CHAPTER VII
ERIOL

Aragorn woke up the next day. He looked out and saw the sunshine shining through the city. It was a beautiful day. But it would be a busy one, for he was going to meet Eriol, the mariner that would guide the Guardians to Numenor. He would also have to pack for another big trip. He was glad to go so it would be sooner 'til he got back to his home in Gondor, but he knew that when he left, it would be a huge struggle with Morgoth's forces. But he ignored that fact, got dressed, ate in the cafeteria, and went to the shipyards, where he saw Lindo. All the other Guardians were there, and there was a weatherworn man with the Gondorian Ranger symbol on his shirt. He reminded Aragorn of himself when he was Strider.

"Guardians", said Lindo, "this is Eriol, a Gondorian mariner who will help you get to Numenor safely. He is honored by the elves, and is most pleased to help out".

"I am honored to help the ones destined to save Middle-Earth", said Eriol. "Lindo showed you the passage, and I will guide you there on my ship, the Lucky Dragon. Uin the whale will guide the elven, dwarvish, and Gondorian armies to our destination. Once we get our armies ready, we will march through the forest for three days. Then, we will reach Angbarad.

"It won't be that easy", said Sam, "won't there be orcs, trolls, and other bad omen?"

"They won't see us in the forest", said Eriol, "but once we reach Angbarad, that's when the trouble will start, but I have a plan. The elvish and dwarfish armies will hold their army, and the guardians and the Gondorian armies will pass around them and break into the fortress. Once there, the Gondorians will keep the forces of darkness busy, while the guardians break Frodo out and, if possible, take as many Silmarils as you can".

"You aren't 100% sure about this plan", said Beregond. "What if it fails, then what must we do".

"It won't fail", said Gandalf. "And if it does, all hope is lost for Middle Earth."

"And I'll make sure that hope lives on", said Ulmo, and he sprayed the ships and the guardians with a mist that came out of his palms. "A little blessing for your trip."

"What are we waiting for?", said Gimli, "let's get packing!" Then everyone started to pack. A couple of days later, everyone was ready. The guardians were getting on their boats. Then Glannus came running up to Legolas, who was about to get on the ship.

"Legolas!", said Arwen, "promise me that you'll be safe!"

"Why are you so worried!", asked Legolas.

"Because I love you", said Glannus, who kissed him. Then he knew that she was really in love with him, and he knew he had to return.

"All aboard!", said Eriol, and Legolas jumped on the boat. He waved good bye to her as the boat arose to the earth and set sail for Numenor."

A few days later, the ship landed on Numenor. They set up camp, and right as Sam was going to serve Hobbit potpie to the group, a hoard of Elvish, Dwarvish, and Gondorian ships came in. Faramir led the Men, Elrond led the Elves, and Thorin III, king of the Dwarves, led the dwarves. All the guardians went to see them, except for Sam, who was dishing up the potpie.

"Well", said Aragorn, "it's nice to see you again, Faramir". Then Eowyn ran up to her husband and kissed him.

"It's nice to see you all", said Faramir. "I smell battle and evil in the air, and my men are excited for the battle. But I am not, for I sense it will be a bloody, foul battle."

"So do I", said Elrond. "My men, on the other hand, are worried. They know how dangerous and hopeless this is."

"Nothing is hopeless", said Legolas. "You knew there was hope during the War of the Ring. Now how about now? Do you feel different for the threat isn't that great yet?"

"This proves how strangely the elves think", said Thorin III. "The threat is huge. Death is upon us all, but we, the dwarves, are strong. We can laugh in the eye of Morgoth, not like the whimpy elves."

"Don't call the elves whimpy", said Gimli, "for my best friend is an elf, and I'm proud of it."

"Well", said Elrond, "that's nice to hear from a dwarf."

"I don't mean to interrupt", said Eriol, "but I have explored this area very well, so may I lead the armies through the forest, for I also intend to fight."

"I totally agree with that", said Elrond, "do all of you?" And Faramir and Thorin III nodded their heads, and Gandalf came up to them.

"This is going to get very interesting", said Gandalf, "for it will not end here. It will begin here. The Assault at Tiron was a mere show-off of power. It cannot end here, even if we destroy Angbarad and get the Silmarils, for we cannot destroy Morgoth without the Titans."

"Lets try to have our last moments of peace not be so ho-hummy", said Sam. "Anyone want Pot Pie. Then everyone went and chowed down.