in return. This request I grant you as well as two more!"

Thus, Veantur took Anardil on the journey around Numenor. From the deck of Numerramar, he saw the high cliffs of Forostar and the Mountain Sorontil.

When they came to the border between Forostar and Andustar, Veantur pointed into the landscape.

"Not far into the land, is the city of Ondosto", he said.

Anardil said; "There my aunt Isilme lives with her family!"

Veantur said; "yes! However we will not go there!"

Later they passed the Bay of Andunie. Veantur also pointed this out to Anardil.

Anardil said; "There my aunt Silmarien lives with her family!"

Veantur said; "yes! However we will not go there either!"

As Numerramar passed over the Bay of Eldanna, they shortly lost sight of the coastline. Veantur told Anardil about the ban of the Valar, but as Numerramar was not sailing westwards from the island, but sailing south over a bay. He believed this would not be a violation of the ban.

"Is it like this at the ocean to the east?" Anardil asked.

"Yes!" Said Veantur, "Except that these waters are always calm! Here I would like my hroa to rest."

Numerramar rounded the cape of Hyarnustar and sailed directly east. Veantur was delighted by Anardils interest for the sea. In his mind, he already knew what his second request to Irimon would be.