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Nine great ships sailed out of Romenna harbor. People had come from most part of Numenor to say goodbye to their sons. Herucalmo was also there and waved goodbye to his son Alcarin and grandson Calmacil.
Around the King House there were quite. Vanimelde was sitting in front of a mirror in her private quarters. A child played on the floor close to her.
A maid entered and said; "there is a man to see the Queen!"
"A man? Here? Who is he?" The queen said surprised. It was highly unusual at that anyone except her closest family would visit her here.
"He said his name was Vorondur of Andunie;" the maid replied.
Vanimelde knew who he was, but she was still surprised that he would come there.
"Let him in;" she ordered.
Vorondur entered and bowed in front of the Queen. He immediately notice the child on the floor.
"This is Gimilzagar, the youngest child of Calmacil. I persuaded Calmacil to let his children stay at home while he is away with Alcarin. However, tell me, prince of Andunie, why have you not left with Alcarin to seek adventures in Middle Earth?"
Vorondur said; "I have already been there, my lady. However not to seek adventures but to seek friendships."
Vanimelde asked; "and did you find it?"
Vorondur said; "I did, my lady, and this is why I am here. My father tells me that you are not often attending the council meetings; he had hoped you were there at Erulaitale after Alcarin left, but you were not, so he send me here to give you this."
He handed forward the letter from Gil-Galad.
Vanimelde looked at it, but did not attempt to take it; "I know what it is and what it states, Herucalmo told me."
Vorondur said; "And your answer, my lady?"
Tar-Vanimelde said; "The letter is for you not me, young Vorondur. I am old and I have lost, but you are young, you and the people of Andunie can save Numenor."
Vorondur was in shock; "My lady, you are our Queen!" He shouted.
Vanimelde looked at him with pity; "Ancalime knew, her mother told her that men would eventually return to war when they discovered Middle Earth; Telperien knew, the witch in the forest told her that men would grow proud and greedy after their victories; and I know that the Numenoreans will eventually become what they fight. I cannot change this now. We were only three women to rule, if we had been more or the line of Silmarien had ruled, the faith of Numenor would have been different.
Vanimelde turned around and looked into the mirror again.
Vorondur stood along time, unable to find word. Then he looked at the floor. The young Gimilzagar looked at him. Then he started to laugh. It could had been the laugh of an innocent child, but Vorondur saw it as a devious grin.
Vanimelde never left her quarters since. Two years after as the winter came she was found dead in her bed.
In Umbar, Alcarin, Calmacil and other Numenoreans were surprised to see a ship approaching during the mid of the winter. They recognized the ship as the only Numenorean ship they had left behind in Romenna.
Alcarin and Calmacil received the captain of the ship in the Commanders residence in the Harbor.
The captain said; "I bring sad news from Numenor. Our Queen Vanimelde has passed away!"
He handed forward a letter to Alcarin.
Alcarin read loud; "My dear son. I am sadden to inform you the passing of my out mother. Since you left her, she has been living in solitude in her quarters, asking me to rule Numenor. I have taken this task upon me. She has been buried in Noirinan before the snow came. Of course, you could not attend this, but I hope to see you to my crowning at Erukyerme. I believe you will be able to return for that. Your father and King Tar-Anducal!"
"Tar-Anducal!" Calmacil shouted; "You are the King's Heir!"
Alcarin did not speak. He look out at the sea.
After a while, Calmacil calmed himself. He said; "father, you have the fleet here, and twenty thousand loyal men, you should sail home and claim what is yours."
Alcarin shouted; "Civil war! Against my father! Do you think I want to go down in history as the one who brought war to Numenor?"
Now Alcarin calmed himself; "My father is old; he time will come soon. I did not expect my mother to die at only three-hundred-sixty; I shall allow him this, but take no command from him."
Calmacil said; "You can go, but I stay!"
Alcarin said; "I will return home to my family, maybe you should reconsider. You have a family too."
Calmacil repeated; "I stay! When grandfather is dead and if there is a seat in the council for me, I will return.
Alcarin said; "That has yet to be determined."
After Alcarin had left Umbar, Calmacil gathered his generals.
He said to them; "You know me and what I am. I will bring glory and wealth to you all if I become king after my father. Use you influence; so whenever you are come, make your council member aware of the weakness of the former rulers of Numenor and the strength of me. So, when the time come I will become heir. When I become King, I will make sure that no woman will ever again become ruler of Numenor. No woman shall be allowed in the council and none shall command a ship or any soldier."
The general all lifted their glasses; "To Ar-Belzagar!" They shouted.