The coast that was once covered with the huts of vagabonds and exiles now rose up in gray stone and was carved out of the very cliffs that surrounded the havens of Cirdan's realm, thus it came to be known as Mithlond, the gray havens. And its towers rose tall and its fortifications stood proudly against the beatings of the sea, it is there that the two friends increased their bond. Working among the stone, Alphindil taught much of Noldor handicraft to his friend and rejoiced to see him taking a liking to it, especially in the making of jewels and silver. Though apprehensive at first in learning the craft of the kin-slayers Celebrin could not satiate the lust for learning his friend gave him a trait that all elves held regardless of cultural divide. And they would walk through the streets of Mithlond, giving hope to they who struggled with such divides, for not many would forget the attack upon the Bay of Balar, that sundered the houses of Finwe. Yet their relationship did not surround the ways of the teacher and the student. For in as much as Celebrin learned of stone and jewel work, he taught as much, of the herb lore of his woodland kin and the making of instruments of wood and shell, a craft learned at a young age. It was then that rumor grew of the great continent of Numenor, the kingdom of men at the height of its glory, and the name Aldarion became known to all in Mithlond. Yet rumor more terrible grew of the shadow that had begun to multiply in the east, and more woodland folk came to the shores of Mithlond from the long established realm of Eregion, masses speaking of the deciever in the very courts of the Lord and Lady. Such rumors Celebrin refused to believe, for how could lords as wise as Galadriel and Celeborn accept such a person into their domain, knowing full well his malice and content for the Eldar. Then one night, while Alphindil stood guard over the walls of Mithlond he saw a dark shadowed cloud fill in the far east and to the south, a fire great and unimaginable clouded the stars of that land with its blackness. And upon the moors of the Valley of Lindon he saw riders dressed in silver mail and bearing the banner of the King Gil-galad, along with another dressed in a black cloak, almost invisible to the unaware eye. They were received at the gate and one of them dressed in silver mail came to him and said "Gaereledh, lead us to the lord Cirdan." At the mention of his mother-name, he stood agape and and bowed to him and quickly led them to the hall of the Lord Cirdan, who stood waiting with the door opened allowing the warmth of its fire to emminate from the opening and light the dark night. When the travelers had entered he was bided to stay and after their council lead them to freshly prepared quarters. When the travelers had no need of him for that time he took his place beside Celebrin, who stood amongst the kindred of Cirdan, dressed in naught but a robe hastingly put on and without properly braided hair, apparently woken up from sleep. The sight made him giggle, and with a look of mutual light air, Celebrin went beside his friend and whispered to him, "Perhaps you know as to why I have been awakened from the dream world?"

"That reason I do not know...I thought you only slept at dusk and awakend to the stars."

"It was a long day, yours will be short if you do not stop laughing at me."

This jest did not surprise Alphindil, it was common for them to mock- threaten each other. He would have responded similarily yet a traveler began to speak and removed his cloak to reveal Elrond Half-elven, a sight that had become common in Mithlond as he was the personal knight of Gil- galad.

"My lord Cirdan, most trusted advisor of my lord Erenion, High King of the Noldor, I thank you for seeing me upon such short notice. Yet I fear I have evil news from my King and from the Lady Galadriel of Eregion if indeed it still stands this night."

"Such short noticed is not needed for you Peredhel, tell me this news, for I fear that it may be truth rather than dreams that awoke me at this hour to your coming."

"I know not the full tale, yet a traveler from Eregion seeks you out, a Noldor who calls himself of the Mirdain."

At the mention of this name Cirdan stood and gazed at the traveler in black, who upon removing his cloak stood indeed to be known as Noldor, yet not known to the Lord or any of the hall. He came up to the level of Elrond and spoke gravely.

"My lord Cirdan, I bring word from Eregion, Sauron the deceiver has begun his attack upon the realm of Celebrimor, who now lies dead in the smiths of his kingdom. The land is besieged by fire and orcs, and now Celeborn of Doriath leads the armies of the Noldor, or at least that was my last sight of that land. He has brought forth great worms, and shadow figures that seek to bring fear to the hearts of the soliders. These creatures are unknown to us, for they ride in a lightless black that seems to show no color at all, and they scream as if they are in pain, yet they cause many of our people to die in their quake."

Cirdan stood motionless as he heard this, seeking the paths of his mind that only and Eldar as ancient as he was could trod.

"Traveler, this news affects us all deeply for we are on the onset of war, a war that I fear was never ended. Yet this news should be sent to Erenion, not I. Peredhel has some malice come upon the High King?" "It has not my lord, this traveler indeed came to Lindon before we brought him here. The High King Erenion has declared that all available troops be deployed form Mithlond to stay the attack that now heads to your Lands. Legions from all over Lindon have been ordered to arm for battle. Yet this traveler also bears a package as well as a message from Celeborn of Doriath."

The traveler took from his dark cloak a small wooden box that was richly carved yet locked with a mithril clasp, presenting it to Cirdan he spoke,

"These words are from Celeborn, now leader of the armies of Eregion, and Galadriel of the house of Fingon, ' Cirdan, Lord of Mithlond, we send you these gifts that only you know of, to keep them safe from the forces that darken our lands with flame and malice. We beseech you prepare a ship lest we fail and take these precious things upon it and sail to the west, safe from the malice that seeks them. You must not suffer any to open their incasing; the reason is known to you, keep them secret and safe. ' and from my lord Erenion, ' Seek the power of men, and bid them come to our aid, by the swiftest road of the sea."

The traveler silenced himself and bowed to Cirdan, who took the box and with a bow of release he left the hall with it and was not seen for a long time after. Alphindil left the side of his friend and escorted the travelers to the lodgings in the center of the city. The twain did not speak the rest of that night. And days passed as all the garrisons of Mithlond that could be spared were ordered to prepare to join the battles and the armies of Erenion Gil-galad.