1508

At the eastern bank of the great river a wooden fort stood. From there boats could travelling at the river could get supplies, and as there were boats there, the place was often used for crossing the river.

The place was controlled by humans of Numenorean blood. However, these Numenoreans were not subject of the King of Numenor. They had left Numenor generations ago and settled in Middle Earth, where their children had grown up adapting to local customs.

The old man came to this place. Bearing no arms and being alone, he was welcome by the people there.

He asked the Numenoreans there; "I am looking for a people, who should live in the vales of the river close by. They are rumoured to possess the knowledge of invisibility."

The Numenoreans laughed; "the little people. They have no such knowledge; they are just very short and very shy. The have nothing to offer us, so we hunt them if we see them, but they hide well. We guess that is how they earn the rumoured ability."

"Where do I find them!" the old man asked.

"Better to have them finding you. If you have food they will come to you. But as stated they can offer nothing in return;" one of the men said.

"We will see about that; "The old man said.

The old man left the fort and headed north.

In Numenor, Isilmo and his family had joined the council member of Andustar, and rode to Armenelos at Erukyerme to celebrate the spring. Isilmo youngest son would become thirty next and Isilmo wanted him to enter the service of Surion. The King was surprised when he learned that his nephew Numendil had entered the service of the King four years ago. The King asked Cemborn of Mittalmar, who also was in Armenelos because of the feast, and Isilmo described his son.

Cemborn said; "You speak of your nephew as it could no other than Minastir. He came to me four years ago, and have begun constructing ships again."

The King laughed; "I remember Minastir! He wanted to be the creator of his own furtune!"

Later that year Minastir and Ereinion departed Romenna. A ship had returned from Middle Earth, and Minastir had persuaded Ereinion to travel with him. As the shipyard was fully manned again and several ships were built, Cemborn saw no problem in both ships leaving Romenna.

As the ships left the peer, the Tar-Surion and Isilmo arrived at the harbour.

Cemborn bowed to the King and shouted to his son; "The King has arrived to bid you farewell!"

At the deck of one of the ship, Ereinion bowed.

Surion shouted; "I wish you luck on your journey, Ereinion of Mittalmar, and you Numendil of Eldalonde, my grandson!"

Ereinion was very surprised and looked at Minastir on the other ship. Minastir smiled as he understood everybody now knew his identity.

At the harbour Isilmo was standing close to Cemborn. He said; "So my shipbuilder Minastir is no other than the grandson of the King!"

Isilmo stated; "He is as ambitious, as I predicted when he was born. One day he will become a great leader."

"Maybe even our king;" Cemborn said.

That is for my sister to decide; "Isilmo stated.