In the Hall's of the Elven King Chapter 38
Tauriel scoured that tome countless times in the weeks before sailing. She hounded Calenor for other books, treatises, whatever he could find that made any mention of the Halls of Aulë, the fate of the Dwarves at the Final Battle. There wasn't much more that he could find.
But any scrap of knowledge could help.
The ship was almost ready.
She stayed in the library, late into the last few nights, copying all the relevant passages so she could have them with her.
It was at Cirdan's suggestion. He had come to her a few days before.
"How does the research go, Tauriel?"
She looked up from the parchment in her hands. "Not much more, really. Some passages relevant to Nogrod and Belegost. Customs and cultural differences more than anything. Still relevant, I think. To give me a clearer picture?"
Cirdan nodded. "Anything you think is relevant likely is." He slid a dark brown, leather-bound book towards her.
"What did you find?" Tauriel asked, reaching for it eagerly.
He shook his head. "I didn't find anything new. I thought you might want to copy down some of the passages—particularly the ones from that treatise that Calenor found for you."
Tauriel opened the book and found the pages blank. "Thank you, Cirdan. Being able to reread it all, in one place, will be far better than just relying on my memory."
She spent her last days before her departure in the library, transcribing the passages into her own book, searing them into her memory.
The book would be something to occupy her during the voyage.
Cirdan had been uncharacteristically vague about the trip itself. He had mentioned securing provisions and water supply for the ship but had remained evasive as to the timeframe for her travel across the sea.
She had asked Calenor. She had questioned both Hithaeron and Duinenor. Each one of them had offered only ambiguous responses.
They had not traveled The Straight Road. Perhaps even they did not know what the voyage entailed.
That did not bring her comfort.
But there was no other alternative. If she was going to seek Kili out, if she was going to follow the unfulfilled vow of the runestone—then her only clear path was across the sea.
At the evening meal Cirdan noted the clear skies and ambient weather were ideal for the voyage. The end of the week was approaching and he told Tauriel to be ready to depart by then.
It was imminent; only two days left to her in Mithlond.
Her satchel was packed. The markets of the Havens had provided spare clothing and supplies for the voyage and beyond.
She had been on boats before. The small ones they used to travel up and down the Forest River. The barges that went to Lake Town. The larger boats that traversed the lake itself.
But this was going to be unlike those experiences. The open sea. The sight, the vastness of it, even the scent—all so unfamiliar. Would the stars even look the same, on the other side of the world?
She found herself wandering the harbor, gazing at the tall ships and the artistry that had gone into creating them. Tall masts, billowing sails, delicately carved and painted prows and bows. The ships themselves were works of art, even though they were built for one purpose, one voyage.
The voyage itself was a mystery as was what lay beyond the sea.
Would her parents be there? Or would they still be in the Halls of Mandos? The thought of seeing them again made her heart beat faster and her chest tighten.
It had been so long. She could see their faces—the way her father's eyes would light up when he gazed at her mother. The feel of her mother's fingers braiding her hair. Her father's hands over her own as he taught her how to use a bow. His strong arms around her when he would hold her and tell her stories in the night.
The sound of his voice the last time he spoke to her.
She gazed out at the sea, looking to the West, the soft breeze stirring her hair. What would she find on that other shore?
sorry it's been FOREVER since I last posted. Real life, surgery, a hand injury (again) and limited writing/typing capability. Shorter chapter this time but we are finally at the point of transition to what lies beyond for Tauriel.