1503

A Noldo elf came to see Celebrimbor in Ost-in-Edhil. Celebrimbor was surrounded by the Gwaith-i-Mirdain. All inhabitants of Eregion were present, but only one elf had seen the Noldo before.

The elf said; "I am Sultar, servant of the Great King Gil-Galad!"

He looked around in the room, and his eyes fell on Annatar. Looking at him, he continued.

"I wish to speak with you in solitude!"

Celebrimbor looked at his visitor.

"Do as he ask!" he ordered and the elves left the room.

Annatar was the last to leave. His eyes met Sultar, and he bowed shortly.

Sultar walked Annatar to the door and ensured it was closed. Then he walked back to Celebrimbor.

"My master the Great King of the Noldor has doubt about the intensions of the Great Celebrimbor, and those that follow him, especially the person, who called himself Annatar;" Sultar said.

Celebrimbor did not answer.

"Master Elrond, who has the gift of foresight, foresee a dark future for Eriador;" Sultar continued.

Celebrimbor then said; "That could be, my work here is almost done!"

Sultar continued; "Be aware of Annatar! Master Cirdan is sure that he has never been on a ship from the west.

Celebrimbor then said; "Tell your master this, that Annatar will never put his hand on anything that is created here, and I will never share my secret of creation with him.""

Sultar bowed and said; "We will hope that this is enough then!". He then left Eregion.

That year a ship came from the west to Numenor. The people of Eldalonde cheered as is approached the harbour.

Isilmo and his family was among those who witness the arrival. Ten elves went ashore in Eldalonde.

Isilmos house lay high in the town. They could easily see the elves, but his oldest son wanted to get closer to them.

"Can I run to them father?" He said.

"Yes, Numendil, you can;" Isilmo answered, and Numendil ran against the harbour.

In earlier days, there would often be servants of the King in Eldalonde to be ready to escort the elves to the capital. However, it had been so many years since the elves had visited Numenor and there were no one to escort them.

Numendil joined the many children surrounding the elves. He was twenty-nine years old and among the eldest, who came so close to the elves.

One of the elves said; "We thank you for this welcome. Now we must be on our way to the Capital."

Numendil could not resist asking one of the many question that was on his mind.

"Tell me beautiful people, is it true that your home can be seen from the highest point in Numenor;" he asked.

An elf answered; "You should know, what you can see from your own home!"

"Tell me about Avallone;" Numendil persisted.

"We must be leaving;" the elf said and the ten staring walking on the path towards Armenelos.

Many people walked with elves, also Numendil. As they passed Isilmos house, his father ask Numendil to stop.

"I want to follow them to Armenelos!" He said.

"Your home is here and they are here to see the King. Next year we will go to Armenelos and you can enter the service of your grandfather;" Isilmo said.

"Father, please!" Numendil shouted.

Isilmo smiled, he would not disappoint his own child. He nodded, and Numendil laughed and without regards for cloths or food, he ran after the elves.

The rumour of the arrival of the western lords came fast to Armenelos by people on horseback, and Tar-Surion was ready to receive them. He had been newly born when they were visiting the last time.

Surion sounded his horn when he saw the elves enter Armenelos. He received the elves on top of the stairs leading to his house together with Cemenie and Telperien. He presented his wife and his daughter as heir to the throne.

"We have come to see the King of Numenor, on behalf of our masters. Little is known to us about places east of here. However, the wind carries rumours of unease among our kinsmen in Middle Earth. Do you, the people of Numenor, know about a new evil in Middle Earth?

Surion was surprised by the question. He had expected happy news or gifts.

He said; "I am not aware of such evil, and my family and I will never go there…"

He waited for a while.

"…anymore!" he said.

The elves looked at the family. They could see the bad experience Surion and Cemenie have had with Middle Earth.

Telperien said; "I will never go there, and never let the evil come here!"

One of the elves stepped forward, touched Telperien on the forehead, and looked her in the eyes.

She said; "It is a wise daughter you have."

Surion said; "She is! However she will wed no man, so I do not know who should rule after her."

Cemenie looked angry with Surion for stating this about their daughter.

Telperien looked the elf in the eyes. "Is this a sin?" she said; "and I a sinner?"

The elf looked deep into Telperien eyes; "No! You are not! You are a gift for you country and anyone you love!"

The elf turned around against and faced Surion and Cemenie and the rest of the Numenoreans in the courtyard.

She said; "You Heir is right. You should not let the evil of Middle earth come here! Rule wisely!"

The courtyard and stairs were full with people. The elves stayed an entire day and night with the royal family. The left next morning. Armenelos were still filled with people wanting to see the blessed people.

As the elves reached the button of the stairs, the elf judging Telperien suddenly notices Numendil there. She looked him in the eyes, but did not smile, as it was as if she became uncertain with this Numenorean.

Not long after it was Eruhantale. As always, the King and Queen would lead the procession to the summit at Meneltarma. Cemenie was old and had to use the scepter and the arm of the King to make it to the summit. Telperien followed them with fruit and bread. It was already afternoon when they reached the top, and Telperien knew they could not stay long as the nightfall was coming. She quickly passed the food around to the people there, as it was custom without knowing one of them was her nephew.

Surion and Cemenie made sign to the people to descend and the people followed the request. Surion looked one last time around at the summit and noticed a person remaining. The person was eagerly looking west.

The king went to him and said; "I know the rumour, but even though I have been here over five hundred times, I have never seen the tower!"

Numendil was about to speak, but the king put his hand up to his mouth. The other he used to point to the path leading back, where the Queen stood. Numendil understood and started to descend.

After the feast, the king received the Numenoreans that wanted to speak with him. The first was Numendil. The king immediately recognized him.

The king said; "I see my young friend from Meneltarma. Tell me you name and your business with the king?"

Numendil said; "My name is Minastir, I want to become a captain of the king!"

The king said; "How old are you Minastir?"

Numendil answered; "I am twenty-nine years old, my lord!"

The King then said; "You are eager my friend, and I like your self-confidence. However, it is only custom to enter the services of the king when one becomes thirty. However with your name I can understand, why you want to sail the seas."

"Next spring, you shall report to the shipyard in Romenna with you family. Tell them the King send you!"