Círdan sat on the edge of the boat, supervising the loading of the cargo that he had come to collect. He idly swung his feet, gently tapping the side of the boat with his boots, as the last case was loaded and secured. He knew it would be some time till Gil-Galad and his elfling returned but the cargo exchange had gone smoothly and was now safely on board.

He watched as a few of his crew played on the shore like elflings, he didn't begrudge them this respite and the fun they were having, knowing that they were soon to be sailing once again and they would not be on land again for some time.

"My Lord, look!" one of the elves called

Círdan glanced up at the cliffs that surrounded the cove; he knew instantly that it was Gil-Galad, Aiya! He is moving at a great speed, something is amiss, he thought as he jumped down from the side of the boat into the shallow water, and moved to stand by his second in command, who was also watching Gil-galad's progress along the cliffs.

"Why is he not slowing? Surely he is not thinking of riding down the coastal path!"

"He is already on the coastal path, My Lord, and that is Glorfindel on Asfaloth behind him" the elf replied "the Valar keep the horses' footing!"

"Aye indeed, why are they taking such a risk! Are they being followed?" Círdan hissed

"Not that I can see, My Lord"

All of the elven crew now stood as if spellbound, watching with bated breath as the two horses made their way down the precarious path.

"Lord Gil-Galad carries a large bundle," one of the elves said as they drew closer.

Círdan looked about, his eyes coming to rest on the gangplank that had been removed from the side of the boat during the play the crew had been engaging in. At this moment Gil-Galad arrived on the beach and showed no sign of slowing.

Círdan shouted out a hasty order "Get the gangplank up, they are not going to stop, HURRY!"

Gil-Galad was ready to stop, but he didn't intend to unless he had to.

Five elves jumped from the deck of the boat and Círdan himself ran forward to get the bulky plank lifted. The plank clicked into place as Alagos's (Storm's) front hooves hit it, Asfaloth slowed slightly, then followed suit, stopping abruptly before colliding with Alagos on the cramped deck.

Círdan shook his head in disapproval as he came along side Gil-galad's horse, "Ereinion Gil-Galad! I hope you have a good reason for putting hoof prints on my deck!"

"Círdan please" Gil-Galad looked directly into his mentor's clear blue eyes, "please get us to Balar as fast as Lord Ulmo will allow"

"What has happened Gil, and what are you concealing there?" Círdan questioned.

"Cast off Círdan and I will tell you all you wish to know"

Círdan frowned, but then shrugged and gave the order to get the boat underway.

"Well?" Círdan demanded with his hands on his hips and a questioning glare.

Glorfindel arrived at Gil-galad's side and gently took the bundle from him so he could dismount, as Glorfindel took the elfling from the Elf Lord, wrapped securely in the Lord's own cloak, a limp hand fell from beneath the cloak and Círdan raised an eyebrow in question.

"Show him" Gil-Galad said quietly, Glorfindel inclined his head and turned towards Círdan. Gently pulling the cloak revealed the ashen face of the injured elfling.

Círdan started in shock, "Elbereth Gil! What happened to him? Who is he? Take him below deck to my cabin Glorfindel and I'll have Rosuil take a look at him"

"We don't know, and we don't know are the answers to your questions" Gil-Galad replied as he took the saddle off of Alagos's back, Alagos snorted contentedly, which earned him a pat on the neck, and Gil-Galad handed the brush in his hand to one of the deck hands to finish rubbing his stead down.

"Come now, you can't go around abducting elflings! His family must be worried sick," Círdan chastised

Gil-Galad gave him a look filled with sadness, "you weren't there Círdan, he was utterly alone and unconscious, twenty leagues from the nearest elven homes, he would have been dead within the day" Gil-Galad sighed, "he may still die but I will do everything within my power to see that he does not. When we know who he is we can contact his family, until then I will take care of him"

"Rosuil, join us, we need your healing skills" Círdan called. A silver haired elf nodded his head and jumped down to the deck. He followed his Captain and Gil-Galad below.