A/N: WOW! Three reviews! I was going to wait until tomorrow to post Chapter Three but I don't think I can wait, my pen seems to have lost control and my notebook is now covered with random Cirdan notes! Here it is, Chapter Three, the last chapter! YAY! I am so proud of me. Thanks you guys for the THREE REVIEWS! You three made my day(s) and as my parents can testify I was skipping around the house with joy when I found out 'you like me, you really really like me!' Well, without further ado, here is chapter three: short, sweet, and somewhat fluffy. Nienna

Disclaimer: You've heard it before. I-DON'T-OWN-THEM! I tried to change my last name to Tolkien, but I was told that wouldn't make them mine either. *SIGH*

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Guardian of the Havens

By Nienna

Chapter Three: Guarding

'To the Sea, to the Sea! The white gulls are crying,
The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying.
West, West away, the round sun is falling.
Grey ship, grey ship, do you hear them calling,
The voices of my people that have gone before me?...'

The Sea.

As I stir from my distant memories I hear the sea calling. The sun peacefully sets and casts its beautiful glow across the water. I slip off my shoes and walk slowly into the water. Its gentle coolness laps my ankles. Oh, the Sea!

My mind begins to wander again and I imagine myself once again at sail. I see myself heading towards Tol Eressea, land of the elves. How my heart cries to set sail!

Suddenly I hear a familiar laugh behind me. I turn around to see my Aranel, my princess, springing towards m with her shoes thrown on the ground. She splashed into the water beside me. "Father, what are you doing out here?" she asks.

"Thinking," I say as I put my arm around her. "Remembering."

"Remembering what?" asks my curious daughter.

"Of many things," I say. "Of Gil-galad and the Last Alliance, of the Istari, of the Rings of Power, and of their bearers."

"They are gone," whispers Aranel beside me, so quietly I can barely here her.
"Yes, they are gone."

"Why didn't you go, too?"

I pause. The question that had bothered me since the ship set sail this morning had been voiced. Why didn't I go? Why did I stay here? Why do I come up here everyday and think about my ever-growing desire for the Sea, and yet I do nothing about it. What is holding me back?

"I don't know, Aranel," I say softly. "I do not yet know."

"Well, you'll find out someday, I'm sure," says Aranel. She turns around and steps out of the cool water. "It's getting late. The sun is setting, and as beautiful as it is I'm going to walk home while it's still light enough to see."

"I'll follow soon," I say to Aranel.

"I'll follow soon," I say to the Sea.

But then again, maybe I won't.

I am the Guardian of the Havens. I have, and will, guard this place, which I love. I have, and will, guard the Sea, which I love. I have, and will, guard my daughter, which I love above all things.

I have guarded the Red Ring Narya, but that is unimportant now.

And maybe someday I will set sail.

But not yet. Not yet.

Fini

A/N: Wow, my first fic and it's done in two days, three chapters, and not that many words but that's okay. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and thanks to everyone who will review this chapter (if there are any at all!) So that leaves the next category for me to tackle: Romance. Excuse me while I do research on how NOT to write a Mary-Sue.

It's been fun, Nienna